• If it seems like the answer from politicians is always to dig deeper into the pockets of taxpayers, that’s because it is.  At a time when state general fund income is at an all-time high, we should be insisting that infrastructure investment, such as funding for above-ground waters storage (dams) be funded on a pay-as-you-go basis.  A call for more borrowing should be rejected.
• Last weekend at the State GOP convention, Orange County Treasurer Chriss Street showed up for the Initiatives committee meeting, though he did not speak.  Makes you wonder if he was concerned that the CRP might endorse a potential effort to recall him for allegations of wrongdoing.
• It was pretty bogus of the Governor to come to the State GOP convention and urge delegates to change the rules to allow DTS voters to participate in the Presidential primary when, by the time the Governor spoke, the deadline for submitting such a change had already passed. 
• I keep hearing persistent rumors that Congressman George Radanovich (R-Central Valley) may be considering retirement at the end of this term.  I couldn’t say if it’s true — but the short list of immediate front-runners?  Former State Senator Chuck Poochigian, Fresno Mayor Alan Autry, Assemblyman Mike Villines, and Fresno Lincoln Club Chairman Mike Der Manouel, Jr.
• The Executive Director of the San Diego County New Majority is a rather tall gentleman named Jeff Lake.  He doesn’t have trouble getting through when he calls Congressional offices, as he is often confused with their colleague from Arizona, Jeff Flake.
• A couple of weeks ago I spoke with former U.S. Secretary of Energy (and former CRP Chairman) John Herrington, a true "red meat" conservative.  You can have your name put on a plaque at his Walnut Creek steakhouse, Vic Stewarts, if you can put away his famous "49er" porterhouse steak.
• Now that native Californian Todd Harris is heading up Communications for the Fred Thompson for President campaign, I actually read every press release.  They aren’t all penned by Harris, but some are, which makes it worth looking.  No one can articulate like Harris, whether he is being funny, sarcastic, or biting.
• The Governor insists that the payroll tax and the tax on doctors in his proposed healthcare plan aren’t taxes.  I suppose then that the proposed statewide sales tax now being discussed to increase state government’s role in health care isn’t a tax, either….
• It seems like Republican Assembly primaries this go around are tougher than ever.  My favorite e-mails come from the Sue Horne campaign up in AD 3.
• You have to love the hypocrisy of the California Restaurant Association.  They bemoan growth in government when it means being forced to list out nutritional information about food in restaurants, but have no qualms about embracing a sales tax increase on Californians for health care.

This entry was posted on Sunday, September 16th, 2007 at 12:00 am and is filed under Blog Posts.