Schwarzenegger arrived at the Sacramento County Registrar of Voters office met by a group of young school children wearing red T-shirts. The governor was there to drop off signatures for his “Put Kids First” initiative that would change the teacher tenure system.

Surrounded by a small crowd of jeering protestors, the kids wheeled in red wagons filled with boxes of petitions. Schwarzenegger insists turning in signatures may be the spark for compromise with lawmakers.

 “Then everyone will be able to work this out like we did workers compensation reform… Last year when we handed in the 1.2 million signatures, they all came to the table and we signed the agreement.”

Democratic Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez says Schwarzenegger’s actions don’t encourage negotiations— however both sides continue to say that compromise could still be reached. 

But there’s much deal-making to be done.  Along with Schwarzenegger’s three initiatives, Nunez says he’s asking those gathering signatures for various Democratic-led initiatives to hold off in hopes of meeting the Governor half-way. In the meantime, Schwarzenegger must call a special election next month if there is to be a November ballot.