Posted on 01/05/2006 4:59:06 PM PST by NormsRevenge
Fabian will mount the hatchet on the wall.
Man, I'm still pissed at what I heard. I'll be back in California later thgis year and I will be working on the wife to try to make the move.
I grew up in Redding, left for the military in 77, figured I would come back to Redding but I was stationed in California 3 times in 20 years and I watched the state change right beforemy eyes...this looks like the death knell from AhNold!
CRAP!
as a reminder.
Mexifornia = the 5th largest economy in the world ... so they say.
The weasel! From 8.25% to what?
Setting bipartisan tone, Schwarzenegger proposes massive bond
By TOM CHORNEAU, Associated Press Writer
http://www.bakersfield.com/state_wire/story/5809539p-5825738c.html
SACRAMENTO (AP) - Attempting to rekindle his image as a bipartisan populist, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday urged cooperation among lawmakers and proposed a sweeping $222 billion public works program that would require the largest bond package in state history.
The governor's annual State of the State speech addressed issues basic to the lives of most Californians, including more funding for public schools, rebuilding freeways and transit systems, improving air quality and raising the minimum wage.
He asked Californians to move beyond a year filled with acrimony over the special election he had called and devoid of significant political accomplishment.
"I have absorbed my defeat. I have learned my lesson. And the people, who always have the last word, sent a clear message - cut the warfare, cool the rhetoric, find common ground and fix the problems together," Schwarzenegger said before a packed Assembly chamber. "To my fellow Californians, I say, 'Message received.'"
The governor's speech was his third State of the State address but was widely viewed as among the most pivotal appearances of his political career. Facing re-election in November, his task was to persuade Californians to set aside any lingering bitterness over last year's election campaign and regain the bipartisan image that made him so popular his first year in office.
The vision Schwarzenegger laid out in the 30-minute speech proposed a bold program for rebuilding the state's aging freeways, bridges, schools and flood-control systems.
The governor proposed spending $222.6 billion in public works improvements over 20 years, to be paid in part by $68 billion in new general obligation bonds. The bonds would go before voters in a series of elections between 2006 and 2014.
The governor also pledged that his plan would ensure fiscal prudence for a state that grappled with multibillion dollar budget deficits before he took office in 2003. One aspect of his "Strategic Growth Plan" would constitutionally cap debt payments, limiting them to no more than 6 percent of the state's general fund revenue.
Schwarzenegger said his plan is necessary to keep pace with California's expanding population, which is expected to hit 46 million people by 2025. The state has not embarked on such a massive series of public works projects since the 1960s.
"We cannot spend more than we have, but at the same time cannot afford costly delays in investing in critical infrastructure," he said. "The reality is that we face more than $500 billion in infrastructure needs over the next 20 years."
The address by California's 38th governor contrasted sharply with his speech a year ago. At that time, he threatened a special election if lawmakers didn't meet his demands on a variety of budget and government reforms.
It was his first statewide speech since voters rejected all four of his ballot measures on Nov. 8.
Schwarzenegger tried to reposition himself in the political center, a step that could be crucial for his re-election chances as a Republican running in a state where two-thirds of voters are registered as Democrats or independents.
"I hope the members of the Legislature also heard the message that the people want us to work together," the governor said. "I have always felt that the people are my partners."
His proposed budget for the 2006-07 fiscal year is expected to include $4.3 billion more for public schools and a freeze in university fees. A predicted $5.2 billion in extra, unanticipated tax revenue next fiscal year gives the governor a welcome boost.
He also has proposed a $1-an-hour raise over two years in the state's minimum wage.
Democratic leaders welcomed Schwarzenegger's conciliatory approach, saying they were willing to work with him in the spirit of what Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez called "principled compromise."
He said both parties realize that Californians want an end to partisan squabbling. Instead, they want lawmakers and the governor to address problems in transportation, education, health care and other bread-and-butter issues. Democrats also desire consensus, Nunez, D-Los Angeles, said during the formal Democratic response following Schwarzenegger's speech.
"Even in an election year, when rational voices will be more difficult to hear, we pledge to place the interests of all Californians above the interests of politics," Nunez said. "We expect the governor to do the same.
State Sen. President Pro Tem Don Perata praised what he called Schwarzenegger's back-to-basics approach, especially the emphasis on rebuilding the state's schools and universities, as well as its transportation and water systems.
Perata, D-Oakland, introduced his own bond proposal nearly a year ago to provide money for transit systems, housing and levees.
"As long as the focus is on basic problems like that - ones that really affect our lives - this Legislature will be able to work with this governor," Perata said. " We all know this is an election year, but we still have a window to get some big stuff done before the usual bickering starts."
He said that? I hate Perata, I'm glad KRLA is not playing the Dem response, they'd have to peel me off the ceiling.
They didn't say, just that he was considering raising the sales tax to pay for 1000 new cops.
Why can't they lay off City government office workers? Freeze some wages for 3 years.
I'm on my knees praying that somehow Aramhoff dropped major bucks on these, dare I say the word, representatives.
Maybe K & L street will flood the capitol and there will be NO legislative session this year.
Have Arnold refer to California as Cauliflower..maybe he can pronounce that. : )
So Ahnold bent over and took it up the ass from Perata. Oh, wait, I thought6 Perata prefers to be the catcher.
Nah, they'd just move the session to Mexico City and it'll be business as usual except the mexi-lobby won't have to travel so far.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
The horriblest cave-in I've ever seen by an American politician.
what you said
Damn, forgot about that. Arnold's speech sucked so bad light could'nt be seen from the capitol.
He was a plant from the gitgo. a Trojan Horse.
He should get an Oscar.
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