Posted on 09/08/2009 8:54:58 PM PDT by SmithL
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has demanded that both houses withdraw 73 bills awaiting action on his desk as an apparent bargaining chip in the final days of the session. He has threatened to veto any bills that he must act on by the end of business Wednesday.
Though an e-mail circulated to Senate chiefs of staff says the request is to provide the governor's office with more time to act on the bills, an e-mail sent to Assembly chiefs of staff and a statement by Schwarzenegger's communications director point to the host of large issues still looming over legislators' heads with just three full days left before the session ends Sept. 11.
"The Governor believes that we must act on the major issues facing our state - water, prison, renewable portfolio standard, appointments - before we consider other issues. These issues have been debated for up to 5 years; it's time for action so we can move California forward," Schwarzenegger's Communications Director Matt David wrote in an e-mail.
The 43 Senate bills and 30 Assembly bills he has asked lawmakers to pull back had to be acted on Tuesday or Wednesday. Rescinding and resubmitting the bills would extend the timetable the governor has signing or vetoing the measures.
The news did not sit well among Assembly Democrats.
Assemblyman Charles Calderon, D-Whittier, accused Schwarzenegger of extortion, noting that it is illegal for lawmakers to barter actions on unrelated bills. He said the Assembly should refuse to participate and make the governor veto the bills.
"It's important that we protect the institution, and the institution is more important than the political agenda of any individual member," Calderon said.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
Calderon needs to go back to school. Schwarzenegger isn't a "lawmaker", he's the chief executive.
Hey Arnold, how about banning all illegal immigrants from public services like health care and education. The law is already in the books.
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