New Governor, New Style

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A law-and-order champion takes office in California

First the Republican version: for eight long years, Californians were subject to the "moonbeam" visions of their erratic Governor, Jerry Brown. Now they are about to enjoy the steady political professionalism of their new Governor, George Deukmejian, who in his inaugural address last week called for a return to a "commonsense society."

Now the Democratic version: Californians are losing an exhilarating, compassionate leader, a pioneer in appointing women, blacks, Hispanics and Asians to help govern the nation's most populous state. They are getting, instead, a humdrum politician, one determined to protect the rich and turn back the clock on progress in civil rights and the environment.

Whatever the merits of those arguments, the contrasting styles of the unconventional Brown, 44, and the traditional Deukmejian (pronounced Duke-may-gin), 54, were readily apparent as the new Governor's term began. When Brown took office eight years ago, he contended that state and national resources were limited, that continual economic growth was neither possible nor desirable and that "small is beautiful." To dramatize that view, Brown held a simple, seven-minute swearing-in ceremony, concluding with the order, "C'mon, let's get to work." There were no parties. He drove a battered 1974 Plymouth and spumed the new $1.3 million Governor's mansion, living alone in a $400-a-month apartment.

Deukmejian, the son of an Armenian rug merchant, took office proclaiming that "there are no limits to what we can achieve" and promising to seek "a new era of opportunity with responsible progress and growth which expands outward for all who seek work." His two-day inauguration included a two-hour show starring Dean Martin and Peggy Lee, a half-hour ceremonial oath-taking (attended by Brown and former Senator S.I. Hayakawa), a reception for influential campaign contributors and a black-tie ball. The $500,000 celebration was produced by Walt Disney Productions and MGM/United Artists.

After the dancing, Deukmejian went to work behind closed doors in the capitol. Even his receptionist was shut away from public view. Brown had kept the massive paneled doors wide open. Deukmejian placed comfortable stuffed couches in his outer office. Brown had craftily employed stiff wooden benches to both symbolize austerity and discourage lingering. Deukmejian, who has been camping out in a Holiday Inn, says he wants to move into the unoccupied Governor's mansion built by Ronald Reagan's former administration. Brown shunned the 25-room stucco house set on eleven green acres as too opulent. Brown's government tried to sell it, but rejected the few bids as too low.

The differences between the outgoing and incoming Governors go beyond style. While both took office during recessions, the current one is far worse than that of early 1975. Brown inherited a $500 million budget surplus from Reagan. Deukmejian faces a $1.5 billion deficit left by Brown. The deficit was caused mainly by the recession and by the state aid Brown gave to maintain city and county services after the celebrated Proposition 13 of 1978 had curtailed property tax revenues.