At the end of next year, both Senate President Pro-Tem Don Perata, a liberal Democrat, and long-time legislator Roy Ashburn, a conservative Republican, will reach the end of their time in the State Legislature. Both will bump up against the voter-approved legislative term-limits in our State Constitution. This is as it should be. Term Limits allow for more Californians to have an opportunity to be citizen-legislators. As a matter of fact, were it not for term-limits, it is likely that neither of these politicians would be in Sacramento right now. That said, it is with a skeptic’s eye that we read news that these two termed-out legislators are pushing forward with a ‘comprehensive reform’ plan for next year’s ballot that, if put before the voters as currently written, would allow Perata, Ashburn and a host of other legislators who would be forced to retire to instead serve longer in the State Legislature. Of course, there has long been a discussion that Republican legislators, most of whom support the current term limits, would be willing to… Read More

Curt Hagman is wasting no time in capitalizing on Mike Radlovic’s decision not to run in the 60th AD. See my previous post here. Below is an invitation I received for an event Hagman is having in LA County. In addition to Mike Radlovic, It features Former Assemblyman Bob Pacheco—he represented the 60th before term limits kicked him out. His wife Gayle Pacheco, a former candidate and former community college trustee is listed. David Hall, a current community college trustees. He is also connected to Hitchcock Automotive a big GOP donor. Rowland Unified School Trustee Heidi Gallegos, Diamond Bar Council members Steve Tye and Carol Herrera and Walnut Councilwoman Mary Su. This is an impressive list of officeholders from the LA portion of the Assembly District. Assemblyman Huff is speaking. I should note he also appeared at a fundraiser for the other announced … Read More

I just received this release from the office of FR friend and Orange County Congressman Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) in response to actions taken today by the U.S. Senate that grants amnesty to illegal immigrants under a new form of visa:

THE SELLING OUT OF AMERICA

Rep. Ed Royce – Ranking Member, Terrorism, Nonproliferation & Trade – issued the following statement on the Senate Immigration Deal. The Senate bill will provide amnesty to those here illegally, no matter how the Senators "spin" the issue. Amnesty failed in 1986, as it prompted a massive increase in illegal immigration with the anticipation of future clemency. Amnesty says that individuals need not respect our laws, it awards people who break the law and flout our sovereignty

The 1986 amnesty provided legal status for undocumented aliens already present in the country. It… Read More

Democratic leaders have proposed a lobbying reform measure that, if enacted, will require disclosure of names and addresses of donors of $500 to nonprofits that actively advocate for Federal legilsation. Such donors have never been subject to public disclosure before and advocacy groups fear a "chilling affect" on grass roots advocacy activity will occur if the Democrats succeed with their bill.

According to a report in The Hill, “This is written in a very vague manner such that it is unclear what their intent is and could be construed to require all 501(c) organizations to disclose anyone who gives more than $500 in a quarter,” said Cleta Mitchell, a lawyer with Foley Lardner who represents some conservative membership organizations, including the NRA and Americans for Tax Reform, who would be affected by the measure. Mitchell said that a lifetime membership to the NRA costs about $700. She said the Democratic leadership’s bill could be interpreted as requiring the NRA to disclose the names of anyone who purchases a lifetime membership in the group.

The Hill also reports aHouse Democratic aide familiar with the bill’s… Read More

Last night, I took in the debate at the home of my friend John Clarey, here in Orange County. Over some pizza and really great Napa Valley wine, about ten of us watched the array of GOP Presidential hopefuls try to ‘stake their claim’ in a format where the sheer number of candidates really limits the amount of time that any one candidate has to communicate their message to an attentive national audience.

Today’s FlashReport is loaded with coverage of the debate. For our ‘exclusive’ coverage, we have four columns (in addition to this page). California Republican Party Vice Chairman Tom Del Becarro was on hand in South Carolina and was up quite early to send in his extensive observations. In addition, we have columns from Congressman John Campbell, Congresswoman Mary Bono, and former Secretary of State Bill Jones — on behalf of Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani, and John McCain respectively. You can see all of their submissions on our main page. In addition to our coverage, we also have links to a significant number of main stream media articles and columns on the debate. So here at the FR, we have you covered in terms of post-debate… Read More

[Publisher’s Note: Last night, all of the GOP candidates for President participated in a debate in South Carolina. Today the FR has a column from California Republican Party Vice Chairman Tom Del Becarro, who was in SC for the debate. We also have a column from former Secretary of State Bill Jones on behalf of the McCain candidacy, and one from Congresswoman Mary Bono on behalf of the Giuliani campaign. Below is Congressman John Campbell, FR’s Washington D.C. Correspondent, on behalf of his candidate, Mitt Romney – Flash]

At the debate in South Carolina last night, Governor Mitt Romney once again showed us all why he’s the candidate ready to lead our nation forward and meet the challenges ahead of us. Across the country there were over 900 debate watching parties held by Romney grassroots supporters in just about every state. They all saw… Read More

Last night, I took in the debate at the home of my friend John Clarey, here in Orange County. Over some pizza and really great Napa Valley wine, about ten of us watched the array of GOP Presidential hopefuls try to ‘stake their claim’ in a format where the sheer number of candidates really limits the amount of time that any one candidate has to communicate their message to an attentive national audience.

Today’s FlashReport is loaded with coverage of the debate. For our ‘exclusive’ coverage, we have four columns (in addition to this page). California Republican Party Vice Chairman Tom Del Becarro was on hand in South Carolina and was up quite early to send in his extensive observations. In addition, we have columns from Congressman John Campbell, Congresswoman Mary Bono, and former Secretary of State Bill Jones — on behalf of Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani, and John McCain respectively. You can see all of their submissions on our main page. In addition to our coverage, we also have links to a significant number of main stream media articles and columns on the debate. So here at the FR, we have you covered in terms of post-debate… Read More

Republican Roy Burns may have pulled it off. His under funded grassroots campaign is leading incumbent Georgia Merced by 88 votes out of 122,436 votes cast. Last week I commented that with a low turnout (about 6 %) would a GOTV effort make the difference. See previous post here. Obviously having a highly contested LAUSD race in the San Pedro area and the San Fernando Valley helped bring more conservative type voters to the polls. (On another note Dick Vladovic elected to LAUSD is a Republican as well). Also having an active GOP candidate in an ultimately losing race in the 39th Assembly District helped. Heck with a lead of 88 votes it all helped. Let’s hope Burns hangs on for the win! See election results here. … Read More