Dan Walters: Schwarzenegger's crusade puts legislative agenda in neutral

Sacramento Bee ^ | 8/15/5 | Dan Walters

[SmithL]

When Arnold Schwarzenegger declared in January that 2005 would be the "year of reform," he touched off a political war for control of the Capitol that continues to rage and has seen the governor's public approval cut in half.

Inadvertently, perhaps, but predictably, Schwarzenegger's campaign to change the Capitol's political dynamics also has dramatically affected the usual flow of legislative business - the give and take over the budget and hundreds of bills.

MLS In effect, everything that would ordinarily be important has been put on hold until the power struggle is resolved, even the deficit-saturated state budget. Initially, the Legislature's dominant Democrats indicated that they would not entertain any budget that did not include the extra $3.1 billion in school financing that their allies in the California Teachers Association were demanding. But they scuffed out that line in the sand when they became concerned that Schwarzenegger would use a prolonged budget stalemate as ammunition in the ballot measure war. The budget was quickly enacted pretty much as Schwarzenegger had sought.

What didn't happen on the budget has been largely replicated on the rest of the Legislature's liberal agenda. Not wanting to give the Republican governor any campaign fodder, Democrats have set aside the issues with the most potential for attracting popular enmity, such as granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants or legalizing same-sex marriages. And the state of suspension has extended even down to bread-and-butter issues that don't have much traction among voters.

The syndrome is most evident in the Capitol's perennial, high-stakes struggle pitting business against unions, personal injury lawyers, environmentalists and consumer protection advocates.

Last year, Schwarzenegger vetoed hundreds of bills that Democrats had easily passed on behalf of the latter,

[GVnana]

Not wanting to give the Republican governor any campaign fodder, Democrats have set aside the issues with the most potential for attracting popular enmity, such as granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants or legalizing same-sex marriages.

And this is bad?

[b9]

Exactly.

[Mr. Jeeves]

In effect, everything that would ordinarily be important has been put on hold until the power struggle is resolved, even the deficit-saturated state budget.

Good. That's why we elected Arnold - not with any great hope he could implement his own policies, but so he could at least stop the Democrats from running roughshod over California's middle class taxpayers.

[NormsRevenge]

LOL -- What a twist. The democRats playing the role of choir boys... and the media providing backup.

If nothing else, we are witnessing a FRench-like stalling action and if we can keep them down to only a 10% budget increase a year... I guess that's as bad good as it gets. ;-)

A $150B state budget looms ,, imo ,, and not too far off, at this rate

Let's hope folks smell the decaf coffee and get out and vote .. otherwise, ouch

W.A.S.S.

[GVnana]

The democRats playing the role of choir boys... and the media providing backup.

I'd laugh more if it weren't for this pain in my wallet!

[AlBondigas]

But, as recent TV ads suggest--he's out to blame people like meeeeeeee

WAH !