Apparently freshman Democrat Jerry McNerney is unconcerned about being named one of Roll Call Newspaper’s most vunerable incumbents. Just in from our friends at The Club for Growth…

Jerry McNerney Adds Another Tax Increase to His Record

Washington – As if Jerry McNerney’s tax-and-spend record is not sufficiently hostile to taxpayers, today, the California representative voted for the absurdly named “Patriot Tax” in the war supplemental. The amendment is an unambiguous income tax increase, imposing a 0.5% surcharge on gross income on earnings over $500,000 a year or $1 million for a couple.

Without a doubt, this tax increase will prove harmful to the economy, stifling innovation, productivity, and job growth. To make matters worse, the tax will be especially harmful on small businesses whose owners often file their business income on their individual tax returns. In fact, the Tax Foundation reports that almost 83% of all income tax returns with over $1 million in income are business owners. A tax that is supposedly on the rich will in fact hurt everyone.

“Jerry McNerney’s disregard for taxpayers is… Read More

It may come as a shock, but actor (and liberal agitator) Sean Penn and FR’s own Mike Spence share a political belief: government should butt out of cigarette smokers’ freedom. Apparently Penn decided to openly defy new French laws that ban all smoking in public enclosed spaces by lighting up during a press conference at the Cannes Film Festival. (I wonder how the French will respond to this latest revolution?) … Read More

I noted the interesting "want ad" from my friend Tom Ross soliciting money for an effort to help Paul Hegyi’s campaign.

So here’s my free, unsolicited and likely unwanted advice:

If your 32-year candidate says " I’ve spent my life working for conservative Republican causes and candidates…," you might want to make sure he actually was a life-long Republican.

It turns out Paul has only been a Registered Republican in Sacramento since 2005... before that he never voted in a Republican Primary in Sacramento County because he was registered Decline To State… Seems like we’ve heard this story before (queue Mary Jo Ford music).. PS: here’s my disclaimer — I’m working on the campaign of David Sander – who actually is a life-long Republican and is godfather of my twin girls.… Read More

Yesterday much to-do was made of this historic nature of the California Assembly electing its first African American female Speaker. There isn’t an article that appears in a major newspaper today on Bass’ taking the oath of office that does not mention this fact. But there is a very important fact that is not mentioned. A critical factor is left out of the story. A factor so important that without its occurrence, it is extremely unlikely that Speaker Bass would have been elected…

Legislative term limits.

If the “ruling class” of the Capitol had been successful in passing Proposition 93, the term-limits weakening measure placed on the ballot by former Speaker Fabian Nunez, this “historic event” never would have taken place. Without the voter-enacted three-term limit for members of the State Assembly, Karen Bass would not have had an opportunity to become Speaker. In fact, without Proposition 140’s limits, it is entirely likely that Bass would never have been elected… Read More

Tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m. the California Supreme Court is expected to release its ruling regarding the constitutionality of Proposition 22 and homosexual marriage bans. Neither side of the debate is certain the ruling will be in their favor. Homosexual activists believe the ruling will overturn Prop 22 and are encouraging their supporters to meet throughout the state in “celebration” parties. Traditional marriage proponents are bracing for a negative ruling, but optimistic that the court will do the right thing and not defy the will of the people. Either way, it’s going to be a BIG news day for California as the rest of the nation looks to our state and the precedent this ruling will set.… Read More

Yesterday much to-do was made of this historic nature of the California Assembly electing its first African American female Speaker. There isn’t an article that appears in a major newspaper today on Bass’ taking the oath of office that does not mention this fact. But there is a very important fact that is not mentioned. A critical factor is left out of the story. A factor so important that without its occurrence, it is extremely unlikely that Speaker Bass would have been elected… Legislative term limits.

If the “ruling class” of the Capitol had been successful in passing Proposition 93, the term-limits weakening measure placed on the ballot by former Speaker Fabian Nunez, this “historic event” never would have taken place. Without the voter-enacted three-term limit for members of the State Assembly, Karen Bass would not have had an opportunity to become Speaker. In fact,… Read More

Today each Republican in the State Assembly will have their opportunity to make it clear that ultra-liberal Karen Bass is not their choice for Speaker. Whether by voting for Mike Villines for Speaker (if his name is placed into nomination) or by insisting that their “NO” vote be RECORDED for posterity, each GOP legislator can make the record clear.

When they do, Speaker Bass should not take it any more personally than if these Republicans were voting against one of her bills to increase taxes.

Anyways, Republican legislators who quietly whisper “no” while an official acclimation (unanimous) vote for Bass s tallied aren’t fooling anyone.

Don’t complain about what this next Speaker does with her office if you don’t have the moxie to record your opposition to her being Speaker.… Read More

My column of yesterday where I urge Republicans in the Assembly to nominate and vote for Mike Villines as Speaker came about as I had some discussions with some well-heeled Capitol types about the upcoming vote (today) for Speaker.

Well, I just got off of the phone with Assemblyman Mike Duvall, who called to whomever you call about such things, and he was told there IS NO VOTE TODAY on Karen Bass’ becoming the next Speaker. Duvall was told that such a vote had taken place already (I remember that Democrats caucused and chose Bass as their Speaker-designate, but I did not recall a floor session with a ratification of that selection by the full Assembly).

So I went back and looked at some articles from late February — and sure enough, on Thursday, February 29, the Sacramento Bee reported that the previous day, Bass had been elected Speaker WITH NO DISSENTERS.

So the good news for some, and the missed opportunity for 32 Assembly Republicans is that apparently there will be no vote today.

So all of my friends in the Assembly Republican Caucus can feel good knowing that they… Read More