(AP) "The state of California is today strapped for cash, and I think it is a mistake to spend tens of millions of dollars on a special election, just eight months before a scheduled election. These funds could certainly be used for a much better purpose — like improving our schools or closing the state's budget deficit." — U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat. ...

"It's especially outrageous that the idea arises from the man who went to Washington in October 2003 bragging that he would be the 'collectinator,' using his newfound clout to scoop up federal funds for state projects, a promise that turned out to be merely rhetorical. Now that he's ready to be such a spendthrift, he should call himself the 'profligator.'" — U.S. Rep. Tom Lantos, D-Burlingame. ...

"Arnold Schwarzenegger's decision to call his taxpayer-funded special election is bad for politics and bad for California. Schwarzenegger ran for office as a nonpartisan, nonpolitical reformer. In two years he has devolved into a Bush-lite conservative politician who breaks his promises and sells out working people to satisfy his special-interest corporate donors." — Art Pulaski, California Labor Federation.

"California has a growing health care emergency. But rather than improve health care access or quality, this governor is promoting a plan that will almost certainly produce severe reductions in vital health programs, while seeking to silence the voice of caregivers to protect the safety of patients and all Californians." — Rose Ann DeMoro, executive director of the California Nurses Association. ...

"Gov., if you're willing to strip away all the partisanship and political games, and work with us, we'll meet you more than halfway." — Don Perata, state Senate President Pro Tem, D-Oakland.

"The governor is wasting taxpayer money to hold an election that nobody wants and to push an agenda that will hurt our public schools, kids and local communities. And the plan announced by his advisers to use the election to create a 'phenomenon of anger' against teachers, nurses, firefighters and other public employees breaks his promise to unite our state for public good." — Barbara Kerr, California Teachers Association.

(Marin Independent Journal) ... But aside from kudos from Republicans, most of the response was negative.

"There is no way a governor with any sense would do this," said Mary Jane Burke, the superintendent of the county Office of Education. "As people vote no on these propositions, that will give a clear message to the governor related to his future in public office."

"I think it is very unfortunate," Assemblyman Joe Nation, D-San Rafael, said of the governor's move. "The governor had the opportunity to rise above the partisanship and by calling a special election, he just furthers that partisan divide."

Much of the criticism focused on the cost of the special election, originally estimated at $80 million by Secretary of State Bruce McPherson, although he amended the estimate to $45 million within the last several days.

"I'm appalled at the $80 million cost for holding this election now and not next spring," said San Rafael City Manger Rod Gould.

Gould worries that the divisive campaign battle will make voters more cynical about the electoral process and make it more difficult for San Rafael to win voter approval for a municipal tax measure that also will be on the Nov. 8 ballot.

"It will have to compete with all of this stuff at the state level for the voter's attention. That causes me real concern," Gould said.

"Here, the governor does this purely political thing to get Democrats, supposedly in the name of balancing the budget, but then he says, 'Counties and cities, you pay for it.' How does that work?" asked Supervisor Hal Brown.