Early Victories Planned by 'Action' Governor

He repeated it four times for emphasis, promising a government rippling with energy after five years of a Davis administration that disdained risk and measured progress in incremental steps.

"Action, action, action, action."

Aides to the new governor have arranged his first few weeks in office to ensure two things: some attainable victories that will show momentum, and a pace that demonstrates he is bounding out of the gate, revitalizing a state government that many voters see as gridlocked.

"Look at the swearing-in," said state Sen. Jim Brulte (R-Rancho Cucamonga), an influential advisor to Schwarzenegger. "There will be no inaugural balls. No galas. Just roll up your sleeves and get to work."

"We still have a massive budget deficit to tackle. Worker compensation costs are still too high, and job growth is still anemic. So we have a lot of work to do. And it may sound cliche-ish, but action is what California needs."

Within Schwarzenegger's circle, the hope is that by "front-loading" his agenda with winnable battles, the new governor will be better positioned to take on the more stubborn fiscal problems that bedeviled Davis. It is an old idea, succinctly summarized by one Schwarzenegger aide as: "Success begets success."

Schwarzenegger is planning to repeal the $4-billion car tax increase within hours of taking office -- something he can do by direct executive action. He is to call a special legislative session beginning Tuesday, demonstrating that he is wasting no time before getting down to work.

One of the issues he wants lawmakers to take up this week is repealing a new law that enables illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses. The measure, SB 60, was signed in the thick of the recall campaign, and Davis' critics charge that he approved it to bolster support among Latino voters. Democratic support for the law appears to be crumbling, giving Schwarzenegger every hope of fulfilling a campaign promise within days of taking office.

Looking ahead, overcoming the state's budget difficulties will prove a tougher test of Schwarzenegger's political skills -- as he is already discovering.