Posted on 06/25/2005 10:41:46 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger feuded bitterly with Democrats throughout the spring over a package of government reform measures he is asking voters to consider in a special election this November.
In recent days, the partisan chill that had descended on the state Capitol during the first half of the year has begun to thaw. Polls released over the last few days showed a dramatic drop in the governor's job-approval ratings and the Democrat-controlled Legislature more unpopular than ever.
Both sides are inching toward compromise on a package of reforms that could avert a high-stakes showdown this fall, as Schwarzenegger seeks to reclaim his popularity among voters and Democrats eager to avoid a costly challenge to their political power.
"We are in the thick of negotiations on what I call 'the whole enchilada,'" said Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, in an interview with The Associated Press.
Both Nunez and his counterpart, Senate leader Don Perata, D-Oakland, met with Schwarzenegger several times last week to discuss a potential deal.
At issue are the three measures Schwarzenegger placed on the Nov. 8 special election ballot, which are among eight initiatives voters are being asked to decide. The governor wants to cap state spending, redraw legislative districts to make seats more competitive and make teachers work five years instead of two to gain tenure.
Also on the ballot is an initiative that goes to the heart of Democratic power.
If passed, the so-called "paycheck protection" measure would require public employee unions to get permission from their members before dues could be used for political purposes. It could significantly cut the flow of campaign contributions to Democrats, the greatest beneficiaries of union money.
Meanwhile, Democrats and the governor's office are trying to negotiate an agreement on the state budget, with the end of the fiscal year just days away.
So far, the negotiations have resembled a game of three-dimensional chess. Both sides are trying to balance the desire for compromise against competing policy objectives, political concerns and interest groups that want to keep fighting through November.
Many conservatives oppose Schwarzenegger striking a compromise on his "Year of Reform" measures because they believe the special election offers their best chance in years to curb the power of Democrats and labor unions. Democratic activists sense that Schwarzenegger is vulnerable and would love to try to beat him at his own game by defeating his initiatives at the polls.
Even so, the impetus to seek a bipartisan agreement on the reforms was heightened this week when a new statewide poll held cautionary signs for Schwarzenegger and Democrats alike.
The Field Poll found that Schwarzenegger's job approval has skidded to just 37 percent, down from 55 percent in February and 65 percent last September. And only 37 percent of voters support a special election to consider his reform measures.
A subsequent poll showed voters support only one of the Schwarzenegger's three initiatives, the teacher tenure measure. Historically, only a handful of ballot initiatives in California passed if early polling indicated they were running behind.
But the news wasn't any better for Democrats.
Just 24 percent of voters approve of the job the Legislature is doing, a 10-point drop since February. And the ballot initiative Democrats object to most, the union dues measure, is polling strongly, with 57 percent of voters saying they support it.
Schwarzenegger has not publicly endorsed the measure, but members of his political team were instrumental in steering it onto the ballot and supporters are counting on his support for it to pass.
Several of Schwarzenegger's political advisers publicly dismissed the poll findings. But the governor himself called a news conference during which he vowed to step up his effort to seek a compromise with legislators.
"It's very clear the people are sensitive to what's happening in the Capitol," Schwarzenegger said Tuesday. "Everyone wants us to work together."
Schwarzenegger's communications director, Rob Stutzman, cautioned against reading too much into the comments. He said the governor was only amplifying a point he has made all along.
"It's clear that people aren't happy with what's going on in Sacramento, and it's always been his desire to work things out," Stutzman said. "But at the end of the day, it's going to take some political will by Democrats to come our way."
In particular, Stutzman said Schwarzenegger would insist on true budget reform before agreeing to any compromise.
In theory, a negotiated settlement would mean both sides would unite behind a package of bipartisan reforms they would send to the ballot for ratification by voters. The election will take place Nov. 8 even if the sides reach a grand compromise because Schwarzenegger has signed the proclamation declaring it.
The special election will cost the state between $52 million and $55 million.
The emerging sticking point to the talks is the union dues measure.
Democrats view that initiative as a direct assault on their political power and say they will not agree to any deal unless Schwarzenegger pledges to campaign against it – a notion the governor's aides say he will never agree to. At the very least, Democrats want Schwarzenegger to ensure that the measure does not get his public endorsement or the funding it would need to succeed.
"It cannot pass," Nunez said flatly.
The Year of ReForm will be just another Year of Business as Usual if you roll.
Letting a bunch of girlie men and doctored polls sway the Mighty COnan from his mission. Can we get a script rewrite or is it too late.
We could have kept Gray and been less in debt.
Pure Machiavellianism.
NO!!
Will the REAL ARNOOOLD please stand up!
Why would California democrats want to explore a truce if the Governor is on the run? There is an incredible amount of BS written on Arnold, including this puerile article. However, I don't see Arnold's enemies lining up to run against him. In sum, Arnold will go to the people and win again, and once again the MSMedia will wonder what hit them. Then Arnold will win re-election, and all the journalistic sound and fury from San Diego to Crescent City will signify nothing.
I want to vote for that one!
What's that NormsRevenge ?
Did I hear you saying awhile ago that the Governator was "whimping out" on Drivers Liscenses for illegals ?
Looks like he's still playing them for suckers on that one also ...
The biggest suckers are the folks that fell for a pseudo-politico to save their collective butts, imo.
Unfortunately, illegals will drive whether they have valid licenses or not.
The Gub would sign SB60 today and would have signed it 2 years ago if it had "background checks" and a special mark or such on the license itself.
Now , he's supposedly in compromise mode.
I'd not too keen relying on a moderate willing to compromise, much less, a supposed republican that has more GReen in his cabinet and administration than can be played off with a wave of the hand..
btw - He needs to aggressively back the Paycheck Protection Initiative or it will wither on the vine.
http://www.bakersfield.com/state_wire/story/5582882p-5554236c.html
State spending matters are key to possible compromise
The Associated Press
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Democratic leaders in the California Legislature are trying to reach compromise on issues that revolve around how the state spends money. Some of the key points involved in the discussions include:
- Budget reform: Schwarzenegger's proposal would give the governor greater authority in spending matters. Democrats are proposing new midyear corrections instead to keep the budget balanced.
- Redistricting reform: Schwarzenegger wants to strip lawmakers of their power to draw legislative districts and give it to a panel of retired judges instead. He wants the change in place before the 2006 election. Democrats say they would be willing to give up some control over redistricting, as long as the new maps are not drawn until after the next census in 2010.
They'd also like to see term limits eased. California lawmakers can serve up to 14 years - three terms, or six years, in the Assembly, and two terms, or eight years, in the Senate. Democrats would like to allow lawmakers to serve a total of 12 years, which they could serve in the Assembly, the Senate or both.
- Pension reform: Schwarzenegger dropped a proposal earlier this year to shift the state's multibillion dollar public pension program into 401(k) style accounts to keep the program solvent and reduce the state's contributions. He abandoned the measure temporarily after public safety officers objected to it, saying his plan didn't adequately protect death and disability benefits.
Democrats say they would consider reviving pension reform and look at new ways to preserve the program's solvency but would reject any move toward private accounts.
"Are you aware of the Gub's past statements yourself or just attacking me personally for expressing my opinion because you don't like it?"
What I am aware of is that you have attacked him at every turn, mainly with what you think he "will do" or "would do" or "wants to do" - and what happens is none of the above.
Merely expressing MY opinion.
Yeah, right. Starting with the do-nothing-but-hide-more-borrowing initiative he has proposed, I can't wait to see what a compromise will look like. WASS!
Arnold is a RINO with bold statements made on Monday watered down and unrecognizable on Tuesday.
The "Governator" has become the "Equivocator".
Don't expect much and you won't be disappointed.
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