THE MAID JUST QUIT

In the wake of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's comments over the weekend in which he described Democratic lawmakers as "girlie-men" for opposing him on a couple of issues that Republicans have tied to budget negotiations, Senate President Pro Tem John Burton held a news conference today and announced that his cappuccino machine was closed "until further notice."

Since Schwarzenegger arrived in Sacramento, he and Burton have become odd-couple pals. During negotiations in the the governor's office, Burton has served the cappuccino. "That's probably where he got the 'girlie-man,'" Burton said.

The Senate leader said Schwarzenegger's harsh attacks against Democrats over the weekend may have set back budget negotiations by two weeks. Asked if he had talked with the governor since the weekend remarks, Burton responded: "Why would I possibly call him? What am I going to say? 'Hi, this is the scumbag girlie-man. How are the kids?'"

Burton said he was "more than disappointed than upset" over Schwarzenegger's combative tone. The bottom line, he said, is that the attacks do not serve any purpose toward breaking the budget stalemate. "There is a legislative season and a campaign season," he said. "This is the legislative season."