by Eric Dondero

He's at it again. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's raising the hopes of libertarians by promising what's being called in the media "severe" cuts to Welfare and other bloated State Government programs.

From the SacBee:

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger asked lawmakers Friday to eliminate the state's welfare program starting in October and dramatically scale back in-home care for the elderly and disabled as part of his May budget revision to close a $19.1 billion deficit.

The Republican governor also proposed cuts to state worker compensation. Besides asking for a 5 percent pay cut, 5 percent payroll cap and 5 percent increased pension contribution, Schwarzenegger has proposed cutting one day per month of pay in exchange for leave credit.

We've heard this all before from Arnold. Last year he promised the same "dramatic" cuts, and then caved to the Democrat-controlled legislature.

More likely, the consumate dealer is just doing a bit of positioning ahead of negotiations with his Democrat buddies.

Let's hope the the next Governor, be it Meg Whitman or Steve Poizner, has a bit more of Chris Christie's backbone, and less of Schwarzenegger's jelly belly.

(H/t Memeo)