Those Schwarzenegger vetoes -- were they political payback?

Here's another record from the state's dismal 2008 legislative session: the most bills vetoed by a governor in modern history. This comes mere weeks after the Legislature itself set a record by forcing the state to stagger along for 85 days without a budget.

Now, amid the wreckage of a year in which tough money decisions were swept aside and the resulting budget deal set the stage for an even more acrimonious session next year, lawmakers and activists are calling out the governor for political payback, and casting him as a villain:

Schwarzenegger infuriated legislators by saying the 85-day budget delay -- also a record -- left him no time to deal with minor legislation. Lawmakers predicted high tension again next year, when the state will face another cash crunch and unresolved fights over healthcare and the water supply.

Assemblyman Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) called Schwarzenegger's power play "a total abdication of his responsibility as governor."

"I think he's going to have to decide whether he's going to go back to making bad movies or staying in politics," Torrico said. "He's strongly disliked by Democrats and Republicans alike."

Among the Governator's vetoes was one urged by Sarah Palin -- the antipollution bill for California ports.  Sen. Alan Lowenthal of Long Beach pulled no punches, saying the Governor "sold out" to big business.

Our own George Skelton, meanwhile, calls out California voters for their own bit of hypocrisy. Even as voters fume at the Legislature's profligate ways, $1.5 billion in unfunded ballot measures -- each of which needed our signatures to go to a vote -- await us on Nov. 4.

Want more? Our full coverage of the budget battle is here.

-- Veronique de Turenne

Photo credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Comments

[F Taxes]

Most laws should be vetoed. Lobbyists write them and bought men vote for them.

[sheila]

grow up, california. you vote for an immature right wing actor as governor, this is EXACTLY what you get. he is a total sellout to Big Business and has vetoed about 90% of environmental legislation, even though is massive PR machine (he's all Hollywood!) has tricked people into considering him "green." he is green, alright. in the senses of being inexperienced and and being bribed, though, not environmentally sound.

[Larry linn]

So Arnold, you did not have any time to read any of the pending legislation which was in process? You did not have to waste time at the airport since your lobbyists want to tell you what to do while you were on the plane that they paid for. Should we have the legislation printed in Viennese? Have you had a physical to determine if there was any brain damage from the anabolic steroids that you took? California needs someone committed to the job. It does not need a Gold's Gym has been resting upon his Hollywood image. Go get a new job.

[Larry linn]

So Arnold, you did not have any time to read any of the pending legislation which was in process? You did not have to waste time at the airport since lobbyists want to tell you what to do. Should we have the legislation printed in Viennese? Have you had a physical to determine if there was any brain damage from the anabolic steroids that you took? California needs someone committed to the job. It does not need a Gold's Gym has been resting upon his Hollywood image. Go get a new job.