SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger backed away on Sunday from a threat to veto many of the around 700 bills before him if top lawmakers did not supply him with legislation to fund an expansion of the state's water system.
Instead, the Republican governor of the most populous U.S. state, and one that has suffered drought in recent years, pressed on with talks over a water bill and at the same released lists of legislation he had signed.
Schwarzenegger approved 93 bills as of Sunday afternoon before a midnight deadline to sign or reject legislation.
Schwarzenegger spokesman Mike Naple said more bills would be approved before midnight and that the governor was hopeful he could reach a deal with leaders of the Democratic-led legislature before midnight on a water infrastructure bill.
Analysts say a water bill will require billions of dollars in bonds to finance improvements and additions to the state's water system.
Schwarzenegger's attempts in recent years to forge a consensus between Democrat and Republican lawmakers on a water bill have failed because of persistent disagreements between the two sides over types of water infrastructure the state should pursue.
A major sticking point has been calls for new dams. Republicans backed by farm interest favor them, while Democrats backed by environmental groups oppose them.
This past week Schwarzenegger resorted to threatening that he would veto nearly a year's worth of work by the legislature if their leaders could not bridge their differences over water infrastructure.
(Reporting by Jim Christie)
