The main page (www.flashreport.org) will be updated around 8:30am, but I wanted to give the early morning blog readers early access to our lead column this morning, which is my State Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman, Senate Republicans Meet the Budget Challenge. It goes over the proposal coming from Senate Republicans this morning.… Read More

I had an interesting interview today. After the reporter and I covered my views on the current budget standoff we started talking about the impact the internet is having on campaigns and public policy making.

YouTube, blogs, insta-web sites, email campaigns – –– it’s a whole new day.

I, for one, am all for it. The internet brings instant communication. Instant impact. And – apparently – it can instantly set some off. Case in point is today’s interview KCRA-TV had with Senate Pro Tem Don Perata. Watch it and you’ll find Senator Perata is rather put out by the Senate Republican Caucus. He calls our unwillingness to vote for an unbalanced budget "guerrilla tactics" and seems to especially be annoyed that we "blog each other and other right wing whackos" (ouch). He says we are "terrorizing" California by standing firm (it’s interesting to note the word "terrorize" was first used in a left wing whacko blog the other day – maybe Don’s been reading them – hmmm…..something to… Read More

It’s 9:14am and the Senate Chambers are a ghost town. The much awaited introduction of the Senate Republican budget reforms were not brought up this morning. Senate President Perata made some announcement about the State Department of Finance needing to review this or that (blah, blah), and "presto!" — the Senate is rececessed for 24 hours.

How many times have the Democrats brought up items and the Republicans have no time to respond? Well, I guess with the majority comes the ability to do this — get the info from your political opponents and then delay so you can have time to prepare your response.

I guess I don’t blame Perata, but it is a bit anti-climactic.… Read More

Did you know that the budget being pushed by the Democrats (the one approved in the Assembly) includes SIX MILLION DOLLARDS TO TRAIN UNION ACTIVISTS AND CREATE PRO-UNION PROPAGANDA? It’s true. Fortunately, among other items being slated for jettison from this proposed budget by Senate Republicans is particularly noxious item.

Read more about it here.… Read More

This just over the transom from the office of State Senator Jeff Denham…

Assembly’s Proposed Budget Only Intensifies California’s Fiscal Problems By Senator Jeff Denham, 12th District As a State Senator, I took an oath to uphold the State Constitution. That means a budget that balances every year. I understand that the decisions I make, and the way I vote, doesn’t just impact me. It also doesn’t just affect the 850,000 constituents in the 12th Senate District that I represent. My votes impact everyone one of us who lives in this glorious… Read More

Yesterday there were a few MSM articles generated because the State Bar’s "Jennie" Commision gave an unfavorable rating to one of Governor Schwarzenegger’s new judicial appointments, conservative Republican Elia Pirozzi. In response to this rating by the bar, the FR reached out to Steve Baric, the President of the California Republican Lawyers Association for some commentary. As with all attorneys, brevity is not Steve’s longsuit. But he pens a compelling post below…

On its website, the California State Bar states that the mission of the Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation (JNE) of the State Bar of California is to assist the Governor in the judicial selection process and thereby to promote a California judiciary of quality and integrity by providing independent, comprehensive, accurate, and fair evaluations of candidates for judicial appointment and nomination. A noble mission. However, in practice the above is… Read More

Assemblyman Greg Aghazarian has received the unanimous endorsement of the Senate Republican Caucus in his race to succeed term-limited democrat Senator Mike Machado.

Aghazarian continues to build momentum in what promises to be the hottest Senate race of the cycle. With a history of running in targeted seats and a strong record of accomplishment, Aghazarian decided to run in the open 5th district and give the GOP it’s best shot at claiming this seat. Aghazarian also brings a battle hardened political team to the table in a race without a strong Democrat candidate.

"Greg is positioned very well for this target seat," said Aghazarian Spokesman Tim Clark. "He has shown a strong ability to win votes from independents and swing Central Valley Democrats. And, he also has the advantage of not having an incumbent to run against."… 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