While signing two bills on Monday that will help remove toxic chemicals from consumer products, the Governor talked about having only a week to sign or veto some 800 bills.
The late state budget shortened his window.
"I've actually sat in my house since there's a short period that I've had to do the bill signing. So, I sit at my house sometimes late at night, and I do bill signing," said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) California.
Among the other bills the Governor has approved is allowing the courts to order ignition locks for DUI offenders whose blood alcohol level is below 20.
And as of the first of the year, hanging a GPS from your windshield will be legal. Who knew they weren't? With one day to go before his deadline, the Governor is being picky about what he signs.
"Sometimes, there's bills that are not regular bills. These are big bills, major bills that move the state of California forward," said Gov. Schwarzenegger.
The Governor, though, is on pace to break his record of 311 vetoes in one year. What's painful about his veto messages to lawmakers is it's in a standard form letter, saying the Governor's signing only the highest priority bills.
Assemblyman Dave Jones has received three veto letters so far and counting.
"Ordinary Californians take the time to travel to the Capitol to testify. They write letters, make phone calls, organize. And to have all that work come down to a form letter veto, I think, is very disappointing for people," said Assemblyman Jones.
Among the proposals the Governor rejected is one that would prohibited insurance companies from charging as much as $5 to mail out your statement.
Named after rap star Kanye West's mother, Donda, who died during liposuction, the Governor also vetoed mandatory physicals before plastic surgery.
Steffini Ban thinks there's an upside to the vetoes. She can still drive around with her dog, Louie, on her lap after the Governor refused to ban the practice.
"He's comfortable there. He likes hanging out the window. I've never been in an accident in my life. I'm a very safe driver. I'm cautious," said driver Ban.
The Governor insists he didn't veto proposals to get back at anyone for a late state budget. Anything he doesn't get to by midnight tomorrow, automatically becomes law.
The governor has to personally sign every bill he approves or vetoes -- no runner stamps. It's quite a process when you have 20 letters in your name.
