Wednesday.

The Senators were in earlier, looking at a new proposal to try to settle up the budget, to be heard in their next session tomorrow, so that the Dems get 24 hours of review. This is a first in my five years. Usually a package is sent over to us in the Assembly to either put out, or agonize over for a few more weeks. This time around the lower house got one out first.

I’ve an idea of issuing legislators special calendars for all their offices, homes and Crackberry phones that have April and May ripped out of them so that, at the end of March, June… Read More

Below is the text of a letter sent this evening from Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman to President Pro-Tem and all around big spender Don Perata. It is a response to a letter from Perata to Ackerman (also reprinted down below, for context). At some point, perhaps Perata will stop playing games and get back to negotiating on the budget. If he doesn’t hurry, voters might reject his term-limits extension measure, and Perata might have to return to the private sector next year…

July 25, 2007 The Honorable Don Perata Senate President pro Tempore State Capitol, Room 205… Read More

Here is an exclusive commentary from State Senator Roy Ashburn for FR readers…

Senate Republicans – Standing United Last week fifteen Republican State Senators faced down a political freight train and brought it to a grinding halt. By remaining united just fifteen of the one hundred and twenty California Legislators were able to draw a line in the sand and say “No” to an irresponsible State budget. To compare our ordeal to that of the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae might be a bit of a stretch, but there have been times this week when it certainly felt like it. … Read More

Today’s Commentary is guest-authored by two reknowned taxfighters — Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, and Ted Costa of the People’s Advocate…

Putting the red light on spending By Jon Coupal and Ted Costa

California faces a fiscal crisis that may soon drown taxpayers in billions of dollars of debt. The facts speak for themselves: Controller John Chiang says unfunded pension liabilities just for state employees are at a minimum $50 billion—and growing. In addition, California is facing at least a $5 billion structural budget deficit and tens of billions of dollars in bond debt.

**There is more – click the link**… Read More

Today’s Commentary is guest-authored by two reknowned taxfighters — Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, and Ted Costa of the People’s Advocate…

Putting the red light on spending By Jon Coupal and Ted Costa California faces a fiscal crisis that may soon drown taxpayers in billions of dollars of debt. The facts speak for themselves: Controller John Chiang says unfunded pension liabilities just for state employees are at a minimum $50 billion—and growing. In addition, California is facing at least a $5 billion structural budget deficit and tens of billions of dollars in bond debt.… Read More

This in from the Governor’s office. The first one is a big appointment for someone relatively new to town, but hardly surprising given the appointee’s impressive background.

BTW, please note that all four "Del Mar Fair Board" (hey, I’m a purist, I still call it what I want) appointees are Republicans. All four.

Ruben Barrales, 45, of Del Mar, has been appointed to the San Diego County Fair Board of Directors (22nd District Agricultural Association). He has served as president and chief executive officer of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce since 2006. Barrales previously served as a deputy assistant to President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2006 where he was the President’s liaison to state and local elected officials. Prior to that, he served on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors for four years. Barrales is a member of the California Speaker’s Commission on State and Local Government Finance, the California Commission of Local Governance for the 21st Century and the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there… Read More

We received this commentary from Assemblywoman Audra Strickland, who hails from Ventura County. The Republican legislator had this to say:

Kudos to Senate Republicans for Insisting on a Balanced Budget By Assemblywoman Audra Strickland When I first ran for office, I told the voters of my district that I would be responsible in spending their hard-earned dollars. To me, that means not supporting increased or new taxes, providing benefits to illegal immigrants or spending more than the revenues the state takes in. … Read More

Over at the Orange County Register, Dena Bunis is reporting that Barbara Boxer is headed for Greenland. We can only hope that it is a one way ticket… Hmmm, I wonder if Arnold can run for President of Greenland? … Read More