OK – what is wrong with this picture? You are a fat-cat lobbyist with a prominent lobbying firm, that literally specializes in getting federal funds earmarked for the clients of the firm. You have an opportunity to take a senior position for the Chairman of the Committee that his primary jurisdiction over doling out these earmarks, the Appropriations Committee. Do you go? Well, what if your firm gives you a departure bonus of nearly $2 million bucks to make sure you can maintain a lavish lifestyle while in your paltry $100,000+/year job with the government?

Well, this appears to have happenned. Congressman Jerry Lewis (pictured) has a senior staffer working for him who clearly has a huge conflict of interest. I find it laughable to think that this lobbying firm wouldn’t receive deferential if not preferential treatment from their ‘paid lobbyist working at the committee’.

You have to wonder what Congressman Lewis was thinking when he allowed this staffer to come onboard with… Read More

OK – what is wrong with this picture? You are a fat-cat lobbyist with a prominent lobbying firm, that literally specializes in getting federal funds earmarked for the clients of the firm. You have an opportunity to take a senior position for the Chairman of the Committee that his primary jurisdiction over doling out these earmarks, the Appropriations Committee. Do you go? Well, what if your firm gives you a departure bonus of nearly $2 million bucks to make sure you can maintain a lavish lifestyle while in your paltry $100,000+/year job with the government?

Well, this appears to have happenned. Congressman Jerry Lewis (pictured) has a senior staffer working for him who clearly has a huge conflict of interest. I find it laughable to think that this lobbying firm wouldn’t receive deferential if not preferential treatment from their ‘paid lobbyist working at the committee’.

You have to wonder what Congressman Lewis was thinking when he allowed this staffer to come onboard with… Read More

Last night, former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay officially retired after 22 years of service in the House of Representatives. He delivered an eloquent farewell speech that reminded all of us still serving in the House why we are here; he defined what in means to be conservative or liberal (the description on which clearly made many liberals uncomfortable); he defended partisanship as being central to the foundations of our republic; and he gave one final plea for action on the issue most important to him – the protection of foster children. I was impressed and so were many of my colleagues, even a few on the other side of the aisle. Here are a few excerpts of his remarks…

Mr. Speaker, Political careers tend to end in one of three ways: defeat, death, or retirement. And despite the fervent and mostly noble exertions of my adversaries over the years, I rise today to bid farewell to this House under the happiest of the available options.

Last night, former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay officially retired after 22 years of service in the House of Representatives. He delivered an eloquent farewell speech that reminded all of us still serving in the House why we are here; he defined what in means to be conservative or liberal (the description of which clearly made many liberals uncomfortable); he defended partisanship as being central to the foundations of our republic; and he gave one final plea for action on the issue most important to him – the protection of foster children. I was impressed and so were many of my colleagues, even a few on the other side of the aisle. Here are a few excerpts of his remarks…

Mr. Speaker, Political careers tend to end in one of three ways: defeat, death, or retirement. And despite the fervent and mostly noble exertions of my adversaries over the years, I rise today to bid farewell to this House under the happiest of the

PUBLIC HEALTHCARE FOR THE CHILDREN OF CRIMINALS? There is no doubt that the budget process in Sacramento is all messed up. When I was in Sacramento this week, I expected to find an institution filled with lots of hearings and activity surrounding the important public work of reviewing the Governor’s proposed budget, and making observations, proposing changes, etcetera. Of course, with Democrats controlling both houses, I was sure that my blood would boil at most of their tinkering.

That said, what I found was a lot of NOTHING going on, relative to legislators and the budget. A visit with Senator Tom McClintock was helpful as "Professor Tom" tutored me on how the budget process has really become a streamlined process, that jumps from what was the beginning of a budget process (subcommittee hearings) all of the way to, in essence, a final vote on a ‘conference committee report’ that is really a vote on a package negotiated by the "Big 5" (Governor, and the four top legislative leaders). Of course, this… Read More

In my LA election roundup I touched on the defeat of LA Superior court Judge Dzintra Janavs. See here.Many speculate she was targeted because of her "foreign" sounding name. See here. Others also point to her being trageted by Democrats out to get a LA Judge. See here.Janavs was defeated by a non-practicing attorney who was rated unqualified by the bar, but run a pretty good sandwich shop.

The Governor has announced his intention to reappoint the judge to the Bench. The release isn’t on the website yet, but I pasted below. Maybe he’s sympathetic to the "Foreign Sounding Name" thing. We can add this Republican back to the bench. That’s a good thing!

Statement by Governor Schwarzenegger Announcing his Intention to Reappoint Judge Dzintra Janavs to the L.A. County Superior… Read More

Bilbray won by four percentage points. The real loser was not the DCCC which came close to snatching a safe GOP seat and forced the RNCC to spend millions to keep it. If we have to spend that much to keep safe seats in November, we will be in trouble.(I don’t think we wil have to spend as much)l. Of course all the Busby voters are generally ant-Bush. 5% of the vote went to a hardliner independent candidate running on immigration- Anti-Bush.

Does anyone think that if Bilbray had embraced Bush-McCain style amnesty that vote wouldn’t have gone up. Bilbray’s saving grace was he was Anti-Bush on immigration. That is why I told people to vote for him. See here. Busby’s gaffe played right into Bilbray’s strongest issue.

Bush needs to understand and GOP nominees have to be Anti- Bush on immigration or the other anti-Bush candidates will squeak out victories.… Read More

PUBLIC HEALTHCARE FOR THE CHILDREN OF CRIMINALS? There is no doubt that the budget process in Sacramento is all messed up. When I was in Sacramento this week, I expected to find an institution filled with lots of hearings and activity surrounding the important public work of reviewing the Governor’s proposed budget, and making observations, proposing changes, etcetra. Of course, with Democrats controlling both houses, I was sure that my blood would boil at most of their tinkering.

That said, what I found was a lot of NOTHING going on, relative to legislators and the budget. A visit with Senator Tom McClintock was helpful as "Professor Tom" tutored me on how the budget process has really become a streamlined process, that jumps from what was the beginning of a budget process (subcommittee hearings) all of the way to, in essence, a final vote on a ‘conference committee report’ that is really a vote on a package negotiated by the "Big 5" (Governor, and the four top legislative leaders). Of course, this package… Read More