In California, no bad deed by a politician goes unrewarded. Gov. Arnold “Taxpayer Terminator” Schowarzenegger got six Republicans in the Legislature to sell out their “no new taxes” pledges, betray taxpayers, and vote for his record $13 billion tax increase in February 2010. Here’s what he actually promised back then:

We will continue to work with our most important partners — the people of our great state — to ensure we never again face the kind of catastrophic budget scenario we experienced this year.

Well, here we are, almost two years later, and the deficit now is $28 billion! So much for the idea that tax increases solve budget problems — instead of making them worse by killing the jobs and businesses that provide the tax base.

For perfidy to taxpayers, Arnold rewarded (Un)Abel Maldonado with an appointment as lieutenant governor, which is why I call Abel “Arnold’s Chauffeur.”

Now, Arnold just rewarded two more tax traitors with government posts:

Gov. Arnold Schwarzengger has appointed to key posts two former Assemblymembers who voted for tax increases as part of the 2009 budget.

Former Assemblyman Anthony Adams was appointed to the Board of Parole Hearings — a job that pays more than $111,000 a year. Former Assemblyman Mike Villines was appointed to a $40,000-a-year job on the Central Valley Flood Protection Board.

Villines was the Assembly Republican leader in 2009, supporting the budget that included billions in temporary tax increases. Villines lost his leadership post as a result of that vote and was defeated in the race for state insurance commissioner last month.

Adams also voted for the 2009 budget and faced a recall attempt from conservatives in his district. That effort failed to qualify for the ballot, but Adams opted not to seek reelection.

There is some justice, though. Arnold will be hounded the rest of his life as the man who terminated the Golden State.

Dec. 8, 2010

–Steven Greenhut