A Democratic assemblyman and labor leaders denounced the Schwarzenegger administration Monday for distributing a television news-style video promoting a proposal that critics say could strip workers of their right to lunch breaks.

Schwarzenegger's Labor and Workforce Development Agency spent $1,200 creating what they call a video news release, which features a voice-over and interviews with managers of three different businesses praising the governor's proposal. The release was made available to television news stations throughout California and was used by at least three Bay Area stations earlier this month.

Assemblyman Paul Koretz, D-West Hollywood, characterized the video as propaganda intended to manipulate the media and television viewers.[...]

Koretz said he planned to send a letter this week to Attorney General Bill Lockyer asking Lockyer to determine whether the administration violated any laws by creating the video. He suggested Schwarzenegger was using the same public relations strategy as President Bush, who has come under fire for producing mock newscasts promoting policy reforms.

Bush is accused of failing to disclose that the White House was behind the videos. Rice noted that the Schwarzenegger production was clearly labeled as an administration production.