| (November 17, 2003, initial post) -- Following the historic recall of Gov. Gray Davis -- the first CA Governor ever recalled -- Arnold Schwarzenegger, who outpolled all other contenders, took the oath of office today as CA's 38th Governor.
With wife Maria Shriver holding a 19th century Bible, CA Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald George administered the oath. | 
Screen save courtesy The California Channel |
Screen save courtesy The California Channel | Gov. Schwarzenegger promptly announced he would sign his first Executive Order repealing a 300% increase in the "car tax" (vehicle license fee) and said he will call a special legislative session to address the state deficit and workers compensation. He also urged legislators to repeal SB 60 which (if not halted by an ongoing petition drive triggering a referendum) will let illegal immigrants obtain CA drivers licenses effective Jan. 1/04.
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Before a crowd estimated at over 7,000 (and containing a number of LB dignitaries), Gov . Schwarzenegger delivered an inaugural address of less than ten minutes, noteworthy for its sweeping content. Invoking what he called his immigrant's optimism, Gov. Schwarzenegger cited American history, quoted former Presidents John Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, called the recall the people's veto of politics as usual...and vowed to change the political climate in CA.
As previously reported by LBReport.com, LB Mayor Beverly O'Neill, Vice Mayor Frank Colonna, City Attorney Robert Shannon and LB Area Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Randy Gordon were among those attending today's Sacramento events.
Seated on the dais were former Governor George Deukmejian and Mrs. Deukmejian, along with former Governors Davis, Wilson and Brown.
Mayor O'Neill was named last month to Governor-Elect Schwarzenegger's 65 member transition team and was scheduled to meet yesterday (Nov. 16) with the transition team members.
The Schwarzenegger campaign's web site said taxpayers did not pay for the swearing-in; underwriters were asked to help defray the costs by contributing to "The Arnold Schwarzenegger Swearing-in Committee" a 501(c)(4) organization. The web site disclosed contributors at www.joinarnold.com/en/transition/contributers.php.
The swearing-in was a ticketed event with 7,500 invitations mailed to campaign supporters, legislators, the CA Congressional delegation and other dignitaries.
Further details: Click for Reuters dispatch.
LB-Carson area Assemblywoman Jenny Oropeza, a Democrat and chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, posted the following comments on her web site following the inauguration:
