Governor (Schwarzenegger) insists Maldonado is the next lieutenant governor

[Newsjock]

Source: Contra Costa Times

In an extraordinary legal power play, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger insisted that Sen. Abel Maldonado, R-Santa Maria, will be sworn in as lieutenant governor even after the Assembly failed to confirm him in a long, drawn-out vote Thursday.

Schwarzenegger"s legal team said that Maldonado was effectively confirmed because the Legislature failed to put up a majority -- 41 of 80 votes -- to reject him.

The Assembly voted 37-35 to confirm Maldonado, with 28 yes votes coming from Republicans, eight from Democrats and one from the lone independent -- four votes shy of the 41 needed for confirmation.

The administration said it plans to swear him in on Feb. 23, despite legal questions surrounding the confirmation vote and what would appear to be a certain legal showdown.

... Democrats insisted the vote was a rejection of Maldonado, and that they would refuse to recognize him as lieutenant governor.

Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_14385661

[Grand Taurean]

1. Remember, circumventing the elected legislature is in Arnie's blood.

.

[Cleita]

2. Maldonado used to be my Assemblyman before he became my Senator, not

through my votes. He's had his nose up Arnold's ass since before Arnold became Governor. To tell the truth as far as Repukes go he isn't that bad. His constituency are a lot of poor agricultural workers so he cares about populist stuff and is pretty moderate. Don't worry Jerry will get rid of him when he becomes Governor especially since it appears that he is an appointment from the King.

[goclark]

8. "Gov. Brown " please hurry and wash this fool out of our hair!

How many more Aaaarnod days must we endure!?

He can't even pronounce the name of our State.

[onehandle]

3. When the Hell is Jay Leno's little friend's term up?

I cannot wait until Herr Gropenfuhrer is long gone.

[xxqqqzme]

4. Mercifully this is his last year.

Seems like more than 7 years. He's done more than 20 years worth of damage and the money he is currently trying to steal from cities, w/ his 'tax cut' on gasoline, is criminal.

[annm4peace]

5. How my Republican Governors think they are King???

what is up with these people. MN's Gov Pawlenty abused his power and "unallote" a ton of money from the budget.. cutting of state aid to cities and counties and also shamefully for healthcare for the very sick and very poor.

It seems like they can do what ever they want.

[countmyvote4real]

6. Whether they be the minority or a state governor, Republicans don't give a shit.

They don't care about anything, but their way.

The arrogance is stunning.

[davidpdx]

7. Someone should cut off his little Schwarzenegger

That's what being bad and taking steroids gets you Arnoooooold!

[slackmaster]

9. In case anyone is interested, here is what the law of the state of California says...

CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE 5 EXECUTIVE


SEC. 5. (a) Unless the law otherwise provides, the Governor may
fill a vacancy in office by appointment until a successor qualifies.

(b) Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the
Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Lieutenant Governor,
Secretary of State, Controller, Treasurer, or Attorney General, or on
the State Board of Equalization, the Governor shall nominate a
person to fill the vacancy who shall take office upon confirmation by
a majority of the membership of the Senate and a majority of the
membership of the Assembly and who shall hold office for the balance
of the unexpired term. In the event the nominee is neither confirmed
nor refused confirmation by both the Senate and the Assembly within
90 days of the submission of the nomination, the nominee shall take
office as if he or she had been confirmed by a majority of the Senate
and Assembly; provided, that if such 90-day period ends during a
recess of the Legislature, the period shall be extended until the
sixth day following the day on which the Legislature reconvenes.

[totodeinhere]

10. Farces like this are why the people are so disgusted with politics in California.

The completely meaningless office of lieutenant governor has no power to speak of, and there are only a few months left in the term anyway. Instead of wasting their time fighting over this they should be spending their time trying to find more revenue to use to close the state's huge budget deficit. But instead of doing the people's business they are engaged in this silly political fight.

[rustydad]

12. Actually

The Lieutenant Governor is one of three officials that serve on the State Lands Commission (SLC). The SLC recently turned down a proposal the drill new offshore oil and gas wells in State waters. John Garamandi, then the LG, was the swing vote against drilling which would effectively override the long standing drilling moratorium in State waters. The Governor is pushing hard to drill baby drill in hopes that oil revenues can help the bankrupt state ease it's budget woes. So in this case the LG is crucial. Bob

[totodeinhere]

14. Thanks. I didn't know that. But here is a good article by Dan Walters about all this.

http://www.sacbee.com/politics/story/2531669.html

[slackmaster]

13. If the Legislature really doesn't want Maldonado in that office, they have to vote to reject him

If they waffle or do nothing, by law he can take office 90 days after the nomination was submitted.

If announcing the nomination on late-night TV counts as a submission, the February 23 swear-in date would actually be correct on Arnold's part.

[totodeinhere]

15. Of course they have that right. Nobody is disputing that.

I am just saying that IMO there are more important issues that they should be taking their time up with.

[slackmaster]

16. I agree with you about that - But most of the people who are responding on this thread don't get it

By law he WILL become the new LG on February 23 if the Legislature doesn't actively stop him.

The Legislature should fish or cut bait. Arguing about it is a waste of time.

[KamaAina]

11. Poster (KamaAina) insists the moon is made of green cheese

:eyes:

[yurbud]

17. Democrats should have refused to confirm every nominee he put forward

[Ter]

18. Hmm, so they need 41 votes?

A simple majority doesn't count?