We would like to issue a sincere warning to anyone or any group that has legislation pending in the State Legislature that could impact them — stay away from Speaker Fabian Nunez or you WILL get fleeced by him to "give" big bucks to his self-served, career-extending Yes on Proposition 93 Committee.

While we know that many such individuals and entities have already had a "cashectomy" from Nunez, apparently those millions simply aren’t enough.

How do we know this?

The Yes on 93 Campaign in the last couple of days has CANCELED over HALF OF A MILLION DOLLARS in reserved TV time in five media markets.

You chances of seeing a Yes on 93 commercial on ABC, CBS, or Fox in the Fresno Area has gone down. Or if you live in Los Angeles, look for less Yes on 93 propaganda on CBS, NBC, ABS, FOX and KCAL (over $300,000 of the dropped buys were in the LA market). In the Capitol City? Time on UPN and FOX has been slashed. San Francisco? Your CBS. ABC, NBC, and FOX affiliates have had Yes on 93 ads… Read More

1st Supervisor District Score a big win for OC Supervisor Janet Nguyen. The California Court of Appeals just issued a ruling upholding last year’s OC Superior Court decision that made her the winner of the 1st Supervisor District special election over Trung Nguyen by a mere 3 votes. Trung appealed that ruling, seeking to be declared the winner.

This comes on the heels of last week’s surprise decision by former state Sen. Joe Dunn not to challenge her re-election, leaving OC Democrats scrambling for a candidate.

71st Assembly District Mission Viejo Councilman John Paul Ledesma has dropped out of the GOP primary and endorsed Corona Mayor Jeff Miller, the leading fund-raiser in the race. You can read my take on this here.… Read More

I just left the Governor’s visit to San Diego, one in a series of around-the-state meetings to discuss the budget crisis and state fiscal reform, ala "spend what you take in and no more."

About 50 folks at Mission TrailsRegional Park Visitors Center,including Mayor Jerry Sanders, SD Councilmembers Scott Peters and Jim Madaffer, County Supe Greg Cox, Escondido Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler, Solana Beach Mayor Joe Kellejian, and various board members from Taxpayers Association and area chambers of commerce, as well as a handful of firefighters.

A good overall presentation by the governor on living within means. An interesting response to a question about the reason for pushing forward with healthcare reform during a budget crisis: "Healthcare reform is revenue neutral and nothing to do with the budget." Many might argue that point, but the overall message was loud, clear and reiterated:

"One thing I don’t recommend is taking care of this budget problem with increased taxes….that would be the complete wrong approach."… Read More

There have been a lot of questions raised since Governor Schwarzenegger introduced his proposed 2007-2008 budget last week. First and foremost, the Governor is to be firmly commended for coming out of the gate with a verbal commitment not to raise taxes to deal with the huge overspending problem facing California state government. As most FR readers know, the Governor directed his agency and department heads to work on a state budget that cuts state spending across the board by 10% (well, actually, it was really a 10% decrease in what the anticipated budget would have been… I know, it’s confusing.) When the proposal was unveiled, it contained in it some very "high profile" cuts that would be very impactful on Californians — two that immediately come to mind are the closing of a great number of state parks, and everyone has heard about the Governor’s proposal to grant an early releases to tens of thousands of "non-violent" felons. It was all very dramatic when announced, and definitely drove home the message that Californians all around the state were going to be negatively impacted by the "austerity… Read More

There have been a lot of questions raised since Governor Schwarzenegger introduced his proposed 2007-2008 budget last week. First and foremost, the Governor is to be firmly commended for coming out of the gate with a verbal commitment not to raise taxes to deal with the huge overspending problem facing California state government. As most FR readers know, the Governor directed his agency and department heads to work on a state budget that cuts state spending across the board by 10% (well, actually, it was really a 10% decrease in what the anticipated budget would have been… I know, it’s confusing.) When the proposal was unveiled, it contained in it some very "high profile" cuts that would be very impactful on Californians — two that immediately come to mind are the closing of a great number of state parks, and everyone has heard about the Governor’s proposal to grant an early releases to tens of thousands of "non-violent" felons. It was all very dramatic when announced, and definitely drove home the message that Californians all around the state were going to be negatively impacted by the "austerity… Read More

A busy day in NorCal as the Guv visited Redding this afternoon, an event put together in conjunction with Rotary Club and Redding Chamber Of Commerce. I wasn’t there as we had Ag Committee this aft, but the reports were that the Guv talked approx 90% about the budget, the need to curtail spending and amend the budget process, essentially driving the points made in State of the State and the Budget release press conference. Those conservative points played well with the very fiscally wise north state audience. The Q & A wasn’t too rocky for the Guv but one restaurateur that I know wondered with the employer health care tax and mandates on menus, etc."when will it end?" Also, a question about dumb gun control law solutions in search ofa problem. [I love my constituents.]

Earlier, the No On Prop 93 Trojan Horse visited Chico in my home county of Butte. Now we didn’t have any Greeks such asFabian Nunezethenes or Don Peratapoulos leap out and attack the Chico City council chambers or such, but we [Butte County supervisor Curt Josiassen, the FR’s own Brandon Powers who isa No On 93 staffer, and myself] did talk… Read More

Despite California’s prominent role in this year’s Presidential nominating process for the GOP, I have yet to receive any mail from a Presidential contender. But my good friend Paul Hegyi, who is a candidate for Assembly, and Chief of Staff for Assemblyman Van Tran, did. It wasn’t from Rudy Giuliani, nor Mitt Romney. It wasn’t from John McCain nor was it from Fred Thomspon.

Check out the links below to see the front and back of the mailing from… Aww, we’re not going to spoil the surprise. Look yourself!… Read More

Cross posted at Red County San Diego….

San Diego City Councilmember Brian Maienschein just confirmed with me he will run for SD city attorney. This after a rumor that he was introduced as a candidate at a Rancho Bernardo Chamber of Commerce mixer last night.

"I have been encouraged for awhile to run and I will be doing so," Maienschein said, "The important thing is to beat Mike Aguirre. I think I have a good chance."

He further indicated that a formal announcement is planned in the next two weeks.

I’ll leave any analysis for later. As a recap, however, Deputy D.A. Bill Gentry dropped out of the race earlier in the week, opting to endorse Judge (and former Assemblyman) Jan Goldsmith. Goldsmith has been endorsed by the County Republican Party. Former SD Unified Schools Superintendent Alan Bersin is still analyzing his chances.

Maienschein, as well as Goldsmith are Republicans.… Read More