Schwarzenegger pitches props at LAT

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger took his campaign for state propositions 1A through 1F to the Los Angeles Times building tonight, telling an invited crowd of opinion shapers and readers that "the state of California has a dysfunctional tax system." Questioned by editorial page editor Jim Newton, the governor said it's essential that all six measures be passed on May 19 — or else financial bad times loom. After the governor left, former Speaker Robert Hertzberg (in the photo with Schwarzenegger) told me he agrees the measures are necessary. Now the chairman of California Forward, Hertzberg said he's looked at post-May 19 scenarios if the props lose and they aren't pretty. KCAL's Dave Bryan had a report tonight at 9 p.m. and KTLA was on hand; the Times' story ledes with Schwarzenegger saying illegals are not to blame for the state's fiscal woes.

People also talking about: With Sam Zell admitting that buying Tribune was a mistake and implying all options are on the table, there was speculative buzz about the Times being on the market. I heard a low-ball price of $200 million mentioned a few times, but can't vouch for it at all. This was my first time in the building since Eddy Hartenstein became publisher last summer; I'd hoped to meet but our paths didn't cross.

Photo: Luis Sinco / L.A. Times