With apologies to Mark Twain and his definition of golf as “a good walk spoiled,” last Thursday, Assembly Republicans took a highly routine walk off the floor of the Legislature, only to have it spoiled by the heavy hand of the ruling party. Several newspaper articles have offered explanations for this; all of them that I have seen got it wrong. Here’s what happened.

By way of background, keep in mind that both parties have left the floor before during debate. It’s called a caucus and, typically, the parties have afforded each other the privilege of caucusing whenever they want. In fact, caucus requests, in the memory of those currently serving in the Legislature, have always been granted unanimously. But not last Thursday. The Speaker of the Assembly himself, in a highly unusual move, took the gavel and objected to a routine request by Republicans to caucus.

Unanimous consent denied, GOP leader, Connie Conway, then made a motion under the Assembly’s rules to recess for a caucus. Those rules provide that a caucus can be called on a simple 41 vote majority. Now, Republicans have only 27 votes in the Assembly, and thus needed 14 of our Democratic… Read More

From today’s Wall Street Journal Political Diary E-mail…

California’s New Normal: Budget Stalemate In keeping with longstanding state custom, California finds itself in the midst of a budgetary stalemate. Gov. Jerry Brown has maintained his position that he will neither raise nor extend taxes without the voters’ consent, but a new poll suggests that his referendum plan might just backfire.

On the surface, things look good for the Democrat. According to a survey by the Public Policy Institute of California, 62% favor holding a special election, and an identical 62% approve of Mr. Brown’s budget solution in concept. But the problem arises when voters take a closer look. When asked about extending certain taxes — a vital part of the Brown plan — just 46% still say yes.

With the notable exception of the governor himself, few players in Sacramento are keen on the idea of a special election anyway. Legislative Democrats and their union allies fear that attempts to increase taxes would be roundly… Read More

Yes, I know…it just doesn’t flow as nicely as “Sunday San Diego,” but what do you want for free?

This week marks the start of much-anticipated City of San Diego Mayoral contest (incumbent Jerry Sanders will term out), and a truckload of contenders start a long drive towards the June 2012 — and possibly November — finish line. A small truckload or a large one remains to be seen, but we can certainly count on some deep tire tracks before this one is over. At least someone will be able tosay they had their fun.

Today’s FlashReport mainpage features a focus on the race, with analysis by San Diegans Ryan Purdy and Erica Holloway. Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, who announced his campaign on Monday, also pens a guest piece,… Read More

[With incumbent Republican Councilman Carl DeMaio running for Mayor, another Republican, Mark Kersey, has emerged as the early front runner to replace DeMaio on the Council. I know Mark through GenNext, a group to which we both belong – a great guy. Below is a column Mark has penned concerning his candidacy – Flash]

Let’s Fix San Diego Now By Mark Kersey

I love San Diego. There is an entrepreneurial spirit here not seen in many cities of our size. We have tremendous natural beauty, enviable economic resources and I am fortunate to be among the lucky few who have the privilege of living here.

That said, we have endured a second-rate government for far too long. Our city government has been dominated by interest groups whose first concern is not the taxpayers or the city. We are teetering on the verge of insolvency and the city has been unable to provide basic neighborhood services such as paved roads and fully operating fire stations.

To be blunt, this is… Read More

[Yesterday, California State Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, a longtime friend mine, before there was a FlashReport, officially declared his candidacy for Mayor… Below is a column is has penned for FlashReport readers on his candidacy, as well as a video with excerpts from his announcement speech – Flash]

A New Generation Of Leadership For San Diego By Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher

Yesterday I launched my campaign to be the next mayor of San Diego. I am running for mayor because despite the challenges our city faces, I see a bright future for San Diego, an amazing potential, and I want to lead us on that path.

I have experience working in difficult environments. I spent a decade in the United States Marine Corps, a time I will always treasure. I worked in counter-intelligence, in counter-terrorism, as a team leader on the front lines of the global war on terror. I was responsible for the lives of my men, making life-and-death decisions, at times under direct enemy fire.

Those experiences lend… Read More

[We are pleased to offer this guest commentary from Republican San Diego County Congressman Brian Bilbray – Flash]

Dream Act A Nightmare For Taxpayers By Congressman Brian Bilbray

Those of us who serve the American people should support policies that serve the American people first. It is in that spirit that Maryland delegate Neil Parrott is leading the effort to block his state’s recently passed Dream Act that would give illegal aliens the right of in-state tuition and become eligible for tax payer supported financial aid. Unfortunately, Maryland isn’t the only state to consider similar legislation after Congress rejected the measure last December. Yesterday California’s Assembly approved AB 131 which puts California students in direct competition with illegal immigrants for already limited financial aid opportunities, further encourages illegal immigration, and rewards illegal behavior with tax dollars. This legislation would be a… Read More

[As part of the beginning of our comprehensive coverage of the race for Mayor of San Diego, we are pleased to present this thoughtful analysis piece penned by Ryan Purdy. Mr. Purdy was asked to do an analysis of the San Diego Mayor’s race prior to his employment with a consulting firm engaged with one of the candidates, Carl DeMaio. Our review of the article finds it to be fair and critical analysis of the candidates and prospects for the race – Flash]

The Ultimate Mayoral Showdown By Ryan Purdy For San Diego politicos it has been a long winter (and spring) since the excitement of the November 2010 election. The excitement resumed this past weekend.

Potential mayoral candidates in the City of San Diego are rapidly becoming less coy about their plans to run, as they can now start raising money, with Sunday marking one year before the June 5, 2012 primary election. With the safe assumption that no candidate will crack 50 percent in a wide open primary, the two biggest vote-getters… Read More

FlashReport is pleased to have as a local online media partner in San Diego County the well regarded San Diego Rostra. With their permission, we are pleased to reprint this column that ran from one of their contributors, longtime FR friend Erica Holloway. It is an in depth first-blush analysis of the race for San Diego Mayor, looking at the GOP candidates, with a particular focus on media and social networking. I hope that you enjoy reading it as much as I did – Flash

The Root of All Money By Erica Holloway

Ayn Rand once asked: “So you think money is the root of all evil. Have you ever asked what is the root of all money?”

Candidates now seek out that answer for the next 12 months in the hopes of being San Diego’s next mayor.

Primary races boil down to two very basic… Read More