Arnold vows not to raise taxes

LOS ANGELES — California Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday pledged to cut the car tax, not raise any other taxes and work to help “undocumented immigrants” gain legal status.

“I said it before that I will not raise taxes, and I will not raise taxes,” Mr. Schwarzenegger said in his first press conference since he began his victorious campaign for governor.

He has yet to get specific about his plans for the state, which is staggering under a budget deficit estimated from $8 billion to $20 billion.

He did say, however, that he would negotiate new contracts with American Indian tribes that pay much lower taxes in California than in neighboring states for casino operations.

“As soon as I am sworn in as the governor, I will sit down with the Indian gaming tribes so we can figure out how we can get additional funds,” Mr. Schwarzenegger said. “And hopefully we can work out good compacts with the tribes.”

Mr. Schwarzenegger also said he would repeal a law allowing illegal immigrants to obtain state driver’s licenses. Gov. Gray Davis, a Democrat, signed the legislation shortly before he was recalled in Tuesday’s election.

The governor-elect said he supported a bill sponsored by Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican, that would grant temporary working permits to allow illegal immigrants to travel to and from the United States and loosen the requirements to apply for visas.

“I want to make all undocumented immigrants documented and legal in this country,” said the Austrian-born actor. “It’s all part of the package.”

U.S. Rep. David Dreier, California Republican and co-chairman of Mr. Schwarzenegger’s campaign, will be introduced today as head of the gubernatorial transition team.

Schwarzenegger aides described the job as “organizational” and said Mr. Dreier still would be able to attend to his congressional duties in Washington.

Campaign sources said the team also will include George Schulz, secretary of state during the Reagan administration. Democrats charged during the campaign that Mr. Schwarzenegger would bring in operatives of former Gov. Pete Wilson, but sources said the team will not be “a bunch of old hands” and likely will include several Democrats.

Mr. Schwarzenegger took a congratulatory call yesterday from President Bush, and the governor-elect said Mr. Bush “promised me he would do everything possible to help California.”

“So I’m looking forward to working with him and asking him for a lot, a lot of favors,” Mr. Schwarzenegger said.

“The president said he was proud of the race he ran, and he looked forward to working with him,” White House spokesman Scott McClellan added in Washington.

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