SACRAMENTO -- If Gov. Gray Davis survives the Oct. 7 recall election, the state consti tution leaves open the possibility that taxpayers might have to re imburse him tens of millions of dollars for his campaign ex penses, legal experts said Monday.
The Democratic governor has attacked the potential $30 mil lion to $35 million cost of holding the special statewide election, qualified last week for the ballot by Republican-led forces, but has not addressed the reimbursement issue.
A provision buried in the Cal ifornia Constitution says that "a state officer who is not recalled shall be reimbursed by the state for the officer's recall election expenses legally and personally incurred."
If Davis beat the recall at tempt and chose to seek re imbursement, he would have to file a claim with the state Board of Control, according to officials at the Secretary of State's Office.
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