Free Republic

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says he "absolutely" loves the idea of holding a constitutional convention to overhaul state government. California hasn't had such a confab in 131 years. ... The Republican governor would like the convention to consider, among other things, eliminating some statewide offices -- like treasurer, controller, superintendent of public instruction and, especially, lieutenant governor, all currently held by Democrats. "It makes no sense that the governor is surrounded by constitutional officers who are trying to derail him," Schwarzenegger says. "Look at the way the nation runs: The president appoints those Cabinet positions." ... Meanwhile, two blocks from the...

California citizens will pay at least $3.2 billion over the next 11 years to finance a costly solar energy initiative rejected by the state's legislature in fall 2005 but implemented by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on December 13. Observers quickly derided CPUC's decision, the California Solar Initiative, as demonstrating deliberate disregard for the state's democratic processes. Initiative Mirrors Failed Bill CPUC's California Solar Initiative is virtually identical to S.B. 1, the Million Solar Roofs proposal that was supported by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) but died in the state assembly in September 2005. S.B. 1 aimed to place solar...

Adopting a new tactic in a fight over the minimum wage, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger asked a dormant state commission Thursday to raise the wage by $1 an hour without the annual cost-of-living increases sought by Democrats. The Republican governor sent a letter to Bill Dombrowski, chairman of the Industrial Welfare Commission, and asked the panel to consider raising the wage from $6.75 to $7.75 in two steps over a nine-month period. A decision by the commission to grant the increase could give Schwarzenegger political cover if, as expected, he vetoes legislation later this year raising the wage and requiring subsequent...

SACRAMENTO (AP) - A week after they voted to against his plan to privatize the state's public pension system, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Thursday ousted four of his appointees to the board of the California State Teachers Retirement System. The sudden firings of Mark Battey, James Gray, Miguel Pulido and Gloria Hom, who were appointed by Schwarzenegger to the board last year, leave one-third of the 12-member board vacant. Last month, Schwarznegger proposed turning the state's two huge public pension plans into a system more like a 401(k) savings plan in which workers make defined contributions. CalSTRS and its board manages...

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was seeking to cement his reputation Tuesday as the kingmaker of California politics after putting his credibility and at least $11 million of supporters' money on the line to sway ballot measures and legislative races through road shows, ads and voters guides. Voters were siding with the governor to defeat two measures that posed a threat to his ability to control casino-style gambling, and to approve a $3 billion in taxpayer-backed bond measure for corporate stem cell research. It was unclear, though, whether Schwarzenegger's late effort to crush Proposition 66, a bid to relax the state's "three-strikes"...

Arnie sets sights on the Oval OfficeRobert Lusetich, Los Angeles correspondentNovember 02, 2004ARNOLD Schwarzenegger has confirmed he would want to become US president if the constitution were changed to allow foreign-born citizens to run for the White House. "Yes. Absolutely," the Austrian-born former action film star told US 60 Minutes last night. "I think, you know, because, why not? Like with my way of thinking, you always shoot for the top." However, California's maverick "Governator", as he calls himself, knows the odds are against him because of the hurdles that constitutional amendments must pass. Amendments require a two-thirds majority in...

California's movie star governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says he wants to be able to run for president and approves of moves to raise the constitutional ban on foreign-born US citizens holding the highest office, AFP reports. "Yes, absolutely," Schwarzenegger said when queried by CBS "60 Minutes" about changing the Constitution to allow foreign born citizens to run for president "Why not? With my way of thinking, you always shoot for the top," the Gov. Schwarzenegger said. "Ten being the highest, I would give myself an eight," he said, evaluating the job he has done in California. "I think I fell short...

The King Articles and Photos by Teagan Clive IronMan Magazine Wednesday, Aug 27, 2003 Campaigning for governor is just a little different from trying to win a bodybuilding title. In the political arena you’ve got to keep your clothes on (most of the time), flex your brain, define your positions and share your ideas with all kinds of people, many of whom might vehemently disagree. Knowing all this, Arnold has poured himself into a brand new mold. "He’s quite a chameleon," observed one of the King’s colleagues, "and he loves a challenge." He’s traded in his Eddie Bauer clothes for...