If you listen to some reports, you’d think the CRP County Chairs voted down Props 1A-F in a landslide this weekend. That isinaccurate. In fact, just six votes were all that separated the decision – that’s a pretty close vote. It is a clear indication that there are quite a few conservative Republican leaders who believe the initiatives will put the state’s finances on a responsible path. This vote was taken via secret ballot so that county chairs could vote their conscience, rather than being pressured by others to take a position that they otherwise would not. I’m hoping the California Republican Party will follow suit at the upcoming executive committee meeting on April 18th. Republicans, this is our fight! For decades, we have carried the torch for fiscal reform in this state to stop the ever-increasing spending that Democrats insist upon in the good years. I realize that Prop 1A does extend the tax increases already put into place by the budget deal the Governor and Legislators reached in February. And, I am unequivocal in my personal opposition to tax increases. That is … Read More

Sheriff Hopefuls Vent… My post of two days ago about Sheriff Bill Kolender’s mid-term retirement, including reactions from some of the major contenders for the spot in 2010, has resulted in some interesting comments (both here and at Red County SD):

Read SD Sheriff’s Retirement Fallout.

Worth Repeating: Taxes and dirty tricks… Jon Fleischman hi-lites it as a Golden Pen this morning; from the Union-Trib:

The intention of the constitution is clear. It plainly says that taxes can only be raised on a two-thirds vote … This is why any governor of any party should veto any tax hike approved with use of this scheme … Alas, Schwarzenegger doesn’t appear to agree. The man who used to take a back seat to no one in his anti-tax fervor last week declined to respond to our e-mailed question about the propriety and honesty… Read More

On March 23, Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed 23 new judges in California. It is typical that these appointments come in ‘waves” like this. Unfortunately it is also typical of this Republican Governor that he appoints a bunch of non-Republicans to the bench – in large numbers. Actually, it is probably a fairly good theory that great efforts are made to appoint just over half of the judges in a single round that are Republicans – just over half. That is certainly the case in this latest round, where of the 23 new judges, 12 are Republicans, 9 are Democrats, and 2 are registered Decline-To-State.

If you are a Republican in Sacramento County, you can feel exceptionally honored that the Governor appointed not one, not two, but three new Democrats to the bench there in the Capitol City. He did appoint one Republican in Sacramento County – longtime FR friend Ben Davidian. While I am pleased for Ben, and know he will be a great judget, Ben was one of the Republican Party’s… Read More

On March 23, Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed 23 new judges in California. It is typical that these appointments come in ‘waves” like this. Unfortunately it is also typical of this Republican Governor that he appoints a bunch of non-Republicans to the bench – in large numbers. Actually, it is probably a fairly good theory that great efforts are made to appoint just over half of the judges in a single round that are Republicans – just over half. That is certainly the case in this latest round, where of the 23 new judges, 12 are Republicans, 9 are Democrats, and 2 are registered Decline-To-State.

If you are a Republican in Sacramento County, you can feel exceptionally honored that the Governor appointed not one, not two, but three new Democrats to the bench there in the Capitol City. He did appoint one Republican in Sacramento County – longtime FR friend Ben Davidian. While I am pleased for Ben, and know he will be a great judget, Ben was one of the Republican Party’s… Read More

Just in from a specially convened meeting of the Republican County Chairmens Association — they have voted, after lengthy debate — to oppose the entire slate of ballot measures appearing on the May 19 special election ballot. We'll have more information on this tomorrow morning…… Read More

The 2010 San Diego County Sheriff’s race was just beginning to heat up. Or, not really.

The best thing to get a race going even more quickly and earlier than anticipated? How about amid-term retirement by the incumbent, and the hopefuls all facing an appointment process, with the winner being handed the title of “Appointed Incumbent.”

Or, perhaps, the best thing to put a damper on a potential donnybrook.

If you thought last year’s San Diego City Attorney contest was a watcher, 2010 was going to be the big boy’s version, but with guns. Metaphorically, of course.

Yet, only the most naïve of political hacks in town – or the most idealistically hopeful for a major countywide contest of this caliber (there’s that metaphor again)– didn’t see this one coming a few years ago. Sheriff Bill Kolender would cakewalk to election in 2006, then announce his retirement about half-way through his four-year-term, and faced with no provision in the County Charter for aspecial election to fill the vacancy, the County Board of Supervisors would have no choice but to appoint the position.

That “was” the scenario,… Read More

Quote of the Day: "The reality is, this budget resolution – and the Republican Party’s policies – have instigated a dangerous spiral of deficits and debt that constitute nothing less than fiscal child abuse, because they will immorally force our children and grandchildren to pay our bills.” – May 19, 2006 House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD)

Value for Money: Back when I was in the private sector and had an honest & productive job, we were always trying to offer the customer more value for their money. If we could keep the same product and lower the price, that provided more value to the customer. Or, if we could include more product or service for the same price, that also provided more value to the customer. People like getting value for their money.

I have noticed lately that politicians try to do the same thing. They (I know I should say we, but I really hate to call myself that) want to act like they are giving you all kinds of government services and benefits for a low price…..which means taxes.… Read More

The venerable Chris Cillizza over at the Washington Post has called a recent press release by Poizner for Governor Communications Director Kevin Spillane congratulating Jerry Brown on the 40th anniversary of his election to office the best release of the week and maybe the year. After reading it left us rolling with laughter, we had to agree. Cillizza’s item and Spillane’s full release are below. You can read it and decide for yourself.

**There is more – click the link**

View Full Commentary… Read More