Posted on 07/18/2005 9:12:11 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO – Stunned by a string of industry-friendly appointments and a tight budget for coastal resources, some of the state's leading environmentalists are questioning whether Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has retreated from a once-lofty green agenda.
"What is the governor doing?" wondered Paul Mason, who tracks forestry issues for the Sierra Club. "It's like he's abandoned his claims to being the good environmental governor."
Schwarzenegger still receives relatively high marks for initiatives to scrap smog-spewing vehicles and old diesel buses, as well as for his support for alternative energy sources and a commitment to combat global warming.
However, environmentalists say more recent actions represent a tilt toward industry.
The administration says the decisions reflect budget constraints and a desire to balance competing interests on regulatory boards.
Schwarzenegger infuriated Democrats and environmental activists when he cut spending on coastal protection and access, rare salmon and wild trout programs, park rangers, game wardens, logging reviews and bicycle paths.
The reductions amounted to less than $40 million of the $117 billion state budget. "A grain of sand on California's budget beach," said Linda Sheehan, executive director of the California Coastkeeper Alliance.
Nearly $1 million of that would have been used to enhance efforts to protect the coast from proposals for offshore oil drilling and development of a liquefied natural gas pipeline, she said.
"Those tasks are critical," Sheehan said.
The governor also erased $500,000 earmarked to add staffers so the state Coastal Commission can process pledges made by property owners to provide access to beaches in return for building permits. Without action, many of those agreements could expire and the public could lose pathways to the coast.
"The loss of these positions is disappointing, especially coming from a governor who is supposed to be strong on coastal protection," said Peter Douglas, executive director of the Coastal Commission.
Industry groups, while noting they are not happy with all of Schwarzenegger's actions, say he is trying to stick with policies that encourage business and making appointments to implement that goal.
"The governor has said there is a way to have a balance – to protect the environment and jobs," said George Gomes, administrator of the California Farm Bureau. "We stand behind his intention to protect and preserve the agricultural heritage of California."
Environmentalists were riding high just a month ago, giddy over the Republican governor's break with President Bush over global warming when Schwarzenegger's voiced support for the Kyoto Protocol. They also had secured several victories through Schwarzenegger last year.
But their confidence in Schwarzenegger was shaken late last month when he named lobbyist Cindy Tuck as the state's leading smog fighter. Tuck formerly represented the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance, a lobby that environmentalists say is dominated by business interests.
Senate Democrats threaten to block Tuck's appointment, which is subject to Senate confirmation. Tuck "is not the right person to help the board carry out its mission of protecting the air our families breathe," said Senate President Pro Tempore Don Perata, D-Oakland.
As the new chairwoman of the Air Resources Board, Tuck will be enforcing pollution controls that she once earned her living fighting, environmentalists say.
A week later, Schwarzenegger appointed Tim Swickard, who once managed a large ranching operation, as the head of the Department of Toxic Substances Control.
More recently, Schwarzenegger installed San Diego GOP Chairman Ron Nehring on the state Board of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Nehring, who almost lost his home in the October 2003 firestorms, is the heir apparent to become chairman of the California Republican Party. He is a senior consultant for Americans for Tax Reform, an organization headed by national anti-tax advocate Grover Norquist.
"As a recent fire victim, Mr. Nehring brings an interest and passion to fire protection and to forestry issues," said Julie Soderlund, a spokeswoman for Schwarzenegger. "The governor appoints the most qualified individuals to each position. In this case, he appointed him because of his personal experience and unique perspective."
There is nothing on Nehring's résumé to suggest that he has knowledge of forestry issues, environmentalists say.
"It doesn't pass the blush test," the Sierra Club's Mason said.
Schwarzenegger Cabinet Secretary Terry Tamminen, who has strong environmental credentials, said that in a vast majority of cases, the governor protected programs from steep cuts.
On the recent appointments, Tamminen said, "You've got to give these people a chance." The governor is trying to shake things up in Sacramento by not going "with the usual suspects," he added.
The California Manufacturers and Technology Association stands behind Tuck.
"Cindy has a remarkable ability to bridge opposite views. . . . She's protective of the economy and jobs. She's an environmentalist, but she knows you've got to get it done right," said Dorothy Rothrock, who follows environmental issues for the trade group.
Industry has its concerns, but for different reasons.
Schwarzenegger is seeking to create a policy for limiting greenhouse-gas emissions suspected of disrupting climates, but such a policy would put the state's manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage, Rothrock said.
"It's a global issue that ought to be the purview of the federal government," she said.
The association also opposes legislation sponsored by the governor that would offer incentives to install 1 million solar-power systems on residential and business rooftops by 2016.
"Our concern is getting new supplies at the most cost-effective rates," Rothrock said. Solar power is still too expensive and unreliable, she said.
"Solar has a lot of glamour, but it's not the best choice for California," she said.
Elsewhere, communities that rely on recreational fishing should worry about the governor's budget cuts, some interests say.
"This will make our job harder and the state's job harder," said Brian Stranko, executive director of California Trout Unlimited.
State Sen. Wes Chesbro, D-Arcata, said a proposed $4 million investment in salmon and trout programs cut by Schwarzenegger would have paid dividends for the economy and environment.
The governor also trimmed $10 million from local resource grants, $6 million set aside for park maintenance and rangers, $5 million for 40 new game wardens, $3 million for hatcheries and $500,000 from a climate-change program.
"This seriously undermines the governor's claims to be a green governor," Chesbro said.
Assemblyman John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, said the governor may be good at espousing long-range goals such as hydrogen highways, but he lost a chance to provide immediate benefit by slicing millions of dollars earmarked for the state's resources.
"The rhetoric remained in and the real environmental stuff got blue-penciled," Laird added.
But State Resources Secretary Mike Chrisman said the governor had little choice given the gaping budget deficit.
"In the best of all worlds, it would have been great to have all those dollars," Chrisman said. "Tough choices have to be made. We're going to have to make it work."
It's California. Politicians there, especially Republicans there, have to do a balancing act to remain politically viable unfortunately.
Note that the left abandons a RINO at the slightest deviation from "never enough for us." This is why being a RINO is totally pointless: there is no compromise sufficient to satisfy the left.
Be patient, the Governator is coming around...
Equine feces. If you think you like what he says, it's because he has no problem talking out of both sides of his mouth. It's what he does that concerns me.
And the RINO will never get support from real conservatives.
Not true. Arnold got elected because of conservative support. So did Pete Wilson. A large fraction of those who voted for Arnold would have preferred McClintock, but fell for the "Arnold can win" canard.
McClintock would make a good governor after Arnold leaves, but a RINO is better than MeCha (a chicano equivalent of the KKK) spokesman/semi-grand gizzard Bustamante!
I'm glad you so young and back in Kentucky! That means you have years and years to learn of KY politics and yet holds out little hope of your ever understanding CA politics in the future!!!
Candidate Party Votes Percent
* Tom McClintock Republican 226,225 61.0%
Paul Joseph Graber Democratic 144,800 39.0%
"6. If the choice were between Cruz Bustamante, the Democrat and Tom McClintock, the Republican, who would you be more likely to vote for: Cruz Bustamante or Tom McClintock?"
September 25-27
Registered Voters
McClintock 49%
Bustamante 42%
Probable Voters
McClintock 56%
Bustamante 37%
I wouldn't announce in front of this forum that you were dumb enough to fall for that RINO story if I were you.
Well, Cali politics sounds almost like a black art (as in witchcraft not as in art work done by people of color), to hear you say it.. But yes well versed in KY politics...
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