LOS ANGELES (AP) – Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa sharply criticized Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ballot proposals, saying the governor was attempting to sidestep the Legislature to push through his political agenda.

“In this instance it’s very clear that the initiative process is being misused,” said Villaraigosa, a former speaker of the state Assembly. “These are matters that could and should be addressed by the Legislature.”

The Democratic mayor’s remarks to reporters came after a speech marking his first 100 days in office. He said he opposed all of the Republican governor’s proposals, including Proposition 74, which would extend from two to five years the time teachers must work to receive tenure, and Proposition 75, which would require public employee unions to seek written permission from members before using their dues for political purposes.

“I don’t believe that we should govern by initiative,” the mayor said.

Todd Harris, a spokesperson for Schwarzenegger’s campaign, said the governor took the issues before voters because the Legislature was unwilling to work with him.

“The governor could not agree with the mayor more that the Legislature should have worked with the governor to pass these reforms,” Harris said. “Instead, the Legislature focused on its own priorities, things like gay marriage and driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants.”

During his first few months in office, Villaraigosa appeared eager to cultivate a cordial relationship with Schwarzenegger. But his recent pointed remarks made it clear their relationship will have its limits.

The governor’s other proposals are Proposition 76, which would enact a state spending cap, and Proposition 77, which would strip lawmakers of the power to draw political districts.

As he pushes his ballot agenda, Schwarzenegger has been trying to rebuild his standing with Hispanic voters who helped put him in office in 2003 but whose support has eroded in recent months.

Villaraigosa’s comments, while not out of keeping with his political loyalties, carry particular resonance given his position as California’s most prominent Hispanic officeholder and mayor of the state’s largest city.

Reflecting on his first 100 days in office, Villaraigosa restated his determination to place city schools under mayoral control. He said his staff was working on various proposals that would extract city schools from the Los Angeles Unified School District.

“We cannot allow 50 percent of our children to drop out,” he said.

During his first 100 days, Villaraigosa proposed plans to reduce traffic congestion, fight crime by hiring hundreds of additional police officers and beautify the city by planting a million trees.

He established himself as an irrepressible city booster and salesman, maintaining a near constant presence at city events large and small.

“I want people in the city to know I care,” he said, noting he has traveled 24,000 miles in the Los Angeles area since taking office, an average of 240 miles a day.

“I said I’d be a hands-on mayor.”