SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – Gov. Jerry Brown has signed legislation aimed at helping a Democratic senator survive a recall election attempt.
The Democratic governor signed the bill hours after the Assembly and Senate approved it on Thursday.
The bill could help Democratic Sen. Josh Newman of Fullerton survive an effort to remove him from office over his vote for a gas tax increase. Both parties have battled fiercely over the recall, which will determine whether Democrats retain a supermajority in the Senate.
SB117 allows people to remove their names from a recall petition and create additional steps before the governor can call an election. It’s likely to delay a recall election for Newman until next year.
Republicans want the recall election in November, shortly after the higher gas tax takes effect.
