BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger made official late Sunday what many already expected: The lack of a California state budget will keep him from attending this week's Republican National Convention in St. Paul.

In a statement from his office, Schwarzenegger described himself as flattered to be asked to speak on the convention's first night, but business at home took precedence.

"It is totally unacceptable that 62 days past its deadline, the Legislature has not sent me a budget that I can sign," Schwarzenegger said in the statement."Just as they must do in our nation's capital, Republicans and Democrats must compromise and do the work of the people."

There was talk that Schwarzenegger might make a convention appearance Monday by satellite from California.

But that seemed less likely after the imminent arrival of Hurricane Gustav in Louisiana prompted Republican convention organizers to reduce Monday's convention floor events to the minimum.

In addition to Schwarzenegger, about a dozen Republican state legislators, many of them delegates, are also likely to miss party events this week while a budget remains unfinished.

A week ago, Schwarzenegger attended in Sacramento a fundraiser for U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who is set to receive his party's nomination for president this week.