Governor Visits Disneyland to Start Antique-Car Race

Gov. George Deukmejian, at Disneyland Wednesday to start a cross-country antique car race, spent little time answering questions but did defend the nearly $37-billion state budget he had just signed.

“It’s about $1 billion more than last year, but the important thing is that it is a balanced budget with no tax increases,” Deukmejian said at the end of a half-hour appearance at the amusement park.

Before delivering his impromptu remarks, Deukmejian waved the green flag for the fourth annual Great American Race, a transcontinental road rally that will cover routes in 15 states, finishing in New York City on July 5. The drivers of the 97 pre-1937 automobiles will participate in the Statue of Liberty centennial celebration. The race winner will receive $100,000 of the $250,000 in prize money.

Deukmejian hailed the event as “one of our nation’s most thrilling,” and he praised the competitors for being “independent, daring individuals.”

“This is a great fun day for me . . . and for all Californians,” Deukmejian said before waving on the first driver.

The governor was accompanied by his daughter, Leslie, a recent graduate of the University of Colorado. Deukmejian chuckled when he was introduced to the crowd as “the father of one of our former cast members.”

Leslie Deukmejian played Mickey Mouse, Chip ‘n’ Dale and other Disney characters when she worked at the amusement park during her teens.

Turning to the budget, the governor, noting that he had vetoed $706 million in spending, pledged to restore $283 million of that if the legislature will dip into the pension fund surplus of retired public workers to finance some state operations.

“I think we need some some follow-up legislation” to the new budget, Deukmejian said.

He also took exception to remarks by Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco) that the budget does not provide enough for the the needy.

Deukmejian said 30% of the budget is devoted to social service programs and another 55% to education.

“That only leaves 15% for all the other programs such as transportation,” he said.