Schwarzenegger visits King Library
Governor, Sen. Feinstein among speakers in rally for props 57, 58
Tony Burchyns
Daily Managing Editor
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"The last time I was here in San Jose, I said 'I'll be back.' As you can see, this governor keeps his promises," Schwarzenegger told a cheering crowd of about 100 people gathered in the library's high-ceilinged atrium.
Flanked by Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein and a coalition of Silicon Valley politicians and community representatives, which included San Jose State University interim President Joseph Crowley and Mayor Ron Gonzales, Schwarzenegger urged local voters to join a bipartisan effort to pass Proposition 57, the Economic Recovery Bond Act, and Proposition 58, the Balanced Budget Act.
The governor said the propositions represent why he was elected.
"Why have I taken over this position (as governor) and inherited a $22 billion debt? It is simply because Sacramento has spent more money than the state takes in," Schwarzenegger said. "Our revenues have increased by 25 percent, but our spending has increased by 43 percent. We cannot continue doing that. Eventually, we will run out of money."
Proposition 57 would sell a one-time bond of up to $15 billion to pay off the state's accumulated deficit as of June 30. Proposition 58 would require state expenditures to not exceed state revenues. Both acts will appear on Tuesday's state primary ballot and are contingent upon one another.
Schwarzenegger likened the state's fiscal woes to those of an out-of-control credit-card spender.
"If you go to a financial counselor and tell him, 'I have a spending problem, I cannot stop myself from spending, I am a spending addict,' he would say, 'OK, let's fix the problem, stop spending, let's consolidate the debt, let's refinance it for lower interest rates, and let's tear up the credit cards and throw them away,' " the governor said.
Outside the library, a group of about 30 people picketed for separate reasons: to support San Jose city schools, to support the legitimacy of same-sex marriages and to accuse the actor-turned-governor of being a political charlatan.
Inside, Feinstein, who's spent 12 years in Congress, argued in favor of Schwarzenegger's prescribed budgetary solutions and elicited cheers in the process.
"What you see is major Democratic elected officials in the state of California supporting this Republican Governor and saying now is the time we have to pass propositions 57 and 58," Feinstein said. "This is a big state, and we are wide parties, and people walk to the sound of distant drummers. But there is one sound that is correct, and that is this back debt has to be remedied by the middle of June or state warrants will not be able to be sent out."
SJSU director of counseling services Wiggsy Siverten, a member of the coalition invited to speak Sunday, praised the bipartisan push behind propositions 57 and 58.
"In the spirit of collaboration, I would ask all of us to go out and ask people to vote, so we can save education, healthcare and a number of other essential services for the citizens of California," Siversten said.
Crowley told the crowd about the California State University's supportive position on the two propositions during his welcome address.
"The California State University Board of Trustees, as you may know, has expressed its strong and public support of propositions 57 and 58, keeping alive the dream of the California master plan for higher education for all those who are interested and eligible," Crowley said.
One SJSU employee in the crowd said he was glad to see Republicans and Democrats working together.
"I don't know why they waited till now," said Kym Bersuch, plumbing shop superviser for Facilities Development and Operations.
Bersuch said his union is backing propositions 57 and 58.
One Valley Transit Authority employee on hand for the rally said he voted for Schwarzenegger last October and wanted to see the governor successfully balance the budget.
"I voted for Schwarzenegger because he said he was going to clean house and cut government, so I'm willing to give him the benefit of a doubt ... and support Prop. 57," said Mike Macarelli.
Macarelli, who said he graduated from SJSU in 2000, said he didn't support Proposition 58, not realizing it would have to pass in order for Proposition 57 to be enacted, and vice versa.
As usual, Schwarzenegger ended the rally by saying, "I'll be back.."
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