Posted on 08/17/2005 9:40:56 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO (AP) - With time running out, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Democratic leaders are engaged in delicate negotiations to see if compromise is possible on all or some of the governor's special election initiatives.
The Secretary of State identified midnight Thursday as the last time the Legislature can put any new measures on the ballot. But both sides said that deadline can be extended, perhaps as long as another two weeks.
Talks have been ongoing for months but appeared to be headed nowhere because neither side seemed motivated to find common ground. Recent days have seen an infusion of energy, especially with the arrival of former Assembly speaker Bob Hertzberg as a mediator.
Even with the heightened urgency, both sides acknowledged it will be difficult to strike a far-reaching deal in time.
"Looking at last year, we accomplished so much, Democrats and Republicans, I feel very strongly we can do that again this year," Schwarzenegger said Wednesday during an event highlighting school funding in Ontario. "We are still negotiating, but it could be that we run out of time."
Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, has said he also wants an agreement. He warned Assembly members that they could be called back into session this weekend, Nunez spokesman Steve Maviglio said.
Both Schwarzenegger and the Democrats who control the Legislature have reason to compromise and avoid a costly ballot fight. But both also risk alienating their core constituents if they reach a settlement that is seen too lenient to the other side.
"Each side has reason to move forward and reasons not to," said Larry Gerston, a political scientist from San Jose State University. "I can guarantee you that both sides are also polling like crazy right now, too."
Schwarzenegger called the special election in January and since helped qualify three measures he believes are needed to overhaul the state's political landscape. He wants to impose a new cap on spending and give the governor more authority over the state budget; redraw legislative and congressional districts; and extend the probationary term of teachers.
Other initiatives have qualified, as well, including one that would require parental notice before minors could get an abortion. Two involve prescription drug discounts and another would restrict the use of union dues for political purposes.
If the governor and Democrats find common ground, they could create a new slate of ballot measures and campaign against Schwarzenegger's original ones. Gerston said the governor might be motivated to compromise to turn around his sinking support among California voters.
"Schwarzenegger's public opinion numbers have plummeted almost overnight," he said. "He badly needs a win."
But Gerston said Democrats still must be concerned with Schwarzenegger's success on the campaign trail and the fear that the former actor and bodybuilder could regain his popularity with voters.
Republicans, meanwhile, have been preparing for the election for months. Tens of millions of dollars already have been spent qualifying measures, polling voters and building campaign organizations. Some Democratic supporters - especially unions - also have made themselves ready for political battle and believe they can defeat Schwarzenegger's agenda.
Also standing in the way of an agreement are skeptics in the Legislature. A two-thirds vote in both the Senate and Assembly would be needed to place a compromise package of initiatives on the ballot.
Sen. President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, said earlier this week that there was not enough time to compromise because the issues are too complicated.
Assembly Republican leader Kevin McCarthy, of Bakersfield, said Wednesday that he opposes extending the deadline beyond midnight Thursday. He said it reduces the amount of time the Legislature and voters would have to debate any compromise.
Still, political observers said the arrival of Hertzberg, a longtime Democratic leader who has been an unofficial adviser to the governor since he took office, indicates that both sides are serious about trying to forge agreement.
"There's no individual in the state more capable of bringing Schwarzenegger and Nunez to some type of agreement than Bob Hertzberg," GOP consultant Dan Schnur said. "There's no way to know if a compromise can be reached, but his presence in the conversation speaks volumes."
What is the compromise? Schwartzenegger has qualified 3 initiatives, one on teacher tenure, one on legislative districts, and one on spending. Do they want to soften all three, or is there one in particular the Democrats don't like?
He has way too many of these leftists whispering in his ear.
Both side are headed for collision. The leg. is too leftist to cut a deal. They're trying to look "reasonable" before pushing dramatically way from the table.
The Gov. will probably win on the iniatives--Californian's like to feel empowered and are angry with the union domination of our politics.
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