Moderator Note...I Want To Publish Your Thoughts Abour Governor Schwarzenegger

If you wish your thoughts about Arnie to appear on this blog, please e-mail them to porkbarbeque@yahoo.com . All viewpoints are welcome.

A few rules:
1) Messages must be family friendly. You can flame, but you have to keep it clean.
2) Messages must be at least a few sentences long. I'm not going to publish 1 sentence messages...you'll need to "develop" your thoughts in order to get them published.
3) Messages must be attached to names.

You don't have to give me a full name or even a real name, but your message can't be anonymous.

Lots of people read this blog on a daily basis to keep up with Governor Arnie, so if you wish others to read your viewpoint, I encourage you to send it in.

arnold schwarzenegger

Arnie Wants Gas Prices Investigated (Complete Text of Letter)

http://cbs5.com/
"Chairman Desmond:

High gasoline prices drain from the pockets of working families' money that could be used for food, clothing and health care. Additionally, they erode the competitiveness of California's industries. In California and throughout the rest of the country, $3.00 per gallon gasoline has moved away from a summer season possibility to an everyday reality in most of our major population centers.

What concerns me the most is that there seems to be no relief in sight. Gasoline prices are approaching all time highs, yet we are months away from the summer months. Just last week, the California Energy Commission reported in its Petroleum Watch, that, "On April 10, 2006, the average statewide retail price for regular-grade gasoline rose for the sixth consecutive week to $2.81 a gallon, almost 7 cents more than last week and 37 cents greater than February 27, 2006."

While many economists cite that the theories of supply and demand are at play here, we must not rule out the possibility of market manipulation, price gouging or unfair business practices employed by oil companies. The citizens of California deserve a vigilant watchdog over this market and a full blown analysis to determine to what extent the behavior of big oil companies is driving these record-high prices.

I therefore call on the commission to immediately investigate the prices of gasoline, with particular emphasis on retail gasoline prices and any significant changes in prices charged by the petroleum industry gasoline sold in California and the reasons for those changes. Additionally, you should investigate these issues as they relate to the wholesale market. Should you find instances of market manipulation, price gouging or unfair business practices, I instruct you to report this to me and turn the evidence over to the California Attorney General without hesitation. I also direct you and your commission to conduct a thorough investigation of the profits, both before and after taxes, of the industry as a whole and of major firms within it, including a comparison with other major industry groups and major firms within them as to profits, return on equity and capital, and price-earnings ratio.

While the causes of these record high prices are of great concern to me, I also want to be proactive and seek out solutions, so our citizens can have the comfort that we are taking all necessary actions to ensure they are paying the lowest possible prices for gasoline. Therefore, your investigation should include, but not be limited to, the emerging trends relating to supply, demand, and conservation of petroleum and petroleum products; the nature and extent of efforts of the petroleum industry to expand refinery capacity and to make acquisitions of additional supplies of petroleum and petroleum products, including activities relative to the exploration, development, and extraction of resources within the state.

If you feel there is a need to revise law for the Energy Commission to collect detailed data on product movements, sales volumes and prices, and retail data collection, please address these legal constraints so I may immediately begin to work with the legislature to ensure we have every tool available to monitor the gasoline market.

I direct you to begin this review immediately. The people of the state of California deserve nothing less. "
arnold schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger: Prominent Hispanic Officials Received Death Threats

http://www.mercurynews.com/
"Schwarzenegger told reporters about the threats against Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, both Democrats, during a news conference in his office Monday.

"There's something very important that I need to speak to my fellow Californians about," he said. "It has come to my attention that our Lieutenant Gov. Bustamante and our Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa and other elected officials of Mexican heritage have received disturbing and hateful death threats."

Schwarzenegger said he also was disturbed to learned that vandals had torched and spray-painted ethnic insults on a Mexican-owned restaurant in San Diego County earlier this month."

arnold schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger Thinks Border Wall Is Stupid

http://www.mercurynews.com/
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Sunday said that building a 700-mile wall along the border with Mexico to deter illegal immigration would amount to "going back to the Stone ages," and urged the federal government to use high-tech gear and more patrols to secure the nation's southern boundary.

"We are landing men on the moon and in outer space using all these great things. I think that other technology really can secure the borders," the Republican governor said in an interview on ABC's "This Week.""


arnold schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger Names New Forestry Chief

http://www.chicoer.com/
"The governor hastily named a state firefighting director and deputy to fill a top leadership void Friday, after it was reported that a pension loophole had led to the retirement of many top fire officials with higher pensions.
Schwarzenegger appointed state Fire Marshal Ruben Grijalva as director of the California Department of Forestry, saying in a statement that the former Palo Alto and Sunnyvale public safety official would "improve our fire protection capabilities."

Crawford Tuttle, formerly of the state Resources Agency, was named chief deputy director. "

arnold schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger Praises Workers Comp Reforms

http://www.mercurynews.com/
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared the sweeping workers' compensation changes he pushed through the Legislature two years ago a "huge success," but critics called them a disaster for injured workers.

"Gov. Schwarzenegger broke his promise to protect injured workers," Mark Hayes, president of Voters Injured At Work, a group that represents employees who suffer job-related injuries, said Wednesday. "He has not fixed workers' compensation, as he claims, but has made things worse for Californians injured on the job."

Schwarzenegger said when he took office in 2003 high workers' comp insurance rates were driving businesses out of the state and costing jobs."


arnold schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger Signs Bill Reporting HIV Names

http://www.ebar.com/
"Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation this week requiring that HIV infections be reported to health officials by name. The reversal in policy, previously a code-based system had been used to report HIV cases, meets the demands of federal health officials who had threatened to drastically reduce California's allotment in HIV funding from Washington if it did not change reporting systems.

Schwarzenegger's signature on Monday, April 17 ends years of fighting between officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and leaders of AIDS agencies in the state who resisted attempts to drop California's code-based system. While CDC officials refused to accept the state's system due to concerns about accuracy, AIDS advocates fought going to a name-based system out of concerns over privacy and people's willingness to get an HIV test. "

arnold schwarzenegger

Arnie: Reduce Greenhouse Gases

http://www.emagazine.com/
"In a move that has irked many of his fellow Republicans, not to mention business leaders, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced last week that he is supporting a plan for his state to put market-based incentives in place to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions blamed for exacerbating global warming. The intent of the plan is to reduce overall emissions of greenhouse gases within California by 80 percent within a half century by allowing those companies producing more than their fair share of carbon dioxide to purchase pollution credits from other entities that have lowered emissions accordingly. The governor's climate action team proposed such a system, which Schwarzenegger endorses, at a summit held in San Francisco last week. "

arnold schwarzenegger

Arnold Welcomes Movie People To Sacramento

http://www.sacbee.com/
"Hollywood rolled the red carpet north Monday as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger welcomed some of his celebrity brethren to Sacramento for a preview of the soon-to-be-released film "Akeelah and the Bee."
"I think they just did this because they knew I missed Hollywood," Schwarzenegger joked to a fired-up audience of about 900 people at the Crest Theater.

Earlier in the day the line for admission to the free screening snaked around the block on Sacramento's K Street Mall. Others leaned on security fences and set up lawn chairs in the hopes of sneaking a peek at attending stars Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett."

arnold schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger's Low Popularity Rating

http://www.angus-reid.com/
"California’s Arnold Schwarzenegger maintains a low level of public support in an election year, according to a poll by Field. 39 per cent of respondents in the Golden State approve of the governor’s performance, down one point since February.

Schwarzenegger—a Republican—won California’s recall election in October 2003 with 48.7 per cent of the vote. In November 2005, California voters took part in a special election on eight measures. Schwarzenegger actively promoted a "Yes" vote in the initiatives concerning tenure for public teachers, redistricting, and spending, which where defeated."

arnold schwarzenegger

Arnie & Global Warming

http://www.shns.com/
"So, regardless of his zigs and zags, Schwarzenegger has ended up in the right place on this issue. California is on the cusp of teaming up with other states on a trading system for reducing greenhouse gases that could be a model for the nation and the entire world.

Under Schwarzenegger's proposal, industries would be required to monitor and report their releases of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse emissions. Eventually _ possibly by 2012 _ a cap would be placed on the pollution that industries emit in California and other participating states and nations. Industries that reduced their pollution below a certain level would get credits, which they could sell to businesses that couldn't afford to cut their emissions."


arnold schwarzenegger

Arnold: More Investment Income Than Movie Income

http://www.hindu.com/
"Schwarzenegger's tax returns showed he made almost $ 16.8 million through wages and investments in 2004. The bulk of that income, $ 9.6 million, came from capital gains payments made from a blind trust that Schwarzenegger set up after he took office in 2003. The trust also yielded much of Schwarzenegger's $ 1.1 million in dividends and $ 1.3 million in taxable interest.

"As the movie income comes down, it leads to a lower salary, and capital gains will keep going up," said Paul Wachter, chief executive officer of Main Street Advisors. "

arnold schwarzenegger

Arnie Supports Emissions Caps

http://www.shns.com/
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday sought to dispel the notion that he has backtracked from tough measures to combat global warming, saying he "can live" with capping greenhouse gas emissions by 2012.

In response to a reporter's question at the University of California, Davis, Schwarzenegger characterized the 2012 caps as "a great idea" toward achieving the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 _ a 25 percent cut in pollution projections from current forecasts.

On Tuesday, the governor said at his Climate Action Summit in San Francisco that the state's market-oriented approach toward corralling greenhouse gas pollution should begin "without the caps." The concern, he said, is that they might hurt business."


arnold schwarzenegger

Arnie Opposes Proposition 82

http://www.kesq.com/
"Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign team says he is opposing Proposition 82, a June ballot initiative that would raise income taxes on the rich to pay for universal preschool.

The governor's communications director says Schwarzenegger is opposed to Proposition 82 because it will raise taxes."

arnold schwarzenegger

NYC Mayor Donates To Arnie's Campaign

http://www.gothamist.com/
"Our mayor donated $44,600, the maximum allowed, to California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's re-election bid. And Bloomberg explained it by saying, "I think that Schwarzenegger - while I probably don't agree with him on a lot of things - he's trying new things. He's got a pizazz about him and I think that's something different." Arnold certainly has pizazz (or is that huge, huge chompers), which the mayor often aspires to. The AP reports that Bloomberg
also reasoned that while Schwarzenegger "hasn't had anything to do with the city, but he doesn't do anything against the city either."

arnold schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger Declares State of Emergency

http://www.nbc11.com/
"WHEREAS a series of severe rainstorms that commenced on December 19, 2005, brought unusual heavy rains that caused flooding, mudslides, the accumulation of debris, washed out and damaged roads, and the loss of human life to Northern and Central California counties; and

WHEREAS I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, found that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property existed in 34 counties as a result of the series of severe rainstorms that commenced on December 19, 2005, and issued State of Emergency Proclamations on January 2, 3 and 12, 2006; and

WHEREAS severe weather conditions during the past two flood seasons have brought unusually heavy rains, which combined with the already poor conditions of many levees, creates conditions of imminent peril to those living near the levees, to the environment, businesses, and the critical life support systems, such as drinking water; and

WHEREAS on February 24, 2006, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, proclaimed a State of Emergency for California's levee system based on a finding that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist within the State's levee system; and

WHEREAS severe weather conditions have brought unusually heavy rainfall commencing on March 29, 2006, and continuing that caused flooding, mudslides, the accumulation of debris, washed out and damaged roads, and the failure of local levees primarily to Northern and Central California counties.

I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist within the Counties of Amador, Calaveras, Fresno, Merced, San Joaquin, San Mateo and Stanislaus resulting from severe weather conditions, heavy rainfall, and floodwaters commencing on March 29, 2006, and continuing. These storms have caused the failure of local levees, evacuations of residents, and significant damage to public and private property throughout the affected area. Because the magnitude of this disaster exceeds the capabilities of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of these counties, I find these counties to be in a state of emergency, and under the authority of the California Emergency Services Act, set forth at Title 2, Division 1, Chapter 7 of the California Government Code, commencing with section 8550, I hereby proclaim that a State of Emergency exists in these counties.

Pursuant to this proclamation, I hereby direct all agencies of the state government to utilize and employ state personnel, equipment and facilities for the performance of any and all necessary activities to alleviate this emergency as directed by my Office of Emergency Services and in accordance with the State Emergency Plan.

I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this proclamation be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given of this proclamation."
arnold schwarzenegger

Arnie To Attack Greenhouse Gas Emissions

http://www.sfgate.com/
"Both Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, an avowed greenie, and pro-environment Democrats have produced comparable plans that would put California on a tough pollution diet. By 2020, the state must roll back greenhouse gas emissions -- mainly carbon dioxide -- to 1990 levels.

It's a drop of 25 percent that will bring changes across the state in the ways people work and play. But it also sends a message to the rest of a nation that is neglecting mounting danger signs and passing the buck to future generations.

Other plans to rein in California's air pollution are already underway from farms to freeways, but the attack on global warming goes after greenhouse gases left largely unchecked. These emissions form a heat-trapping ceiling in the atmosphere and are blamed by most scientists for weather swings, higher temperatures, changes in vegetation and wildlife, and future rises in sea levels. In recent years, California state researchers have reported more rain, less snow, floods and beach erosion traceable to a warmer climate. "

arnold schwarzenegger

Arnold Releases Global Warming Report

http://english.people.com.cn/
"The report, issued by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's top environmental advisors, was designed to help combat global warming. It was seen as the first step in fulfilling the governor's pledge last year to implement firm targets for reducing carbon dioxide pollution, beginning as early as 2010.

"Mandatory reporting is something we need to get started on as soon as possible," said Terry Tamminen, the governor's advisor on energy and the environment. "You can't make targets if you don't have anything to measure."

According to the report, the environmental advisors recommended that a small tax be levied on gasoline sales to finance research into alternatives to fossil fuels, but Schwarzenegger has said he would not pursue that option.

Schwarzenegger, who is free to embrace or reject all or part of the recommendations from his Climate Action Team, is expected to signal the direction he wants to take at a global warming summit he has called for April 11 in San Francisco. "


arnold schwarzenegger

The Private Schwarzenegger

http://ktla.trb.com/
"But a look at Schwarzenegger in unguarded moments reveals a governing style more freewheeling and improvisational. Interviews with three dozen aides, advisors and former staff members portray a man whose moves are often difficult to predict, who likes to keep people off balance. Mercurial in temperament, he can be by turns disarming and fun, demanding and brusque.

He works hard. Schwarzenegger can spend days poring over color-coded spreadsheets to prepare for tough negotiations. And he has devoted himself to befriending, wheedling, charming and baiting lawmakers in hopes of cementing alliances.

So far, a durable governing coalition has eluded him. Schwarzenegger has chalked up many of his troubles in office to the power of special interests and legislators resistant to reform. But insiders say his policy setbacks and slide in the polls may also owe to stubbornness, a taste for flashy Hollywood-style — but politically unrealistic — moves and a naivete about politics in general."

arnold schwarzenegger

Arnie Speak Out About Immigration

http://www.concordmonitor.com/
"As our nation begins a national debate on immigration, I propose that we lower our voices and lift our sights. We need a debate that attacks the issue without attacking individuals. And we need a comprehensive new law that respects immigrants and protects our nation. Frankly, the debate in Congress thus far has focused too much on politics and too little on principles. Ever since I first ran for office, I've talked about the importance of having a comprehensive immigration policy. Now the moment has arrived.

Our goal should be to create a policy that reflects our national motto: e pluribus unum - Out of many, one. Here are the basic immigration principles that have always guided me and that I believe should guide Congress. "

arnold schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger OK's Money For La Conchita Hillside Study

http://www.kesq.com/
"Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has ordered a study too see if the seaside town of La Conchita is likely to see another disastrous mudslide.

Last year 10 people were killed and 13 homes were destroyed in a massive slide in the town 70 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

The governor allocated more than 660-thousand dollars for the study, which residents of the town have long been asking for."

arnold schwarzenegger

Latest Schwarzenegger Polling Data

http://www.angus-reid.com/
"Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way that Arnold Schwarzenegger is handling his job as governor of California?

Mar. 2006
Feb. 2006
Jan. 2006

Approve
37%
35%
40%

Disapprove
52%
53%
52%



If these were the candidates in the November 2006 governor’s election, who would you vote for?
(Likely voters)

Arnold Schwarzenegger 41% - 29% Phil Angelides
Arnold Schwarzenegger 39% - 31% Steve Westly"

arnold schwarzenegger

Arnie's First TV Ads

http://www.shns.com/
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger _ challenged by increasingly aggressive Democratic opponents and unrest in his Republican base _ released the first television commercial of his 2006 re-election campaign Monday, telling state voters that he is making California work again.

The surprisingly early debut of a commercial for Schwarzenegger, who is unchallenged in the June GOP primary, comes almost eight months before voters will go to the polls in the general election. The ad aims to make an aggressive case for the governor's achievements on the economic front, opening with the rosy pronouncement that "tomorrow is going to be a little better than today for Californians."

The ads debut in the San Francisco Bay Area was tied to Schwarzenegger's visit to San Francisco for a speech on the economy, according to Schwarzenegger's chief campaign strategist Matthew Dowd.

Dowd said the commercial also is scheduled to air in Bakersfield, Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Diego, other areas the governor will visit this week to talk up the economy. The focus on the economy follows last week's effort by the governor to stress education, including appearing at a charter school in Oakland."


arnold schwarzenegger

Arnie Touts State Economy

http://www.orovillemr.com/
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger touted his economic record and his plan for improving California's infrastructure while he unveiled a new state Web site for entrepreneurs to a roomful of business leaders Tuesday.
Citing more than 575,000 jobs created since his November 2003 election, a $4 billion refund to taxpayers via the car-tax rollback, unemployment brought to a five-year low, a 40 percent cut in workers' compensation insurance costs and reduction of the state's structural budget deficit without a tax hike, Schwarzenegger told the Bay Area Council that "we have done a lot, but we can do much more."


arnold schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger Hires 2 Bush Media Consultants

http://cbs2.com/
" Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's re-election campaign has hired two media consultants who helped President Bush win a second term.

Alex Castellanos and Fred Davis were part of a team that created the Bush campaign commercials portraying Democratic nominee John Kerry as a waffling Washington insider."

arnold schwarzenegger

Arnie Takes Credit For California Economic Growth

http://www.sbsun.com/news/
"Since taking office in November 2003, 575,000 jobs have been created, and the unemployment rate has dropped from 6.8 percent to 5 percent. His workers' compensation reform has slashed premiums by more than 40 percent, he has vetoed more than a dozen "job killer" bills and cut taxes by $4 billion, he said.

"I'm going around the state this week to talk about the economy. We have a lot to celebrate in this state," he said after a tour of Riverside-based Trademark Plastics. "When I took over this job as governor, we had a very sad situation. Businesses were leaving this state. Workers' comp (compensation) was the highest in the nation."

arnold schwarzenegger

Legislators Try To Craft Bond Deal Without Schwarzenegger

http://www.sfgate.com/
"Democrat and Republican legislative leaders, choosing to act independently of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, will resume talks this week aimed at placing a bipartisan public works bond deal on the November ballot.

Although the leaders offer few specifics, a new bond plan -- if a deal can be struck -- would probably be smaller than the nearly $50 billion proposal that collapsed March 15. "


arnold schwarzenegger

Arnold Visits North San Diego County School

http://www.nbcsandiego.com
"Schwarzenegger said the plan could lead to smaller class sizes and improvements to charter schools. Speaking to parents, students and teachers at the San Elijo School, he outlined his plan to limit classroom size to 20.

"My proposal is to build 40,000 new classrooms, to modernize -- which is also very important -- 140,000 classrooms," Schwarzenegger said. "

arnold schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger Won't Fire Rob Reiner

http://www.shns.com/
"Defying Senate Republicans' wishes, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday said he would not fire director Rob Reiner from the chairmanship of the state agency, First 5 California.

The governor told The Fresno Bee's editorial board that he was standing by his "friend," Reiner, until there is evidence of wrongdoing.

"Innocent until proven guilty," Schwarzenegger said.

Senate Republicans had asked the governor to replace Reiner in the chairman's job because the agency spent $23 million in tax dollars on an ad campaign promoting preschool while Reiner was qualifying a universal preschool initiative for the June 6 ballot. "


arnold schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger, McCain at Beverly Hills Fundraiser

http://www.sfgate.com/
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the state GOP collected an estimated $2.5 million at a fundraiser headlined by Sen. John McCain that helped replenish coffers drained by a failed ballot measure campaign last year.

Top donors kicked in as much as $100,000 to attend Monday night's dinner and reception at the Beverly Hilton while about 200 protesters from teacher, firefighter and other unions protested outside."

arnold schwarzenegger

Arnie Meets With Fresno Students

http://www.cbs47.tv/
"Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is planning another trip to the Valley. This time, he’ll meet with students at Fresno’s Duncan Polytechnic High School.

On Tuesday, Governor Schwarzenegger will talk to students and teachers about the importance of vocational education and how the Strategic Growth Plan education bond and 2006-2007 budget will make considerable investments in Career Technical Education. "

arnold schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger Welcomes Home Troops

http://www.vvdailypress.com/
"With regimental flags flying in a cool, stiff breeze, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Friday afternoon helped the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment welcome 2,200 of its soldiers back home from duty in Iraq.


While hundreds of the regiment’s soldiers, for mer soldiers, friends, family and children looked on, the governor shook the hands of 13 of the regiment’s soldiers who had suffered wounds while serving in Iraq and had been awarded the Purple Heart."

arnold schwarzenegger

Arnie: Bond Issue To Be On November Ballot

http://www.signonsandiego.com/
"Hours after suffering a major election-year defeat by failing to put his ambitious public works bond on the June ballot, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger guaranteed that the entire package would be put before voters in November.



“We are going to have this year the infrastructure done. That I can guarantee you,” Schwarzenegger told a Capitol news conference yesterday. “We will have it done this year. We haven't been able to do it by June. But we will do it by November.”


arnold schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger's Public Bond Measure Fails

http://www.washingtonpost.com/
"A frenetic last-minute attempt to place a massive public works bond on the June ballot failed late Wednesday, all but ending any hope that voters will get to decide Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's top legislative priority for his re-election year.

The collapse of negotiations over the bond measure came just hours before an administrative deadline to place measures on the primary election ballot.

Assembly Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, left, and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, leave the governor's office after a meeting with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and other legislative leaders at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, March 15, 2006. Lawmakers worked through the day in an attempt to reach a compromise on a nearly $50 billion bond measure.

"We ran out of time," Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata said after the Senate passed an urgency bill appropriating $1 billion for levee repairs from the state's reserve fund."


arnold schwarzenegger

Arnie Against Foie Gras

http://www.freep.com/
"As if that weren't bad enough, news was filtering in from the west about proposed bans on foie gras amid concerns about animal welfare. Even California's governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has signed a bill to forbid the force-feeding of poultry for foie gras production in his state."

arnold schwarzenegger

Put Bond Message On Ballot?

http://abclocal.go.com/
"Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is asking legislative leaders to meet with him Monday in a final attempt to put a massive public works bond measure on the June ballot.

An agreement on the nearly $49 billion bond plan failed Saturday morning because top Republicans and Democrats could not agree on the terms.

The governor wants to borrow the billions to improve the state's infrastructure -- such things as new roads, bridges, and levees. "

arnold schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger Close To Levee Deal

http://www.news10.net/
"With just hours to go before their deadline, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and state lawmakers worked frantically Thursday to complete a massive levee and public projects bond deal in time for a June vote.

Schwarzenegger said negotiations over all the specifics of the bond measure to begin immediate repairs to crucial California infrastructure needs is "very, very close" to completion and could be finished in time to meet Friday's ballot measure deadline imposed by Secretary of State Bruce McPherson. "We have some hurdles still to overcome and some obstacles to overcome, but I have great hopes," Schwarzenegger said."
arnold schwarzenegger

Arnie & Legislature Close To Bond Deal

http://www.sfgate.com/
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders on Friday were trying to agree on what would be the largest bond issue in California history, pressing to meet a deadline for placing a proposal on the June ballot.


The governor has vowed to work through the weekend if necessary, even though the secretary of state had set Friday as the deadline to reach an agreement.


Senate Minority Leader Dick Ackerman, R-Tustin, said Senate Republicans were ready to vote for a bond package worth about $45 billion if it includes about $1.25 billion for one or two new reservoirs."

arnold schwarzenegger

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Praises Arnie In Ads

http://www.latimes.com/
"A national business group is opening a statewide ad campaign lauding Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his agenda, without disclosing how much it is spending on the commercials or where the money is coming from.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, whose governing board includes major donors to Schwarzenegger's political campaigns, this week launched a 30-second television spot that coincides with Schwarzenegger's efforts to pass an ambitious public works plan and win a second term. "

arnold schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger To Keynote Hydrogen Conference

http://www.earthtoys.com/
"The National Hydrogen Association announced today that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to address the organization’s 17th annual conference. The NHA Annual Hydrogen Conference and Hydrogen Expo US expects to attract over 1,000 attendees to the Long Beach Convention Center, March 12-16. (www.hydrogenconference.org).


Gov. Schwarzenegger has led California’s efforts to expand hydrogen fueling infrastructure, highlighting hydrogen’s critical role as an alternative to oil and catalyst for improved air quality. In 2004, he formed the Hydrogen Highway Network to serve as a blueprint for government and private agencies to work together in planning and building a hydrogen infrastructure. "


arnold schwarzenegger

Arnie Designates Gambling Awareness Week

http://www.authorized-online-casinos.com/
"Casino gambling has a destructive impact on a number of individuals and their families, as a large number of people become addicted to gambling and can lose fortunes. As a response to the negative impact of gambling, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has designated March 6-12 as Gambling Awareness Week in California.

Reports have indicated that thousands of Californians who are addicted to casino gambling, call a gambling hotline run by the California Council on Problem Gambling. There is almost an equal amount of male and female callers ranging in age from 26 to 55."

arnold schwarzenegger

Arnie Will Do What It Takes To Pass Public Works Package

http://www.mercurynews.com/
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Sunday that he's willing to sequester himself in the Capitol with legislative leaders if necessary to meet a Friday deadline for putting the first installment of a public works borrowing package before voters on the June ballot.
Friday is the deadline California's secretary of state has set if lawmakers want to see financing for a massive infrastructure program on the June ballot. The governor prefers a deal in time for the June ballot, but November would work too, especially if negotiations wrap up before budget season heats up in May."

arnold schwarzenegger

Enthusiastic Welcome At Arnie Sports Festival

http://www.sfgate.com/
"Fans shouted, "We love you, Arnold!" and "Arnold rules!" as Schwarzenegger entered the Greater Columbus Convention Center, one of the venues for the weekend's 2006 Arnold Sports Festival. The event combines a trade show, contests in several sports, and the centerpiece — the 18th annual Arnold Classic bodybuilding competition.


Schwarzenegger stopped frequently to shake hands, pose for pictures and sign autographs as members of his California Highway Patrol security detail cleared him a path through the thick crowd of mostly young, male and muscular fans.


"It's great to see everyone's energy and enthusiasm, so I hope you all have a good time. This is all for you!" Schwarzenegger told them."

arnold schwarzenegger

Arnie Does Big Dollar Fund Raiser

http://www.dailybreeze.com/
"At a time when he's trying to reclaim his outsider image, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is asking Hollywood and corporate insiders to donate up to $100,000 for his re-election campaign and the state Republican Party.

The governor has scheduled a celebrity-studded fund-raiser this month in Beverly Hills -- headlined by Arizona Sen. John McCain -- that could pull in at least $2 million for his depleted campaign account. The host committee includes names from the entertainment and business elite, including "The Terminator" director James Cameron, Interscope Records chief Jimmy Iovine, Yahoo! Chairman Terry Semel and Univision Chairman Jerry Perenchio."

arnold schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger Memo Reassures Supporters

http://www.napavalleyregister.com/
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign on Wednesday sought to assure supporters that he is "well positioned" to win a difficult reelection race, as he moves to restock his drained political bank account.

A memo written by Schwarzenegger strategist Matthew Dowd and sent to supporters presented a favorable if cautious view of the Republican governor's political standing as he seeks to recapture the populist luster he lost last year.

The one-page memo was sent Tuesday and appeared intended to convince prospective contributors that Schwarzenegger remains competitive in left-leaning California, even after voters in November rejected his slate of ballot proposals to undercut Democratic power in Sacramento and curb state spending. The election depleted his campaign finances while alienating the Democrats and independents he needs to win in November."

arnold schwarzenegger

Arnie To Attend Fitness Weekend

http://www.charlotte.com/
"On Friday, Schwarzenegger will make the annual pilgrimage to his namesake Arnold Fitness Weekend in the Buckeye State. The three-day festival covers speed skating, cheerleading, volleyball, boxing and the sport Schwarzenegger helped popularize decades ago: bodybuilding.
It's a homecoming of sorts for the governor, a return to a city where he has lasting friendships and business alliances."

arnold schwarzenegger

Labor To Target Schwarzenegger

http://today.reuters.com/
"Unions played an important role in the defeat of a series of initiatives last year that Schwarzenegger cast as reforms and workers groups saw as attempts to gut their power.

"We will find a suitable candidate and mobilize our people to replace this governor," said Art Pulaski, spokesman for the AFL-CIO's California Labor Federation. "We fear he will continue to engage in attacks on workers in his planned next term."

In particular, Schwarzenegger enraged big labor in November with a ballot measure that would have required public sector unions to ask members before spending their dues on political causes."

arnold schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger Defends California Bond Plan

http://www.mercurynews.com/
"Schwarzenegger's appearance Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" came three days after he declared a state of emergency for California's aging levee system. The move is intended to trigger quick spending to shore up the dangerously fragile barriers and avoid a New Orleans-style catastrophe in the state's quickly developing Central Valley.
Repairing the levees is just part of a 10-year, $222 billion spending plan Schwarzenegger proposed in January. He said California has too long neglected upgrades and expansion of its highways, schools, public transit systems, prisons and government buildings."

arnold schwarzenegger

Arnold's Speech Invokes Famous Republicans

http://www.nytimes.com/
"He sought to remind the delegates that he possessed core Republican beliefs, declaring he had abided by "a basic Republican principal: We did not raise taxes."

One of the biggest rounds of cheers came when he reminded the delegates that he had blocked efforts to allow illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses. And going forward, he promised, he would show "bold" leadership, invoking Abraham Lincoln, Dwight D. Eisenhower and, naturally, for the California crowd, Ronald Reagan.

"We Republicans have a history of boldness," Mr. Schwarzenegger said. "I love that. Abraham Lincoln struck down slavery. Teddy Roosevelt fathered the environmental movement. Dwight D. Eisenhower built the Interstate highway. And Ronald Reagan tore down the wall and defeated Communism. This is a time in California's history that calls for similar boldness.""

arnold schwarzenegger

Arnie The Reformer

http://www.washingtonpost.com/
""We will continue to fight for recovery and for reform _ if it is for pension reform, education reform, redistricting reform or if it's budget reform," Schwarzenegger said. "Republicans must begin to change our outlook. We cannot just fight; we must build. We cannot just follow; we must lead."

Schwarzenegger's speech to 650 people came at an important early juncture in his re-election campaign. The governor is trying to unite a divided party and overcome lackluster poll numbers after a year in which voters rejected his "year of reform" ballot agenda."

arnold schwarzenegger

Arnie At Identity Theft Summit

http://www.govtech.net/
"Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger gave opening remarks at his administration's second annual summit on identity theft solutions. In attendance were more than 1,000 representatives of law enforcement, the financial services industry, consumer groups and state and local government participating in education and training forums to fight the growing crime of identity theft.

"The effects of identity theft can be devastating and take years to recover from. The cost of identity theft impacts individuals, businesses and the economy -- fighting it will take a team effort," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "I am pleased to see the variety of stakeholders coming together to provide leadership and make progress in the fight against identity theft."
arnold schwarzenegger

Arnie Reaches Out To Republicans

http://www.insidebayarea.com/
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, virtually assured of his party's nomination for re-election, will be trying to win back the hearts and minds of the party faithful this weekend — over the clamor of conservative Republican critics.
The California Republican Party's convention in San Jose presents a key opportunity for Schwarzenegger to soothe conservatives who were ready to revolt, saying he had drifted too far to the middle since his bruising special-election defeat in November. The California Republican Assembly, a conservative activist group, has agreed not to fight his endorsement in return for gaining public discussion of four resolutions that criticize the governor on his budget, huge public works bond proposal, support for a minimum wage hike and judicial appointments.

"It is clear Republicans wholeheartedly support the re-election of Gov. Schwarzenegger this fall," said Duf Sundheim, chairman of the California Republican Party. "But the fact that we have the freedom to openly discuss policy differences is one of our greatest strengths." "


arnold schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger: No Clemency for Michael Morales

http://www.gameshout.com/
"But Schwarzenegger said he was unconvinced the defense attorneys' assertions.

"Nothing in the record or the materials before me compels a grant of clemency," Schwarzenegger wrote. "The pain Ms. Winchell's loved ones have been forced to endure at the hands of Morales is unfathomable as is the brutality of the acts he perpetrated."

arnold schwarzenegger

Arnie At The Ag Expo

http://www.cbs47.tv
"Governor Schwarzenegger toured the show and then made some key announcements about the state's water systems.

After a quick tour of booths at the Ag Expo, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger laid out an aggressive spending plan for water.

That plan includes billions of dollars to strengthen local water systems and build more storage capacity. "Let us be bold in the approach for our farmers, for this generation and for the generation to come," said the Governor. "

arnold schwarzenegger

Arnie To Reform Women's Prison System?

http://www.news10.net/
"Hundreds of California female prison inmates could soon be moving out of jail cells and into neighborhood correctional centers under a plan endorsed by Gov. Schwarzenegger, according to a Los Angeles Times report.

Under the proposal, 40 percent of the state's women prisoners would be moved from California jails into secure, privately run facilities aimed at offering education, job training, drug and alcohol counseling programs."

arnold schwarzenegger

Where Arnie Sleeps

http://www.sunherald.com/
"While not on the campaign trail, Schwarzenegger has typically spent three or four nights a week in the Capitol and returned to his family's Brentwood mansion by private jet the remaining nights.
In the past, the governor said, he could spend some time with his kids at work. Hanging out doing homework on a movie set was cool. But inside the Capitol offices?"

arnold schwarzenegger

Arnold Appoints Former Bodybuilder

http://www.mercurynews.com/
"Francesco Columbu, a weightlifting partner of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger during his days as a champion bodybuilder, was named Friday to the state's Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
Columbu, 64, is a two-time Mr. Olympia and a former Mr. Universe who used to train with Schwarzenegger in the 1970s."

arnold schwarzenegger