The bill passes 42-2042 Dems voting Aye, 2 No, 4 Laying Off Reps, 18 voting No, 13 Laying Off. [Tally before any add-on votes] The Speaker’s bill on the Mayor-control of LA Unified is having a tough go, earlier it went on call at 30-21, with 13 Dems laying off and 5 Dems voting no…… Read More

Yesterday, the FlashReport awarded its 2006 Golden Trash Can Award to Assembly Bill 523 which represents an outrageous effort by the Coast Community College District in Orange County to make a de facto gift of nearly $20 million in public funds to finance a bid by KOCE television’s Foundation to buy the public broadcast station, which is being sold by the college district to generate funds. I won’t go over all of the details again, but I will encourage FR readers to read the piece. Since writing iy, I have not been provided with the actual Appellate Court rulings which are very clear when you read them. Presiding Justice Sills, who penned the opinion for the court, voids the sale of KOCE to the KOCE Foundation — the bit provided by the Foundation was for much less money than the other bidder, televangelism provider Daystar.… Read More

We’re in the homestretch of making top quality legislation for this 2 year session. Much scurrying about with last minute gut-and-amends, rule waivers being sought, bills with no committee hearings…a very perilous time for any topic you may be interested in that is still in play legislatively. It seems that no bill is dead, even when pronounced so by Big 4 folks because it changes the next day and is back on the table. With all the negotiations going on in the back rooms on various topics, we need everyone to stay on top of this legislature to not give away the store on some really bad ideas at the minute before midnight,and then run for cover in our respective districts until January. Indeed, as bad as the wheeling and dealing appears on some very critical issues,when the Legislature adjourns this Thursday 12AM, sine die, or "without day", the constitutional term for "GO HOME", it will be a good thing for freedom loving Californians.… Read More

I just about fell out of my chair about 10 minutes ago. This Governor signed SB 1441, a perfectly hideous bill, so out of the mainstream of social thought that one has to wonder what the calculation is, exactly. What is the political purpose? Are there minions of newly energized transvestites now going to push Arnold over the top in November? Probably not one tenth of the number of conservatives that will stay home in this election, in effect saying "to hell with it".

You can view a summary of the bill here, but I have to tell everyone bothering to read this, including the Governor’s fundraisers, to quit calling because I ain’t coming and I ain’t giving. I can understand triangulation, but this is the freaking gutter. Had you worked the minimum wage deal and this bill signing into the text of the Governor’s speech last… Read More

The Dems are caucusing right now, probably trying to grind out the last few votes for the ‘gutted-and amended’ drivers license for illegal immigrants, now known as SB 1162. It is ‘on call’ right now with 35 aye votes and 32 no. I reckon it might be a little warm in the members lounge right now [where the Dems caucus] I’m sure they are covering a multitude of things, maybe the LA mayor takeover of LAUSD. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosahas been around all day, he arrived in the garage same time as I, this AM. SB 1162 up until last Thursday, was a minimum wage increase bill, but ‘minor and technical amendments’made it the drivers license one now.

And an earlier highlight was Single Payer Health Care, SB 840, passing by 43-30. Look out all you Single people, you have to pay for everyone’s health care now!… Read More

SB 1162 ended up passing 42-34, all Republicans voting no, plus 3 Dems along for the ride. Good veto bait for the Guv…wonder why they gave him that to tout this fall.… Read More

The campaign to change term limits for council members in Los Angeles is creating more opposition than they first thought. I’ve reported on the opposition of neighborhood councils to the change. Some are upset about changing term limits, some are upset about the linking to ethics reforms and others are just mad that no one asked them. See here.

More of these grassroot neighborhood council are signing on. Some voters are taking the proponents to court over their ballot statements. See here.Tomorrow you will read a newspaperarticle about the lawsuit challenging the measure over the single subject rule. Remember youread it on FR first.

A little money will stop the Measure (Measure R)in its track.… Read More

There should be plenty of excitement in San Bernardino County this November. Here’s a quick overview.

Rancho Cucamonga: The largest city in the more affluent West End will elect a mayor to serve a four-year term. Voters will choose between incumbent Republican Mayor Bill Alexander, a retired fire captain, and challenger Donald Kurth M.D., also a Republican and a former city councilmember. This race may turn heated, as Alexander and Kurth weren’t exactly allies when they served together. And speaking of Rancho Cucamonga’s city council, there are eight candidates vying for two seats. Incumbents Diane Williams and Rex Gutierrez (both Republicans) are being challenged by six hopefuls. This contest is shaping up to be a battle between the two incumbents and Dieter Dammeier (Dem), a former police officer and judge pro-tem who has the backing of Mayor Alexander (GOP)and City Councilmember Sam Spagnolo (GOP). Williams, Gutierrez and Dammeier lead the money race so far.

The High Desert: Here in the home base of popular Board of Supervisors Chairman and leading candidate for County Assessor… Read More