Davis: “I like Governor Schwarzenegger; I think he’s a good person. I think he is, like all of us, I certainly made more than my fair share of mistakes, he’s made some mistakes. The one thing I learned very early on as governor when you say something as governor people take it very seriously. And I think occasionally some of his remarks about nurses and otherwise were misconstrued and it created some friction. That having been said, anytime you try and change existing pensions, you’re going to get resistance. If I said we’re going to change the pay provisions of on-air people of radio and television, I’m sure there would be some resistance. That’s just the nature of the process- not much you can do about that.”
Hogue: “Are you concerned about the pensions? I mean much of that came about while you were in office there. Do you think it needs to be toned back and reconsidered? Does it jeopardize the budget of this state right now?”
Davis: “I think over the long term it’s something we have to deal with. I think the way to deal with it is through discussion, negotiation, dialogue to see if you can’t come to some consensus. I mean nobody in life likes to go backwards. I mean the American way is, and I think we’re all proud to be part of this great country, is that we all like for things to get better for each succeeding generation and certainly we like to do our part in this generation to prepare for the next. No one likes to think that the people that come after them will be less well paid or less well taken care of. The realities are that we have to deal with that and I think it’s best done incrementally and with a process where all sides are sitting at the table and eventually you’ll reach a consensus. Its hard work it’s not a lot of fun it’s not exciting as TV. But basically, when you’re asking people to go backwards, you have to do it with a lot of sensitivity.”
Hogue: “There’s been some concern, some conversation, about the Governor not going forward on the Special Election. Would you encourage him to do so governor?”
Davis: “I believe the issues he wants to put on the ballot should go before the public. I’m not convinced, Eric, that they have to be done this November. It looks at the moment, like we’re down to two initiatives. One having to do with teacher tenure, one having to do with the budget. I don’t see why those issues couldn’t wait until June. But that’s his call. You get elected governor you can decide whether you want to have a special election and if he wants it to be in November, that’s when it will be.”
Hogue: “Sir, just a couple more questions- it’s a joy talking to you. What’s your recipe? What would you cook in the kitchen down here in the horseshoe to make the state governable? What would you do? What’s needed?”
Davis: “Well I think he’s started to do the right thing now, which is just to sit down with the legislature and see if he can’t iron out some of the problems between themselves. If they can in fact come up with some compromise initiatives to go on the ballot where everyone’s for them, Republicans and Democrats, I think that would take some of the pressure off the voters. I mean we’ve asked the voters to do a lot. We’ve had elections in 2002 the recall in 2003 we had some important issues on the ballot in March of 2004 and now we’re talking about another election in 2005. If we can give them a breather until June 2000 because compromise has been worked out between Democrats and Republicans I think it’s a good thing, in fact, I think it’s what the public expects.”
