One letter writer in this morning’s Fresno Bee says it all regarding the State’s attempted takeover of health care. [We are reprinting the text of the Letter linked above, below, because a number of people have reported problems with the Bee’s website] What ‘right’? 12/24/07 08:28:03 So, Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez says, "Fundamentally, health care is a right and not a privilege … ." Hmm. Where in the constitution, U.S. or California, is that "right" granted? I can’t find it. However, if it is a right, can I get a refund for all the thousands of dollars my wife and I paid over many years for our "right"?… Read More

The Union-Trib’s top-of-the-page story this morning is Cal Fire drawing strong criticism over policies.

Uhhh, you think? In case no one notices, almost all of the criticisms in this go-round were brought up four years ago in several hearings, with the commitment that many of the problems would be addressed.

Deja vu all over again. Four years from now will we be saying that "almost all of the criticisms were brought up four years ago in several hearings, with the commitment that many of the problems would be addressed"? Will we? Does someone have an answer to the question? Governor Schwarzenegger? Cal Fire Chief Ruben Grijalva?

The latter won’t have any answer to anything other than to defend the bureaucracy. What Cal Fire needs is a non-bureaucrat at the top to answer the question. How about it Governor?… Read More

With the main page closed, and your publisher still sifting through the news, here’s the best of today…

SOME GOOD OPINION PIECES:

Assemblywoman Audra Strickland sticks a fork into Arnold-Care Ventura County Star: Government Run Healthcare is Bad Medicine Ethan Rarick notes how Arnold had been clutching to the GOP’s ‘no new taxes’ mantra — until now… LA Times: Benedict Arnold?

As only she can do, Debra Saunders rakes Congressional Dems for big spending (and notes that the GOP wasn’t much better)… Read More

First and foremost, thank you for being a ‘customer’ of the FlashReport website on California politics! While starting as an e-newsletter, it has now been over two years since we made the shift to being a web-based publication. The response has been overwhelming, and I just wanted to say THANK YOU on behalf of myself, and the team of folks who are contributors to the site! THE MAIN PAGE, COMMENTARY PAGE and E-MAIL NOTICE features of this site will be DOWN until Thursday, January 3rd. It has been an annual tradition since the FR started in 2001 for the Publisher (me) to take this time off. However, the FLASHREPORT WEBLOG WILL BE UP AND RUNNING throughout the holidays, where many of our contributors will still be posting tidbits and thoughts. I’ll be pitching in my ten cents, too.

As always, I would love any… Read More

First and foremost, thank you for being a ‘customer’ of the FlashReport website on California politics! While starting as an e-newsletter, it has now been over two years since we made the shift to being a web-based publication. The response has been overwhelming, and I just wanted to say THANK YOU on behalf of myself, and the team of folks who are contributors to the site!

THE MAIN PAGE, COMMENTARY PAGE and E-MAIL NOTICE features of this site will be DOWN until Thursday, January 3rd. It has been an annual tradition since the FR started in 2001 for the Publisher (me) to take this time off. However, the FLASHREPORT WEBLOG WILL BE UP AND RUNNING throughout the holidays, where many of our contributors will still be posting tidbits and thoughts. I’ll be pitching in my ten cents, too. … Read More

Well, if I’m around and have a chance to surf the web, I’ll grab stories of interest.

The Feds are still investigating Senate President Don Perata, and in a subpeona battle with U.S. Representative John Doolittle: Sac Bee – Conflict delays Doolittle case SF Chron – Justice Dept. asks reporters for help in Perata case The Governor’s calling a special session to deal with a massive overspending problem. SF Chron – Governor predicts $3.3 billion revenue shortfall by end of June LA Times – Gov. considers major cuts in services Worth clicking on to see the cool photo of Assemblyman Todd Spitzer…… Read More

The latest from State Senator Tom McClintock:

Demonstrating support from across the California GOP spectrum, today the Presidential campaign of Governor Mitt Romney announced two prominent California endorsers, that we’ll call the "book-ends" of the party. On the right end of the shelf, Romney has been endorsed by popular, conservative Congressman Wally Herger (pictured right), who makes his home up in the northern end of the state. On the "other" end of the GOP bookshelf, Romney has earned the endorsement of moderate former Republican Assemblyman Brooks Firestone… Read More