Budget Delay Day 77: Schwarzenegger to return as state approaches ominous record
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Before Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger flew out of Sacramento for his six-day jaunt through Asia, Democratic legislative leaders declined to criticize his trip abroad, arguing that modern technology could keep the leaders fully connected, even if the governor was thousands of miles away.
So much for that.
As of Tuesday evening, no such conference calls between Schwarzenegger and the four legislative leaders have taken place.
“No there have not been any video or conference calls with the governor and leaders,” Alicia Trost, a spokeswoman for Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), said in an e-mail Tuesday. On Monday night, Schwarzenegger called Steinberg “and spoke to him for 10 minutes,” she said.
Schwarzenegger is scheduled to return to California Wednesday. No meetings with the governor and legislative leaders are scheduled as of yet.
A short conversation occurred between Schwarzenegger and Assembly Speaker John A. Perez (D-Los Angeles) on Sunday, which Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McLear tweeted about.
On Thursday, lawmakers will tie the mark for the longest budget standoff in state history. No agreement appears imminent.
-- Shane Goldmacher in Sacramento