Here is some video footage from the legislative committee meeting earlier in the week when Democrats, on a party-line vote, killed Assemblyman Dan Logue’s common-sense legislation" until the unemployment rate in California falls below 5.5. percent.

Look to see if the initiative co-sponsored by Logue and Congressman Tom McClintock to allow the voters to choose to suspect AB32 qualifies for November…

On a side note, check out the Honorable Wes Chesbro, looking an awful lot like either Wyatt Earp or Colonel Sanders. … Read More

** Breaking News** *You’re reading it first here, folks!*

Popular conservative State Senator Mimi Walters just moments ago shared with her Republican Senate colleagues that she is running for California State Treasurer.

Walters, who was first elected to the State Assembly and now serves in the State Senate is most recognized for her leadership role on the issue of curbing abuses of eminent domain, and for being an articulate spokesman on the issues of job creation and transparency in government action.

Senator Mimi Walters possesses a background in business, finance and local government. Prior to entering public service, her professional career included seven years as an Investment Executive at a major investment banking firm.

"Sacramento is out of touch and out of ideas," says Senator Walters. "Yesterday’s… Read More

Will’s funeral will be this Saturday. The details are up on the Capitol Alert blog here.… Read More

Though we already blogged last week about Senator Bob Dutton having the votes to be the next GOP Leader (after Hollingsworth), today the actual vote took place. No date was set for the handing off of the batan.

Congratulations Senator Republican Leader-Elect Dutton!… Read More

The U. S. Supreme Court today stopped any broadcasting of the zoo of a trial in Federal court in San Francisco on the constitutionality of Proposition 8’s ban on gay marriage. Opponents to the initiative wanted the trial broadcast wherever it could be, namely on YouTube. Supporters of the ballot initiative enacted by the People of California by majority vote, argued that a broadcast of the trial could open the door to intimidation of witnesses, and proffered evidence of harassment of supporters of Prop. 8, including boycotts, threatening calls and anonymous mailing of "powdery substances" to supporters. The liberal trial judge supported, a la Judge Ito, broadcasting of the trial, but Prop. 8’s keen legal team took the matter all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and today won a 5-4 victory against the anti-Prop. 8 harassment teams. The ruling will reduce the rings of this circus of a trial from three to just one. It is fairly clear now that the appellate courts will have the final word on Prop. 8.… Read More

FlashReport readers know that Damon Dunn is a newcomer on the political scene, but has made quite a splash with his candidate for the GOP nomination for Secretary of State.

I received an interesting note from Anthony Bookman, Damon Dunn’s Jr. High classmate, college friend and Stanford teammate. It is an interesting read and provides some great insights into Dunn. I have reprinted it below. Since Anthony played football at Stanford, I "Googled" him and came up with this great article where he played a key role in a major Cardinal defeat of Notre Dame back in 1997. This photo is Anthony setting up a touchdown in the 4th quarter of the game.

Understanding The Real Damon Dunn… Read More

FIRST POSTED AT 8:22AM. Updates below. I am sick this morning over the news that last night, while playing basketball, longtime GOP Capitol staffer Will Smith suffered a heart attack that took his life. Will was a great guy and what a tragedy to be struck down in the prime of his life. Smith had been serving as Chief of Staff for State Senator George Runner. Please keep his family in your prayers. I’m sure we’ll have more on this.

Breaking political news generally is a fun task. This morning, it is a horrible one.

Rest in peace, my friend. UPDATED 8:55AM.

Below is a brief statement from Will’s wife, Anissa, and also some thoughts from one of Will’s friends, Chris Jones. FR readers with thoughts of Will are invited… Read More

Many are wondering why Harry Reid, sitting Majority Leader, is in such a perilous political position after being a dominant political figure in Nevada for 40 years. There’s a not-so-obvious reason worth noting. Yes, Reid is a liberal but he is also considered pro-life and pro-gun. How has someone holding those views climbed to the position of leader in a caucus typically intolerant of dissension on those issues? I have no idea. But politically, it is one of the reasons that Reid has had an electorally trouble-free existence: He unites the Democrats with a coalition of independents and moderates in part due to his positions on guns and babies. Now, however, Reid has become the poster boy for an unpopular political agenda topped by a government takeover of healthcare. Across the nation polls show independents increasingly opposed to health care “reform” and Reid’s ability to appeal to indies and moderate Republicans has dissipated. And just when he needs the liberal base the most, the most rabid segments… Read More