That's the sentiment of Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata on the upcoming special election, on this first day back for the Legislature after the summer recess.

The feeling in the corridors of the Capitol today is kind of like that "back to school" sensation. But Perata echoed what others are also saying: that it will be hard to focus on what's going in the classroom, so to speak, with everyone buzzing about the big brawl taking place after class... on November 8th.

"Everything is colored by that election," Perata told reporters in a brief news conference this morning. He described the election's impact on the legislative process as "stultifying".

(If you, like me, didn't know the meaning of "stultifying", Webster's tells me it means "making futile or ineffectual". Only a former teacher like Perata could use that in a sentence.)

Other notable comments from the pro tem:

* Perata pretty much said that there will be no compromise measures placed on the ballot to replace those campaigned for by Governor Schwarzenegger. And it seems that part of the problem was Perata's long-standing opinion that the initiatives were solutions in search of a problem. "That became the template," he said. "It wasn't, is it a good idea or bad idea, [but rather] 'that's the idea, what do you want to do about it?' Well, that's not a negotiation."

* There was also some thinly veiled criticism leveled at political consultants. "All these campaign consultants are little like fight promoters: no fight, you don't make any money," said Perata.

* And on legislative matters, overshadowed as they might be, Perata says he'll continue to push forward on issues like his proposal for a bond measure to pay for transportation projects. However, he sounded skeptical of efforts by some Democrats to push for an income tax hike on the wealthy as a way to send more money to the schools.