UPDATE ON BIG BONDS I had a chat with Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman this morning, to talk about last night’s late session to take up the first-pass at passing a general obligation bond package that is a central part of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Strategic Infrastructure Plan. Ackerman (pictured) told me that after a couple of days of very meaningful negotiations and dialogue, Senate Democrats put up a bill that was so untenable to the entire Republican Caucus that they all unanimously voted no. When I asked Ackerman about the dynamics of the vote he said, "All my caucus members had to do was read the proposal and they all voted no." The bond package put up for a vote by Senate President Pro-Tem Don Perata only vaguely resembles the original proposals for an infrastructure plan proposed by Governor Schwarzenegger back in his January State of the State Address. While the Governor has been… Read More

UPDATE ON BIG BONDS I had a chat with Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman this morning, to talk about last night’s late session to take up the first-pass at passing a general obligation bond package that is a central part of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Strategic Infrastructure Plan. Ackerman (pictured) told me that after a couple of days of very meaningful negotiations and dialogue, Senate Democrats put up a bill that was so untenable to the entire Republican Caucus that they all unanimously voted no. When I asked Ackerman about the dynamics of the vote he said, "All my caucus members had to do was read the proposal and they all voted no." The bond package put up for a vote by Senate President Pro-Tem Don Perata only vaguely resembles the original proposals for an infrastructure plan proposed by Governor Schwarzenegger back in his January State of the State Address. While the Governor has been… Read More

Today and over the weekend, high-level nogotiations are taking place among the legislative leadership and the Governor – the focal point of these discussions – infrastructure investment. In January, the Governor unveiled plans for a massive $222 billion ‘strategic growth plan’ for California, and a central component of his plan – a $68 billion general obligation bond. The response to the Governor’s plan was mixed — Democrats, who love to spend money were tepid or even critical in their response, unsure how to react to a massive spending plan proposed by their political adversary – the Republican Governor. Republican reaction to the plan was also mixed – unsure of how to respond to such a large spending proposal from the top guy in their own party. I know from my personal meeting with three members of the Governor’s senior staff the day of the State-of-the-State "Build it" address — that the Governor was keenly aware that this kind of large-scale spending proposal would be uncomfortable for conservative lawmakers, and other Republicans… Read More

According to Bill Bradley at New West Notes, the Governor is still short of the six votes he needs from Assembly Republicans to pass his bond for bike paths, farm worker housing and oh ya some roads. Of course with no reforms. See the item here.I’m asking FR readers for there top six picks of "most likely to Squish".

If you name all six— before the vote there is a prize.… Read More

Today and over the weekend, high-level nogotiations are taking place among the legislative leadership and the Governor – the focal point of these discussions – infrastructure investment. In January, the Governor unveiled plans for a massive $222 billion ‘strategic growth plan’ for California, and a central component of his plan – a $68 billion general obligation bond. The response to the Governor’s plan was mixed — Democrats, who love to spend money were tepid or even critical in their response, unsure how to react to a massive spending plan proposed by their political adversary – the Republican Governor. Republican reaction to the plan was also mixed – unsure of how to respond to such a large spending proposal from the top guy in their own party. I know from my personal meeting with three members of the Governor’s senior staff the day of the State-of-the-State "Build it" address — that the Governor was keenly aware that this kind of large-scale spending proposal would be uncomfortable for conservative lawmakers, and other Republicans… Read More

The last day for candidates to file for re-election always brings with it surprises. Certainly the biggest one of today is the surprise announcement this afternoon by long-time GOP Congressman Elton Gallegly (Ventura County – pictured) who has decided after 10 terms in the House of Representatives to call it quits.

Why now? Gallegly has told the Ventura County Star that it is due to health concerns. But in addition to this, immediate speculation also goes to his long-standing distant relationship with the very popular local State Senator Tom McClintock. McClintock has had aspiration to run for Congress, and in fact ran some years back unsuccessfully against Tony Beilenson in a neighboring district. Of course, McClintock is now committed down a course towards the GOP nomination for Lieutenant Governor that is pretty much irreversable, giving Gallegly the chance to step aside when he knows that it will not be McClintock who… Read More

I just spoke with Strickland Team insider Joel Angeles, who confirmed for me that if it is true that Elton Gallegly is running for Congress, that former Assemblyman Tony Strickland is prepared to retool his run for State Controller into a run for the House of Representatives. You can be very sure that the first endorser that Strickland would get for this race would be that of the local Assemblywoman, his wife, Audra. Right after that, look for the next endorsements to come from two opposite sides of the GOP spectrum — the local State Senator, Tom McClintock, would certainly support his close ally running for Congress — and of course State Senator Abel Maldonado would be pleased as punch to have a free ride to the GOP nomination for State Controller.

There is one legal question running through my mind right now — about whether Strickland can ‘unring’ the bell on his filed candidacy for State Controller — and what happens with that. One thing is for sure, Strickland… Read More

Tom McClintock needs to drop out of the long shot, virtually impossible run at Lt. Governor and run for Congress NOW. The GOP majority is a rudderless, uninspiring bunch that is in dire need of intellectual arguments against the hate filled left. Elton Gallegly may be a great guy, but he brought nothing but a reliable vote to the table.

This could be the one chance we have in Washington to have a positive, conservative agenda. Tom McClintock – you are not going to be the Lt. Governor this fall but if you run for Congress, you will be the Congressmen. It’s time to run for a seat you can win and keep for a long time. Where do I send my $2,000?… Read More