Some passing thoughts on today’s news…

Today, our friends over at the Capitol Weekly have released a ‘scorecard’ on the state legislature. We’re still digesting it, but are open to any observations from FR readers before we release our ‘rating of the CW ratings’ — though my first observation… In a world where traditionally the higher you score on something, the better, it is notable that on a scale of 0 – 100, it is the 0 that makes you the right winger, and a 100 that makes you a socialist. Go figure… From the "Tales of the Bizarre" files — LA Times writer Don Frederick is reporting that Barry Manilow has written a big check to the candidate of libertarian-Republican Ron Paul’s candidacy for the Presidency. I guess watching Uncle Sam take such a big cut of those checks from the MGM in Vegas finally got the better of our favorite 70’s icon. I was very impressed with the … Read More

The "Is he in or is he out" talk has swirled for weeks regarding Mark Larson’s potential run for an open Duncan Hunter seat next year, especially after he left KOGO radio in early June. Many conjectured the move was solely for a congressional run, but he was pretty clear he needed to make the change, regardless of any shot at public office.

In his blog yesterday, Mark reveals a new and exciting partnership with John Lynch, CEO of Broadcast Company of the Americas, to "build" a new radio station: San Diego 1700 AM (which Lynch already owns, so nodrawn out FCC approval needed). Larson will serve as program director and do the weekly 5-9 am show at the redesigned station, among his many other ongoing roles.

Considering the title of his blog post, "A FUNNY THING HAPPENED TO ME…ON THE WAY TO CAPITOL HILL: I got an offer I couldn’t refuse," it should be clear he’s not running, but then there’s this….

"John and I also agree in understanding the ‘call of community service’. He knows there may be a point in the… Read More

From today’s Roll Call Newspaper back in DC… Weak Fundraising Doolittle’s Latest Woe By David M. Drucker Roll Call Staff Republicans in Rep. John Doolittle’s (R-Calif.) district are continuing to sour on the nine-term Congressman * but GOP leaders and potential primary challengers are for now refraining from making any public moves to push the lawmaker aside. Reflecting his weakened political position, Doolittle closed the… Read More

Much space has already been given on this site to the shifty and smarmy efforts by Don Perata and Fabian Nunez — our esteemed "legative leaders" — to try and avoid having term limits kick them out of their powerful political offices at the end of next year.

We have it on good authority that Gale Kaufman and the political team behind the Perata/Nunez "term-limited incumbent career extending" term limits weakening measure have gathered enough signatures through their paid efforts, and are ready to turn them in…

But they are waiting…. "Why," you ask?

They apparently want to wait until after a budget is passed so that the ‘spin’ from the announcement of turning in signatures isn’t tainted with the whole idea that the legislature cannot pass a budget on time.

Mr. President, Mr. Speaker — the public isn’t going to be fooled by this self-serving measure no matter when you turn in your signatures. It won’t change the fact… Read More

Is there never a tragedy that doesn’t require a new law? It is almost funny how quickly legislators—at both the state and federal level—have to put out a press release announcing a new law after some individual tragedy. Such is the case with the death of 4-year-old Carlos Alejandro Flores at the Great America amusement park in San Jose last week. Despite the fact that Great America has announced that children shorter than 4 feet twill now be required to wear life vests in all of its 17 locations nationwide, State Sen. Elaine Alquist, D-Santa Clara, says that she plans to introduce legislation to address the problem. Her bill would legally require children under 4 feet to were life vests at amusement parks, set a mandatory ratio of lifeguards to swimmers and require that young children not be left unattended. The key to this sad situation is that the 4-year-old boy was left unattended. We can pass a law to require parents to say with their young… Read More

Thanks to this great chart produced by the Senate Republican Caucus, it is really easy to visualize the significant growth in the state budget and in state spending between last year’s budget and the budget proposed by the Democrats for next year (those numbers below are in millions, so add six zeroes to each)…

It appears they have "Potomac Fever" because they once again are using double-speak. It is easy to see that Democrats want to massively increase spending, and are accusing the Republicans of wanting to cut spending. The reality is that the Republicans are simply proposing LESS OF AN INCREASE. Actually, we should have actual cuts, and a lot of them, give the largesse in the budget. But clearly, in this case, the Democrats are whores for any increased spending, and the Republicans are being very modest in their efforts to apply a degree of fiscal discipline to state finaces.… Read More

There seems to be a little bit of confusion about the resolution passed by the CRP Board last Friday relative to GOP voters and the GOP Presidential Primary. So let me try to clarify. Back in the 2000 election cycle, when John McGraw was Chairman of the Party, the party amended its bylaws with a new system of selecting delegates to Republican National Conventions. Up to that point, since 1976, California’s GOP delegates were determined using a "winner-take-all" method where whomever got the most votes statewide was awarded all of the delegates (this was put into place in 1976 to help ensure that then-favorite son Ronald Reagan would carry the entire delegation in his primary bid against President Ford). The new rules for the GOP, which did not go into effect until after the 2000 cycle, are "winner-take-all-by-Congressional District" and they set up a system where three delegates are awarded in each House seat, to the GOP candidate who garners the plurality of the vote in each. A small number of statewide delegate positions are still awarded based on the statewide vote. This new system was rendered moot in the 2004 cycle because… Read More

Both major candidates to succeed Assemblyman Bob Huff in the 60th Assembly District have finished up successful fundraising periods.

Chino Hills Councilman Curt Hagman has taken a sizable lead in the money chase, reporting having brought in $309,000 on over 140 contributions ($100,000 of that being from the candidate), including tens of thousands of dollars from Orange County, where conventional wisdom suggested he’d struggle to find support. All told, including money transferred from his Council account, Curt Hagman finishes this period very strong with $334,000 Cash on Hand.

Orange County Water Board member Larry Dick had what would’ve been a good haul in most any other race. He brought in $189,000 from 150 contributors. He finishes with $167,000 Cash on Hand. Coming inches from $200,000 raised a year out from the election is a good amount to show. Unfortunately, it seems for Dick is that Hagman seemscontent on raising the stakes.

Curt Hagman’s campaign is being handled by consultant Jim Nygren and on the ground by Mike Richman. Larry Dick’s campaign is being handled by consultant, and former FlashReport blogger Joe Justin.… Read More