FR readers statewide would do well to read this piece in the Orange County Register that shines a spotlight on the outrageous and expensive health benefits that are lavished on the City Councilmembers in Laguna Hills. I wish that I could say that this city is an exception, but it is my belief that part-time elected officials on City Councils, School Boards and Special Districts all over the state are getting pretty posh benefits like this.

This may sound like a backwards notion, but it seems to me that if an elected office is a full-time job, such as a state legislator, a county-wide official, or some councilmembers of large cities — well, those positions should come with benefits. But if you are a part-time elected official, that means that you either do something else for a living, are independently wealthy, or are retired — you should not be receiving healthcare or retirement benefits — period.

If people feel that the compensation through stipends for local elected officials are not sufficient enough, then perhaps a local government… Read More

At some point today, John Garamendi will be sworn in as a new member of the United States House of Representatives. In doing so, he will step down from the office of Lt. Governor. Governor Schwarzenegger will be able to name his replacement, subject to a confirmation vote of both the State Senate and the State Assembly. In theory the Governor could tap Garamendi’s replacement as early as tomorrow afternoon – after all, he has already had over a month to think about it, with Garamendi the overwhelming favorite to win his election to Congress as the Democrat nominee in a House seat with an 18-point advantage for the party of Obama.

There has been a good deal of conjecture taking place already as to whom the Governor might appoint. Let me start off by saying that the names of a number of Democrats have been thrown around – the most plausible of which being that of his old friend, former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg (pictured, who is currently trying to change the world as Co-Chairman of California Forward).… Read More

At some point today, John Garamendi will be sworn in as a new member of the United States House of Representatives. In doing so, he will step down from the office of Lt. Governor. Governor Schwarzenegger will be able to name his replacement, subject to a confirmation vote of both the State Senate and the State Assembly. In theory the Governor could tap Garamendi’s replacement as early as tomorrow afternoon – after all, he has already had over a month to think about it, with Garamendi the overwhelming favorite to win his election to Congress as the Democrat nominee in a House seat with an 18-point advantage for the party of Obama.

There has been a good deal of conjecture taking place already as to whom the Governor might appoint. Let me start off by saying that the names of a number of Democrats have been thrown around – the most plausible of which being that of his old friend, former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg (pictured, who is currently trying to change the world as Co-Chairman of California Forward).… Read More

FR friend Senate Republican Caucus Chairman Bob Huff is one legislator who makes effective use of the medium of video to regularly communicate with his constituents and interested parties. Below you can see his "Huff Capitol Weekly Comment" where he talks about some education reform he is has helped pass off the Senate floor, and he also shares his perspective on the positive outcome on achieving a comprehensive water solution (a shout-out to the video editors for the great overlays of the scenic delta…).

Huff mentions that he taped this video right after the all-night marathon session on water. Given massive sleep deprivation, the Senator manages to pull of his commentary AOK!

Check it out:

… Read More

Just in off of Kevin Jeffries’ twitter feed:

"Congratulations to Supervisor Benoit! And yes, I’m still NOT running in the special election for his vacant Senate seat."

So far it would appear that Assemblymembers Emmerson, Miller and Nestande are actively gearing up for runs (making calls to supporters and potential donors, etcetra). We’ll see how this all develops.… Read More

Today is going to be a big day for Carly Fiorina. The former Chief Executive Officer of Hewlett Packard from 1999 through 2005 will make it official that she is a candidate for the Republican nomination for the United States Senate. Her goal is to retire the ultra-liberal and ineffective incumbent, Barbara Boxer, next November.

As I like to say here on the FlashReport, we are "fair and biased" — and so I don’t mind laying out for all that there is no one that I can think of in the United States who combines the qualities of liberalism and shrillness into an all-together nauseating toxic cocktail of a politician.

In advance of her official announcement today, I had a chance to sit down with Fiorina. While normally I would try to release a lengthy interview in more digestible segments, in order to help FR readers assess this new entrant into the U.S. Senate race I have… Read More

In conjunction with her official announcement of her candidacy for the United States Senate, Carly Fiorina will be laying out her official initial "campaign team" (I’m sure it will grow as her campaign gets into gear)… TEAM CARLY Campaign Manager: Marty Wilson of Wilson-Miller Communications (pictured) … Read More

Governor Schwarzenegger’s office just announced the appointment of State Senator John Benoit to fill a vacant seat on the Riverside County Board of Supervisors.

"I am humbled to receive this appointment from Governor Schwarzenegger," Benoit told me on the phone just a few minutes ago. "While I have spent nearly seven years representing a large portion of Riverside County in the State Legislature, I believe that there lot of challenges to be dealt with on a local level. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and working with my new colleagues on the Board of Supervisors."

I asked Benoit what he would miss the most about leaving the state legislature. Without missing a beat, he told me, "I have had the honor to serve with a lot of great people, from both sides of the political aisle. I have learned a lot from them, and will miss them — though I will work to apply much of what I have learned in my new position."

Benoit won a hotly contested race for the 37th State Senate seat last year (the incumbent, Jim Battin, retired due to term limits), and so will actually be leaving the Senate after less than one… Read More