Arnold Hides Vulgar Message to Legislators in Veto

Showdown ahead with state lawmakers over funding sleight-of-hand

(NEWSER) - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is heading for a dramatic and potentially humiliating showdown with the state legislature over the budget, reports the San Jose Mercury News. Schwarzenegger plans to veto the budget which largely relies on accounting sleight-of-hand to close a $15.2 billion shortfall. Legislators say they have enough votes for the first veto override in 30 years. More»

Newsom's decision makes Jerry Brown virtual lock for Dem nod

(NEWSER) - Citing his responsibilities as San Francisco mayor and as a new father, Democrat Gavin Newsom withdrew today from the race to succeed Arnold Schwarzenegger as California governor. Despite the heavyweight endorsement of Bill Clinton, Newsom has had trouble raising money; his departure leaves state attorney general, and former governor, Jerry Brown virtually unchallenged for the party’s 2010 nomination. More»

... after interrupting governor's speech by yelling 'You lie!'

(NEWSER) - Slightly different forum, very different personalities, same heckle. And California Democratic Assemblyman Tom Ammiano apparently followed up his “You lie!” interruption of a speech last night in San Francisco by Arnold Schwarzenegger by walking out and telling the Republican governor to “kiss my gay ass.” Ammiano’s defense is that Schwarzenegger crashed a Democratic fundraiser: “This is our house—and it’s like someone came in and took a big dump. He showed up; it was rude.” More»

(NEWSER) - The leader of California's Senate says he'll take Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to court for using line-item vetoes to slash another $500 million from the budget deal he was sent last week, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Democrat Darrell Steinberg accuses Schwarzenegger of overstepping his authority by making the cuts. "We elected a governor, not an emperor," Steinberg says, warning that the balance of power in the state is being upset. More»

(NEWSER) - A plan to slash the number of inmates by 27,000 could sink California's long-delayed budget deal, the Los Angeles Times reports. Angry Republican state lawmakers threatened to back out of the agreement after learning of the plan, which would give prison officials authority to let any inmate over 60 years old or with less than a year left on their sentences finish their time on home detention to save money. More»