Today marks the official return of the State Legislators to Sacramento, as they prepare to start a new session, and prepare for the inauguration. This seems like a good opportunity for us to encourage unity of purpose within the Republican Caucuses in the Senate and in the Assembly, and our Republican Governor. You are literally all that stands between California taxpayers and massive growth in the size and scope of state government. We urge you to focus on the freedom and liberty of Californians — not on ways to use the government to take from some to give to others. The main stream media, the lobbyists, and Democrat leaders will all be trying hard to convince you to vote for more spending, more regulations, more rules, more mandates and more fees. Be strong, be resolute — and tell them all that enough is enough. California’s annual budget has reached staggering proportions — well over $100 billion annually. And this doesn’t count all of the bond spending on top of it. Enough is enough. We wish you all well in this challenge.

**Don’t miss the columns today… Read More

I’ve read some bizarre "Where are they now?" stories about the odd places that former notables in California politics end up, but this one takes the cake. With a h/t to Jordan Rau over at the Los Angeles Times Political Muscle Blog for finding the article that ran yesterday in the News Press of Southewest Florida has a story, From Poliitcs to Night Patrol: Former California Rising Star At Peace As Lee Deputy — all about Sheriff’s Deputy Chuck Quackenbush. Yes, the same Quackenbush who served in the California State Assembly, and for a time as California State Insurance Commissioner before scandal in his office caused him to resign from office. Apparently, after a sojourn with his family for some time to the Hawaiian Islands, Quackenbush has ended up in south Florida where he is, according to the… Read More

The latest Field Poll, paid for by the California Wellness Foundation, shows that 81 percent of California voters think government should be responsible for assuring all Californians get access to affordable health coverage. The issue of health insurance coverage is receiving more coverage in the papers these days since the governor announced that he will propose some major plan to deal with the state’s uninsured population.

Did the Field Poll or the California Wellness Foundation bother to ask the voters if they wanted to pay higher taxes in order to have government solve the affordable health care problem? Of course not! Schwarzenegger has been clear that he recognizes that Californians don’t want to pay higher taxes. Asking the voters if they wanted to pay higher taxes would have reduced the number of people who then wanted government to solve the problem, which, no doubt, the folks at the Wellness… Read More

Every wild turkey, prancing deer, hopping rabbit, and vegan in California will be pleased to know that the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals today announced that they have awarded one of their "Proggy" award to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, naming him their Most Progressive Politician. Why? Because of two bills he signed — one that makes it against the law to tether an animal longer than three hours and another (back in 2004) to ban the production in California of the food delicancy, Foie Gras (Goose Liver). I happen to love the stuff, and am pleased to let all Californians know that you can still order it online (though it is a pricy $71.50 for 1.5 lbs) from a producer in New York.

Dubbing the Governor an animal-friendly person, Arnold will receive a commorative plaque, as well as being featured on the PETA… Read More

While the 49ers’ management hires paid consultants and lobbyists to help grease the skids for their move to the South Bay, SF Mayor Gavin Newsom is working to keep the team in his city. The 49ers have hired Kevin Sloat, one of Sacramento’s most talented lobbyists (second only to his partner, the lovely and talented Maureen Higgins) to help block any legislation the SF crowd may try to push to force the team to stay in San Francisco. In the meantime, Newsom sent a letter to the 49ers proposing that the team considered a stadium in the Hunters Point neighborhood instead of San Jose.

The 49ers didn’t respond very positively to… Read More

A couple of interesting stories ran in the SDUT on New Year’s Day….

The paper "analyzes" the influence that the Cox Power Couple may have on SD and South Bay politics, meaning County Supervisor Greg Cox and his wife Cheryl, newly elected mayor of Chula Vista. The paper indicates that very few husband-wife duos have been elected to office at the same time in California, with the notable exception of George and Sharon Runner.

It should be noted that it wasn’t long ago that some thought the dominant rising family force in San Diego-South Bay politics was the Brothers Inzunza, both now gone from their respective roles, by hook or by crook, so to speak.

Further noted is the wrongness in the view that South Bay politics would be dominated by Democrats for years to come. Republican Cheryl Cox knocks off Steve Padilla in Chula Vista. Nick Inzunza, after horror stories of his substandard rental units, doesn’t have the gumption to run for re-election as National City mayor, and GOPer Ron Morrison wins the seat. Jim Janney, another Republican, becomes the mayor in Imperial Beach. Rising stars like Chula Vista… Read More

The first finance reports filed for the special election next February to replace State Senator Lou Correa (D) on the Orange County Board of Supervisors show Carlos Bustamante, Republican Councilman from Santa Ana (pictured to the right), with an early lead of $117,000 raised and $110,000 cash on hand. (I have previously reported that Tom Umberg, former Democrat Assemblyman, would enter the race with a potential financial advantage because of $45,000 in left over funds from his losing State Senate race to Correa, most of which is usable in the Supervisor race.)

But the Bustamante reports reveal a lot more than just his finances: names of Orange County Lincoln Club members dominated the report as giving maximum donations. You can expect that the Lincoln Club will surely endorse Bustamante for the position before the election.

According to the reports, contributors to Bustamante at the maximum amount included Lincoln Club leaders… Read More

Discussions between the American Conservative Union and former House Majority Leader Tom De Lay have apparently lead to a decision by De Lay to form his own new lobbying organization under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(4), to advance conservative causes. De Lay and ACU had previously committed to work together, but that is now apparently off the table, given De Lay’s decision to start a new organization from scratch.… Read More