"We need the reforms on all of the issues that we fought for last year," the governor said. "Those things don't go away."

The Association of California State Supervisors was well-represented at this annual luncheon, with 16 ACSS members and staff participating among the 270 active reporters and other guests.

Besides his reform efforts, ACSS attendees heard the governor answer questions on illegal immigrants' receiving California driver's licenses; the governor's position on assisted suicide, which he believes should be left to the voters; an initiative set for the June 6 ballot that would increase taxes on high earners to finance universal preschool; and Democrat Susan Kennedy's appointment as his chief of staff ("She's spectacular," he declared).

One topic he did not address was the fact that state managers, supervisors and other excluded employees have not received adequate raises and are suffering crisis-level compaction problems.

ACSS was prepared to ask him this question: Outside experts have determined that many state managers are paid 30-50 percent less than corporate managers doing the same job. How can you expect to keep the best and brightest when even your proposed budget ignores this fact? But a lack of Q&A time following the governor's formal presentation prevented additional questioning opportunities.

ACSS will be working to directly pose this question to Gov. Schwarzenegger in the near future.