COVERITLIVE.COM

10:06

John Marelius - Good morning everyone. The state Legislature remains deadlocked over balancing the state budget which has a $24 billion deficit, at last count. Why should this year be any different from any other year? President Obama pitches his health care plan to receptive but skeptical doctors at the American Medical Association convention. We can talk about those issues or anything else in state or national politics. So on to your comments and questions.

10:08

SignOnLiveChatModerator -

Last Friday the Union-Tribune Editorial Board met with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to discuss items of interest. The U-T live tweeted the meeting so those following @SDUTPolitics could follow along in real time. John Marelius is not a member of the Editorial Board, but since he covers politics he sat in on the meeting to listen and observe. We are going to ask him a few questions about it. If you have any questions, please feel free to interrupt at any time.

10:10

utstreet - Live tweets from U-T editorial board’s interview with Gov. Schwarzenegger @SDUTPolitics. #followfriday

10:11

SignOnLiveChatModerator -

John, can you summerize what the meeting was about? Also, did the governor say anything during the meeting that was new or hadn't been discussed before?

10:14

John Marelius - Most of the discussion was about the state budget as was his subsequent speech in Escondido. What made news out of the speech, which he also touched on during the editorial board, was that he would abandon his proposal to borrow $2 billion from local government because it had run into so much opposition. Of course, he also said the Legislature would have to make $2 billion worth of cuts somewhere else. He also repeated what he has said before that he would veto any increases in taxes or fees to balance the budget -- something legislative Democrats appear likely to put ot the test.

10:17

SoulRevision - @SDUTPolitics if the budget passes, people living with HIV/AIDS will die at alarming rates.. does he not car about that?

10:17

SignOnLiveChatModerator -

SoulRevision asked the above question during the interview. Could you address it?

10:19

John Marelius - I have to admit I don't know the direct impact of the proposed health care cuts on HIV/AIDS, but I'm sure Gov. Schwarzenegger would say it's not that he doesn't care about people receiving these benefits, it's just that the state is getting one-third less revenue than it was a few years ago and there's just so much money to go around.

10:21

SoulRevision - @SDUTPolitics so thats it, our govt just shuts down if we run we don’t settle the budget? the state of Cali should hold this man accountable

10:21

SignOnLiveChatModerator - How about this question?

10:22

John Marelius - It's not just one person. There are 120 people in the Legislature that have to approve a budget and can't agree on how to do it.

10:24

illegallyme - RT @SDUTPolitics Schwarzenegger: Reality is, Budget crisis b/c of failing budget/tax system. Crisis not from illegal immigration.

10:26

SignOnLiveChatModerator - John, during the meeting the governor was asked about controversial statements he had made earlier. This tweet addressed those comments. Could you give us a little background on why his statements became controversial and what he meant?

10:28

John Marelius - The governor had simply made the point that people who blame the budget crisis on illegal immigration are greatly oversimplifying things. He said while people who are not in the country legally do avail themselves of state services, they also pay taxes. In any event, he said there is no way the cost of illegal immigration would total anywhere near $24 billion. The reason this was controversial is that some people seem to think that all of our problems can be blamed on illegal immigration.

10:29

Masonfree - @Schwarzenegger @SDUTPolitics How come we don’t create our own currency and back it with resources like Alaskans make money or thier oil?

10:29

Masonfree - @Schwarzenegger @SDUTPolitics Call the currency the Calinero and back it with California Land/resources and peg it 6x$ and refi Deficit=CUT

10:31

SignOnLiveChatModerator - John, at first glance this question could seem absurd. Obviously, Calif. cannot create its own currency. However, I think Masonfree has cleaverly brought two topics together. First, why can't Calif. make more money from its natural resources?

10:32

John Marelius -

California could make more money on its natural resources if it raised taxes on farmers, loggers, oil drillers and everything else which the governor, and voters, don't want to do.

10:34

SignOnLiveChatModerator - Second, while California cannot run a deficit, the federal government can. Masonfree seems to be voicing the anxiety many Americans have right now about the exploding federal deficit. What steps is the Obama administration taking to reign it in? Do you think if he doesn't take action soon he'll create an opening for the GOP to attack?

10:36

John Marelius - So far, Obama has talked more about reducing the deficit than acted upon it. Of course, nearly all presidents do. With two wars, a massive economic stimulus plan and, on the horizon, a health care plan, it's difficult to imagine the deficit going down anytime soon.

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