Ron Nehring, Chairman of the California Republican Party, has just sent us his thoughts on the new proposed budget. We’ve formatted it as a column which you can read by clicking here.… Read More

Looking at it broadly, I think that the budget proposed by the Governor starts off the negotiating process from the right spot — which is with the premise that California taxpayers should not be punitively taxed to make up the budget shortfall. There are a lot of innovative solutions being proposed which is critical given the funding shortfall. This proposal recognizes that that the long term health of state government depends on an economic recovery.

With concern for the taxpayer being the top priority, there are concerns about the return of the tax on homeowners insurance, counting on new revenue from red light cameras, and the myriad of proposed "revenue increases" that appear on a list to potentially implement if the federal government does not kick in requested funds to balance the budget.

It is my hope that GOP lawmakers make it clear pretty quickly that the Governor is right when he says we need to live within our means, and that new taxes and fees (aka: "revenue increases") are not on the table, period.… Read More

STATEMENT FROM SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER DENNIS HOLLINGSWORTH Senate Republicans are glad to see Governor Schwarzenegger’s commitment to not raise taxes again and his focus on job creation and beginning the process of eliminating job killing regulations,” said Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth. “While this budget involves tough choices, that’s no different than the tough choices every California family has to make in these difficult economic times. Controlling spending and not raising taxes have to be our top priorities in order to get California back on the right track- this budget is a good start. STATEMENT FROM ASSEMBLY BUDGET VICE-CHAIRMAN JIM NIELSEN The Governor’s budget proposal is an important starting point for what will be a year of very difficult… Read More

Dr. John Eastman is one of the preeminent legal minds and constitutional law experts of our time.

He currently serves as the Dean of the Chapman University College of Law (were he has been lauded for his job performance), but his curriculum vitae is much deeper than that. Dr. Eastman served as Director for the Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence, which is affiliated with the Claremont Institute.

Eastman is a national leader within the Federalist Society and served as a law clerk with Justice Clarence Thomas at the Supreme Court of the United States and with Judge J. Michael Luttig at the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Dr. Eastman practiced with the national law firm of Kirkland & Ellis, specializing in major civil and constitutional litigation at both the trial and appellate levels. Dr. Eastman earned his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School, where he graduated with high honors in 1995. Dr. Eastman also has a Ph.D.… Read More

An interesting ballot initiative case from our neighboring state:

A Nevada State court today threw out a proposed ballot initiative which attempted to define a person as someone "possessing a human genome." The initiative–which sought to define the beginning of life–was challenged by Planned Parenthood. The judge said that the initiative was too vague. Supporters responded that although the language was intentially broad, it was not vague. You can read the SF Gate article on the decision here.… Read More

LETTER TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS PRAISING RACE TO THE TOP LEGISLATION

January 8, 2010

Dear Race To The Top Passage Enthusiast:

I recently saw your public statement proclaiming the great victory for California in the passage of "Race To The Top" education legislation, that brings our state’s laws in compliance with federal guidelines, and making our state eligible for hundreds of millions of federal tax dollars.

On the micro level, I agree that this legislation positively impacts California’s education system — the substance of its contents are largely positive. At this level, it’s good that we passed it — and pleasant to see it pass over the objections of the California Teachers Association labor union.

That said, I ask you and all of my friends to consider that at the macro-level, the "Race To The Top" legislation passed out of Washington, D.C., represents the worst form of federal meddling into issues out of its purvey. Federal interference with state and local issues has… Read More

LETTER TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS PRAISING RACE TO THE TOP LEGISLATION

January 8, 2010

Dear Race To The Top Passage Enthusiast:

**There is more – click the link**

View Full Commentary… Read More

Yesterday, I posted a blog on Flash Report that disputed the numbers Governor Schwarzenegger used to compare California’s spending of prisons and higher education.

He said during his State of the State speech that California spends 45 percent more on prisons than on higher education. I replied that the state spent 7.3 percent of thetotal state budgeton prisons and 9.7 percent of thetotal state budgeton higher education, which differs vastly from the Governor’s State of the State numbers.

Keep in mind I was using the Governor’s own 2009-10 budget numbers!

Here’s the Governor’s chart (I’ve highlighted prisons in yellowand higher ed in green): (Click on the chart to enlarge it.)

Today, I read a Flash blog that… Read More