I just got off of the phone with State Senator George Runner who called to confirm that he is, in fact, going to run for the State Board of Equalization seat currently occupied by Bill Leonard, who faces term limits in 2010.

Runner told me that it is extremely important to have a proven friend of taxpayers in that seat…

"The Board of Equalization is on the front-lines of setting tax collection policy, and is a place where an advocate of the taxpayer can truly make a difference," Runner told me. "It goes to the basic philosophy about whether you see yourself as being there to protect taxpayers — which I have been doing in the State Legislature, and would continue to do on the Board of Equalization."

Runner said that he is in the process of opening up a campaign committee, and is already putting together the beginnings of a campaign, including contacting slate mail vendors (a key strategy for building name I.D. in such a vast district).

So now there are three… Read More

“When it rains, it pours,” as they say. Today it is “raining” Republican candidates for the State Board of Equalization.

Earlier today I blogged on how Tom McClintock’s decision to run for Congress would immediately set up a GOP donnybrook for Bill Leonard’s BOE seat (which is up in 2010).

See my post below for the field so far – Alby, Runner (George), Nakanishi…

Well, add another name to the list. Apparently for a few months, term limited State Senator Roy Ashburn has been running for this seat, with a brief break when it looked like McClintock was running for BOE (Ashburn would have backed him).

Ashburn is busy making fundraising calls, with an Ashburn for BOE event this Monday. Very busy making calls.

I learned about Asbhurn’s activities when the Senator called me a few minutes ago. He also told me, “The Board of Equalization is California’s tax board. This key position gives taxpayers a voice and an advocate in the process.”

So, now add Ashburn to the mix. Oh, I should add that I heard from the Nakanishi campaign that he has been… Read More

It’s a gorgeous day in Placer County; not a cloud in the sky and a high of about 70 degrees. Oh, and Tom McClintock is going to be our next congressman. On this beautiful California morning, Senator McClintock was joined by several local elected officials to officially announce his candidacy for the 4th congressional district. At a press conference on the steps of the historic Placer County Court House in Auburn, Senator Sam Aanasted kicked off the announcement with his endorsement of his senate seatmate, who has “instructed, educated and cajoled Republicans into acting like Republicans.”

Also publicly declaring their support for McClintock’s campaign were Assemblymen Rick Keene and Ted Gaines, Nevada County Supervisors Sue Horne, Yuba County Supervisor Dan Logue and Auburn City Councilman Kevin Hanley. The honor of actually introducing McClintock was left to former 4th CD candidate Eric Egland, who joked that he was “proud to say he was in fact a former candidate for the seat” now that McClintock has entered the race. Egland then stated that, “While I’m a major in the military, in the world of conservative leadership, Tom McClintock is a… Read More

Just in from team Anderson. The phones and emails are abuzz in San Diego….

Anderson to Make Major Announcement Regarding 52nd Congressional District Race

San Diego–Tomorrow, March 5, 2008, Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon) will hold a press conference making a major announcement regarding the 52nd Congressional District campaign.

The 77th Assembly District, represented by Assemblyman Anderson is within the 52nd Congressional District. The incumbent Congressman Duncan Hunter is not running for re-election

WHO: Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon) and special guest

WHAT:Press Conference making major announcement regarding the 52nd Congressional District campaign

WHEN:Wednesday ~ March 5, 2008 ~ 11:00 AM

WHERE: The Brigantine Restaurant, 9350 Fuerte Drive, La Mesa… Read More

As I write this, California conservative icon Tom McClintock is announcing his candidacy for Congress in the 4th Congressional District, where incumbent John Doolittle is retiring.

FR’s Meredith Turney is at the event, and will bring us some post-press conference coverage. So stay tuned!… Read More

California legislators are notorious for their many harebrained ideas, but some proposals are such an affront to commonsense and decency that it is impossible to comprehend their motivation. Senator Alan Lowenthal is the author of one of the most shocking bills introduced in the state senate not just this year, but in many years. SB 1322 would actually allow the promotion of communism in California’s public schools. Yes, communism—the very government system responsible for the deaths of an estimated 100 million people since its implementation.

Under current law in California, it is illegal for communist organizations to use public school or community college property for their meetings. Senator Lowenthal wants to strike that law. He also wants to strike the law that requires public (government) employees forswear membership in an organization (the Communist Party) bent on the “forceful or violent” overthrow of the United States government.

But that’s not the worst of it. Senator Lowenthal also wants to strike the law that prohibits a… Read More

I’m not sure whether to dub this "Who’s on First?" or the "Chicken or the Egg," but I see where it’s going.

Steve Francis: "Those were my ideas, thanks for using them."

Jerry Sanders: "I was working on them before you announced them as part of your plan."

Francis: "No you weren’t, you stole them from me."

Sanders: "No I didn’t."

Francis: "Yes you did."

Sanders: "Did not."

Francis: "Did too."

Whatever….here’s the Francis press release:

Steve Francis Pleased Mayor Sanders Adopts his Taxpayer Protection Plan San Diego — Steve Francis, candidate for Mayor, released the following statement today in response to Mayor Jerry Sanders’ press conference today announcing his support of Steve’s Taxpayer Protection Plan:

"I was pleased to learn that Jerry Sanders held a press conference today and announced his public support for two components… Read More

Just when you think that the legislature doesn’t know how to trim the fat they come up with this kind of bill. AB 2352 (Fuentes) would expand Child Abuse laws to allow courts to take away kids from their parents if they are too fat.

No. I’m not making this up! Your Fatty Patty eats too many Ding Dongs and presto they are with a foster family. The bill doesn’t increase the reimbursement rate foster families need for thethe caloric intakethat these jumbo juveniles crave.

As a result this bill will lead to more abuse. Kids used to eating Cheetos and playing video games could be locked in rooms with treadmills and celery. It isn’t funny. It could get that bad.

One has to wonder how this bill will be enforced. Will teachers be mandatory reporters of poor Obese Clarisse as she waddles down her high school hall?

What happens if Burley Hurley gets rounded up and sent to a prison for the plump, but still keeps the weight on? Will the counselors and other be arrested for the “abuse” inflicted on him?

Hopefully, the Assembly will realize that real child abuse… Read More