Today’s OC Register reports that the Anaheim City Council has cut 11 jobs and reduced the Tourism Bureau’s budget in order to keep control of the city budget.Interestingly, the city also decided to privatize trash and litter removal, as well as restroom cleaning, in city parks, for a combined annual savings of $566,000.Anaheim’s city manager told the paper that city coffers were suffering due to reduced sales and bed tax revenues.

Most every city is experiencing a downturn in revenues as California’s economic problems hit families, businesses and governments alike. But not every city is responding by tightening their belts. Frankly,it’s refreshing to see responsible government budgeting.If only we had such discipline in Sacramento!

(Full disclosure—I do some work with Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle.But, although his leadership was clearly at play here, his name is not mentioned in this article.)… Read More

I’ve been engaged in politics, either as a volunteer or professionally, for over two decades now. During that period of time, I have seen Tom Campbell successful run for state and federal legislative offices with success. The area in which he lived, south of San Francisco near San Jose, during the 90’s was home to a lot of GOP officeholders who tended to gravitate more conservative fiscally and more liberal socially. Time having gone by, no that turf isn’t even friendly to moderate Republicans anymore.

Tom Campbell has made runs for statewide office three times now (if you include the current quest for the GOP nomination for Governor). In 1992 he narrowly lost (by less than 3%) the Republican primary for U.S. Senate to conservative icon Bruce Herschensohn (who went on to then Congresswoman Barbara Boxer). In 2000, a cycle with which I am very familiar as I was Executive Director of the California Republican Party at the time, Campbell won the primary (besting then… Read More

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

It’s no secret that I strongly oppose Project Labor Agreements (PLAs). They’re nothing more than special interest giveaways to unions and provide no benefit to taxpayers. I can’t imagine any Republican that would support these agreements. Construction contracts of any kind should be awarded to the best bidder, regardless of if they’re union or non-union.

My friends on the left love to claim that these union giveaways guarantee quality and accountability on taxpayer financed projects. However, the Associated Builders and Contractors, California Cooperation Committee (ABC-CCC) and their Taxpayer Accountability Project have blown a hole in that argument. The City of Milpitas enacted a PLA for the construction of a $39 million library project. City officials boasted that this project, because of the PLA, was a resounding success. The problem for City officials stems from the fact that they never anticipated that any organization would actually audit the project to ensure state labor laws were followed.

ABC-CCC, under the leadership of executive director (and friend of the FlashReport) Kevin Korenthal, conducted an independent labor… 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

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