ON STUMP FOR BOND, LAWMAKERS JOIN FORCES.

Byline: RICK ORLOV Staff Writer

Flanked by Democratic and Republican leaders, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger launched a five-month campaign Monday to win voter approval for a $37 billion bond package designed to modernize the state's infrastructure.

Arriving on a private jet with Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, Senate President Pro Tem Dom Perata and others, Schwarzenegger said the measures approved last week showed what lawmakers could do when they collaborate.

``This is a very historic occasion,'' Schwarzenegger said. ``How often do you see us traveling together?''

Also joining were several staunch Democratic officials such as Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, as well as Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, a Republican, and the GOP legislative leadership.

Villaraigosa praised Schwarzenegger -- comparing him to former Gov. Edmund G. ``Pat'' Brown, who spearheaded a massive public works program in the 1960s.

``This will go down as one of the most important measures ever to come before voters,'' Villaraigosa said. ``We are asking this generation to shoulder the burden so the next generation can live better lives.''

Schwarzenegger, who raised the prospect of a massive public works bond package in his State of the State address this year, said the four separate measures -- funding transportation, housing, education and flood protection -- are critical to modernizing the state.

``I talked about that we must rebuild California,'' Schwarzenegger said. ``California now has a population of 37 million people and we are designed for 25 million people.''

The measures would generate $20 billion for transportation programs, $10 billion for school construction and renovation, $4 billion for levee repairs and $3 billion for affordable housing. If approved, the measures are expected to cost $2.6 billion a year.

Nunez and Perata said the Legislature came together when they decided that -- even with it being an election year in which Schwarzenegger is seeking re-election -- they would try to develop a program they all agreed was needed.

``I think people are tired of the partisanship,'' Perata said. ``And, I think if we didn't do something, they would have thrown us out of office. We don't need partisanship to tell us people are angry when they're stuck idling on the freeway.''

Nunez said he was pleased with the package because of what it provides Los Angeles for education programs.

``This is the largest investment in public education we have ever had,'' Nunez said. ``People come here to live the California dream and we want to make that possible for them.''

The officials said they were beginning the early campaign -- voters still have the June 6 primary to get through -- to try to focus attention on the bipartisan nature of the measures and their need.

The mayor said he was particularly pleased with the transportation money that was included, which will help in his plans to build a subway to the Pacific Ocean.

``When we started with this there was not one quarter for transportation in these measures,'' Villaraigosa said. ``I'm glad to see that the state listened to us about what our needs are.''

Schwarzenegger would not be drawn into questions about how the measures would affect him politically in a race against either Democratic state Treasurer Phil Angelides or state Controller Steve Westly. Angelides and Westly have endorsed the bond proposals.

The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce said it is backing the measures to help the state economy.

``This bond is exactly what we need,'' chamber Chairman Dave Nichols said. ``The chamber sent 100 business leaders to Sacramento this March with a clear message: Our aging and overburdened transportation system is running on empty and needs investment now.''

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, left, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger share a dance on the tarmac at Bob Hope Airport, as Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez looks on, before a news conference to tout a $37 billion bond package.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer