Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger told a political conference Thursday that it may cost California money to advance its presidential primary by four months, but that the campaign has the potential to bring more federal dollars to the state.

"We can turn $60 million into billions and billions of dollars," the Republican governor said during the conference at a Sacramento hotel. "It's the greatest investment California ever can make."

Schwarzenegger said that after ignoring California for more than three decades, and focusing on states with earlier primaries, presidential candidates will have to campaign vigorously here...

He said the media should press candidates on issues of importance to Californians, such as immigration, health care, education and offshore oil drilling.

Schwarzenegger said candidates should be asked why Californians get only 79 cents for every tax dollar they send to Washington...

The conference -- "Exporting California: California's Influence in 2008 and Beyond" -- was sponsored by the Public Policy Institute of California, the James Irvine Foundation and the New America Foundation...

For the complete article, please visit the Sacramento Bee website.