All FlashReport readers should take a few minutes to read this correspondence below from State Senator Tom McClintock (see the .pdf version here). This letter recognizes an important reality — that that a coalition of groups led by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and others has raised the necessary funds and is currently qualifying a ballot measure for next year to provide California property owners with the necessary rights to so that they can fight-off unfair "takings" via eminent domain. This is significant because the redevelopment industry is trying to twist GOP arms to get a fake fix (ACA 8) on the ballot via legislative vote (which takes a 2/3 vote of each chamber) to try and STOP the real eminent domain reform bill currently being qualified for the ballot… The good news — GOP legislators aren’t buckling under their pressure.

A LETTER FROM SENATOR TOM … Read More

Word is getting back to FlashReport HQ (far from the State Capitol) that a full-court press is underway to strongarm/cajole/extend-false-promises to Assembly Republicans to try and cajole out the necessary votes to get ACA 8 out of the Assembly.

Assembly Republicans know better. Property rights is a corner-stone issue for our party and for our party’s activists and donors. I would be extremely surprised if the redevelopment lobby, who for years has been abusing private property owners, will be able to turn GOP votes for this terrible bill simply by spending a lot of money to hire pseudo-GOP lobbyists.

The reality is that a vote to pass out ACA 8 is what we would call here a "watershed" vote — it will define those Republicans who do so as being non-respectful of one of the most basic core-values of the GOP. What does this mean? A VOTE FOR ACA 8 WILL BE USED TO DEFINE CANDIDATES IN FUTURE PRIMARIES AS BEING BAD ON PROPERTY RIGHTS. Heck, given the passion on this issue out here (away from the Capitol), a bad vote on this core issue might even INVITE a primary unbidden.

Given that this is a #1 priority for the Howard Jarvis… Read More

This is a particularly tough time for Congressman John Doolittle. Doolittle (pictured to the right) is in the midst of dealing with the taint of an FBI investigation of Congress that has included family business dealings with now-disgraced and imprisoned ex-lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Our hearts to go out to John and his family at this time. In America, we have a strong tradition in our courts that you are innocent until you are proven guilty. I would tell FR readers that having known John for nearly two decades, I don’t believe that he is guilty of any crimes. That having been said, Congressman Doolittle is facing a trial — but it is in the court of public opinion… And at a time when the public’s bias is not in the favor of Washington politicians.

DOOLITTLE’S NEGATIVES OVER 50% Over the weekend, I had an… Read More

Earlier this year, FlashReport alumnus Karen Hanretty took off for Washington, D.C., in search of new challenges. As FR readers know, our former State Capitol Correspondent served as Communications Director for the California Republican Party, and has been regular contributor to the Fox News Channel (her appearances on Hannity and Colmes are too numerous to count).

Well, today it was announced by the Friends of Fred Thompson Committee (soon to be Thompson for President) that Karen has come onboard as their Deputy Communications Director, helping to oversee all aspects of the campaign’s national communications efforts, and also acting as a spokesman. Congratulations, Karen — we’re proud of you!!

Fred Thompson’s quite "Golden State heavy" when it comes to his Communications Team. Last month he brought on Todd Harris as Communications Director.… Read More

Sometimes you write about something on the blog so that you stop having to write about it over (and over) privately. For those who were unaware, last week Governor Schwarzenegger held a private meeting with some of my colleagues on the California Republican Party Board of Directors at the State Capitol. These members included Immediate Past Chairman Duf Sundheim, Republican National Committeeman Tim Morgan, County Chairmans Association President Keen Butcher, and Regional Vice Chairmen Jerry Maltby, Mark Pruner, and Aquinetta Warren. There were a couple of other non-CRP Board Members in the meeting as well.

I do not know what they discussed in their meeting. I do not know why this particular group of CRP leaders was chosen. I do know that I was not invited, nor were any of the CRP’s elected officers (Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer or Secretary). If you have any questions about this meeting, you may want to direct them to one of the attendees.

One hopes that this is the first of many intimate meetings that the Governor has with Republican leaders, and hopefully some others of us will have a chance to dialogue… Read More

Erica Werner over at the Associated Press is reporting that two senior aides to Congressman John Doolittle were subpeoned recently by Federal authorities who are investigating ties between Congressman Doolittle, his wife and jailed ex-lobbyist Jack Abramoff. The existance of these subpeonas was announced today after the aides gave a required notification to the House.

Clearly this demonstrates that an investigation is still active and ongoing — presenting a serious, ongoing challenge to Congressman Doolittle’s ability to get past this issue, as he tries to make the case that he can be re-elected next year.… Read More

I am not sure what it is about the message "we’re not interested" that the League of Cities and the redevelopment lobby just don’t get about the desire for Republicans to have real, comprehensive Kelo reform. That is why there is so much support for the Jarvis-backed measure that WILL be on the ballot last year. Unlike ACA 8 which only protects some property owners, but not all property owners (and the property owners it does protect does not enjoy protections for all of his or her potential property), the real solution is already headed for the ballot.

It is understandable the the redevelopment lobby has hired a boatload of consultants and lobbyists to try and work over Republican members in order to place the faux-reform on the ballot — this measure would make it really hard to pass a real fix.

The FlashReport would like to commend our Republican legislators for holding firm on this very important issue. The time to ‘negotiate’ on ACA 8 is past — as soon as the coalition behind the "pure" reform made it clear that they have raised the necessary funds to go to the ballot, the need to settle for 1/4 of… Read More

I think this release from the California Term Limits Defense Fund speaks volumes…

QUALIFICATION TAINTED OF PERATA/NUNEZ INITIATIVE TO WEAKEN TERM LIMITS BY UNPRECEDENTED AND SUSPICIOUS UPWARD REVISIONS ON RANDOM SAMPLE SIGNATURE COUNTS Sacramento- The initiative to weaken term limits sponsored by Senate President Don Perata and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez has been based on deception of the electorate and manipulation of the political system from the beginning. But the abuse of power by Perata and Nunez has reached a new low with the manipulation of the random signature counting process to qualify the initiative in time for the February 5th election. If a full count had been required it is doubtful that it would be completed… Read More