Schwarzenegger's bond package facing a dicey fate at the polls

Scripps News ^ | July 27, 2006 | DAN WALTERS

[calcowgirl]

Last fall, when it was evident that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's "year of reform" ballot measure package was doomed and had seriously eroded his popularity, he and his advisors began looking for a political life ring and hit upon "infrastructure" -- doing something about the state's badly neglected highways and other public facilities.

It was, in a sense, a natural choice. Schwarzenegger had assumed the governorship on a three-word slogan, "recover, reform and rebuild." The first referred to the chronically and dangerously unbalanced state budget, the second to making the political system more responsive and the third to improving the infrastructure.

Although Schwarzenegger was unable to balance the budget and his reform package was destined for voter rejection, the decision was made to plow ahead on infrastructure...

By championing infrastructure and winning legislative approval, Schwarzenegger has already reaped much of its political benefit, especially among all-important independent voters and moderates who cherish the notion of bipartisan cooperation.

... new statewide Field Poll ... The poll found support slipping for even the most popular of the bond proposals, a $19.9 billion transportation measure (Proposition 1B), from 57 percent in May to 54 percent now, while none of the others reaches the 50 percent level and the $2.8 billion housing bond (Proposition 1C), is gasping at just 33 percent.

Proposition 1E would spend $4.1 billion on levee improvements, primarily in Northern California, which could make Southern California acceptance uncertain.

It poses a dilemma for Schwarzenegger and other politicians and interest groups, such as construction companies and unions, who want the borrowing to be approved: Whether to concentrate on the measures faring the best, such as the transportation bond and $10.4 billion for schools (Proposition 1D), or continue to pursue a one-for-all, all-for-one approach that could endanger them all.

[kellynla]

well, I'll blow the horn as I pass the Rosecrans exit of the 405 tomorrow...
we'll have to get together at Ponchos some Saturday for Margaritas...look for my Dad's pix on the wall. LOL

[calcowgirl]

The problem is that Arnold wants the bonds, and the rat politicians (obviously) want the bonds. And the unions (including the teachers) want the bonds.

And the construction companies lining up to build in flood plains want the bonds. And the international toll-road companies want the bonds. And the Charter School businesses want the bonds. And.... the NY bankers *really* want the bonds!

The Howard Jarvis folks are going to be outgunned, BIG TIME.

True. An understatement, but very true. Ain't direct democracy grand?

[calcowgirl]

Drive safe!
Margarita? Si!

[goldstategop]

I think they'll die by the time November rolls around along with the Big Oil and parcel tax increases. People are not in the mood to borrow, be taxed and spend more.

(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em Down Hezbullies.)

[goldstategop]

What deficit spending? Buy now, pay later. You've seen the offers all over the Internet. This is the same thing, albeit on a much larger scale.

(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em Down Hezbullies.)

[goldstategop]

I'm not opposed to reasonable borrowing for long term capital improvement projects but I am advocating a NO vote on these bonds because there is no guarantee the money borrowed will be spent on those projects.

(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em Down Hezbullies.)

[goldstategop]

Maybe. But they all forgot to check in with the voters and they think its in the bag. I think they'll get a wakeup call this fall.

(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em Down Hezbullies.)