Mr. Schwarzenegger Goes To Washington (A Frank Capraesque Take!)

Los Angeles Times ^ | 10/26/03 | Richard Simon

[goldstategop]

The federal government could grant the state more flexibility in how it spends federal funds to provide health care to the poor. It could offer states more federal aid for the cost of jailing illegal immigrants. And it could change funding formulas for federal programs, such as one that gives California less per capita for homeland security than Wyoming.

These are expected to be among the ideas presented to Schwarzenegger by California lawmakers at their meeting Wednesday. Schwarzenegger also plans to meet with House and Senate GOP leaders — a possible sign of the new clout the state could gain in Washington.

Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach) said Schwarzenegger, by virtue of his celebrity status, may be able to muscle his way into congressional leadership offices that other governors can't. "He'll have no trouble getting an audience with members from other states," Cox said.

Schwarzenegger, a Republican who replaced Democratic Gov. Gray Davis in the Oct. 7 recall vote and will take office next month, has said he would look to President Bush and Congress to help California out of its budget woes. "I will be known in Washington not as the Terminator but as the Collectinator," the former actor said.

[goldstategop]

Can the Collectinator get California its fair share of federal tax dollars? Stay tuned!

[AmericanVictory]

How about giving California its waiver on the expensive and counterproductive ethanol boondoggle? That would save a hunk.

[exnavy]

I see a lot of pork in that article.

[DoctorZIn]

This post has been added to the… California In Transition- Must read Threads!

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