I’ve compiled all this from my live blog of the event on Twitter here. I generally comment on the dealings of California’s legislature if you want to follow me.
At some point the video will be available of the speech here.
9:15am – Governor was supposed to begin at 9am, but no one here yet, rounding up legislators is like herding cats.
9:30am – And we’re go with Speaker Bass presiding, calling the absent members
9:30am – Before the governor speaks they’re going to work the file? a change of plans… Governor speaks at 10 now, no one is here, can’t work file
Assembly works file, passes one bill before constitutional officers, etc. start showing up.
10am – everyone is in the chambers, constitutional officers, the board of equalization, senators and assemblymen.
Speaker welcoming them all now.
Governors has just arrived, standing and polite applause… Definitely not as loud as it was last time he was here, in January.
Speaker announces massive reform movement this summer… I’m hopefully, yet doubtful.
10:10am – Speaker passes baton to President Pro-tem Steinberg, who’ll intro Governor, thanking the budget conference committee, trying to fix $23 billion deficit.
speaking about timely, responsible, action on current deficit… Now welcoming the Governor.
10:12am – Arnold has taken the stand, wants to talk about crisis, patting people on the back on how they fixed budget, until it broke again at ballot.
“Greatest economic crisis since great depression,” “Outdated state revenue system.”
Showing off fancy charts, says State’s revenue back to what it was in the 1990s, 24 billion deficit.
Feels bad about cuts, but says state has no money, and no credit.
Talking spending cuts, and what services Sacramento can provide and how.
Budget can’t be just about cuts, wants structural reform, quotes Churchill about crises.
Talking prison reform, and state/local interaction reform, eliminate dozens of state boards and commissions, i.e. waste management, boating, etc.
no redundant boards, won’t cut from health, and ed, without getting rid of bloated govt. agencies… Wants to sell state property now…
…To pay off State’s massive debt and lower our debt payments, government shouldn’t be in real estate business.
“State has run out of time, people have run out of patience.”
10:20am – Wants more reliable state income… Says he wants some reform before summer recess in July. Won’t take anything to voters.
Arnold quoting Krugman in NY Times, article here
Says people talking about how California broken, have written the State off… Trying to inspire legislators to great things
Says can’t hand off these problems to future governor or legislators.
10:28am – and he’s done, applause, applause… Senators and Assembly Members don’t look too happy, just being polite.
Speaker Bass controlling how people leave the chambers.
No break for the Assembly they’re going straight into working the file after everyone has left the chambers.
