Governor, Assembly speaker continue to trade jabs

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Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass may ostensibly be in Washington for the same reason -- to lobby federal lawmakers for more money. But the change of scenery has done litte to stop the bickering between the two leaders that began in Sacramento last week.

Bass continued her criticism of the governor in an interview with Politico today. “I don’t think it’s useful or productive,” Bass said of Schwarzenegger’s recent comments about the Obama administration. “I don’t know why you want to throw a rock at someone and then ask them for help.”

Bass predicted that after trashing the administration recently, ‘in two weeks, he’ll be praising them.’’

Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McLear responded quickly to Bass’ comments: “California is getting 78 cents back for every dollar it sends to Washington, and the governor will not apologize for aggressively fighting for the state’s fair share. If some of our leaders are satisfied with California subsidizing other states while we make devastating cuts to our own programs, then they will have to explain that to their constituents.”

-- Anthony York in Sacramento

Photos, from left: Assembly Speaker Karen Bass discusses the governor’s proposed 2010-11 state budget during a news conference Jan. 8. Credit: Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger enters the Capitol Hill Club in Washington on Wednesday. Credit: Lauren Victoria Burke / Associated Press