Deukmejian Says He Has Stronger Hand : Predicts That His Programs Will Fare Better in New Legislature

Gov. George Deukmejian on Saturday said his easy victory in the November elections, coupled with Republican gains in the Legislature, will significantly strengthen his hand as he begins his second term.

The Republican governor, who has feuded with Democratic leaders of both houses during the last two years, also told reporters that he expects his programs to fare better because top Democrats will no longer be trying to block his reelection.

“I think often times much of what was done in the last few years was meant to deny me achievement of a policy,” Deukmejian said. “With the victory we had, I think the Legislature is going to recognize there is support among the public for our policies and programs.”

On another matter, Deukmejian, who helped lead the drive to oust Chief Justice Rose Elizabeth Bird and two other state Supreme court justices, said he will support efforts to provide the outgoing justices with State Police protection.

A bill authorizing the state to pay for protective services was introduced last week after a Bird associate complained that the chief justice had received threats.

Deukmejian made the comments after two days of meetings here with governors of 16 Western states. Earlier in the week, he attended a national meeting of Republican governors in New Jersey, where the agenda was overshadowed by talk of President Reagan’s problems in the Iran- contra scandal.

Appearing relaxed and looking forward to his inauguration early next month, Deukmejian said he foresees winning approval of several major programs that fell victim to partisan wrangling in the Legislature. But he cautioned against too much optimism.

“I’m also realistic enough to know that there will still be many in the other party that will try to create some difficulties,” he said.

Opposition by Democrats

Two years ago, Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco) sidetracked the governor’s top-priority plan to reorganize the state’s handling of toxic wastes. This year, Senate President Pro Tem David A. Roberti (D-Los Angeles) helped block the governor’s proposal to build a new state prison near downtown Los Angeles.

Both efforts are expected to be revived this year.

Deukmejian said he will be looking for a “significant sign” of improved relations in how Roberti handles the prison issue in particular. After initially agreeing to locate the prison in the heavily Latino Eastside of Los Angeles, the Senate leader helped defeat the governor’s proposal, contending that it was an affront to the Latino community.

Although both houses of the Legislature are still controlled by Democrats, Republicans picked up one seat in the Senate in the Nov. 4 elections and may have gained a valuable ally with the election of former San Francisco County Supervisor Quentin Kopp, an independent who was heavily financed by Republicans. Republicans also gained three seats in the Assembly.