Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and one of his surrogates - former Gov. Pete Wilson - have been talking about busting down the Legislature to part-time.

It's unclear whether the new governor is lobbing up serious threats, trying to keep Democrats in line, or just venting in a way chief executives do when they have to deal with 120 lawmakers and their ideas.

But the Republican governor will try to end the career of only one sitting legislator this year - Sen. Mike Machado, D-Linden.

Schwarzenegger next Monday will lend his star power to a fund-raiser for Machado's Nov. 2 opponent, Stockton Mayor Gary Podesto. The race is seen as the most competitive legislative contest in the state, and Podesto is backed by Stockton developer Alex Spanos, who has ponied up nearly $500,000 to Schwarzenegger and his causes.

The governor so far has plans to raise money in five other races - all on behalf of incumbent Republicans facing Democratic challenges in borderline districts, including Assemblywomen Shirley Horton of San Diego and Bonnie Garcia of Cathedral City.

Schwarzenegger communications director Rob Stutzman said the governor thus far has no plans to target any other sitting lawmakers for defeat, besides Machado.

"The governor's tack," he said, "will be to campaign for people, not against people."