(CA) Gov. Plans Attack on Lawmakers' Power

[meti57b]

Gov. Plans Attack on Lawmakers' Power

Schwarzenegger may ask voters to reduce Legislature to part-time status, an aide says. Democrats warn that recent rift would widen.

By Robert Salladay and Peter Nicholas
Times Staff Writers

July 28, 2004

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is preparing an assault on the institutional power of California legislators after a month of contorted state budget negotiations in which his clout was questioned and his ideas were rejected.

The Republican governor may call a special election next year asking voters to, among other things, convert the Legislature to part-time status, strip legislators of their power to draw their own districts and restrict campaign contributions, his spokesman said Tuesday.

Schwarzenegger spokesman Rob Stutzman said this month's contentious budget negotiations hardened the governor's resolve to move forward with all or part of this plan, although a final decision has not been made. Stutzman compared the governor to a global superpower much like the U.S. — compassionate and benevolent at times — but "if you cross it, it's fierce."

Schwarzenegger's intentions are often difficult to gauge — he occasionally mixes threats with flattery and is well known for trying to get a psychological advantage over his adversaries. His new resolve to restructure the Legislature may be leverage he can use in exchange for cooperation on other issues, such as his plan to revise the state's bureaucracies.

~snip~

MY COMMENT: ... nice idea, arnold, you don't like "balance of power"? .. just get rid of the balance, eh?

EDIT to add link:

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-me-arnold28jul28,1,4485508.story?coll=la-headlines-frontpage

[livetohike]

1. He's making lots of friends (not)

Typical current Republican response. If you don't like the way something is going, just get rid of it.

He is on mute when he shows up on TV. Better yet, turn the TV off. I am so sick of hearing/seeing him and must suffer for a few more years. First Bush and now this.

[Justice]

2. He Sounds Like a Nutcase

I cannot imagine how a Kennedy would live with the guy. How does he handle family issues?

[PROGRESSIVE1]

3. Is this what Austria produces??? Tyrants like Hilter and Schwartzenegger?

Sad little country.

:puke: