A decade ago, former CBS News correspondent Bernard Goldberg authored a book titled 100 People Who are Screwing Up America. If Goldberg were writing today about Californians, he would, no doubt include billionaire Tom Steyer near the top of the list.

Steyer achieved his extreme wealth as a hedge fund manager, an uber capitalist whose profitable investments have included oil, gas and coal.

In 2012, he separated from the management of his company – he still owns shares – and committed to a “green” agenda. He became the leading sponsor and financial backer of Proposition 39 on the 2012 ballot, which was sold as pro-environmental reform measure virtually guaranteeing its passage by Californians understandably concerned about the environment. Proposition 39 increased taxes on businesses — those evil companies that provide so many Americans their jobs — and directed the money be put into something called The Clean Jobs Energy Fund. Steyer promised it would bring in $550 million and create 11,000 jobs per year. But a recent investigation by the Associated Press reveals that it has raised less than 60 percent of that amount over three years, and… Read More

Rather than waiting for proposed assisted suicide legislation to work through the legislative committee process earlier this year, a lawsuit asked the California Superior Court to find that patients facing the end of life have a “civil right” under the California State Constitution “to make their own decisions about their bodies.”

But a Superior Court judge dismissed the lawsuit saying that physician-assisted suicide should be addressed in the Legislature.

Yet that’s exactly what the lawsuit was trying to avoid. When the latest assisted suicide bill, the “End of Life Option Act” was shelved in July because Democrats could not get enough Democrat votes, many insiders thought that the bill, and issue, was dead on arrival – particularly after the… Read More

[Publisher’s Note: As part of an ongoing effort to bring original, thoughtful commentary to you here at the FlashReport, we are pleased to present this column from Assemblyman Bill Brough.] On June 6, 1978, a political earthquake rumbled through California in the form of Proposition 13 – officially named the “People’s Initiative to Limit Property Taxation” and enshrined in our constitution as – what else? – Article 13A.

It came 34 years to the day Allied forces stormed the beaches at Normandy, but for California… Read More

[Publisher’s Note: As part of an ongoing effort to bring original, thoughtful commentary to you here at the FlashReport, we are pleased to present this column from John Wood, Jr., who serves as 2nd Vice-Chairman of the Republican Party of Los Angeles County.]

Conservative readers are likely not familiar with the name Shariff Mordechai Hazan…yet. But if you do not know him now chances are good you will hear about him before too long. Shariff Hazan is launching a bid to take on entrenched congresswoman Karen Bass representing the 37th congressional district of California, covering the territories of Culver City, South-Central Los Angeles and the Pico-Roberston community. Others have tried, but Shariff brings with him a resume and a background that make him a standout not only in this district but among potential Republican congressional candidates in general. In a heavily minority, overwhelmingly Democratic district, Mr. Hazan might be uniquely equipped to forge a new coalition to upset the Democratic establishment.

32 years old and formerly a student of the Saul Alinsky school of community organizing with a mother who is a… Read More

The Associated Press released a report this week which found that a fraction of the promised jobs have been created following passage of the 2012 Proposition 39, by billionaire hedge-fund manager and green-jobs shill Tom Steyer. Prop. 39 is bringing in millions less each year than initially projected, according to the AP. “Proponents told voters in 2012 that it would send up to $550 million annually to the Clean Jobs Energy Fund. But it brought in just $381 million in 2013, $279 million in 2014 and $313 million in 2015,” the AP reported.

… Read More

“He told the class to take advantage of the academy, and then find jobs elsewhere. The police union tries to get us to leave the department.” – Anonymous source to NBC Bay Area, television report “Another San Jose Police Recruit Says Union Tried to Get Cadets to ‘Find Jobs Elsewhere’,” Oct. 28, 2014 (excerpt begins at 1:38 in report).

A precedent setting new development in San Jose last week provides abundant evidence of just how powerful local government unions really are in California.As reported today inSan Jose Insideand elsewhere, an embattled city council has tentatively approved a new contract with San Jose’s police union that awards them“a 5 percent ‘retention’ bonus and an 8 percent raise over the next 16 months. In addition, former officers who return to the force in the next year can claim… Read More

As the California Legislature returned from summer recess yesterday, top on most political insiders’ minds is Gov. Jerry Brown’s special legislative session to increase taxes through approval of a group of transportation bills. Brown and Democrats claim the tax increases are needed ostensibly to improve California’s deplorable roads and crumbling bridges, long neglected by Caltrans. However, it was Brown who failed to properly fund transportation needs through the new budget –the largest state budget in California history.

Sen. John Moorlach R-Costa Mesa, says the “transportation” special session… Read More

[Publisher’s Note: As part of an ongoing effort to bring original, thoughtful commentary to you here at the FlashReport, we are pleased to present this column from Asm. Travis Allen.] After Decades of Failed Leadership on Water – Sacramento Wants to Dictate How Long You Shower

The Governor’s recent proclamation that Californians must cut water usage by 25% certainly caught the attention of Californians and pundits nation-wide. Featuring threats of fines of up to $500 per day, and even restrictions on personal shower habits, Governor Brown wasted little time getting right to class warfare over our green lawns. Unfortunately, he and the ruling Democrat party once again took a pass and resorted to draconian rationing measures and heavy handed fees, while offering no leadership and no real solutions to California’s current water crisis.

While it is true that we are in a drought, the little known fact outside Sacramento is that our water problems could be substantially eased if the Governor and his Democrat party chose to demonstrate real leadership on the issue. The current water crisis has presented an… Read More