ARNOLD’S PICK FOR THE HIGH COURT The single most important decision facing Governor Schwarzenegger between now and the end of the year will be whom he choses to fill the vacancy on the California Supreme Court. Justice Janice Rogers-Brown, whom Schwarzenegger would be replacing, has been a well regarded judge with a reputation for being conservative. Ken Masugi, of the esteemed conservative think-tank, The Claremont Institute, penned an exclusive column for the FlashReport where he talks about what he thinks the Governor should be looking for in an appointee to California’s highest court. Don’t miss that exclusive column here.

BAD NEWS BONDS Yesterday in the FlashReport, Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association penned an exlcusive piece on the… Read More

The rule of six (if I hear at least six credible people tell me something, then as a confirmed rumor, I run with it) has struck again. I previously reported on rumors that Pat Clarey, the Governor’s Chief of Staff (and a loyal Republican) would be stepping aside after the special election. Read that story here.

Well, apparently the Governor has decided to name Susan Kennedy as his Chief of Staff.

I am sure that if this plays out, Kennedy will be vetted by many who know her well. I can only judge her political ideology based on her resume, which includes these highlights (seriously, I am NOT making this up):

Kennedy has spent nearly the last three years as Gray Davis’ appointee… Read More

John Howard of the Capitol Weekly has posted an article on Kennedy’s appointment, in which he reveals that Kennedy turned the Governor down on an initial ask, and then finally accepted after being given carte blanche authority over the hiring and firing of the senior staff.

The article begins:

Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has hired Susan Kennedy, a top aide to former Gov. Gray Davis, as his new chief of staff, Capitol sources in both major parties said. The chief of staff’s position is considered the most powerful administrative position in state government, with broad authority over policy-making and the sprawling bureaucracy.

The decision was made following two days of intense, closed-door meetings that included negotiating sessions across the street from the Capitol in the Hyatt Regency Hotel, where Schwarzenegger stays while in Sacramento. Kennedy’s hiring was the culmination of a five-hour meeting, sources said, at which Kennedy demanded–and got–sole authority over hiring and firing the executive… Read More

I’ve already checked out on Arnold’s re-election bid. Although there is a long election cycle ahead of us, what I have seen since the special election leaves me underwhelmed. $50 billion in proposed bonds, calls for increased spending, a new liberal Democrat chief of staff, and a resounding defeat three weeks ago add up to a colossal recipe for disaster for 2006. Moving to the left depresses an already depressed GOP base and has not ever in recorded history moved a Democrat partisan voter over to the GOP. Just look how much the Dems love our big spending President and his new Medicare drug plan!. Why we keep repeating the same mistakes over again, in the face of a long history of failure, is beyond me. But hey, I just saved 15% on my car insurance by calling………… Read More

Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham gave a brief two or three minute statement outside the San Diego Federal Courthouse 10 minutes ago in front of the national media. He admitted his guilt on all counts, said that he would spend the rest of his days on earth atoning for his crimes, and resigned his seat effective immediately. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man so broken or ashamed.

In short, ignore everything you’ve read about this race thus far. Just toss it out. My quick reading of the rules indicates that this will be a snap election in early to mid February. This will be an "open" primary. Enter a new mix of candidates – probably a couple more moderate self-funders. Quite possibly Supervisor Pam Slater. Advantage to self-funders, particularly those who are current officeholders. Pure chaos in North County San Diego. Developing….

[Latest AP Story post-resignation presser is on the… Read More

I trust that had a great Thanksgiving Holiday! This will be a busy week at the FlashReport, so I hope that you will check back to this site each and every day! Today’s featured column was written exclusively for the FlashReport by Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. Entitled, Massive Bond Threatens State’s Future, Coupal walks us through the reasons why now is exactly the wrong time for the state to be looking at further leveraging its precarious financial position with a mega-bond (I’ve heard numbers ranging from 50-100 BILLION dollars) deal. From what I have heard so far, one idea being bounced around is to borrow this huge some of money, and use current moneys that are spent on construction and infrastructure to pay off the principle of that loan. Then we would pay the interest of that loan with general fund dollars.… Read More

Dave Cortese, a San Jose city council member who is running for mayor, is planning on declaring a "permit holiday,” which would reduce the red tape for potential new business start-ups in his city, according to the San Jose Mercury News. Cortese, the son of the former state Assemblyman Dom Cortese (Democrat-turned-Reform Party), faces a June 2006 primary election to replace current Mayor Ron Gonzales. Cortese told the paper that he was borrowing the permit holiday idea from the City of… Read More

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I’m sure everyone enjoyed some turkey. Well, there is another turkey being talked about in Sacramento – a public policy turkey. There is a lot of talk swirling around about a potential massive infrastructure bond measure that would be of epic proportions – numbers that have been talked about range from $50 to $100 billion (how many zeroes is that? Hmmm…$100,000,000,000.00). Anyways, you can read plenty about my thoughts on this in my commentary today.

Jon Coupal, the respected President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association has penned an exclusive column for today’s FlashReport where is eloquently lays out the reasons why such a bond measure would be poor public policy, and bad news for California taxpayer.

In all of my conversations that I have had with folks about this potential… Read More