Arnold Schwarzenegger took office on November 17, 2003 under a barrage of questions. Could the former actor and bodybuilder really restore accountability to the government of the largest state in the Union? Could he stand up to the pressure from special interest groups? Did he have the experience to maneuver California through its budget crisis? After his first ten months in office, Arnold has already proven the doubters’ skepticism well-founded.

Arnold’s greatest failure has been his inability to bring integrity back to California’s governorship. Schwarzenegger won the recall race promising to “throw open the doors and windows of government.” Unfortunately, he has done the exact opposite. With Schwarzenegger in office, the California governorship has controlled media access to an unprecedented extent. Reporters have held many past governors accountable for their actions. This method of accountability played a critical role in the downfall of Gray Davis. Arnold, on the other hand, dodges tough questions, while his aides keep reporters away from his everyday affairs. The Governor’s daily schedule mainly consists of “private meetings.” Californians have no way of knowing whom he meets or what he discusses with them. In short, they have no way to hold him accountable for his actions.

But, despite Arnold’s best efforts, the media uncovered chinks in his armor. When the Governor went to New York City for the Republican National Convention, he had a $350,000 budget for the trip from the California Events Committee, a tax-exempt division of the California Chamber of Commerce. The money the Committee afforded to Schwarzenegger came directly from over a dozen donors, such as pharmaceuticals and health care companies, each of which had a vested interest in upcoming legislations. Arnold threw a party at the Ritz Carlton to thank his gracious supporters. When reporters asked the Governor about the transaction, he simply retorted that his office was “not for sale.”

This is by no means the only time the media has caught the Governor shamelessly appeasing special interest groups. Arnold harshly criticized his main rival in the recall race, Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante, for being influenced by Indian gaming lobbyists. However, within a few months of taking office, Arnold proposed the most controversial Indian gaming plan in the state’s history. This club, with 5,000 slot machines, would have more slots than any Las Vegas casino and would be the first urban Indian casino in the state’s history. Though the state would receive 25% of the club’s revenues, many still wondered why the Governor had changed his mind on the issue…until they found out who was behind the deal. It soon became evident that Maloof Sports and Entertainment would manage the casino. This group, headed by Joe and Gavin Maloof, owns the Sacramento Kings and the Palms Casino in Las Vegas. They also happen to be important fundraisers for Schwarzenegger. The brothers once hosted a $100,000-a-plate dinner as well as a $25,000 Kings game with Arnold. Boasting that they have raised over $1 million for the Governor, they have also spent $64,505 in event expenses. Sadly, the Maloof brothers will not have a chance to manage the huge casino. The state legislature recently shot down the plan - despite Arnold’s continued support.

Still, many have praised the Governor for passing a budget, a promise that he made from the outset of his campaign. While it passed after the fiscal year began, many said delivering a budget at all was a grand accomplishment. However, a close look at the budget clearly shows that it is an unworkable plan that will leave California once again struggling with a deficit in just a few years.

Arnold’s budget plan rests largely on borrowed money and overly optimistic predictions. Early estimates showed that the Indian casinos which Schwarzenegger so ardently supports would bring in $500 million for the state each year. At this point, the casinos’ expectations have been lowered to $150 million, a huge blow to the state’s predicted revenue. State Treasurer Phil Angelides believes that this budget cannot stay balanced for long, saying it “continues to rely on some phony money.” Furthermore, by promising not to raise taxes, Arnold has limited the funding the state can raise to replenish the budget.

While overspending plagues this unrealistic budget plan, Schwarzenegger has still managed to make huge cuts on education. California’s schools have been struggling for years, and the outlook is not looking brighter. Schools in my own hometown of Oakland boasted 20% proficiency in English subject tests for the second straight year. The public universities also face budget crunches. Schwarzenegger recently brokered a deal with the universities to cut enrollment as well as increase tuition in public institutions. For the first time in its history, the University of California system will not be able to accept every eligible student. As a system based on this principle, the alternative of guaranteed admission after two years of community college is a catastrophe.

One story reflects the true nature of Arnold's governorship. During Schwarzenegger's fully funded trip to New York City, he found time to visit a Harlem school for a photo shoot. Close to 90 reporters attended the event to catch a photo of the Governor demonstrating his strong stance on education. There was only one problem: the head of New York City's teacher union said the school was not yet in session. The "students" arrived by bus from other areas. Arnold was simply an actor on a photo shoot, impressing the reporters that watched. Just as he brought a slice of Hollywood to Sacramento with an unprecedented level of control over his image, he created a charade to fool voters into thinking he was actually showing support for education. Well, at least Californians can rest assured that Arnold's acting experience is serving him well.