On Assisted Suicide, Gov. Says Voters Should Decide
SACRAMENTO — In a blow to California lawmakers attempting to legalize doctorassisted suicide this year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Tuesday that such a momentous decision is better left to voters rather than to elected officials.
Thirteen years ago, California rejected an initiative that sought to let a doctor supervise the death of a critically ill patient. But with the U.S. Supreme Court upholding Oregon's assisted suicide law this month, lawmakers in Sacramento are pushing new legislation they had hoped Schwarzenegger would embrace.
"I personally think this is a decision probably that should go to the people, like the death penalty and other big issues," the governor said. "I don't think 120 legislators and I should make the decision. I think the people should make the decision, and whatever that is, that is what it ought to be."
Assisted suicide -- An article in Wednesday's California section about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's statement that voters -- not lawmakers -- should decide whether to adopt an assisted suicide law quoted an official with the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers in a way that suggested that the group supports an assisted suicide law. It does not.
Schwarzenegger's comments came during an appearance before the Sacramento Press Club, an annual rite allowing a broad mix of questions and occasional humor about his sometimes rocky relationship with the news media.
In refusing even to give his personal views on assisted suicide, the governor nevertheless signaled that he would veto legislation on the issue should it make its way through the Legislature.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to take up the controversial bill, AB 651, in March. Previous legislation on the subject has failed without reaching the governor's desk.
Assemblyman Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys), one of the sponsors of the current bill, said he was disappointed in Schwarzenegger's comments and believes that the issue need not go before voters once again.
"The governor was elected to make tough decisions," he said.
Levine said Schwarzenegger could have been caught off guard by the question Tuesday and have reflexively said "the people" should decide the issue.
He said the comments didn't square with the governor's promise to work closely with the Legislature this year, after going around it and suffering a sweeping defeat at the hands of voters in November's special election.
By sidestepping assisted suicide in a year in which he is campaigning for reelection, Schwarzenegger can avoid a public fight over a complex and emotional social issue. He has done this on other controversial subjects, such as legalizing same-sex marriage, which he has said -- without offering his own opinion on the matter -- should be left to "the people" and the courts.
