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Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003

He also wants the Legislature to put a bond proposal before voters on the March 2 ballot, and set a state spending cap to prevent the creation of such a huge financial hole in the future, both items that lawmakers will need to act on before Dec. 5.

Calling himself "an idealist without illusions," Schwarzenegger took charge of California immediately after he was sworn in on Monday by repealing an unpopular increase in the car tax and calling the special session to deal with the state's budget mess.

Political observers agree that keeping his pledge to fix the state's beleaguered economy will be a formidable task for the political newcomer, who faces a budget deficit he believes is already more than $24 billion and a business climate he has cast as the nation's worst.

Despite his overwhelming win in the Oct. 7 recall election, Schwarzenegger faces a Democrat-dominated Legislature that might not grant his wishes.

"He's got a tough challenge on his hands," said Republican former Gov. George Deukmejian, who attended Schwarzenegger's swearing-in ceremony Monday. "I don't envy him."

With his wife, Maria Shriver, holding a Bible, Schwarzenegger took the oath of office from California's chief justice in a short ceremony on the steps of the state Capitol.

An immigrant from Austria who arrived in the United States 35 years ago as a body builder dreaming of fame and fortune, the 56-year-old Republican invoked former Presidents John Kennedy and Ronald Reagan and called himself "an idealist without illusions."

"Perhaps some think this is fanciful or poetic, but to an immigrant like me, who, as a boy, saw Soviet tanks rolling through the streets of Austria, to someone like me who came here with absolutely nothing and gained absolutely everything, it is not fanciful to see this state as a golden dream," Schwarzenegger said as he officially took the helm of the nation's most populous state and the world's sixth-largest economy.

As he was sworn in, Schwarzenegger was accompanied by four of the five living former governors of California, including Gray Davis, who he replaced. Only Reagan, who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease, was not present.

Schwarzenegger suspended implementation of new state regulations and called for a review of all regulations adopted, amended or repealed during Davis' administration.

In a speech, Schwarzenegger promised to spend the next three years rebuilding the state's economy, protecting the needs of children and the elderly and breaking the hold of special interests.

"I enter this office beholden to no one except you, my fellow citizens. I pledge my governorship to your interests, not to special interests," Schwarzenegger said.

At a lunch after the ceremony, Schwarzenegger urged legislators to heed the call of California voters and put aside partisan politics to solve the state's problems.

Front and center will be the state economy which, while showing some signs of recovery, is troubled. California's credit rating is the lowest among all 50 states, and state finances are in disarray.

Schwarzenegger promised to put the state's finances in order. "I will not rest until California is a competitive, job-creating machine."

© 2003 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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