Apparently Governor Schwarzenegger, after much prodding, is going to declare a “State of Fiscal Emergency” for California. That is a good move because it moves the emphasis onto dealing with the state’s huge megabillion dollar fiscal problems.

In football parlance, its time to take the offensive team out of play and field the defense. The folly of blowing taxpayer funds on questionable scientific theories or massive expansion of the government’s role in healthcare will have to wait (yeah!).

That said, as pointed out by Senator Jim Battin on this blog, the actual declaration of fiscal emergency is much more style than substance. But if it indicates that the Governor is moving into austerity mode, then, it is a worthwhile declaration, indeed!… Read More

Morgan Crinklaw, the Assembly Republican Caucus’ communications director, sent this excellent release to Capitol press corps this morning. Good for the Assembly Republicans for quickly defining the state’s "new" budget problem as an overspending problem, not a "our taxes are too low" problem.

Democrats Think They Finally Have An Excuse to Raise Taxes

This week, California taxpayers learned that next year’s budget deficit has ballooned to a reported $14 billion. But rather than take immediate action to get spending under control, Democrats are hoping this will finally be the year they can raise taxes.

The Democrat chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee this week said the Legislature should raise taxes to reduce the budget deficit.

… Read More

It’s no secret that former State Controller and unsuccessful 2006 Democrat Gubernatorial candidate Steve Westly wants to run for Governor again.

But you may not know that Westly has chosen an unusual platform for his next gubernatorial campaign – supporting subterfuge, and misleading California voters.

I noted with some degree of cynicism that Westly has endorsed Proposition 93, the Nunez/Perata Career Politician Term Limits Loosening Initiative.

It’s one thing to oppose term limits or believe it should be changed – but it’s a completely different thing to support an initiative that’s designed to trick the voters. Which is exactly what 93 does. Proposition 93 is so bad that a slew of major newspapers (you know, the ones who always endorse the WRONG candidates?) have come out strongly against the measure.

Proposition 93’s main backers – and beneficiaries – are the poster children for its defeat. Senate President Don Perata is under an active FBI investigation… Read More

It’s no secret that former State Controller and unsuccessful 2006 Democrat Gubernatorial candidate Steve Westly wants to run for Governor again.

But you may not know that Westly has chosen an unusual platform for his next gubernatorial campaign – supporting subterfuge, and misleading California voters.

I noted with some degree of cynicism that Westly has endorsed Proposition 93, the Nunez/Perata Career Politician Term Limits Loosening Initiative.

**There is more – click the link**

View Full Commentary… Read More

Last September, I warned that Los Angeles County was poised to name a labor operative that helped “steal” and election in Washington State as the new Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk for the County. Well, Merry Christmas to all voters and ghost voters out there, it’s official. Dean Logan has been named as the “acting” chief until the search is complete. It doesn’t take a college degree to see that search that will probably find him as the replacement and if not there is always a recount that can find more votes. Note: Apparently you don’t need a college degree to be County Clerk either. … Read More

At the holiday time, you should always endeavor to give a gift greater than the one you receive.

I’m not the only one who (see Jim Battin’s post below this one) has been "elfing around" — Jim’s been at it, too. And with two of his good friends.

Check Jim and his friends out here.… Read More

The California Republican Assembly has officially endorsed the Voters FIRST Redistricting initiative. The vote was nearly unanimous, with only a single dissenting vote.

The Initiative, which is due to begin circulating petitions shortly, takes the drawing of legislative district lines out of the hands of the legislature and gives it to an Independent Commission composed of Republicans, Democrats and Independents randomly selected from a pre-qualified list of volunteers.

I know people are wondering how CRA can support an initiative endorsed by the Governor and Common Cause. Clearly, CRA is no fan of these two or some of the other groups supporting the initiative.

Some of the criticisms from a few Republicans include that it doesn’t include Congress. I wish it did. The reality is this is the only initiative on the topic that might qualify and pass out there. It isn’t perfect but it is a step in the right direction.

Want proof?

The initiative has drawn heavy fire from Democrat party activists like Bill Cavala, who predicted it could cost Democrats 6 Assembly seats and 2 Senate seats, and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez’s spokesman Steve… Read More

Nominations are coming in for "most creative holiday card" from political firms. Below are links to two great contenders — the first from the Federal Strategy Group (managing partner Jason Roe, former FR Beltway Correspondent) and the second from Bieber Communications (owner Jim Bieber is a longtime friend of the FR).

Check them out!… Read More