Schwarzenegger threatens to shut down state government

Schwarzenegger said the financial crisis should be the impetus for a leaner and more functional state government. But he said he had no confidence in the Legislature to change the status quo and hoped a constitutional convention -- the radical notion of tossing out California's oft-amended legal framework to start from scratch -- would.

One area Schwarzenegger singled out: the array of elected statewide officials -- controller, treasurer, schools superintendent, etc. -- who can hail from different political parties and have different philosophies. The system was intended to create checks and balances, but the governor complained that the others sometimes get in his way.

"I say we should decrease the state employees' salaries, and the controller says, 'Nah, I don't think it's necessary,' " Schwarzenegger said, recalling a legal battle with Chiang that the governor eventually won.

"If I want to . . . create a vision for California, you can't have a team around that's trying to derail you," the governor said.

"I always get my lessons from sports," he said. "Look at the Lakers, look at all the great teams. When they are together and connected, then they have a better chance of winning."

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shane.goldmacher@latimes.com