THAT’S DEBATABLE:

Some have accused Gov. Schwarzenegger of playing a game of payback to lawmakers when he recently vetoed a record 35% rate of bills. The governor denied his vetoes were punishment and blamed it on a lack of time to deal with minor legislation. Do you think the governor was getting revenge? Will it make it tougher for him to govern?

Most, if not all, of the bills the governor vetoed I opposed. My only disappointment is that he didn’t veto 90% of the bills, since most of them are bad policy that expands government power at the expense of liberty and economic growth.

Will his vetoes make it tougher for him to govern? It’s already tough — when he does the right thing by standing up to the liberals who control Sacramento. The governor can make it easy on himself by simply surrendering to the Democrats, as he has more often than not done in the past two years.

Chuck DeVore

Assemblyman

(R-Newport Beach)

Regardless of whether the governor’s vetoes were retaliatory, his willingness to deny many “feel-good” measures shows strong leadership. Too often, colleagues across the aisle get caught up in legislation that benefits a few Californians while costing all Californians too much.

I remain hopeful that my fellow legislators take from this experience the importance of working together on the large issues facing this state. Perhaps when we solve these problems we can then turn to the issue of whether the state should mandate you to spay or neuter your dog.

Tom Harman

State Senator

(R-Huntington Beach)

Many tough budget choices must still be made to solve our structural budget problems.

While much work remains in these challenging economic times, Republicans will continue to fight hard for fiscally responsible budget priorities, while reforming our budget system and rejecting tax increases.

Many of the governor’s vetoes were substantive steps in that direction, including the veto of nine bills that the California Chamber of Commerce called “job killer” bills and a bill to impose fees on the Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland port cargo. The idea of “payback” should not play any role in giving Californians the budget they deserve.

Van Tran

Assemblyman