Posted on 08/10/2006 9:32:35 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's efforts to position himself as a leader on climate change while maintaining support from business leaders has created an election-year dilemma that threatens to undermine his environmental credentials.
The Democratic majority in the Legislature plans to send him a bill this month that would create the country's first law capping greenhouse gas emissions from refineries, power plants and other industrial sources. He has asked for several pro-business changes to the bill that Democrats and environmentalists complain would severely weaken it.
Schwarzenegger has made global warming his signature environmental issue and is eager to sign a climate measure before he faces the state's Democratic-leaning electorate in November. It also would be another way for him to set himself apart from President Bush, who has opposed regulating global warming gases and is deeply unpopular in California.
"He hopes to have a bill on his desk this year that he can sign," spokesman Darrel Ng said, "but he wants to make sure it can be in a way that protects the economy and the environment."
At the same time, the Republican governor must tread carefully in the face of criticism from his own party for even considering signing legislation that businesses oppose.
"This noble goal of reducing greenhouse emissions and making energy use more efficient could backfire," said Dorothy Rothrock, a spokeswoman for the California Manufacturers and Technology Association. "It could hurt the economy and drive emissions outside California, thereby not improving the situation."
Schwarzenegger's gubernatorial opponent, Democratic state Treasurer Phil Angelides, said Wednesday that the changes Schwarzenegger has requested would create only a voluntary plan.
"He's trying to gut this bill so he can claim an election-year victory, and the people of California and the environment will be left holding the bag for yet another broken promise," Angelides said.
A veto on a bill that is likely to be popular with the centrist voters Schwarzenegger needs in November could leave him vulnerable, despite the pro-environment record he has built since becoming governor in 2003.
In June 2005, Schwarzenegger issued an executive order calling for the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 2000 levels by 2010, 1990 levels by 2020 and to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.
Last week, when British Prime Minister Tony Blair visited the state, Schwarzenegger signed a pact to have California and Britain work together to research cleaner-burning fuels and technologies.
Democrats say they are taking Schwarzenegger's cue and trying to put his ceremonial orders into law.
Not by me. See ya.
NOT!!!
This whole scenario keeps getting ridiculouser and ridiculouser!!!
What can ya say, we don;t talk issues anymore here, it's all about assassinate the poster, call em dem operatives, even as they use the same tactic they accuse others of being in sync with.. hillary's goons are here in full force, not many of them but,,
Yup, FR has sure matured,,
Trying to impugn FR now? Great division, nice disruption.
Blame it on global warming..
That seems to be getting a lot of attention of late, I find it interesting you choose to rap others yet trust those who are supposed to know what is going on yet rely on others as well for their info like al gore and john kerry.
How's that blind faith thing working for ya?
You and a few others here really are pathetic.
I strongly agree with that sentiment!!!
Yeqah, we're pathetic but you're the one's hoping for demonrat victories.
The dems always win anyway in California don't they, even when a Gub with an R is in office, yet you gladly seem to roll over on your back and accept whatever is tossed to you, besides the demographics are solidly stacked against us, isn't that what one of your (M)ilksters is always telling everyone,, funny how that can be seen as a rallying cry for victory, now just go ahead and whimper and impugn away..
Everytime you profer that lie, you go a little more insane! Watch it!! You're nearing the point of no return!!! Sayanara, sucker!!!
let's just keep borrowing that money , what the heck, we likely won;t be around to pay it back when the notes come due anyway..
Yeah, Philth'll be a much better investor ...
oddly enough,CalPers has done pretty well,, their rate of return aint bad.. maybe if he dropped the tax bit and reined in his green tendencies, , who knows..
at least he has been upfront unlike some politicos who pander and turn on a dime and leave folks gasping wondering what they just witnessed.
Global warming is a scam. I think! Being wrong in that belief, on my individual level, is insignificant. Unlike many of you, I don't pretend to understand 'the big picture'. I won't prognosticate over what I don't fully comprehend. I do believe that alternate technologies will bring innovation and industries into California. I must depend upon the chief executives (state and national) to be the most savvy to 'the big picture'. Have fun ...What we know is the current chief executive has surrounded himself with leftist democrat tree huggering activists like Terry Tamminen and Bonnie Reiss. We also know his environmental policy was written by Robert F. Kennedy, jr. We have seen the chief executive praise the efforts of Al Gore. The chief executive espouses mantra on global warming similar to that of Tony Blair, Bill Clinton, and Kofi Annan.
My question is, which "Chief Executives" are you depending on?
So predictable! The only trustworthy thing about you is your desire to divide.
The 'Chief Executives' of whom I am referring are the governor of California and the President of the United States. I hope the ilk don't get their way and both offices stay in the realm of republicans.
Taking exception to a policy or opposing leftist legislation should not be a dividing issue, grunt. At least not among Republicans.
The 'Chief Executives' of whom I am referring are the governor of California and the President of the United States. I hope the ilk don't get their way and both offices stay in the realm of republicans.
So, by definition of those carrying his platform, you will support the carbon trading scheme? You trust RFKjr? Tamminen? Reiss?
Sorry. I don't. And all of the insults you can spew won't stop me from expressing that belief.
Sorry, it appears to me that you do. I don't insult you for spewing beliefs, but I do when you campaign for the demonratz.
Never have, never will. Now you're not just insulting, you're lying.
So, by definition of those carrying his platform, you will support the carbon trading scheme? You trust RFKjr? Tamminen? Reiss?
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