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Seize the opportunityDate: 10.01.2007
Posted by: Anabolic Info Team United States
That's what state lawmakers must do with Schwarzenegger's bold vision
Arnold Schwarzenegger is a lot like California - bold, with an accent; daring, with charm; innovative, without the baggage of we've-always-done-it-that-way traditionalism.
During his inauguration Friday, he declared without apology his political independence and his occupation of the political center. Schwarzenegger promised to deliver Californians into a new world of "post-partisanship."
The man whose English pronunciation skills still skewer the state's name spoke so eloquently you couldn't help believing he really seeks a place "not held captive of the left or the right or even the past."
During his State of the State address Tuesday, Schwarzenegger took his born-again governorship to daring heights and outlined the most ambitious agenda for change in state history.
He called for building tens of thousands of new classrooms, for sweeping prison reform, for a balanced budget without tax increases, for flood protection through levee repairs, and for billions more to repair and build highways.
On two issues - universal health care and "the world's most comprehensive plan to reduce greenhouse gases" - Schwarzenegger's proposals will re-energize the national debate.
Schwarzenegger, a maverick Republican, is filling the vacuum that exists on both issues.
He's exhibiting leadership by seizing this opportunity to claim the center and proclaim a bold vision for California.
We don't expect all or even a majority of what he presented in the State of the State speech to become reality.
Three issues to which San Joaquin County residents should pay particular attention:
Water
Schwarzenegger is proposing construction of two dams, one of them on the San Joaquin River, as part of a comprehensive package to increase California's water supply.
The dams, with a combined cost estimate of $3.7 billion, will be a tough challenge. No new, above-ground water storage facilities have been built in California in 33 years.
Few issues generate more intensity than water use, but Schwarzenegger is willing to wade boldly into it.
Prisons
Declaring public safety a cornerstone for 2007, Schwarzenegger is calling for billions of dollars to help reform a system he described as a "powder keg."
The choice, he said, is clear: Build more prisons or start releasing prisoners.
We agree. The Legislature must act this year. In doing so, it can right two wrongs.
San Joaquin County has done its share - and more - to house the state's criminals.
Build the next prisons in remote areas of Southern California or somewhere else. But don't add to this county's burden.
Health insurance
Few places will benefit more from health-insurance reform than San Joaquin County.
There are 6.5 million Californians without coverage - an estimated 120,000 of whom live in this county.
San Joaquin General is one of the few remaining public hospitals in the state.
Schwarzenegger is calling for universal health insurance, with an emphasis on children and a net that covers illegal immigrants. He also is advocating shared responsibility - by government, insurance companies, health-care providers and individ-uals.
In a sign of his growing maturity as a leader, he also welcomes different ideas from lawmakers regarding health-care reform.
"Everything is on the table," Schwarzenegger said.
Whether blazing the way on global warming or daring to combat entrenched interests on dam building, whether dreaming big on health insurance or aggressively dealing with prison reform, Schwarzenegger has become a marvel of audacity, reinvention and pragmatism.
He has offered some big ideas, perhaps with this calculation: I can make deals on some issues, push for compromise on others and, hopefully, accomplish great things for Californians on the most-important issues.
Schwarzenegger has established the potential for a win-win situation in the Legislature this year.
Hopefully, Assembly Speaker Fabian Núnez, D-Los Angeles, and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, will recognize the opportunity and seize it. |
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