How can you lose money running a golf course when the land is “free” and you pay zero property tax? You’d think you’d charge enough to pay for the operational costs of such an endeavor. Not so, apparently — if you’re government.

Indeed, the city of San Diego’s annual $2 million municipal golf course operating deficit is understated, as the city doesn’t include the unfunded pension, disability and employee retirement healthcare liabilities in its budget or income statement. If the operations of these two golf courses were leased out like the OTHER seven city golf links, there would be no such unfunded liabilities — and no deficits. Indeed, it’s a stark example of why we should probably contract out damn near every government function.

Kudos to San Diego City Councilwoman Lorie Zapf​ for suggesting this already-successful contracting option for the remaining two government-run, deficit-producing golf courses.

Of course, my IDEAL solution would be for the city to SELL the golf courses for a huge influx of funds to pay off most of the city’s unfunded pension liabilities, but apparently… Read More

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker showed a strong lead in a new California statewide poll of 600 likely Republican voters.

Walker leads by a statistically significant 20 percent margin in California’s June 7, 2016 presidential primary election, in the poll conducted Feb. 8-9 by Landslide Communications.

The results were particularly interesting because California Republicans see parallels with Wisconsin over the influence of public employee unions and labor agreements.

The poll questions were prepared by Jim Lacy, Managing Partner of Landslide Communications, and author of Taxifornia.

In an interview Thursday with Lacy, he explained:

When matched with 15… Read More

[Publisher’s Note: As part of an ongoing effort to bring original, thoughtful commentary to you here at the FlashReport, I am pleased to present this column from Brian Johnston, Western Director of the National Right to Life Committee.– Flash] If you are new to the FlashReport, please check out the main site and the acclaimed FlashReport Weblog on California politics. … Read More

[Publisher’s Note: The following entry is from Senator Huff’s Chief of Staff Junay Gardner. The opinions expressed are from Sen. Huff’s office. -Flash]

Senator Bob Huff co-authored the Parent Trigger bill that has given the parents at Palm Lane Elementary School in Anaheim the ability to demand classroom reforms for their kids. Despite numerous attempts by CTA members and supporters to prevent the process, it is happening.

Senator Huff sent a letter on Monday to Dr. Linda Wagner, Superintendent of the Anaheim City School District requesting an update on the signature verification process underway at Palm Lane Elementary.

A copy of that letter can be found here.

Senator Huff will continue to hold the Board and Superintendent of the Anaheim City School District accountable for following the Parent Trigger Law, as well as the Principal of Palm Lane Elementary School. He will continue to monitor the petition signature verification process closely. He has not backed… Read More

Actor Robin Williams’ suicide is considered tragic and horrific. But many of the same people who expressed horror over Williams’ suicide say legally assisted suicide is acceptable, beneficial, and even “honorable.”

Rather than waiting for recently proposed assisted suicide legislation to work through the legislative committee process, a new lawsuit filed Wednesday asks the California Superior Court to find that physicians who provide a assisted suicide prescriptions should not be subject to criminal prosecution for assisting another to “commit suicide.”

The lawsuit wants the court to declare that patients facing the end of life have a “civil right” under the California State Constitution “to make their own decisions about their bodies.”

“If the lawsuit succeeds, terminally ill Californians, like Brittany Maynard, would not have to leave the state to receive legal aid in dying,” the press statement said. Filed by Californians with cancer, physicians, and a national nonprofit disability rights advocacy group, Disability Rights Legal Center, the lawsuit is attempting to “clarify the ability of mentally competent, terminally… Read More

[Publisher’s Note: We are pleased to feature this weekly column from Ed Ring. The opinions expressed are his. See Senator Bob Huff’s response to this column— Flash.]

What would you say to someone who displayed extraordinary courage and initiative to stand up for a law you wrote?

“You’re fired” is probably not the first thing that comes to mind, but that’s what happened to Arturo Garcia on January 29, after he stepped onto some very big toes. Garcia, a full time district representative for California StateSenator Bob Huffsince early 2013, had been assigned to work with parents and activists who want to save a failing elementary school in Anaheim.

Palm Lane Elementary School had been underperforming for twelve years. Frustrated parents went to the teachers, principal, school board and the district superintendent seeking change for their school to no avail. They learned about California’sParent Trigger… Read More

Almost immediately following a hearing of the Environmental Protection Agency last week on upping authoritarian smog regulations, Democratic Senate President pro Tem Kevin de Leònannounced plans for “historic” climate change legislation, adding more regulations to force Californians to cut gas consumption — rather than legislation to help the state’s economy.

The goal is to cut up to 50 percent of gas consumption in California by 2030… rather than improve the state’s economy by up to 50 percent.

Clean Air

The air we breathe today in California is the cleanest since the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Air Act was passed in the 1970s. Despite this fact, the day before Thanksgiving, the EPA released its proposal to “strengthen” ground level ozone emissions known as smog.

Current EPA ozone regulations set the nationwide limit at 75 parts per billion. The EPA is considering lowering it to 60 parts per billion,making theNational Ambient Air Quality Standardsfor… Read More

After years of debt, deficits and budget cuts, it may come as a surprise to learn that our state government is flush with cash. But you wouldn’t know it by the talk of tax increases coming out of Sacramento.

First the facts:

California is outspending other states – As the Sacramento Bee’s Dan Walters recently reported, census data shows California state spending jumped 7.5% last fiscal year and is well above average when compared to other states. The Governor’s proposed budget is huge – In January, Governor Jerry Brown unveiled a $113 billion budget proposal—the largest ever in California state history. If there’s any criticism of the Governor’s budget so far, it’s that he is underestimating revenues. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recently reported that current fiscal year revenues alone will exceed the Governor’s forecast by $1 to $2 billion or more. California taxes are really, really high – Californians pay some of the highest income, sales and gas taxes in the nation. According to the Tax Foundation, many small businesses face top marginal tax rates … Read More