LOCAL LAWMAKERS CHEER BIPARTISAN APPROACH.

Byline: Harrison Sheppard Staff Writer

San Fernando Valley legislators from both parties expressed optimism Monday about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's promise of a new era in California politics, saying they would welcome truly bipartisan government.

Schwarzenegger delivered an inaugural speech that quoted from two former presidents, John F. Kennedy, a Democrat, and Ronald Reagan, a Republican, and has appointed members of both parties to top positions in his administration.

Some said his speechmaking alone is an improvement over his predecessor.

``If Gray Davis could speak that well, he'd probably (still) be governor,'' joked Assemblyman Paul Koretz, D-West Hollywood, whose district, coincidentally, includes the residences of both Davis and Schwarzenegger and reaches into the San Fernando Valley.

Schwarzenegger has called a special session of the Legislature starting today to deal with workers' compensation, the budget crisis and the issue of driver's licenses for illegal immigrants.

Assemblyman Keith Richman, R-Granada Hills, said he and a group of eight other legislators from both parties plan to introduce a budget-reform measure this week that would impose a spending limit on the state government, new requirements for a reserve fund and other balanced-budget measures.

Among the proposals is to create a commission with the governor, state controller and legislative analyst to estimate quarterly revenue projections, and then require spending to be less than those projections.

``This recall election was not just about Gray Davis, it was about politics as usual here in Sacramento,'' Richman said. ``And the people of California are fed up with the partisan gridlock and the divisiveness of the Legislature. They want the problems solved.''

Sen. Richard Alarcon, D-Van Nuys, said it will take much more than good speeches to judge Schwarzenegger's potential as a governor. Still, he added, he at least has the ability to inspire Californians.

``If a governor's responsibility is in part to be a cheerleader for the state - and I indeed believe the governor should be - then I believe that he certainly has the capability to be a cheerleader to inspire people,'' Alarcon said. ``He demonstrated that with his speech. But the substance of his proposals will be fleshed out more after the speech - particularly in January when he presents his full budget.''

Assemblyman Tony Strickland, R-Westlake Village, the chairman of the Republican caucus, said he doesn't mind that Schwarzenegger at times leans left on certain issues and has appointed Democrats to key positions.

``At the end of the day it's about implementing his vision with his administration,'' Strickland said. ``He's going after the best and brightest. It doesn't matter to him if they're Democrats or Republicans.''

Strickland praised Schwarzenegger for providing his vision for California in the speech and for lowering the car tax as his first official action.

``I guess being an actor really helps him in his performance,'' Strickland said. ``I believe it was a speech from the heart.''

Assemblywoman Cindy Montanez, D-Mission Hills, said cutting the car tax gives the Legislature that much larger a challenge. The cut is expected to cause the state to lose at least $4 billion in revenue.

``I intend to work with the governor and his administration and I do believe more Democrats intend to do that,'' Montanez said. ``When we have a budget crisis the way we currently have, we have to work together. One of the great opportunities in having a Republican governor is being able to go to Washington, D.C. and say we need D.C. to help us out.''

Harrison Sheppard, [phone]

harrison.sheppard(at)dailynews.com