Legislative Democrats just don’t get it — that jobs do not grow on trees, are actually created through innovation and the free market. Companies generally are not started for altruistic purposes, rather to make a profit. When the profit shrinks, the business shrinks, or disappears. So the Democrat propostion to throw a massive tax at California businesses is only going to make things worse, not better, as it will result to a rise in unemployment in the Golden State.

Yesterday, Democrats did just that, and they voted to move forward with a tax scheme to try to grow the state treasury to pay for massive new healthcare entitlements.

Lorraine Salazar is co-owner of Sal’s Mexican Restaurants in Selma, Fresno and Madera. Just taking her business as an anecdotal case on the impacts of AB 8 foreshadows many, many, many similar (or worse) situations…

**There is more – click the link**

View Full… Read More

Check out this ‘must watch’ investigative report on CNN where they look into how Congressman Jerry Lewis ("R" – Redlands) secured a half million dollars in earmarked pork for the local park by his home — no, not wherever he lives in California, but right by his "other" home — in Washington, D.C. You should call your Congressman and tell them to lead a charge to have Lewis dumped from the Appropriations Committee. As Chairman of the key spending committee back when we had a Republican majority, his pork barrel ways helped to contribute to our loss of the House.

… Read More

The FR has been informed that former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s California campaign staff will be announced publicly soon, but we wanted to give our readers a heads up. The senior Giuliani California campaign staff are as follows:

Brent Lowder – California Executive DirectorLowder will be overseeing the campaign’s daily statewide operation.He has over ten years of experience working in the California political arena. During this time, Lowder has served in senior staff positions on various state and local Republican campaigns. In 2002, he served as a senior aide to Bill Simon during his campaign for Governor of California. Prior to his work on the Simon campaign, Lowder worked on Matt Fong’s campaign for U.S. Senate in 1998 and on the Pete Wilson Gubernatorial Committee in 1994.

Thomas Roberts – Political DirectorRoberts has… Read More

This week I had the privilege of attending one of the best political events I’veseen to date. The RJC’s dinner at the Reagan library, featuring Natan Sharansky and Hugh Hewitt, was unabashedly patriotic, inspiring, and thoroughly enjoyable. I couldn’t possible sum up the evening better than the author of the following hyperlink; please click here. Many thanks to CA RJC President, Larry Greenfield, for a first-rate program!… Read More

Today I am pleased to feature in this space an introduction to the new Assembly Republican Caucus website on healthcare. Actually, rather than me telling you all about it, we have a short column from Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines, inviting you to check it out (there is a great new video up on it)… I will say that it is a worthwhile site to check out because on it, Republicans outline over a dozen common-sense proposals to help increase access to and the affordability of healthcare in California…

Republican Health Care Website Shows Real Impact on Taxpayers and Economy

By Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines

As we debate significant changes to California’s health care system, most people have no idea what we are talking about when we discuss terms like “ERISA,” “high… Read More

At a time when fiscal prudence is called for in Sacramento, the Democrats want to engage in prolific spending, taking California’s mega-budget to new heights.

Well if staffers to Democrat legislators are wondering why they aren’t getting paid, they need look no further than their own bosses, and thirst to spend, and spend, and spend.

No one is holding a gun to heads of Senator Perata and Assemblyman Nunez, forcing them to try to increase spending to record levels.

I am ready to wear a "stop your whining" button around the Capitol, if I hear one more Democrat throwing out this falsehood that "Republicans are holding up the budget" – when just a little dose of fiscal constraint will put a budget on the Governor’s desk.… Read More

AB 1634, receiving litttle support in the SenateLocal GovernmentCommittee, was put over as a"2 year bill". It was Bob Barker vs. Lassie in the halls of the Capitol this week. [got to meet Lassie, pretty cool] Forcing dog and cat owners to spay or neuter their animal or go though many hoops in order not to, is an issue that will be set aside until next year, with the Senate committee resisting support for AB 1634 today, even with proposed amendments. We’ve received more communications from concerned constituents than perhaps any other issue since I’ve been here, maybe our fax machines now will get to cool off for awhile on this matter.… Read More

The plan to raise a 7.5% tax on employers, either into a direct health care plan or paid into a state fund, known as AB 8 was the topic at a press conference at the main Capitol Press Room, #1190 this morning. Assembly Republican LeaderMike Villines andSenate RepublicanLeader Dick Ackerman led the conference in exposing the perils for the business and job climate for our state should AB 8 become law.

Several speakers advocating for small businesses spoke as well, including John Kabateck of NFIB, featured in today’s FR, who highlighted the critical role thatsmall businesses play in California’s economy and job market, includingthat AB 8 would likely cause the loss of 249,000 jobs, mostly entry level, service and construction that new employeess need to enter the work place. This could mean 1/3 of all new jobs over the next 5 years.

Other speakers spoke of how it affects their own small business and that it’s a disincentive to even hire employees to begin with, including James Duran of the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce with comments on how ithurts his members.

The fact that this is being pushed on a simple… Read More