 
 |
|
San Gabriel Valley Tribune
July 13, 2005 Wednesday IF there's one consistent theme to the almost two years Arnold Schwarzenegger has been governor aside from his steadfast support for big business and his campaign contributors it is a never-ceasing attempt to increase the powers of his office. Regardless of how often his efforts are rebuffed, Schwarzenegger invariably returns with a new foray on a slightly different front. This may be the best context in which to understand the ballot initiative he dubbed the "Live Within Our Means' act, to be voted up or down as Proposition 76 in the November special election called by the governor. Schwarzenegger's first clumsy attempt at consolidating power in his office began last fall, when he strongly backed the so- called California Performance Review, written by a panel made up mostly of business executives and business lobbyists he'd appointed. The plan recommended abolishing nearly 100 state commissions [but not the state Film Commission, which he has peopled with Hollywood buddies like actor Danny DeVito]. If the governor had gotten his way on that one, all functions of state bodies like the Medical Board, the Dental Board, the Pharmacy Board, the Physical Therapy Board, the Architects Board, the Veterinary Board and many more would have been consolidated under one of his cabinet secretaries. In other words, Schwarzenegger sought essentially to control which doctors would be disciplined, not to mention many other items, including who can sell prescription drugs in California. This would have brought unprecedented power to the governor's office and the notion was essentially hooted out of Sacramento. Next, Schwarzenegger tried to consolidate all energy decisions in his own hands via an "energy consolidation" plan. This time, he sought to take all electric generation and natural gas facility siting and approval authority from the quasi-judicial Public Utilities Commission whose members cannot be removed for five years after they take office and give it to a new state secretary of energy hired and fired by you guessed it himself. This plan was quickly nixed by the Little Hoover Commission, which makes recommendations on all governmental reorganization proposals, and will soon be voted into oblivion by the Legislature. But Schwarzenegger's ballot initiative opens a new front in his seemingly unending efforts to grab more power and authority. Yes, the proposal might impose some fiscal discipline in Sacramento by requiring that if no budget is approved by July 30 of any year, the previous year's spending plan would simply remain in effect. This, of course, would not allow adjustments for new problems or increases in population. The power-grab aspect of this potential law comes in another provision giving the governor the ability to cut spending in midyear wherever and as much as he likes anytime he so much as thinks a deficit might be on the horizon. Yes, the initiative would require the governor to inform legislators 45 days in advance and give them a chance to make their own cuts. But since any other budget actions take a two-thirds vote of the Legislature, whoever is the minority party at any time could assure that all decisions are made by the governor. Such a power would be more than any American governor, or even the President, now possesses. If it were combined with the other measures Schwarzenegger sought earlier, he'd be a virtual dictator. It's an authoritarian approach to government never before seen in this state or nation. But Republicans, who traditionally have stood for reducing not increasing the power of government officials, have supported all these measures and are eagerly backing "Live Within Our Means.' This is plain shortsighted of them. For it's easy to look ahead a few years to the day Schwarzenegger leaves office [by law, he can serve no longer than another five-and-a-half years] and imagine a successor with the same huge powers he has sought. For the powers he wants would be for the office, not for himself personally. In a state where no Republican since 1994 has won a regularly scheduled race for president, governor or the U.S. Senate, there's a strong likelihood Schwarzenegger's successor will be a Democrat. And every poll now indicates that could come as soon as January 2007. Do Republicans, does the state Chamber of Commerce, really want a figure like state Treasurer Phil Angelides or Controller Steve Westly, both now seeking to oust Schwarzenegger, to make budget-cutting decisions completely on his own? What they're really supporting when they back the new Schwarzenegger proposition is major new powers not just for this governor but for all who follow him. How many thoughtful Californians really want dbaselettersthat? Thomas Elias is an author and columnist. He may be reached through his e-mail at tdelias@aol.com .
|