California: Proposals to change the recall flood the Senate, including limiting paying signature gatherers

A new bill, SB 660, proposed by Senator Ben Allen (D) which looks to ban paying signature gatherers has passed the Senate Elections Committee. The issue of paying signature gatherers by the signature is one that has always engendered criticism and controversy, though it goes to the beginning of direct democracy. Perhaps I'll have a chance to explore this a bit more in the future.

Allen is also proposing constitutional amendments which would allow the canceling of a recall election if the official resigns (a common provision elsewhere), would require the top financial contributors to be listed with the petition and move California from a one-day, two step process recall to a direct face-off.