Governor's posture again proves phony

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger once again disappoints, showing that his threat to veto a large number of bills passed by the Legislature was simply political posturing.

The governor threatened to veto many of the 704 bills awaiting his signature if leaders in the Assembly and Senate did not come to some agreement to address major water issues facing California. No agreements were reached, yet Mr. Schwarzenegger did not follow through on his threats. Instead, the governor praised Democratic and Republican leaders for making progress on the water issue in behind-closed-door meetings and called for a special session of the Legislature this week to deal with water challenges. We remember all to well what Californians got last time the governor called a special session — earlier this year to pass a budget.

It seems like there is a new trend in politics of rewarding politicians for good intentions rather than actions (for example, the most recent recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize).

California faces some very stark challenges, and leaders in Sacramento need to make some decisive moves to face these challenges head on. Mr. Schwarzenegger had the opportunity with his threat of a blanket veto to make a statement and change the tone of government in Sacramento but he decided that playing politics was more prudent.

Among the first bills the governor signed were: new regulations on ammunition purchasers; legislation banning subprime loans and fixing fees allowed to be charged by mortgage brokers; and a bill to designate May 22 Harvey Milk Day, in honor of the gay-rights advocate killed in 1978.

Among legislation vetoed by Mr. Schwarzenegger included a particularly contentious bill requiring that all California utilities produce a third of their power from renewable sources by 2020 — something the governor supports in his own plan but vetoed in this version because it limited the amount of renewable power that could be purchased across state lines. He also vetoed a bill that would extend a low-income auto insurance program that helped subsidize costs for some California motorists.

If the governor wanted to make a statement, he did. He told politicians in Sacramento that they can continue along the same path that brought Californians the energy crises, the budget mess and critical water challenges. It is politics as usual in Sacramento.