A Capitol Mutual Admiration Society

Both men say their alliance will make future debates on their differences -- including how to reform prisons and health insurance -- easier.

"I think the longer we work together, the better partners we will become," Schwarzenegger said.

Some political observers explain Nunez's improved relations with the governor by speculating that he would like to see Schwarzenegger reelected so that his good friend Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa won't have to face a Democratic incumbent should he decide to run for governor in 2010.

The theory goes that Nunez then could run for Villaraigosa's spot as mayor after term limits end his Assembly career in 2008.

Nunez dismisses such talk and said he doesn't know what he'll do after leaving the Legislature.

"There's no grand scheme plan that Antonio and I have to do a checkerboard play of one, two, three," Nunez said.

Schwarzenegger called his current relationship with Nunez "a very good place to be."

"I think in the end we both probably want people to look back 10, 20 years from now," Schwarzenegger said, "and say, 'You know, there's one relationship that was ... spectacular. Those guys got so much done.' "

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nancy.vogel@latimes.com