Legacy Post Script

Last week Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger hosted his third Climate Action Summit. He shared the stage of the Mondavi Center at U.C. Davis with such luminaries as pioneering chimp researcher Jane Goodall, actor Harrison Ford and, via satellite, British Prime Minister David Cameron. The leaders of Brazil and Mexico signed a memorandum of understanding with Schwarzenegger pledging to preserve tropical forests to prevent climate change. Everyone had great things to say about AB 32, the landmark law to fight global warming that the governor signed in 2006 — and on which he has staked his legacy as the most environment-friendly governor in California’s history. Governor Schwarzenegger headed back to Sacramento last Friday to put the final touches on preparations for the special legislative session, starting this week. The budget deficit has ballooned to $6 billion for the current year, but many Democrats are likely to ignore Schwarzenegger's Final Act as governor. "I think this governor arrived grandstanding and he's going to leave grand standing" Democratic strategist Steve Maviglio said. He believes the Governor is trying to polish his image, painting a picture of a man who fought to the end. "He's had 7 years to balance a budget. He's certainly not going to do it in 2 weeks. It's more about a Hail Mary pass for his legacy rather than trying to balance a budget" says Maviglio. "We've seen this time after time. We've been through this the last 3 years" press secretary Aaron McLear echoes an argument frequently made by his boss. The deficit grew, Schwarzenegger claims, by $3 billion this year because the legislature waited five months to make cuts. "Any options are ugly; they're really ugly. They're beyond the just ugly cuts and that's the point the governor is making: the longer you wait the worse it gets," says McLear. That said, it makes little sense however for Democratic lawmakers to re-start budget talks with a Republican Governor they've struggled with for two terms. "It's a very awkward situation. Obviously we're just a few weeks away from Jerry Brown being sworn-in as the next Governor. The length of that special session is going to extend into Governor Jerry Brown’s term," says Nathan Barankin, Communications Director for Senate President Darrell Steinberg. The special session will start on Monday, and what Arnold Schwarzenegger has planned is under wraps and won't be revealed until then.

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Legacy Post Script

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