setback for arnold's reforms

california governor arnold schwarzenegger's ambitious reform plans were dealt a blow when a california judge essentially barred proposition 77 from a special election ballot later this year.

the petition circulated to get the legislative districting reform on the ballot including wording different than the one submitted to the (democratic) attorney general's office. proponents of the reform vow to continue on, but the likelihood appears grim for this year.

meanwhile, the critics chime in

"There are two flat tires on the reform Hummer," said [Steve Maviglio, spokesman for democratic assembly speaker], referring to the governor's fondness for the large sport utility vehicles. "We are not going to be there to pump them back up."

smugness and dismissal remains higher on the priority list than the legislative process becoming more responsive to the voters.