In spite of his protestations that "he is so rich that he does not have to be beholden to the special interests" and that "We need to live within our means," the RINO (Republican In Name Only) once again followed his core belief, "Don't do as I do; do as I say" and urged fellow Republicans to pass a California budget with disastrous consequences.

The Governor had the temerity to release the following press release ...

“The budget passed by the Assembly is a budget the people of California can be proud of. It takes the operating deficit down to $700 million – and more after I use my blue pencil authority.  The legislature has done a magnificent job through these tough negotiations by getting the deficit down from the May Revision.  This budget moves the reserve up to $3.4 billion and makes tremendous investments in law enforcement and education.

“Bringing the operating deficit to zero this year would mean a cut to the education budget.  The question now is whether we cut education funding and I don’t think that’s what the people of California want.  I will not cut education.”

Like most democrats and liberals, the Governor is willing to say almost anything even if it contradicts the facts. As an example, lets look at a few items that were provided by one of the few, and perhaps the only, honest man in California politics, Tom McClintock (once the Governor's running mate for Lieutenant Governor until he was denied the logistical support he needed to win.)

"'The May Revision continues the Governor’s commitment to restraining the growth in spending, pre-paying debt, eliminating the net operating deficit, not raising taxes and maintaining an adequate reserve.' Or so says the introductory paragraph of the Governor’s updated budget plan."

"'Restraining the growth in spending?' When the Governor took office, Gray Davis was spending $78.3 billion from the general fund. The May revision 'restrains' spending to just under $103.8 billion, an increase of 32.6%."

"'Eliminating the net operating deficit?' When the Governor took office in 2003, the general fund was bleeding $1.6 billion in red ink. Under Schwarzenegger’s May budget revision, it will rack up a $2.5 billion deficit, and according to the LAO, $5 billion more the following year. Put another way, in five years, Davis accumulated a combined deficit of $4.2 billion and Schwarzenegger is on track during his first five years to put us under by $10 billion."

“'Maintaining an adequate reserve?' Thanks to massive state borrowing in 2004 and revenue windfalls in 2005 and 2006, we began the 2006-07 budget year with $10.5 billion in the bank (and nearly $10 billion in credit card debt). Instead of using the money in the bank to pay off the credit card, the Governor will have blown through all but $2.2 billion of it with the May revision. That’s the 'adequate reserve.'"

"And the Legislative Analyst’s Office has just added a sour post-script: the actual 'adequate reserve' will be closer to $500 million – meaning that a $10 billion nest egg will have been squandered in just 24 months. And the 2008 budget will begin in a $5 billion hole."