The California Assembly sent AB 583, a bill providing for the public financing of elections, to the State Senate with a stipulation that the final details of the bill will be hashed out in a conference committee.  Each of the last three elections – Gray Davis’ 2002 victory, his 2003 recall, and Schwarzenegger’s 2003 victory – broke the record as the costliest races in state history.  Critics claim that the bill stymies free speech and would cost the taxpayers more money.  If the State Senate passes the bill and Governor Schwarzenegger signs it then the citizens will vote for its passage in 2008.