Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is saying hasta la vista to the legislature and is taking his reform plans to the people.

In part of his statewide tour, Schwarzenegger stopped at the Mexicali West restaurant on California Avenue, March 2.

Kevin McDermott, chairman of the Kern County Republican party, said that the governor outlined four reforms in the State of the State address. He said Schwarzenegger’s reforms are spending, pension, education and redistricting. The governor needs at least 600,000 signatures to get his reform plans on the ballot for a vote.

“He told the legislature, discuss this or I am going to have to go to the people. They refused to even begin discussions, that’s how arrogant the legislature has gotten,” said McDermott.

Schwarzenegger went to every table in the restaurant, handing out his “Reform California” fliers, shaking hands and cracking jokes.

“The special interests have the money, but the people have the signatures. This is our power,” said Schwarzenegger. “I always, when I come to Bakersfield accomplish all my missions because Bakersfield is terrific. They have been such a great support system.”

When asked by The Rip if his reform plan would help community colleges, Schwarzenegger said, “Absolutely, I love community colleges. I am a product of a community college.”

The Bakersfield College Republicans were at the event gathering petitions for the governor’s reforms. “The Bakersfield College Republicans are helping out collecting petitions and helping the governor express the concerns on why we need to move the state forward with reform agenda,” said Vince Pierucci, chair of the BC Republicans.

Another member of the BC Republicans thought what the governor is doing is necessary for California.

“I thought (Schwarzenegger’s visit) was impressive. I think he needs to be out here to push the initiatives for the things being proposed. I do think that pension reform needs to happen so at the end of the month it doesn’t become a blank check in the hands of people. … With redistricting, I think it’s a necessary thing so that more people in California, especially students, can be represented,” said Kaitlin Hulsy, 19, vice-chair of the BC Republicans.

The governor’s supporters were not the only people present in front of the restaurant.

One Bakersfield police officer was protesting the governor’s pension reforms.

“Our pension plans that the governor wants to interfere with and basically abolish are some of the best in the world. … As far as law enforcement goes, it is one of the last good benefits we have left,” said Todd Dickson, 40.

Some people were protesting what they felt the governor was doing to nurse-patient ratios.

“We’re here in support of nurse-patient ratios. … We feel that governor Schwarzenegger has pretty much assaulted our ratios and he’s trying to erode the safety net that we put in place for our patients to ensure the safe delivery of high quality patient care,” said registered nurse Sandy Reding, who has been in the profession for 22 years.

In a telephone interview with The Rip, Assemblywoman Nicole Parra (D-Hanford) issued a statement through her press secretary, Mary Gutierrez, saying, “Anytime a governor spends time in the Central Valley it’s a good thing. Though I don’t agree with the governor’s plan to cut education funding, privatize pension funds and implement merit pay, there are many things we do agree on.”

When asked what they agreed on, Gutierrez responded, “We need to work on the budget. They might not agree on the specifics, but they do agree that there is a problem.”