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Arnold: Budget Crisis Is Not a Game of Chicken

Gov defends stance amid standoff

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 12, 2009 6:26 AM CDT

(Newser) – Tensions are soaring in California as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger faces off against Democratic lawmakers in the state’s budget crisis. But the governator is keeping calm as he defends his position, the Financial Times reports. He’s calling for welfare reform before he’ll sign off on a budget, but Dems say now’s not the time. “If you can’t get them to cut down the costs of government when the state is facing such a financial crisis, then it’s never going to happen,” said Schwarzenegger.

“It’s not about who blinks first. It’s not a game of chicken," said the governor. Some have said Schwarzenegger’s focus is on his legacy and not solving the crisis. But he insists “this is about something much bigger than me: California. I’m just passing through."

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger talks with reporters during a break in budget meeting with Legislative leaders in Sacramento.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger talks with reporters during a break in budget meeting with Legislative leaders in Sacramento.   (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Schwarzenegger listens to a reporter's question about his proposals to reform welfare during anews conference in Sacramento last week.
Schwarzenegger listens to a reporter's question about his proposals to reform welfare during anews conference in Sacramento last week.   (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger walks past a chart showing projected savings to the state if his proposed reforms to the state's welfare programs are enacted.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger walks past a chart showing projected savings to the state if his proposed reforms to the state's welfare programs are enacted.   (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
DeniseVB
Jul 12, 2009 12:55 PM CDT
I hope Meg Whitman's the next gov, you know, someone with CEO experience?
Bullseye
Jul 12, 2009 12:45 PM CDT
Go back to unreality of making movies
Mad
Jul 12, 2009 5:51 AM CDT
I left Cali the week they elected Arnold in. It was all such great fun, having a real live movie star running the state. Never mind the 30 public servant they managed to boot because of an arcane law that a rich republican ass explotied; it was like the Reagan era, Cali had a republican movie star in the governor's mansion. Cali brought this on themselves by elected Schwarzenegger, then voting in prop. 9, and by never closing the boarder allowing millions to be residences but not citizens and paying no taxes - California long lost her luster as the Golden State
 

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