I hope that all FR readers will join me in welcoming Mr. Tom Ross to the talented group of folks that the FlashReport has assembled to help you digest California polical news. Tom, like the rest of the team, will be doing double duty — a least a couple times a week, he will bring you an insight, observation or more on something in the Sacramento area (loosely defined as stretching west-east from the Nut Tree (those of you who are out there know where this is) to the Cal-Neva hotel in Tahoe, and from Modesto to Lassen. So if you live in this area, feel free to send along your story ideas and tips to Tom or his evil-twin, Joe Justin our other Sacramento area blogger. His other duty will be, like the rest of us, to give us timely insights on statewide California political issues, or stuff going on out of his "turf". Tom’s first post is right below this, and you can click on the "i" next to his name to read more about his background, and tap the little envelope to send him a note!

Welcome aboard the team!

Jon Fleischman Publisher… Read More

I’m the last to claim that I am an OC insider, but I think that another look at State Senate seat 35 might be in order. As much as I respect Cunningham, Probolsky, and Fleischman as consummate players in OC, I also believe that their perspective on the race is biased. You see, I don’t think that these folks have ever gotten over the WAY Tom Harman was elected to the State Assembly. I also think these same folks, all of whom are friends, would rally around any candidate who challenged Harman and they thought was capable of beating him. I think that their opinions require a little balance (disclaimer: we are Tom’s consultants, and while I would never play my entire hand, I feel an obligation to at least show one card to get some balance).

A look at Tom’s actual votes in the Assembly demonstrates his Republican record. Lets use the California Republican Assembly’s rankings over the past few years, as an example. I don’t think… Read More

Four years ago only one Republican filed for the Board of Equalization’s Fourth District. The seat is now held by Democrat John Chiang and is heavily Democratic. It encompasses most of LA County (they left out the GOP areas) [Publisher’s note: Are there Republican areas of LA? – Flash]. The Republican nominee got 30% of the vote in the general election. Legislators Judy Chu and Jerome Horton are battling it outon the Democratic side. Chiang is term limited and running for a statewide office This year there are three candidates for the GOP side in what is turning into an interesting race for the Republican nomination. The lone Republican four years ago was businessman Glen Forsch. He is running again this year. He is a traditional conservative … Read More

Does anyone ever make the wrong decision for principled reasons?

Reading the defenders of Tookie Williams in today’s news coverage, I couldn’t help but to be struck that every single critic of the governor dismissed his conclusion to reject clemency as a decision made for political purposes. Some talked about Schwarzenegger’s need to placate conservative voters, while others admitted that the majority of Californians support the death penalty and that Arnold didn’t want to offend them heading into re-election. But every single proponent for clemency automatically dismissed the idea that the governor genuinely believes that Williams deserved to die for his crimes, and that refusing to admit guilt for those crimes precludes the possibility of redemption.

Of course, this works both ways. Last week, the governor’s conservative critics assailed his hiring of Susan Kennedy, also arguing that the appointment was made because of political motivations. Arnold is moving to the left because of his defeat in the special election, he’s looking to reach out to disaffected moderates, Maria has cast a magic spell upon him, etc,… Read More

Voters in the city of Laguna Beach go to the polls today to vote on whether to pass a new half-cent sales tax to help pay for costs related to the landslides that hit the city about six months ago.

Here is the Special Election analysis:

First of all keep in mind that this is the fourth, yes 4th Special Election Laguna Beach voters have seen in as many months (Special Congressional Primary, Special Statewide election, Special Congressional General and now this). Also on the horizon is/are the Special(s) for the 35th state senate seat.

A majority of the city council is supporting the measure that smartly would sunset in six years.

I reached out to both Mayor Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider and Laguna Beach Republican volunteer/leader Frank Ricchiazzi for their insights.

Ricchiazzi expressed several concerns:

1) The city needs to fund repairs that gone incomplete could expose the city to lawsuits.

2) The city… Read More

SHADY BIDDING PROCESS TARNISHES CAPITOL SECURITY PROJECT They are getting ready to install a $6.8 million security fence around the state capitol. Last December, non-union contractors found out that if you aren’t a union-shoppe, you cannot even bid on the work. Is this because of a state policy? No. Was there a law passed? No. Was there a directive signed by the Governor? No. Today’s FlashReport features a an eye-opening exclusive column from Kevin Dayton of the Pacific Research Institute, who explores more about how this major state works project is being guided by legislators — promoting a narrow, ideological agenda. * FR Analysis on the Gov’s pick… Read More

You are reading the subject line of this post and saying "What?!". But it is true, for one night, the City of Fresno and San Joaquin Valley, best known as the raisin capital of the world, gateway to Yosemite, poverty capital of California and home of a pretty good football team, was for three glorious hours the cultural epicenter of the world. Why you ask? Last night over 20,000 sat in awe as the incomparable tenor Andrea Bocelli, in his only West Coast (not LA, not San Fran, not San Diego, not Seattle, not Portland, not Las Vegas, not Beverly Hills) stop on an eight city North American tour, took center stage at the upscale Save Mart Center in a stunning "Royal Christmas" performance that left every patron incredibly satisfied and wanting much more than Bocelli’s two generous encores could ever provide.

With the Royal Philharmonic Concert… Read More

In Orange County’s 35 State Senate District, there is a Special Election taking place to see who will succeed newly-elected Congressman John Campbell. The race is shaping to be a donnybrook between moderate GOP Assemblyman Tom Harman (moderate is probably generous) and Dana Point City Councilwoman Diane Harkey, who is more conservative in her views.

There will be a lot of coverage of this race, given that one of the FR blog team members, Duane Dichiara, is a lead consultant for Harman’s campaign, and of course there are three OC bloggers – Matt Cunningham, Adam Probolsky, and yours truly.Congressman.

In BREAKING NEWS — newly minted Congressman John Campbell has endorsed Diane Harkey… Here is the release…

Congressman John Campbell Endorses Diane Harkey

… Read More