Governor Ends Series of Trips--Gets In a Bit of Politicking

Gov. George Deukmejian wrapped up a series of summertime road trips through rural California this weekend, taking time for some old-fashioned politicking and a last shot at some uncritical exposure before the Legislature returns today for its final four-week session.

The bucolic setting of his two-day swing through the northern part of the state was a marked contrast to the thorny issues that await Deukmejian: an overcrowded and increasingly violent state prison system, welfare reform, emerging concerns over the state’s handling of toxic wastes and proposals to grant tax breaks to giant multinational companies.

All of that seemed remote as the governor took in some of California’s most breathtaking and historic scenery, from the Gold Rush towns of Ione and Markleeville to Yosemite Valley.

The tour, and two like it earlier this month, helped Deukmejian fulfill a 1982 campaign promise to visit portions of the state that his predecessor, Edmund G. Brown Jr., was criticized for ignoring.

Campaign Talk

With the gubernatorial election still 14 months away, Deukmejian tried to downplay speculation that the trip, which ended Saturday, was politically motivated. But at every stop he was greeted with questions about his campaign plans and a California Poll published as he departed Friday morning that showed him trailing Mayor Tom Bradley, his 1982 opponent, in popularity.

Deukmejian tried to put the best face on the results, telling reporters that he always does poorly in polls but expects to win in 1986. In his usual cautious manner, he quickly added, “assuming, of course, that I declare that I am going to run.”

In fact, there was little to distinguish this series of trips from typical electioneering.

Except for a vocal demonstration Saturday by mining opponents in the old Gold Rush town of Jamestown, Deukmejian received a warm reception this trip at nearly every stop. The destinations and agendas were carefully selected by the governor’s staff to focus on the positive, people-oriented aspects of state government--parks, historic sites and forestry camps. Such places project a positive image for the governor while providing the kind of good television and photo opportunities that Deukmejian has found difficult to attract in the confines of his Capitol office.

The latest trip ended on a decidedly political note when Deukmejian told supporters at a Calaveras County Republican fund-raiser Saturday night that California Sen. Alan Cranston ought to lose his job, “but there’s another fellow who would sure like to keep his--and here I am.”

The governor faces more immediate concerns this week when the Legislature returns to tackle a number of controversial issues, some of which have dogged Deukmejian since he took office. Among those are:

- Prison overcrowding. With the imposition of stiffer sentences and continued political roadblocks to building more detention facilities, the state prisons are overflowing and violence within their walls is at an all-time high. Deukmejian is scheduled to unveil emergency plans today to house at least 5,000 inmates temporarily while political problems are worked out on the Administration’s overall plan to make room for 19,000 new inmates by 1989.

Among long-term legislative solutions under consideration is a proposal to simplify the environmental permit process that has been used by prison opponents to halt construction in several areas of the state.

- Toxic waste. The Democratic-controlled Assembly handed the governor a major setback when it rejected his plan for a cabinet-level toxics department and vowed to push through a rival proposal that has support from environmentalists and a coalition of California businesses. Deukmejian, however, has vowed to resubmit his plan, hoping the Legislature will change its mind and its rules so that the proposal still can take effect in December. But with an election looming next year, legislative sources say the Democrats are not anxious to hand the Republican governor such a victory.

- Taxation. High-level talks are continuing on proposals to help the state attract foreign investment by providing huge tax breaks for multinational corporations. The Assembly is considering a Senate-approved proposal that would offer foreign firms relief from the so-called unitary method of taxation that figures corporate taxes on the basis of worldwide earnings and assets.

Domestic businesses argue that such a measure would put them at a disadvantage. But Deukmejian is being pressured by the Reagan Administration, which claims that the tax hinders U.S. trade efforts. The governor believes granting tax breaks to both foreign and domestic corporations would be too costly.

- Welfare reform. After years of talk but little action, there appears to be bipartisan support for a “workfare” plan that would require able-bodied welfare recipients to work, receive vocational training or go to school in exchange for their grants.

Deukmejian supports the plan as similar to one he recently authored. But his statements taking credit for the breakthrough have annoyed some Democrats, who say they are worried that the delicate balance holding the plan together could easily collapse.

- Deep Pockets. Facing serious political problems is a proposal to grant relief to California cities and counties that are reeling from multimillion-dollar injury suits brought against them because they are assumed to have the “deep pockets” of wealth.

Cities and counties reportedly have been unable to agree on a solution, making it unlikely that anything will be done this year.

The Legislature is expected to approve legislation, favored by Deukmejian, that would require California motorists to use their seat belts and auto makers to install air bags or other automatic crash devices in all California cars.

All of these politically sensitive issues will have to be dealt with in the next four weeks or be delayed until next session--in an election year when important matters become tangled in the web of partisan politics and often little is accomplished.