Thread: Schwarzenegger says he got voters' message 'loud and clear'

Schwarzenegger says he got voters' message 'loud and clear'

In Washington, where he sought more stimulus money to help fix the state's budget, the governor says

Californians told Sacramento: 'Go all out and make those cuts and live within your means.'

By Eric Bailey And Richard Simon

May 21, 2009

After California voters Tuesday rejected almost the entire slate of ballot measures he had been championing as a means to fix the budget, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was in Washington, D.C., seeking to secure federal stimulus money for the state.

The failure of the ballot measures means California now faces a $21.3-billion deficit. The steep state budget cuts Schwarzenegger has proposed to address it could violate federal rules against certain spending reductions, costing the state hundreds of millions - if not billions - of dollars federal assistance.

Schwarzenegger, who met with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius this morning before he flew back to Sacramento, said that Sebelius pledged to work with state officials to "make sure that we're going to get as much money as we deserve."

The governor was informed that California remains eligible to receive another $8 billion in stimulus money for its Medicaid program, the one bright spot for state officials after voters on Tuesday soundly defeated five ballot measures aimed at closing California's huge budget shortfall.

But Schwarzenegger acknowledged the federal government can only do so much to help California ease its financial problems. "The rest of it we have to do ourselves in California," he said. "We've made it very clear that we're not asking for a bailout. We're not asking for any money we don't deserve under the economic stimulus package."

Schwarzenegger said he received the voters' message "loud and clear: an overwhelming majority of people told Sacramento, 'Go and do your work yourself, don't come to us with your problems...."

"The message was clear from the people, go all out and make those cuts and live within your means," he said.

The "big five" elected leaders -- Schwarzenegger and the legislative chieftains from both houses -- are slated to begin closed-door meetings today upon the governor's return from Washington.

On Thursday, a small group of Senate and Assembly members will hold the first of what's expected to be a slew of daily public sessions to wrangle over the details of the budget. Schwarzenegger has called for cuts that would hit every corner of the state.

He announced plans to lay off 5,000 of the state's 235,000 workers and has proposed slashing education by up to $5 billion, selling state properties, borrowing $2 billion from local governments and potentially reducing eligibility for healthcare programs.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa predicted that the city's budget could take a hit -- but he vowed a fight: "I'm going to do everything I can to protect the city coffers."

Worst-case scenarios also call for the release from state prisons of up to 19,000 illegal immigrants, who would face deportation, and the transfer of up to 23,000 other prisoners to county jails.

The governor also wants to borrow up to $6 billion, but awaits word on whether Washington would guarantee those loans. The White House has never done so for the state but is considering the action as Wall Street expresses concern that California could become a deadbeat borrower.

In a bid to salt those prospects, Schwarzenegger met privately Tuesday in the U.S. Capitol with members of California's congressional delegation.

"We have a major problem in California, and I think if we work together, we can make it through this crisis," he told reporters after attending the White House announcement on tougher vehicle emission standards. "We need assistance. . . . I didn't come for any bailout. We're going to make the necessary cuts."

Afterward, the lawmakers appeared split over the idea of a federal backstop for state borrowing, said Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Gold River). And some saw irony in Schwarzenegger's appearance in Washington while voters decided the fate of his ballot package back home.

"If the governor thought that the initiatives were going to win a smashing victory, he'd be in California right now," said Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks). Though he stepped squarely into the spotlight in the days before the election, Schwarzenegger had largely stuck to the wings during the three-month run-up to the vote.

The campaign for the measures hit hard with mailers, TV and radio ads early on, but the message shifted dramatically in the final weeks. Earlier, backers emphasized fiscal responsibility.

But in the last stretch, the commercials tilted toward fears that the cash crunch would cut into critical services. Schwarzenegger helped behind the scenes to garner big contributions for the measure's proponents, who raised about $30 million and outspent foes by nearly 10 to 1.

Among the big contributors were businesses hoping to avoid tax increases if state finances slumped further: oil companies, tobacco and alcoholic beverage firms, sports teams and Hollywood studios. Despite a big advantage in cash and manpower, the campaign failed to gain traction from the start.

Polls throughout the race showed all the ballot measures -- except Proposition 1F -- losing badly, as voters expressed equal parts confusion over the package and disdain for the Sacramento politicians who crafted it.

Californians seemed upset partly by Sacramento's call for more money at a time when employment was sagging, retirement accounts were plunging and the average resident was struggling. Others expressed irritation at being called back to the polls just months after a presidential election.

The short campaign also created confusing bedfellows in support and opposition to the ballot measures. Schwarzenegger joined with liberal Democrats and the California Teachers Assn., the group that helped defeat a 2005 ballot package championed by the governor.

Foes of Proposition 1A, meanwhile, included several unions, which didn't like the effect spending limits could have on the state workers they represent, and anti-tax groups that hated its extension of tax increases.

eric.bailey@latimes.comrichard.simon@latimes.com

Times staff writer Phil Willon contributed to this report.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me ... 1017.story

RELATED

Calif. voters ready to join tax revolt

http://www.alipac.us/ftopic-156371-days ... asc-0.html

Worst-case scenarios also call for the release from state prisons of up to 19,000 illegal immigrants, who would face deportation

Worst Case only if they do NOT get deported or come right back.

Others expressed irritation at being called back to the polls just months after a presidential election.

And here I am WISHING NY had a similar method of ballot initiative's.

This schmuck still hasn't heard Mexifornians because he still supports universal health care and in-state tuition for illegal aliens while crawling on his hands and knees to the federal government for assistance. He will use any money we provide to him for more benefits and services to illegal aliens. The ass already has said he doesn't care about illegal immigration because it isn't a problem even though Mexifornia with a 15 billion deficit spends 18 billion annually on illegal immigration. I wonder how many Mexifornians realize illegal immigration is a major factor in Mexifornia's current budget woes?



Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa predicted that the city's budget could take a hit -- but he vowed a fight: "I'm going to do everything I can to protect the city coffers."

The only coffers this schmuck masquerading as a representative of Los Angelinos cares about are his illegal alien constituents.

RELATED

CALIFORNIA TAXPAYER PROTECTION ACT
(Birthright Citizenship)

Sponsored by Taxpayer Revolution

The Initiative’s Laws Will:

REQUIRE issuance of the official "CALIFORNIA BIRTH CERTIFICATE" for births to ONLY citizens and legal permanent residents.

Birth to Foreign Parent document issued to all others.
. . .

http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-141769.html

RELATED

Los Angeles, Ventura and San Diego will become the first counties in California to begin checking the immigration status of all inmates booked into jail as part of a national effort to identify and deport more illegal immigrants with criminal records. All state prisons already do so . . .

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me ... 1561.story

http://www.alipac.us/ftopicp-898235.html#898235

RELATED

Immigration check at jails supported

Bush program to be expanded by White House

By Spencer S. Hsu

THE WASHINGTON POST
2:00 a.m. May 19, 2009

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration is expanding a program initiated by President George W. Bush aimed at checking the immigration status of virtually every person booked into local jails. In four years, the measure could result in a tenfold increase in deportation proceedings against illegal immigrants who have been convicted of crimes, according to current and former U.S. officials . . .

http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-156732.html
---------------------------------------------

RELATED

San Diego County to begin checking immigration status of all inmates

http://nctimes.com/articles/2009/05/14/ ... 57c9f7.txt

http://www.alipac.us/ftopicp-898270.html#898270

I wonder how many Mexifornians realize illegal immigration is a major factor in Mexifornia's current budget woes?

To answer this question, I don't know of ANYONE who who likes the IA's being here....even my most liberal friends don't want them here. So yes, I'd say most Californians are well aware of the money that goes out to illegals. What they may not be aware of his how much money per year they are costing our state and how it seems to climb by about a BILLION each year. Just a few years ago the estimate was 9 B....now it's up to 13B!!!!!!!

Until people here start waking up (and I think they are) the Jerkinator will continue to pass the buck saying that the "immahgrants" are a federal problem and not a state problem. I don't put the entire blame on IA's and thier quasi citizens known as anchor babies...but are they a big part of the problem??? OH YEAHHH!

Originally Posted by Ratbstard

Worst-case scenarios also call for the release from state prisons of up to 19,000 illegal immigrants, who would face deportation

Worst Case only if they do NOT get deported or come right back.

Let's hope the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT deports ALL of them quickly and prevents all of them from returning

because no state can deport anyone and no state can patrol the border to keep them from returning.