Shelley Resignation Prompts Call For Reforming Office
Change Would Make Secretary Of State Nonpartisan
POSTED: 4:20 pm PST February 7, 2005
UPDATED: 4:35 pm PST February 7, 2005
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- With political scandal driving Secretary of State Kevin Shelley (pictured, right) from office, there is new talk at the state Capitol of not just replacing Shelley, but fundamentally reforming the office itself.
Of the eight constitutional offices in California, only one is officially nonpartisan -- the Superintendent of Public Instruction. But some legislators say the secretary of state, who's in charge of administering elections, ought to be next on that list.
"It seems to me that it's an idea we ought to at least entertain. We ought to entertain it. Why? Because this is a job that is really a nonpartisan job," said Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez.
Assemblyman Joe Canciamilla, D-Pittsburg, introduced a bill several weeks ago to enact the reform. Shelley's resignation is now spurring fresh talk.
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