Previously, I mentioned that Democrat Xavier Alvarez, a member of the Three Valleys Municipal Water District had been charged with falsely telling people he was a Medal of Honor recipient. See here. Now the Three Valleys Municipal Water District Board has censured poor Alvarez for lying about being married. He claimed to be married and health coverage for someone he divorced in 2002. This must be a new meaning to the phrase "friend with benefits". See story here. … Read More

After the monumental flop of last year’s “arena deal” in Sacramento – with voters spanking a proposed tax hike to pay for what amounted to a half-billion-dollar subsidy for the owners of the Sacramento Kings – you’d think folks would have learned something. Or not.

Keeping the Sacramento Kings in the area and building a first class entertainment venue are laudable goals – as long as taxpayers don’t get soaked along the way.

The last proposal was simply a bad deal for taxpayers. And everyone involved lost credibility and public support by trying to be too clever instead of putting together a solid proposal that could stand on it’s own merits.

After the last debacle, the… Read More

After the monumental flop of last year’s “arena deal” in Sacramento – with voters spanking a proposed tax hike to pay for what amounted to a half-billion-dollar subsidy for the owners of the Sacramento Kings – you’d think folks would have learned something. Or not.

Keeping the Sacramento Kings in the area and building a first class entertainment venue are laudable goals – as long as taxpayers don’t get soaked along the way.

The last proposal was simply a bad deal for taxpayers. And everyone involved lost credibility and public support by trying to be too clever instead of putting together a solid proposal that could stand on it’s own merits.

**There is more… Read More

This is an outstanding video clip from ABC’s 20/20 where John Stossel tackles head-on the reality that the scientific community divided over whether and what the impact if humankind is on the Earth’s temperature…. (h/t to Freedomworks) … Read More

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was a guest of Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona and other first-responders here in Orange County for a major press briefing today at the Incident Command for the Santiago fires. Assemblyman Chuck DeVore was on hand, and penned an outstanding write-up sharing his perspective on the the Governor’s visit and presser. It begins:

The Associated Press has reported that State officials in Pennsylvania have decided not to publicize their list of polling places in the next election, citing concerns that terrorists could disrupt them.

Reportedly, the state was influenced by the terrorist bombings that struck just days before Spain’s national elections in 2004.

Californians have braved terrible tragedies such as the on-going wildfires, earthquakes North and South, and we’ve also been the target of terrorism. Yet we go on. Judging from the resolve of our citizens in facing these challenges, I just don’t think we’d ever have secret polling places in our state.… Read More

We’re pleased to present this commentary from State Senator Tom McClintock…

Through the Gloom The tide of battle seems to have turned in the last 24 hours, and the firestorms that have stricken and terrorized our communities from Santa Barbara to San Diego now appear to be on the way to being vanquished. Two transcendent observations are hard to miss amidst the tragedy. The first is the sense of proportion and resolve expressed by the families who lost their homes this week. Having just watched every material possession accumulated during a lifetime suddenly reduced to ashes – often on the mere whim of the… Read More

We’re pleased to present this commentary from State Senator Tom McClintock…

Through the Gloom

The tide of battle seems to have turned in the last 24 hours, and the firestorms that have stricken and terrorized our communities from Santa Barbara to San Diego now appear to be on the way to being vanquished. Two transcendent observations are hard to miss amidst the tragedy.

The first is the sense of proportion and resolve expressed by the families who lost their homes this week. Having just watched every material possession accumulated during a lifetime suddenly reduced to ashes – often on the mere whim of the winds – all gave thanks that their loved ones were safe and then instantly turned their thoughts to the future and their… Read More