Schwarzenegger gets rough reception in Fresno (re: taking local gov tax money to balance budget)

Schwarzenegger gets rough reception in Fresno
By Tracie Cone

Associated Press

Posted: 06/18/2009 03:09:48 PM PDT

snip...
Cynthia Sterling, president of the Fresno City Council, stood up from the theater's front row and told the governor she is worried that the state will take gas tax revenue from local governments and not pay it back.

"We hope you will stand behind us. But if not, we will go down and you will go down with us," she said to scattered applause from an audience that appeared somewhat stunned by her challenge to the governor.

Schwarzenegger appeared slightly taken aback, then said: "I totally get it, I totally understand."

He went on to say that "this is the kind of stuff I hear all day." He was referring to earlier remarks when he said he gets a steady parade of visitors to his Capitol office complaining about how looming cuts would affect their programs.

Taking local gas tax money is just one way Schwarzenegger has proposed balancing California's budget. He also has proposed taking $1.9 billion in other local taxes, which the state would have to repay over three years. A plan promoted by majority Democrats does not include that proposal.

more...
http://www.mercurynews.com/politics/ci_12620980?source=...

Schwarzenegger Gets Rough Reception In Fresno
Governor Hears Frustration From Agriculture Supporters

POSTED: 1:43 pm PDT June 18, 2009
UPDATED: 4:06 pm PDT June 18, 2009

FRESNO, Calif. -- Normally friendly Fresno was a little less so for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The Republican governor came to the conservative-leaning Central Valley on Thursday to talk about the state's budget crisis and found himself on the defensive.

He was greeted by labor protesters and local officials angry over potential budget cuts and farming interests upset over what they perceive as his inaction in solving water problems.

Schwarzenegger delivered a scripted speech designed to convince 500 invited guests and local officials that everyone must share the pain of spending cuts.

During a question-and-answer session afterward, he faced a flood of frustration and catcalls from agriculture supporters.

http://www.kcra.com/politics/19792900/detail.html