Schwarzenegger working to outmuscle veto override

It seems Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's going to wait until Friday to officially veto the $104.3-billion state budget, which critics say fails to make any hard choices and instead relies on accounting sleight of hand to close the the state's $15.2-billion shortfall.

The official reason given for the veto delay -- paperwork. But political insiders say California's governor is giving himself time to mount a statewide barnstorming campaign meant to put pressure on individual legislators and keep them from overriding the veto.

Schwarzenegger's staff is scheduling face time with editorial boards of newspapers, including The Times.

There's also a budget rally in Fresno at 2 p.m., with "press availability" afterward, and the gov's staff is sending an e-mail blast of a compilation of headlines and one-liners from op-ed pieces and editorials that say the budget, well, stinks.

The Terminator, in action again.

-- Veronique de Turenne

Photo: Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press

Comments

[Ronin]

Arnold is doing a great job at trying to keep the state from going more into debt. That is what being a conservative means, right? So why are the other republicans fighting him? Oh, they're Bush conservatives.

[El Gato Malo]

It is a lousy budget. But if he's not willing ot make the hard choices necessary, and if he's not able to get any of his party members to support the hard choices, then he should just admit that he is irrelevant and get out of the way.

[Matt]

He should keep in mind make of the Californians who are suffering from the delay of budget....

[Mike N]

The only people here that is serious is the Republicans and the Governor. The Democrats, who have spent all this money like children, do not want to cut their spending habits. Sorry, but there is no money in the till. The taxpayers did their job and we paid our taxes. It is the Democrat Party in the Legislature that is acting like children that are going to get less allowance. It is the democrat party that is spending us into the poor house. It is the democrat party that is working hard to bankrupt our state. According to this budget California will spend $3,500 dollars, PER RESIDENT. This is absurd and unsustainable.

[CW]

Stop the give away programs. Support the Governor

[Raphael Harris]

I cant pay my rent or my car not because they will not give me my cal grant how can I focus on my books and enducation when I'm in this horrible situation. This is retarted how long can this go on I need my money!!!!!

[Michael]

Cut spending!

[buz]

Send Mexico a bill.

[LPHC]

If Arnold is going to veto the budget it will cause a further delay in payments to nursing homes around the state. Already nursing homes are struggling to survive in order to make payroll and feed their residents. We understand his reasons for a veto, go ahead and veto but put in place an emergency fund to make payments to those who are struggling as a result of this impasse. Nursing homes and others not getting payment should not be affected by the power struggle between Arnold and the legislatures.

[LA]

Good for Governor Schwartzenegger!

It's about time someone - ANYONE - in government stood up for what he/she believes. We are a nation without a leader; thank goodness our state has one. I may not agree with all of the Governor's policies, but I think he's the right person at the right time.

[karl]

why the hell are you going to hire a movie star!!!!! why? he has no experience in politics. i totally disagree with the veto!!! im a full time college student and the delay is killing me bad!!!!!!. i have money coming to me for school and he needs to sign the damn bill!!!!!! come on guy!!! you are making people suffer man. its not about you gov. its about california retard. california is suffering. you californians are so selfish and stupid.

[Bill]

Thank God for someone who is willing to step up and try and get our elected officials to do there job correctly. This isn't a budget it is just pushing it off to next year leaving us in a terrible budget position. Keep there feet to the fire Arnold!!

[nematoda]

It is a lousy budget, but it's absurd to think that the only "serious" people are (not "is" by the way) the Republicans and the governor. Name calling, ironically, bespeaks of childishness: the Democrats are spending money that the people of California, for the most part, want spent. The people of California demand that the educational system received a certain amount of money. The people demand we spend money on maintaining and buidling an infrastructure. The people demand certain social services and medical payments to those who otherwise cannot pay. The people demand a court system and police force. The people demand a lot. To be sure, politicians are not innocent: they spend money on pet projects, they make sure that they are well compensated, and so on. But, engaging in name calling ain't going to solve anything. This is the basic problem: everything is a blame game. It's always the "other side's" fault. No one wants to take responsibility and no one wants to appreciate that, in a world with competing interests, compromise and tradeoffs are necessary.

I happen to think the governor's position is reasonable--this time. But he's created his own problems by being amazingly inconsistent, and engaging in the politics of name-calling (can anyone forget his "girlie man" comment?)

[Brad]

I read comments from those like entitlement-minded Karl (you can view his self-important comments above) are part of the reason we're in this budget mess. Hey Karl, I paid for my own college education and I think you should too buddy. Kudos to Ahhnold for the veto on another lame CA budget proposal. I say: (1) no new taxes (2) cut wasteful entitlement spending (especially for whiners like Karl and folks who are not here legally a.k.a. "undocumented immigrants") (3) restore fiscal responsibility to the budget process.

[Brian]

This budget essentially burdens future generations of Californians, AGAIN--similar to the Bonds a few years ago. All sides are being EXTREMELY shortsighted here, and a compromise should have been established long ago. This budget needs to take care of Californians, present and future, so cut $5 billion from the budget and raise taxes to cover the other $10b. The Governor needs to get off his high horse about not raising taxes, yet we do need to cut some programs. These are troubling economic times, nationally and personally; however, this type of debt piling up in both Calif and Nationally will come back to haunt this state and country.

[Marlena Christian]

Cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut

[Chuckles]

*** ACTION ALERT ***

Every Republican Legislator should vote to over-ride the veto. Schwarzenegger has become the tax collector for the welfare state, and the Republicans would do well to hold the line and preserve their win on the budget. Besides, if the Governor follows through (doubtful), and vetoes every pending bill (let's hope!), the Republicans in the Legislature will get final say on whether to over-ride the veto on each particular bill.

[Bob]

Completely agree w/ the Gov on this one.

[anna]

My husband works for the state of California. If the budget doesn't get passed he won't get paid, we can't pay our mortgage and we go into foreclosure like the whole state.How does this help Californians?????

[MIKE]

YOU GUYS DONT GET IT ! PEOPLE FROM HEALTHCARE ARE THE MOST GREATLY AFFECTED IF THE GOVERNOR ONLY WORK THIS EARLIER EVERYTHING WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER THIS IS NOT THE MOVIES ANYMORE THIS IS REAL LIFE ! GOVERNOR ! MY SALARY HAS BEEN DELAYED FOR 3 WEEKS I HAVE 3 KIDS WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO STEAL OR ROB TO FEED TO SUPPORT MY KIDS MY GOD! THINK ABOUT IT!

[Rick]

I'm a democrat and I agree with the Governator 100% We are one of the wealthiest states in the union, yet we have democrats that spend more than we take in with pet programs. Stop educating illegal aliens in this state and providing frivolous medical care to them and return education to people who work hard and followed the law to immigrate to this country. Why the hell are we teaching children in their 'native language' other than english, we are simply wasting money. Stop this insanity!

[Rajiv]

The comments are interesting. All the students talking about needing Cal grants have horrible grammar and vocabulary. Do they really deserve our money?

The Legislature and Governor have waited this long to get to this point. Let's get some real reform, so that mandates cannot override fiscal discipline.

[MT]

It's disgusting to me that the college students and state employees above only care about themselves (I can't buy gas, pay my bills, etc.). One college student above says "... I need my money.". No dude, it's not your money; it's our money. You have no claim to it. I worked my way through college and grad school; if I can do it, you can do it. This issue is much larger than these individuals. The Governor, in my opinion, is right on - VETO this silly, irresponsible, nonsensical do nothing budget. I love that the Governor, unlike most in politics, is actually taking a principled and responsible stand. The budget as passed does nothing but add debt, cause all Californians more pain in the short term, and does NOTHING to address the long term budget problems. There is no revenue problem; there is a spending problem. Yes, Californians want infrastructure, education, etc. - that's fine, but something has to give. Perhaps a hard look at all of the social programs is in order. Perhaps the State can't be "mommy and daddy" to everyone. Perhaps tying teacher and school administrator rasies to performance (oh my - what a novel concept) is in order. Perhaps a hard look at State agencies and their usefullness and need for existence in their current forms is in order. Oh yes: sending a bill to Mexico isn't such a bad idea, even if it won't work.

[jo mama]

Ok first off, the budget that was sent to the governor is the only budget that the republicans in the legislature were willing to vote for. The democrats brought up the Gov's budget, but there was still no republican support because it included tax increases. Now we are in this situation, which sadly pushes the budget dilema problem down the road again. I think the gov should veto this, however, it will make him more vulnerable to the recall effort. Oh by the way, for all idiots out there, taxes are in fact the price you pay for the standard of living you want in your society.

[Waiting4pay]

Lord this better end soon, I have not been allowed to deposit my paycheck since Mid-August. I agree this budget is lousy and I am not for frivolous programs but I am getting very cranky.

[Joe J]

For goodness sakes Arnold, sign the budget so Karl (see post above) can take that fourth grade English refresher course.

[O.W. CHilds]

I blame the Republicans in the Legislature. Until our entire tax system is overhauled, as it must be, we will need a temporary increase in the sales tax to pay for the programs that almost everyone (Republicans included) want, including funding for the courts, schools and colleges, and (sad to say) prisons. The Republicans have a single-minded fixation on "no new taxes" but they offered no realistic budget of their own. The reason they finally agreed to this 2008 Ponzi scheme was so they could say there will be no new taxes (except I guess for some yacht buyers).

California cannot substantially increase the top income tax rate without driving away businesses. It should reform Prop. 13, but it won't. That leaves the sales tax, unfair though it is.

The responsible thing for the Republicans to do would have been to allow the sales tax measure to pass by a majority vote, to insist on the "rainy day" fund the Governor wants, and then to allow the Democrats to put everything in the budget that they thought was necessary. Then the Governor could have used his line-item veto to eliminate or reduce the programs he thought were not essential.

What is irresponsible is to let the stalemate go on for months, driving many who supply needed services to the state to the brink of bankruptcy and beyond.

[Gerald J. Miller]

What a great "leader" this guy is. The Democratic leadership agreed several months ago to give him what he wanted. All he had to do was convince six Assemblymen and two Senators OF HIS OWN PARTY to support his budget. He had all summer, and he couldn't (or wouldn't) do it. Now, after untold hardship, and after the Legislature does his work for him and produces a budget (that granted, nobody likes, but which is the best possible under the circumstances), he simply says he will not accept it, without indicating what, if anything, he will do to get a better one passed. Arnold is great at talking tough, creating media events, and punishing innocent people (like the state workers that he tried to make work for minimum wage), but when it comes to actually hunkering down and governing, he is a big zero.

[Jeff]

RAJIV wrote: "All the students talking about needing Cal grants have horrible grammar and vocabulary."

What do you expect from a scholarship program for C average students? They want checks so that the can go take the remedial college classes where they might learn what they were supposed to have learned in high school.

Sign the budget and let's begin the process to figure out how we can present the voters with options of how they want the structural budget problems fixed. I just don't see the political factions in this state reaching agreement.

[CALIFORNIA LABORATORY]

I am in the laboratory business and we have been greatly impacted by this budget crisis. Payroll? What payroll? Rent? What rent? It's really hurting us. However, I agree with the Gov...we can't just keep playing the same old game year after year. We will try to hang on... we may not make it....but what else can we do... give in to the Democratic spenders....we need to stop giving away our tax-dollars to the far-left cause. If we don't take care of this now, and if Obama gets in.... we're all screwed.

[shawn white]

Its nice to know that the politicians we elect Republicans and Democarats have collectively placed our state in a budget crises. Best of all the men and women that work for the state doing jobs none of our elected officials would ever do, are now being asked to give up their paychecks to cover the mistakes of our leadership. Of course we will lose our homes and our family security will be impacted. But the $6.55 an hour we will recieve for continuing to support our state by our continued service may cover the hotel we will be forced to move into. Dont Worry Governor our children will be fine and even if they have to skip a meal here and there they will be fine too. We just want to help you and your special interest parties preserve the multi million dollar life style you are accostomed to. Dont sign the budget, contniue spending more of our money on your personal quest against Mr. Chang. I hope after you win my familiy and the thousands of others you are destroying will be welcome to camp on your beautiful estate while we find a new place to live. Maybe your kids can take a day away from their expensive private schools to share a toy wilh the hundreds that will not be able to have any. I hope you sleep well.

[Robbie]

I have to live within a budget.

I have to manage my credit cards and other debts.

What makes our representatives in government think they are special, that they can ignore the basic rules of income and expenses and budgets?

Time of reckoning or continue to kick the financial can down the road?

[chris]

if he sent all the illegals back to mexico and quit trying to please them we would not be in the situation we are in health care ,education, etc. the illegal population is draining this state and it has got to stop dont call it california call it mexifornia

[Joe Brown]

Get his ass out of office!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jay]

Arnold is trying strong-arm politics. Well guess what Arnie, it's called a government and you are not the dictator. If the legislature overrules you tough luck. I think the classic republican fear of raising taxes on the wealthy is stopping any real solutions to this mess. Cut cut cut programs is not the answer. Let the wealthy "suffer" by paying slightly more money rather then millions of others who are on the bottom. Arnold is no different than Bush. Well okay, Arnold wasn't born in America, but still...

[Jerry]

I agree with sending all the illegals back to Mexico, if that that includes sending back all europeans to their native countries where they were originally fleeing religious, ethnic persecution and hunger. Leave this beautiful land to the American Indians!! there. problem solved!!

[Steve Osterday]

Republicans have run this state into the ground. They've promoted every ballot measure and supported ever bill to send more people to prison for longer terms - and not Provided an additional dime to cover the cost.
In the 30 years that they've been in charge of one or al branches of the federal government, California is the 7th highest in taxes, and we contribute 289 Billion dollars annually to the federal budget, but we only get 80 cents on every federal dollar back.
Alaskans, who pay virtually no taxes are getting $1.80 cents back for every dollar they contribute. Mississippi gets $2.00 back for every tax dollar they contribute!

Where are the damned republicans in demanding that Every state pay their fair share! and I'n sick and tired of my state, california, being derided by these self righteous welfare states!

If Calif got just 10 cents more on every federal dollar, we'd be 29 Billions dollars richer - every Year!

The republicans are deliberately punishing 'Liberal' california with welfare to theitred states!

[Carol]

Wouldn't it be interesting if the governor would actually LEAD and give good suggestions to both sides. Work to bring them together. He's not doing anything.

He's also quite the hypocrite complaining about pushing debt into next year. All he's ever suggested rather than either cutting spending or raising taxes is to incur more debt.

How about bringing back the vehicle tax? That is a very progressive tax. The rich can certainly afford to pay more on their 12-cylinder Mercedeses and fees on old cars are so low, returning them to their previous levels will not hurt those at the lower end of the economic scale. We need the cash.

[Bert Green]

Schwarzenegger came to Sacramento 5 years ago promising to fix the fiscal imbalance that paralyzes the budget process, and in that time, has failed. In fact, he has done nothing to address the structural imbalance except for ham-fisted insults and name calling. No constitutional reforms, no bipartisan concessions, no leadership. He deserves no credit and should be ashamed for vetoing a budget that is more dysfunctional than those he accused Gray Davis of producing.

Promising to veto any bill that comes to his desk if they override his veto? What kind of childish crap is that?

His career is over. This is what we get for electing an inexperienced fool.

[Concerned for Calif]

The Budget? The Gov has played it well. Just like a real Actor, Smooth and very skilled. I say Stay in the office or board room or where ever and not leave until it is settled.. Send them Subway Sandwiches and see what its like to be Imprisoned until you get it right.
Speaking of Imprisoned.
If Gov released the inmates that we are paying........... Fifty Four Thousands Dollars a Year to House.
We are giving 25 to life for a Mother who stole Baby Formula? for a Third Time over. ? An elderly man who stole steak for the umpteenth time?
Prisons were built to Incarcerate those who are a Danger to Society. Right?
Imagine the Savings in this Market to House, for your Tax paying Money. House those who should be receiving Rehabilitation.

Google it.. Overcrowded Prisons...Cost of an Inmate.
Putting Parole and Probation individuals back to Prison for being Late for an appointment or testing Dirty.
Think About it.....$54,000.00 an Inmate.
1 in 100 Incarcerated. Over 2 million Incarcerated today.
Its a Money Making Industry and who gets the money?
State of Emergency signed in 2006 signed by Arny.?
As of Today. Still nothing. Just higher Taxes for the Incarceration of ridiculous proportions.
He has a tendency to stall, hold out and it doesn't matter who he is hurting.
I say get it together or get off the throne.

[Felix]

Anyone else think the CAR TAX might have been an ok idea? Republicans are always going on and on about how we liberals want to "waste" so much money on "stupid" things like health care or helping people make through school (you know, so jobs aren't outsourced to techs and engineers from India or Europe). What about the corporate welfare you guys support? I don't see any "trickle-down" going on execpt those "golden parachutes" for those republican fat-cat Wall St. CEOs. I'm just saying charging a few more bucks on a LUXURY item like a gas guzzling, Middle East supporting Hummer might have made more sense and we might not be in this situation. I know logic doesn't bother you guys though...

[carl estep]

Arnold schwartenegger has violated his position as governor , and therefore must be removed from office immediately ! It is the will of the people and the constitutional mandate that specifies that a budget must be signed in a timely manner. He and was voted into office to do what the will of the people demand , not to exert his own personal agenda . He was never qualified to set or to implement a budget let alone be governor !