Could it get any worse?

A Field Poll released Monday found that only 13 percent of the state's registered voters approve of the Legislature's performance, the lowest rating since the survey group started measuring opinions of that institution in 1983.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's approval rating of 27 percent is also the lowest the Field Poll has recorded for the movie-star politician.

With the exception of Gray Davis, whom Schwarzenegger replaced, no other governor dating back to Pat Brown in 1961 has been the object of so much disapproval.

Davis' approval rating hit bottom at 22 percent in August 2003, two months before voters recalled him and elected Schwarzenegger.

"Right now the public is very frustrated with what the state is facing and the budget. The impact of the cuts is causing the drop," said Mark DiCamillo, director of the Field Poll.

"The public also has the view that there is a lot of waste and inefficiency (in government), and that not enough has been done about it," he added.

The survey showed disenchantment with the Democratic-controlled Legislature across all political affiliations, with 72 percent of registered Democrats expressing disapproval; 86 percent of Republicans; and 77 percent of nonpartisan registered voters. The highest approval rating Field has found for the Legislature was an average of 57 percent in 1988.

The poll also found a 65 percent disapproval rating for Schwarzenegger, almost a total reversal of voter opinion five years ago.

DiCamillo said that if cuts continue to erode education, health and other public services – and people see no hope of economic revival – opinions could slide even more.

Republican voters, he said, have a "lower threshold" for abiding tax increases, such as the temporary income tax hike approved last February.

"But they want services, too," DiCamillo said.

"I also think," he added, "that (voters who are) Democrats share the view with Republicans that there is a lot of waste and abuse in hiring, pay and in (the existence of) state commissions."

Harold Goodwin, 83, a registered Democrat in Butte County who was polled, said he wasn't initially a supporter of Schwarzenegger.

But Goodwin said he has supported the governor's calls for abolishing state commissions he thinks are a waste and for cutting holidays and benefits for state workers.

"I worked in industry, and I didn't get near the 'bennies' they do," the former technical writer said.

He also said he disapproves of a pattern of "termed-out" legislators getting appointed to commissions with salaries of $150,000.

Goodwin disapproves of the Legislature, he said, because "both sides hate each other so much" and don't compromise.

He blames Democrats for some waste, he said, but he thinks Democrats try harder than the GOP to negotiate.

"The Republicans seem to be living in the Stone Age," he said. "They want all these tax cuts and the infrastructure is falling apart. There has to be more to governing than 'No new taxes.' "

Retired Yuba City generator technician Victor Young, 56, told the Field Poll he disapproves of the governor and the Legislature because of taxes and resistance to cuts to balance the budget.

"It's just a big argument all the time down there," he said of the Capitol.

A registered Democrat who may switch parties – or move out of state – Young said he's disappointed that Schwarzenegger isn't a stronger defender of the right to bear arms.

And he said the governor should have pressed the Legislature for more cuts to education, and no new taxes to pay for state government.

"The people who are on one-day furloughs," he said, "I don't feel sorry for them one doggone bit."

He said his old union, the Operating Engineers, helped him earn a good retirement, but it bothers him that unions seem to always back Democrats "no matter what."

Schwarzenegger is a lightning rod, DiCamillo said, "because he is presiding over this time of discontent."

Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McLear said: "It's clear the worldwide economic crash has affected all elected officials' poll numbers, even the president's."

Call Susan Ferriss, Bee Capitol Bureau, (916) 321-1267.