Schwarzenegger to Hold Special Election

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (news - web sites) said Tuesday he will go over legislators' heads and take his case straight to the voters with a special election later this year on overhauling pensions, teacher pay and the way political districts are drawn.

He said he and supporters will start gathering signatures to place the measures on the ballot. No date has been set for the special election, but it would probably be held in the fall.

Schwarzenegger has been threatening such a move for months. It would pit the popular Republican governor against some of the state's most powerful political forces — including the majority Democratic Party and the teachers union.

During a news conference, Schwarzenegger endorsed three specific initiatives. They would privatize the state's public-employee pension funds, which manage more than $300 billion in investments; give authority for drawing legislative and congressional districts to a panel of retired judges; and tie teacher pay to merit rather than seniority.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20050301/ap_on_re_us/schwarzenegger_special_election

... Schwarzenegger would go down, too, in a special election.

Never underestimate the ability of the `pugs to spin the details on referenda, up to and including shifting the language to make a "no" vote a "yes" and vice-versa, and to come up with clever proposal names to make the legislation seem to be the opposite of what it intends.

This one will be fraught with those same ills.

is against him on this.

People who are not paying attention (MOST CALIFORNIANS) will not even bother to vote, but the "republican base" WILL turn out, because they see California "in play".. If they can start whittling away at the democratic lead in the statehouse, and in congress, they can have the keys to the kingdom forever..

Most people do not really care about who their congressperson is, or how the teachers' pensioons are handled..

I'm thinking that the pension privatization is the big prize, the rest is just window dressing. Nevertheless, if the CTA and public service unions can't generate a huge turnout, I would be shocked. The pension change is just appalling and will generate every state employee's interest. They know what it means.

My understanding is that the public service unions out there plus CTA are well run and well organized. Are the prison guards impacted by this?

Inquiring minds want to know?

(I was born and raised in CA and I love going back there. Finally, it's Democratic and now this...ugh)

hate Calpers--they fight for the shareholder, and hold senior management responsible for bad management decisions. It's no surprise Arnie's carrying water for them in this attack on Calpers. Asshole.

We have all the money in the world to fund your special elections.

I am sooooo waiting for the Pee-puhl to tell him to shove it.

n/t

I'm not necessarily against that, but how do you judge teacher merit? If it's by student test scores, I oppose that, as it will only punish teachers in poorer districts. Perhaps by independent evaluation?

If these "retired" judges draw the districts will the legislature get to approve or reject the lines on an up or down vote? Maine, Iowa and Arizona do this and their districts are drawn fairly.

I oppose privatizing the pension system. Period.

Edit: for clarification

seems fairer than testing the students, though I can see why the teachers might not appreciate it.

I meant student test scores.

100%

i just turned in my final application for student teaching in california. one of my biggest peeves is bulletproof teachers who are doing a disservice to students, but nothing can be done about it.

however, if "merit" is in anyway linked to the exit exams or other state test, it will turn very bad, very fast.

getting rid of all the "old" higher paid experienced teachers and reward all their friends/buddies...who are ALL better teachers.
Ever think Republicans would resort to cronyism or reward Republicans.
Naw! They wouldn't think of doing such a nasty thing!

Another thought...might that make teachers afraid of speaking out about politics in fear if the Principle or Superintendent were of the opposite political affiliation? Just wondering. :shrug:

This will be the undoing of California if it passes--we'd better be ready to fight tooth and nail to stop it.

Remember--we thought the recall would fail, too; we'd be well served not to be complacent about it.

Ahnold a moderate my ass.

from Entertainment Tonight. If so, you're fucked.

:scared:

However, once voters are told of its $50 to $70 million election cost, they reject the idea by a greater than two to one margin (67% to 30%).

http://field.com/fieldpollonline/subscribers/RLS2153.pdf

That would make things interesting.

the recall Arnold movement needs to be ready to go. They can say that since Arnold is recklessly spending tax dollars on a special election he deserves to be recalled in the same election. It will save money.

Schwarzenazi can go to the hell I don't believe in.

to gather signatures, etc.

And if he sues to try and be on the actual recall ballot he'll be in a lose/lose situation. If a judge lets him on it (and not just be on the up/down proposition on him), then we can through another lawsuit have the whole last recall election thrown out and put Davis back in, since it could then be called invalid without Davis being on that recall ballot, if Arny's allowed to do so and Davis wasn't.

He wouldn't want that to happen so no such ballot! He is just like * and believes he is sanctioned! He only got there by being around with a big name at the right time. He won't last long so don't let him "win" by changing anything! California has to have better! Go for signing up to recall and he will stop grinning and groaning.

They'll vote down everything on it.

Get ready for all hell to break loose in California! He made a foolish move! There is no way we are going to sit back and take this horseshit from him!

and get his lousy a@@ out of office.

dp

U.S. National - AP


Schwarzenegger to Hold Special Election

2 hours, 28 minutes ago U.S. National - AP


By TOM CHORNEAU, Associated Press Writer

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (news - web sites) said Tuesday he will go over legislators' heads and take his case straight to the voters with a special election later this year on overhauling pensions, teacher pay and the way political districts are drawn.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&ncid=703&e=3&u=/ap/20050301/ap_on_re_us/schwarzenegger_special_election

NGU.

Governor's news-like video brings backlash
Dems, labor leaders see faults in release about workers' breaks


Sacramento -- A Democratic assemblyman and labor leaders denounced the Schwarzenegger administration Monday for distributing a television news-style video promoting a proposal that critics say could strip workers of their right to lunch breaks.

Schwarzenegger's Labor and Workforce Development Agency spent $1,200 creating what they call a video news release, which features a voice-over and interviews with managers of three different businesses praising the governor's proposal. The release was made available to television news stations throughout California and was used by at least three Bay Area stations earlier this month.

Assemblyman Paul Koretz, D-West Hollywood, characterized the video as propaganda intended to manipulate the media and television viewers.

"We all know Gov. Schwarzenegger is good at making movies,'' said Koretz, who is chairman of the Assembly Labor Committee. "It appears that talent has carried over to government work.''


http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/03/01/BAG0GBIHRU1.DTL

a 30 minute lunch break?!?! Frigging fascist!!!! :mad:

(Yikes, you have 666 posts :scared: )

"We all know Gov. Schwarzenegger is good at making movies,'' said Koretz, who is chairman of the Assembly Labor Committee. "It appears that talent has carried over to government work."

However, once voters are told of its $50 to $70 million election cost, they reject the idea by a greater than two to one margin (67% to 30%).

http://field.com/fieldpollonline/subscribers/RLS2153.pdf

that predicted an Ahnuld win would equal a pension fund raid. If so, I just want you to know I voted NO on recall and Bustamante for replacement.

That and kudos to you good sir/maam. Now the good news the asshole has taken to bashing the Teachers AND the Nurses so he's got an uphill climb. If only he would bash Librarians he'd be toast, because they are one group that takes shit from no one! The keepers of Liberty via freedom of speech are one tough bunch and have my admiration.


EDIT: To change Yavin to Yavin4

1. Pay will based on student test scores.

Many high school students in low income areas have no intention of going to college and feel such tests are a waste of time--so they end up bubbling in "whatever" to just get through the test. Students who are college-bound are much more concerned about test scores. Thus, teachers who teach college prep, AVID, and gifted courses will get raised while regular ed and special ed teachers will be (pardon the expression) "screwed."

2. There will be no set increases for education earned!! Take a look at how much more a teacher with a masters degree earns over a teacher with a bachelors--and for good reason--masters degrees are expensive!!

Teachers presently working on masters degrees will have no way to pay back loans. There will be no incentive for teachers to continue their education--as they simply won't be able to afford it.

3. Tenure will not be earned after two years but TEN years. Non tenured teachers will be "let go" in favor of younger teachers who the state can afford to pay cheap entry level pay.



Bottom Line--If you think California Schools are bad now? Wait until Arnold steps in and screws teachers.

cannon fodder to push this through. Strikes by teachers and nurses are very unpopular and this may occur. Look at how the GOP has convinved conservatives that teacher's unions and nurses unions are evil. People will fall for it again, they always do.

The bigger point of this is redistricting. It's one of the reasons he was put in office (that and stealing the 9 billion for Enron).

It's all state employees, and people like my husband whose salary is actually paid by the federal government in a program to financially assist poor school districts. He is a network/systems engineer who does technical support. Now, we not only have to worry about his job getting cut thru Bush's budget axing of the education budget, we have to worry about Arnold trying to take his CALPERS pension.
Speaking of poor school districts, King's County is a prime example. It's where the state prison is at Corcoran, that houses Charles Manson and Sirhan Sirhan (and occasionally, Robert Downey Jr., who can sometime be seen on trash detail around town when he's in residence!) The school kids are a rough crowd, especially in Corcoran, alot of families have moved there to be closer to dad in prison.
It is not a prime location for which teachers yearn, to say the least. Most of them make it about two years, and anyone 5 years is a veteran. They are basically paid combat pay--more money to teach there. The graduation rate for students is abysmal. Nearly all after school programs have been cut because there's no budget for them. For any kind of field trip, say to the Fresno museum, the kids have to sell candy to raise the money. Now.......you go cutting that budget further, and you start messing with teachers' pensions. And the prison gets a whole NEW crop of inmates that we have to pay $millions to support.

Bullys only respond to strength, high pressured says people only respond to strength, and thats precisely what these signature gatherers are. I'm not saying to harass them, btu get in their face and make sure that you let them know that they and the people they represent aren't welcomed in your neighborhood.

A living wage law, legalize gay marriage, you name it! Use this against him, make him regret it.

Shouldn't the bill be delivered to his estate?

Folks should start drilling the question about Schwartzeneggar's wanton waste of taxpayers dollars. There are regular elections, and his political "wants" should be dealth with through the already budgeted process of regularly scheduled elections.

we all have contracts sign in our bargaining unions. He's a steroid filled boob. We will sue his ass like we did pencil dick wilson.

We don't live in a democracy. We are ruled by Corporate Fascists. They have more power than you can imagine. This election will happen and they will sauced. Arnold has billions behind him and those opposing have maybe a few million. Do the math. This election will be about as fair as the presidential election. Democracy was great, but it is dead. Either we accept it or we take to the streets in mass. I got an email from SEUI1000, the union that represents State employees. It said come join dozens for a protest someplace the goonover was speaking. Dozens, we need 10s of thousands, not dozens.

Ifhink this is a atke off on the SS privatization scheme, and I would hope Californians would be sensible enough to turn out in droves to kill this thing off...It would send a message to the WH just how people truly think his ideas border on the ludicrous.

AS and bush are tight, this is a prelude to pushing SS reform, and it should go down in flames.

:eyes: