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

…but I told you so.

In 1998, I was appointed Chair of the Republican Party’s Judicial Evaluation Committee. Specifically, the committe was asked to evaluate the Justices and Judges up for election in 1998. The most public individual up for election that year was Chief Justice Ron George, who, through a set of very ugly legal maneuverings, was able to reverse the decision of the California Supreme Court prohibiting abortions for minors without parental consent. George was not content to allow the decision of the then Lucas Court affirming the law requiring parental consent to stand. In his first act as the Chief Justice, right after the retirement of Chief Justice Lucas, George, abusing his power as the new Chief Justice, went about acting to reverse the decision. He had no scruples about ignoring the tradition of the court, stare decisis, or judicial restraint to promote his own version of how society should be organized.

Then Republican Party Chair MikeSchroederstacked committee to support Chief Justice George (after he appointed me chair), but I made my case to the committee. Iargued that a… Read More

I don’t want to hear a bunch of nonsense about a choice between borrowing lottery proceeds and an increase in the state sales tax.

The people of California want the choice between a revenue increase (taxes, bonds, fees, whatever…) and "blowing up boxes" in state government. Let’s blow some boxes up.

If the voters of California actually have to make the decisions for our elected representatives then give us the full menu of choices that includes reductions in state government.

I would chose to completely eliminate the lottery, leave sales tax where it is, and use this opportunity to restructure numerous parts of state government.… Read More

Yes, I know, more unsolicited and likely unwelcome free advice – it’s the bane of consultants and campaigners everywhere.

But anyway, I recently posted information from the Registrar of Voters about Paul Hegyi not actually being a Sacramento Republican for 10 of the last 13 years (for math people that 23%)… now it turns out he was also supporting left-wing candidates as well…

In his "Dear Republicans" splash page, 32-year old Paul claims that he spent his “whole life supporting conservative Republican causes and candidates..." What he should have said is "Ever since they started paying me, I’ve been supporting Republicans."

You see, it seems that Paul was a feature endorsement for uber-lefty Sean South (along with the President of the Sac State Young Democrats and former Darryl Steinberg CofS Gary Davis).

South – as many Capitol people will recall… 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