Betty Jo Toccoli is the President of the California Small Business Association. This is the same organization which, every year, awards the most liberal Democrats in the legislature kudos for their great small business votes. Worse, every year these kudos appear in campaign mail around the state… for the worst small business votes in the state.

So I’d like to use this forum to ask Betty Jo Toccoli and the California Small Business Association exactly how they come to their decisions in handing out rankings to legislators. It’s a fairly simple question, really. What’s the process, Betty? You can either email me directly or you can post below, and I’ll repost… won’t even edit. If its a real process there shouldn’t be any problem. If I’m somehow wrong, you have a clear shot at me here.

Now of course you can figure out the next post, which is Betty not responding, and me listing their corporate donors (already saved the page, Betty), and the lobbyists who represent them in Sacramento (saved), and asking you to call them to ask them why they are paying for this nonsense… then the post after where I show the… Read More

I am not trying to pick on former Congressman and ersatz United States Senator Tom Campbell, but he is the first candidate for a Republican nomination for statewide office to send out an e-mail touting the endorsement of a newspaper editorial board for his candidacy. In this case, the San Jose Mercury news published an editorial, Campbell is the best GOP candidate for U.S. Senate.

To all Republican voters, I would say, without any hesitation: you should be very cautious if not downright skeptical of candidates who are endorsed by main stream media newspaper editorial boards. The reason for this is that with rare exceptions (a shout-out to the O.C. Register and the San Diego U.T.), these editorial boards are packed with liberals who probably feel that the People’s Park in Berkeley should be the state’s political epicenter.

Every election cycle, these Editorial Board members who I’m sure overwhelmingly vote for whatever liberal is on their general election ballot (be it a Democrat, or maybe their local Green Party nominee) put… Read More

Your FR Publisher is off to Sacramento for lots of meetings, presentations and a tax-day rally at the Capitol. We'll work on some good stories while there!

On my flight up from “The OC” are a bunch of Farmers Insurance agents going up to promote a better climate to do business (good luck with that!) and sitting in the very front row of this flight is FR friend John Cruz, Governor Schwarzenegger's Appointments Director. Sitting with me is my friend Jean Pasco, formerly a longtime MSM political reporter who for years as worked in the office of the Orange County Clerk Recorder. We'll undoubtedly share anecdotal stories of government-lameness the entire flight!… Read More

Congratulations to Assemblyman Bill Emmerson who today crushed his Republican opponents, including former Assemblyman Russ Bogh, in winning the Republican nomination for State Senate in the 37th District.

Emmerson will go on to a run-off election against a Democrat whose name is irrelevant. This special election was caused by John Benoit's resignation when he was appointed to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors.

Many folks played a role in Emmerson's win (besides Emmerson) and we'll write more on it. But kudos to Emmerson's consultant Jim Nygren, and to his onsite manager Josh Cook. A shout out also goes to the California Dental Association who went “all in” for Emmerson (a dentist) and to Joe Justin, their consultant.… Read More

There are two items of California interest in today’s Wall Street Journal Political Diary E-mail. A "Quote Of The Day" item, and John Fund writes on the broohaha on the CalChamber’s television advertisement taking on Jerry Brown, which they have now taken off the air… … Read More

Here is yet one more major California newspaper reporting “prisoner release is backfiring.”

Is anyone surprised at the grand failure and dangerous consequences of the slap-dashed legislation known as Senate Bill 18xxx that allows the early release of prisoners?

Even though the author ofSB 18xxx said the intent of the bill wasn’t to allow early release of county jail inmates, the San Bernardino Sun quotes the county assistant DA saying: “It’s clear from the legislation that it applied to counties. It can’t be any clearer.”

The San Bernardino Sun Editorial Board calls for expedient legislative action to correct the bill. Luckily, such legislation is scheduled for hearing in the Senate Public Safety Committee this week.

Let’s hope this historically liberal committee finds the courage to usher in the first steps ofrighting a wrong.… Read More

A little over a week ago Sue Lowden, the leading GOP candidate to challenge Senate President Harry Reid next door in Nevada, was in Orange County. I had a chance to chat for a brief period with this conservative, former Nevada State GOP Chairman about her run for the U.S. Senate… A new survey out today shows Lowden not only easily winning the GOP primary, but also with a healthy lead over Reid…

… Read More

This just in from FR friend and conservative media strategist Jennifer Kerns…

The Color Purple… or Black ‘n Blue? Jennifer Kerns I recently wrote a piece over at the Fox & Hounds website entitled “The Color Purple,” about the SEIU’s absolute enslavement of California when it comes to pensions, taxes, and the state budget crisis.… Read More