George Skelton (LA Times): Political strengths of Gov's ballot initiatives

[Jack Rabbit]

From the Los Angeles Times
Dated Monday April 4

Capitol Journal:
Gov. Is on Right Track in Seeking a Spending Cap
By George Skelton

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's No. 1 priority among all his "reforms" is a state constitutional amendment to control deficit spending. On this, he has his priorities straight.

This initiative — limiting spending to average tax revenues — would have the most sweeping and immediate impact on state fiscal management and, thus, on public policy.

Political players at the Capitol, however, are split into three camps: conservatives who complain that Schwarzenegger's approach is too wimpy, liberals who cry it's too harsh and the governor and his business allies who are seeking a middle ground.

"Conservative Republicans don't like it and Democrats don't like it. There must be something right about it," says Bill Hauck, a principal coauthor of the plan. He's president of the California Business Roundtable and a longtime government wonk who has worked both sides of the partisan fence.

This may not be comfortable reading for many here, but we are burying our heads in the sand if we don't recognize that there is something about the Governor's initiatives that appeals to voters.

Schwarzenegger got rich making mediocre products that appeal to mass audiences.