BALLOT-COMPROMISE CHANCES SLIM.

Byline: Harrison Sheppard Sacramento Bureau

SACRAMENTO - Negotiations with the Legislature over a compromise to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's reform measures are ``finished,'' a key lawmaker said Monday.

Although the administration still holds out hope for a deal, Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, said the Governor's Office had taken a ``strident'' approach to the talks, leaving little possibility of compromise and not enough time to strike a deal.

``I absolutely believe we're finished,'' Perata said at a Capitol news conference. ``We don't have the time. If we did anything now, it would be as hasty as the stuff that's on the ballot right now.''

The Secretary of State's Office has declared Thursday to be the deadline for approving a deal to make it onto a supplemental ballot, although the Legislature has the power to change the statute to give itself more time.

Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuez, D-Los Angeles, shared Perata's view, although he allowed for the possibility of a last-minute breakthrough - even past the deadline.

``We're pretty skeptical,'' said Nuez spokesman Steve Maviglio. ``I mean, it's not over 'til it's over. We're going to put the legislators on call for any weekend sessions in case something breaks at the last moment. We're continuing to talk. He's hopeful, but doubtful.''

The Governor's Office and lawmakers had been negotiating to craft alternatives to the governor's November special-election ballot measures, which include reforms on the state budget, redistricting and teacher tenure.

The hope was to get a ``global'' agreement on all of the measures that both sides could rally behind, increasing the chances for passage - much as the two sides negotiated compromises on the governor's earlier budget and workers' compensation reforms.

A spokeswoman for Schwarzenegger said the governor remains hopeful that a deal can still be reached.

``The governor has been out there trying to work with the Legislature since his State of the State address on Jan. 6,'' said spokeswoman Margita Thompson. ``And since then the Legislature has not shown the political will to come up with a bipartisan agreement where Republicans and Democrats could go together to the ballot.

``The governor is an optimistic person and has overcome defeatist attitudes before and certainly will continue to fight for what the people deserve.''

Secretary of State Bruce McPherson said the election is expected to cost local counties about $45 million. It will cost the state $8.3 million to print and mail the principal ballot and an additional $4.2 million to print a supplemental ballot, if there is one.

Political analyst Sherry Bebitch Jeffe of the University of Southern California said she expects the governor to have a difficult time making his case to average Californians, because budget reform, teacher tenure and redistricting are complicated issues without an immediate impact on their daily lives.

When people are confused or uncertain, she said, they tend to vote no.

``These are not gut-wrenching issues for most people,'' Jeffe said.

Other measures on the ballot, such as parental notification of abortion; the paycheck protection measure, which limits political spending by unions; and two competing pharmaceutical measures are likely to get more attention and money because of their impacts on average people, she said.

Harrison Sheppard, [phone]

harrison.sheppard(at)dailynews.com

KEY DATES

--Aug. 18: Deadline for legislative compromise measure to go on supplemental ballot

--Sept. 9: Overseas voting begins

--Oct. 10-Nov. 1: Absentee voter ballot application period

--Oct. 24: Last day to register to vote

--Nov. 8: Election day

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