The next few days should tell us how much legislative Republicans want to see Arnold Schwarzenegger re-elected.
The infrastructure bond currently being negotiated does not appear to meet the principles of fiscal conservatism that Tom McClintock outlined in January. But that bond, regardless of the policy specifics involved, is a key to the governor’s re-election. While Schwarzenegger can certainly be re-elected running a “taxes on steroids” campaign against Phil Angelides, the ability to tell voters he’s done something significant in terms of road, school and levee construction will make that task much easier.
So do Assembly Republicans protect the state’s fiscal situation and endanger Arnold’s re-election.? Or do they compromise on principle under the assumption that four years of Governor Angelides would be much more damaging?
My guess is that six Republicans in the Assembly compromise, just enough to get the bond on the ballot. The rest of the caucus gets to have it both ways. That’s one of the few advantages of life in the minority caucus.