Arnold Schwarzenegger says he will sign some bills despite budget impasse

He has sent a letter to legislative leaders, telling them to hurry up and send him several measures he wants to sign. Each would have to be approved by voters, and the state is almost out of time to put items on the November ballot.

The issue most directly affected by the governor's reversal is a $9.9-billion high-speed rail bond. It was already on the ballot, but the governor and lawmakers want to update some of its provisions.

"The governor believes that Californians ought to have an opportunity to vote on all these measures," said Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McClear.

Other items for the ballot that the governor wants sent his way include a bond to address the state's water supply, a plan to borrow against future lottery profits and restraints that would limit how much the state could spend each year.

Lawmakers have not passed any bills on those issues.

The governor's announcement led to plenty of headaches for Press Secretary McLear at today's weekly news briefing. He had to explain why lawmakers should believe that the governor wouldn't ultimately fold and sign anything else they send him.

"He will not sign any other bills until we have a budget," McLear said.

evan.halper@latimes.com