California's governor-elect holds news conference to promote agenda

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, October 09, 2003

California's governor-elect holds news conference to promote agenda

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Speaking at the first news conference after his landslide election victory, California Governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger promised Wednesday he would deliver what he promised on budget, education and tax.

The Hollywood actor-turned politician said he will form a group of independents to audit the state budget, which is plagued by huge deficits.

Schwarzenegger also promised to right California's troubled economy without raising taxes while preserving education funding, which accounts for 40 percent of the state's budget.

He promised again that he will not raise taxes when dealing with the budget deficit. "I campaigned that I will not raise taxes,and I'll say it again: I will not raise taxes," he said.

He also reiterated his gratitude to the voters who elected him to the governor's office Tuesday in a historic vote to recall Democrat Governor Gray Davis.

"California has been the place of endless opportunities. ... I want to thank again the voters of California for their trust. ... I will make sure not to let you down," said Schwarzenegger at the news conference.

Schwarzenegger said he will spend a lot of time in Sacramento, but will also continue to attend fitness-related events as well.

The Republican political newcomer also promised to work with Davis to have "a very smooth transition" and with the Democrats-controlled legsltature in Sacramento. "I am very optimistic about working together with the Democratic leaders in Sacramento," he said.

Among other things, Schwarzenegger promised to bring back the economy, create new jobs and promote education as he had promised in the two months of campaigning. But he was murky on the specifics of his plan.

He said he had spoken with an array of leaders including Nelson Mandela of South Africa and President Bush, who he said promised to do "whatever is possible to help California."

Schwarzenegger, who will be sworn into the office by mid-November, said he intended to ask Bush for "a lot of favors."

His proposals will have to go through a Legislature controlled by Democrats who were angered by a recall process which was considered a hostile takeover of the state's top political job. Hewill have to quickly deliver a budget that makes up a shortfall of at least 8 billion dollars.

Schwarzenegger's transition team was headed by US Representative David Dreier, who was to give more details about the team at a press conference Thursday.

Schwarzenegger was swept into power in an unprecedented recall vote in the post populous US state by voters, who were angered at Davis' inability to tackle the huge budget deficit and his tax raising policies.

As a political outsider, Schwarzenegger is facing daunting tasks when he takes over the office of governor.

He has to pull together a budget plan by a Jan. 10 deadline. "There's little question that the budget will be the biggest challenge," said Kevin Gordon, executive director of California Association of Business Officials.

He noted that Schwarzenegger has promised to repeal the car tax,but that could add 4 billion dollars deficit to the already cash-strapped state. Schwarzenegger has also made other promises on spending cuts.

"I think he might find that it will be harder to make the cuts than he thinks," Gordon said.

During the final days of campaigning, Schwarzenegger set out anaggressive plan for his first 100 days in office that includes renegotiating state employee contracts, reforming the workers compensation system and repealing legislation that allowed undocumented immigrants to get a driver's license.

While the ideas may sound good in the campaign, getting them through the heavily Democratic Legislature will be another story. "Asserting something doesn't make it so," said Fred Silva, senior analyst at the Public Policy Institute of California.

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