California Governor-Elect Faces Gridlocked Legislature, Massive Deficit [View All]

[UpInArms]

http://www.voanews.com/article.cfm?objectID=97B2DCD2-C540-49AA-9BC7D655E98220A9

California's next governor, the actor-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger, will take office Monday, November 17. He faces a gridlocked legislature, a massive deficit, and skeptics who wonder if California is governable.

State Senator John Vasconcellos is one of the skeptics. The veteran legislator has spent 37 years in the California capital, Sacramento. A liberal Democrat, he says the state's government is not working, and both parties share the blame.

"The basic problem is that the structure of government in California is dysfunctional and can not be fixed, and the culture of politics is cynical and can not suffice to inspire people. We need structural change that is profound, comprehensive and massive, and cultural change as well," he said.

He says the troubles include a broken economy, a continuing fiscal crisis, and voters who are frustrated and distrustful.

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