It wasn’t quite tea and crumpets, but rather (from my vantage point) cookies, iced tea and almonds this afternoon for a rare Sacramento social event in the governor’s cabinet room: the eight constitutional officers coming together to say hello, and talk about the year ahead.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger played hosts to the other statewide elected officers– Lt. Governor John Garamendi, Controller John Chiang, Treasurer Bill Lockyer, Attorney General Jerry Brown, Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell, and Secretary of State Debra Bowen.

Schwarzenegger proudly called the group a great team, and had them all go around the room to talk about their individual priorities. Four journalists, myself included, had been shuffled into the room after a private start to the meeting; we were the “pool” reporters designated to share with others what went on inside. [Opening remarks can be heard here.]

The media’s presence probably was the reason each elected official’s comments turned into a mini-stump speech. From health care to environmental protection to safe elections, they each got their 3-5 minutes.

No real news (though I did ask the governor, as you can see below, about the idea of an all-mail ballot); however, there were a few interesting moments.

Attorney General Brown, who used to sit where Schwarzenegger sat, remarked that he had trimmed down his legislative agenda for 2007. “I think we need fewer laws,” said Brown. he then said he estimates there have been 25,000 laws enacted since he was governor. To which Treasurer (and former AG) Lockyer quickly jabbed: “Mostly cleaning up the laws you signed.” The room erupted in laughter. [You can hear that exchange, with an additional story from Lockyer, here.]

Later, Governor Schwarzenegger began heaping praise on Lt. Governor Garamendi– “my partner,” he called him. One wonders whether the previous lieutenant governor, Cruz Bustamante, ever even got inside the front door. [You can hear Schwarzenegger’s comments here.]