Posted on 09/02/2006 10:35:49 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO — Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Legislature's Democratic majority leaders and analysts Friday said this year's session rose above political gridlock to become one of the most productive in decades. Some Republican lawmakers were not happy about the governor's cooperative, election-year attitude, saying he worked more with Democrats than with members of his own party.
Damage to Democratic challenger Phil Angelides will be minimal, a campaign spokesman said, because voters won't care about the legislative session come Election Day on Nov. 7.
Schwarzenegger declared it "an incredibly productive legislative session, one of the most productive in decades."
The governor issued a statement citing deals with Democrats that will let him sign unprecedented legislation to reduce carbon emissions that contribute to global warming, a bill to hike minimum wages, and a measure to cut prescription drug costs for the poor and middle-class.
The Legislature also sent Schwarzenegger a bill that would deregulate cable TV so that telecommunications firms can compete and a measure that would require drivers to use hands-free cell phone devices by 2008.
There also were failures. Schwarzenegger did not win approval of Indian gambling packs for nearly 20,000 more slot machines, reform of overcrowded prisons, or a measure to revamp political boundary redistricting.
The global warming measure has drawn worldwide attention, including that of British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
"This is a groundbreaking move by the state Legislature and Gov. Schwarzenegger," Blair said in a statement. "Their leadership is vital given the urgency and scale of the threat of climate change, which the world is facing."
Despite election-year politics, which often leads to legislative gridlock, the governor and Democratic leaders said they rose above the fray.
Senate leader Don Perata, D-Oakland, called it a "textbook year."
"This year wasn't much about them and us," Perata said at a Capitol news conference. "This year we sort of defied the political laws of physics."
"If you were teaching civics, this is what you'd put up on the board and say, 'This is how the Legislature should work,'" he said.
Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, said in a news conference that "we put politics aside."
"It was a tough decision for us, but it was a worthwhile decision because in the end the voters of this state are the ones who are going to benefit from all the work we've done," he said.
Analysts agreed with positive assessments.
"It was the most productive session I think in probably 20 years," said Barbara O'Connor, director of the Institute for the Study of Politics and Media at California State University, Sacramento.
"You have a Democratically controlled Legislature and a Republican governor, but I think, for whatever reason, they decided it was actually time to get some work done," O'Connor said.
"I think Schwarzenegger did resolve conflicts and broker deals to the point this really was the year of the deal — much to Phil Angelides' chagrin."
But Angelides' campaign spokesman Nick Papas said little had been done to damage Schwarzenegger's challenger.
"At the end of the day, people are not going to cast their vote for governor based on what the Legislature did or did not do," he said. "This race is about a clear choice between candidates with vastly different values."
Some Democratic lawmakers, such as Nunez, will appear with Angelides but also with Schwarzenegger, as they promote a multibillion-dollar public works ballot bond package forged by the governor and Democrats.
Schwarzenegger's cooperation with Democrats displeased some Republican lawmakers.
"The governor largely agreed to the Democratic agenda," said Assemblyman Keith Richman, R-Northridge. "There was very little bipartisan participation. And largely the Republican caucuses (in both houses) were ignored."
Richman attributes the attitude partly to the fact that it is an election year and the governor needs Democratic votes to get re-elected.
"I think this was the result of a confluence of a number of political issues. It's an election year ... and I think it was in the interest of the Democratic side of the aisle to get some work done so that the public had a better perception of the Legislature," Richman said.
"At the same time, Democratic lawmakers wanted to align the political stars for Villaraigosa to potentially run for governor in 2010. And Nunez for L.A. Mayor," said Richman.
Any particular reason why this is in the Arkansas topic?
With all due respect to our California FReepers, this article makes me thank G-d I don't live in California....
The less laws passed, the better as far as I am concerned.
LOL.. Good catch, my finger did it. ;-)
(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo! )
California Conservatives, Don't Worry!
You still have a choice in the Governor's race. Don't waste your vote on a Republican that might as well be a Democrat. Instead of voting for a pro-abortion, pro-homosexuality, anti-moral, anti-second ammendment, pro-big government, pro-tax increase candidate, who happens to have an "R" beside his name, vote for the true conservative in the race.
Vote for Ed Noonan, the American Independent Party candidate. For more information, go to www.ednoonan4gov.org
That's not good.
Translation: Arnold agreed to toss aside any semblance of conservatism he may have had. While we liberals got what we want.
Productive...yeah, buddy - if you are a champion of some of the most liberal causes. And the muscle-head Governor was almost completely cooperative.
Makes me sick, but thankful I don't live there.
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