It was truly an honor to join Governor Schwarzenegger and first lady Nancy Reagan yesterday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library to witness the signing of two bills honoring former California Governor and U.S. President Ronald Reagan. SB 944, a bill I joint-authored with Senator George Runner, designates February 6 of each year as Ronald Reagan Day. The first official Reagan Day next year will occur on the 100th birthday of the former president. Also signed into law was Assemblyman Garrick’s AB 1911, establishing the California Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission which will plan for the promotion, celebration and recognition of Reagan’s 100th birthday. Keeping in the spirit of Ronald Reagan’s idea of limited government, all of the preparation called for in AB 1911 will not use any taxpayer funds or grow the state’s bureaucracy.

In the midst of California’s out-of-control spending and rapidly increasing bureaucracy, I can think of no better time to remember a man who spent his life and career promoting limited government and fiscally responsible policies which freed up Americans to invest, thrive, create jobs and strengthen our economy.… Read More

Rob Stutzman of the Meg Whitman for Governor campaign sent out an update to various folks, including this website publisher. With his blessing, I am sharing it with you, our loyal readers…

It’s been a while since I’ve sent out a bit of a campaign update. I’ve broadened my list so some of you are getting one of these for the first time. If you’re receiving this, I’m assuming you’re tracking the race whether you’re a journalist, government affairs advocate (why say “lobbyist”?) or a British bookmaker. I’ve gotten several questions this morning about the PPIC poll. While the poll essentially shows the base voters of each party are with their candidates and the swing vote is up for grabs, I always feel the need to caution seeing … Read More

Just in from State Senate Republican Campaign HQ…

Weekly Update Senate District 12 This week Anthony Cannella’s campaign opened volunteer-hub offices in Modesto and downtown Salinas to augment the two volunteer hubs already active in Merced County. Cannella’s campaign continues to deploy dozens of volunteers into the precincts every weekend. Upcoming Event: Anthony will be in Sacramento for a fundraising event Wednesday, August 18 at 5:30 PM at Mix. Contact Jamie Mori. Caballero Watch: It’s a telling sign that Anna Caballero’s website lists a total of five endorsements from Merced, Madera, and Stanislaus Counties. By contrast, Anthony Cannella’s website lists more than 100 endorsements. Senate District… Read More

I found it to be very ironic that the news that Governor’s Schwarzenegger’s pick to replace retiring California Supreme Court Justice Ron George had officiated over a same sex marriage was tucked in a Los Angeles Times story (by Maura Dolan) with the innocuous headline, Chief Justice Nominee Avoids Hot-Button Issues. Appellate Court Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye (pictured, right) actually, and probably unwittingly, has plowed robes-first into what a great many would consider to be California’s most high-profile “hot button issue” – gay marriage.

Californians are very polarized on this issue, which has been the subject of a couple of high-profile statewide votes. In a split decision, the very court to which Cantil-Sakauye has been nominated issued a 4-3 split decision, throwing out voter-approved Proposition 22… Read More

This just in…

Justice Cantil-Sakauye Interprets The Law, As It Is Written By Ret. Justice Joanne Parrilli Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has nominated Tani Cantil-Sakauye as chief justice of the California Supreme Court. It is a choice that is as wise as it is groundbreaking. Justice Cantil-Sakauye is an excellent jurist and is at all times mindful of the public trust. And because of that, Flash Report readers should be clear about… Read More

Las Vegas in July. Not exactly the “coolest” place to be during the summer. But last weekend it was definitely the place to be for political Internet activists. The two biggest conferences for the Left and the Right were held on opposing sides of the Vegas Strip: the conservative RightOnline Conference at the Venetian and Netroots Nation at the Rio.

Founded five years ago, Netroots Nation heralded the Left’s investment in new and social media. Their investment paid off, with an unprecedented new/social media campaign that propelled Barack Obama’s 2008 candidacy towards victory. But conservatives weren’t too far behind and RightOnline was launched three years ago by Americans for Prosperity. In the three years it has gone head-to-head with Netroots … Read More

I found it to be very ironic that the news that Governor’s Schwarzenegger’s pick to replace retiring California Supreme Court Justice Ron George had officiated over a same sex marriage was tucked in a Los Angeles Times story (by Maura Dolan) with the innocuous headline, Chief Justice Nominee Avoids Hot-Button Issues. Appellate Court Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye (pictured, right) actually, and probably unwittingly, has plowed robes-first into what a great many would consider to be California’s most high-profile “hot button issue” – gay marriage.

Californians are very polarized on this issue, which has been the subject of a couple of high-profile statewide votes. In a split decision, the very court to which Cantil-Sakauye has been nominated issued a 4-3 split decision, throwing out voter-approved Proposition 22… Read More

Because of false, misleading and unfair ballot language submitted by Attorney General Jerry Brown, today the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association has gone to court, as a leader in the effort to pass Proposition 23, filing a petition to compel amendments to the official label, title and summary that will be provided to voters by the State.

HJTA has taken this legal step because it certainly looks as though the Attorney General has crafted a description intended to sway voters to vote “no” on Prop. 23.

As the sitting Attorney General, and in his campaign for Governor, Jerry Brown should avoid even the appearance of impropriety. But he crossed a clear legal line when he presented official ballot language that fails to meet the test of impartiality in describing the initiative to voters.

Specifically, the petition for Writ of Mandate we filed contends, “that the Attorney General is attempting to influence the election with a misleading and clearly biased ballot label, title and summary in violation of the elections code” and “has used biased words and phrases that advocate for [Prop. 23’s] defeat rather than merely informing voters of its chief… Read More