The College Republicans at UCSD have joined a statewide effort to recall Gov. Gray Davis, which has garnered over 100,000 signatures thus far.
“”This recall is necessary; we need a new governor,”” said Sixth College freshman Sendhil Panchadsaram, a member of the College Republicans at UCSD. “”Davis has done a bad job for California.””
The recall effort, which started at a Sacramento, Calif., radio station in February, is being organized through an organization called People’s Advocate. The state constitution mandates that 10 percent of the registered voters in California, or 897,156 signatures, must be collected by early September for a recall election to take place. Over 100,000 signatures have been gathered and confirmed, People’s Advocate said.
More than 100 signatures have been gathered at UCSD since May 5, organizers said. College Republicans at UCSD believe the recall effort is important to Californians and UC students alike.
“”On top of California having a budget deficit bigger than all of the other states combined, he has raised student fees and cuts educational programs,”” Panchadsaram said. “”If Davis did his job, we wouldn’t have to this.””
In his May revision of the 2003-04 state budget, Davis estimated the state’s shortfall to total $38 billion, while proposing a $300 million cut to the University of California’s base funding. The May budget revision also included a UC student fee increase. Undergraduates would pay an extra $795 per year while graduate student fees would be increased by $855 per year. If the proposed increase is passed by the UC Board of Regents, resident undergraduates would pay $1,200 more in systemwide student fees than in 2001-02.
In the event that the sufficient number of signatures is gathered, a recall election would be held 60 to 80 days after the date of certification once the California Secretary of State has verified the legitimacy of the signatures collected. The recall election would consist of two questions: The first question would ask whether Davis should be recalled. The second question would ask who voters would like to be elected the new governor of California the day after the election is certified.
Local Congressman Dan Issa, R-Vista, has contributed more than $100,000 to the recall campaign.
Since 2001-02, the University of California has forgone almost $1 billion in funding due to state budget cuts.
Phone calls made to Davis spokespersons were not returned by press time.
