CA: Governor to speak on state of state economy

SFGate.com ^ | 1/5/04 | Robert Salladay and Mark Martin, SF Chronicle

[NormsRevenge]

Sacramento -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, in a 25-minute speech today before the Legislature and with a budget unveiling Friday, outlines the scope and texture of his new administration and answers a key question about how California will pay its bills.

[NormsRevenge]

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[NormsRevenge]

Schwarzenegger recently authorized $2.6 billion to be shifted to local governments starved for cash because he cut the state's car registration fee.

Elizabeth Hill, the state's legislative analyst, advised the Legislature that the move was a flagrant misuse of the law and a "serious infringement on legislative powers." But for Schwarzenegger, the move was politically savvy because it forced lawmakers into the position of having to sue or fight to take money away from local governments. Few lawmakers want to challenge their local police officer or firefighter.

But Assemblyman Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, said Democrats are unlikely to forget Schwarzenegger's December end-run around the Legislature to send money to cities and counties.

"I think that unilateral action will come back to haunt him,'' Yee said. "This isn't like being a lead in a movie. This is about partnerships. Whatever bold moves he makes, he's going to have to get consensus.''

Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica, called the move a real slap at the Legislature and urged Schwarzenegger to spend some time in his speech tonight reaching out to lawmakers. "I would like him to say, 'I believe in checks and balances, and I want to work with you,' " said Kuehl, a liberal Democrat who has been outspoken in her disappointment at Schwarzenegger's election.

Kuehl said Schwarzenegger could go down in history as a great governor if he can persuade Republicans to accept some tax increases while also making cuts that aren't overly dramatic in areas like health care for the poor and higher education. But she cautioned that even a popular governor faces a difficult task.

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And you wonder why the state legislature has approval raings that aren't that far from GrayOut's in his 2nd term.

Ms. Kuehl, Goldberg and Oropeza are just 3 examples of what lies ahead. The Sirens of Sacramento... plug your ears.

[NormsRevenge]

raings=ratings

[Othniel]

Eventually, Arnie will have to talk about the elephant in the living room that everyone pretends to ignore, and that is the whole issue of illegal immigrants, their drain on the system (be it education, welfare, or medical), and the under-the-table economy that exists in California (Mexicanos sending billions south of the border, firms and farms that hire illegals, those firms/farms not paying the appropriate taxes or insurance). THAT will be ugly!

Those who don't understand the concept of "breaking the law" will make it hard to change any of the current policies (grief, people, just enforce the law! Is that so hard??), and hey, illegals have rights too, y'know! (sarcasm off)

[Othniel]

Eventually, Arnie will have to talk about the elephant in the living room that everyone pretends to ignore, and that is the whole issue of illegal immigrants, their drain on the system (be it education, welfare, or medical), and the under-the-table economy that exists in California (Mexicanos sending billions south of the border, firms and farms that hire illegals, those firms/farms not paying the appropriate taxes or insurance). THAT will be ugly!

Those who don't understand the concept of "breaking the law" will make it hard to change any of the current policies (grief, people, just enforce the law! Is that so hard??), and hey, illegals have rights too, y'know! (sarcasm off)

[Othniel]

A thousand apologies for the double post.

Or at least one.

[NormsRevenge]

Not a problem. Thanks for the bumps :-)

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Remember when?

Open microphone catches California Democrats

How quickly They forget,, But We Don't!