Schwarzenegger: We'll always have the kabuki dance

With his huge 2007 agenda making only incremental progress, or none at all, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Tuesday he nevertheless believes he is making headway with the Legislature and will end the year with substantial reforms.

The press conference was a sort of pep talk as negotiations with Democrats and Republicans continue - slowly - over the governor's plans for redistricting reform, a complex and expensive prison overhaul, a wage contract with prison guards, an expansive universal health care plan, and more infrastructure improvements.

"These are big issues, and it just takes time to solve them and bring all of the Legislature together," Schwarzenegger said, acknowledging that he "threw out a lot" in his January state of the state address. "Everything I asked for in January, I think will happen this year," the governor added.

Schwarzenegger said that efforts to build more water storage facilities - dams included - have stalled. But "if you are a person with a vision like I am," he added, the issue will be resolved. And he doubted that an additional 78,000 inmate beds would be made available when his reforms are finally approved, but said he would accept a smaller number, as little as 60,000.

He also said lawmakers and his office are going "to work together to pass a really good budget." He said he wants to make sure the prison reforms include comprehensive rehabilitation programs for inmates. "Before we send them back out into society, we need to fix the problems, what caused them to commit crimes in the first place," he said.

Schwarzenegger has yet to introduce legislation on his health-care proposal unveiled in January, but he said it didn't matter. The governor is relying on lawmakers, Democrat and Republican, to write bills from which he will pick and choose. "I think the action is to have a very clear vision and a goal," the governor said. "I have made it clear we want everyone to have insurance ... and that the insurance companies have to cover everyone, that they could not refuse anyone because of age or medical history."

"Look, post-partisanship means you work together and you represent the people, that your ultimate goal is not ideology," the governor said. "I think that is what is happening. I see tremendous willpower from both parties to come down and talk to us. There will always be a certain kabuki going on. ... Post-partisanship does not mean that goes away. Post-partisanship doesn't mean there won't be disagreements."

(Photo: Rich Pedroncelli/AP)