Okay, we’re well over 400 days out from the primary show downs in the California Governor’s race. That said — all reporters love to write about polls, and two of them are out. There is a Field Poll that is written about extensively in the Sacramento Bee. And Democrat pollster Celinda Lake has done a survey that is referenced by Politico’s Ben Smith and can be reviewed here.

Both surveys reinforce the idea that Dianne Feinstein, should she seek to move from her lofty perch in the United States Senate and over to the California Governor’s Office, would hold a commanding lead.

In the Field Poll, Meg Whitman shows very strong, with Poizner trailing behind her (Tom Campbell does pretty well, but at this stage is running a low-budget campaign…) — but with most GOP voters undecided.

On the Democrat side, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will be touting the Field Poll,… Read More

Most FR readers will remember that as a freshman Republican Assemblyman, longtime FR friend Joel Anderson successfully passed substantive legislation and had it signed into law(that alone is an accomplishment for a GOPer in California) that caused the massive investment portfolios of California’s public pension systems to divestfrom investments inIran, which i a country that is a knownsponsor of terrorist organizations.

Well, in addition to making sure that public funds of Californians are not being used to create a healthy economy for terrorists to prosper at home, Assemblyman Anderson is now looking at pioneering legislation to take away a potential tool that terrorists, international or domestic, may use here at home.

I encourage you to take a couple of minutes and watch this network television interview with Assemblyman Anderson, as he talks… Read More

As we mentioned previously, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association has filed a lawsuit asking a judge for relief because the state legislature and the governor are in the midst of a deceptive effort to cause Californian’s to consider whether to support or oppose Proposition 1A without having all of the information about the measure readily available to them — there is no mention in the title or summary of this measure that mentions that the passage of it would extend a boatload of taxes for years! Below we have linked the legal documents filed with court for those who would like to read them.

This "keep all of the facts from the voters" campaign extends beyond the omitting of information in the official voter guide pamphlet (though that omission is the most egregious) — it seems that proponents of Proposition 1A literally don’t want to even mention the taxes. Of course, what they should be doing is making the case that they feel the spending cap in 1A is strong enough to justify extending tens of billions in taxes on Californians.

Another example of this "don’t fully disclose and discuss the pros and cons of… Read More

As I arrived at the San Jose International Airport a few minutes ago, I rolled my eyes at the signed proclaiming my arrival at the “Norman Y. Mineta” Airport” – groan.

Who is Norm Mineta? He is a politician of course. Mineta was Mayor of San Jose, served for many years in Congress, and also served as a token Democrat in President George W. Bush's cabinet, serving as Secretary of Transportation.

This practice of “idolizing” politicians by naming public works in their honor (freeways, bridges, airport terminals, and more) are misguided.

Government service, as a representative, is laudable and should be commended. But public works, paid for with the peoples money, shouldn't bear the name of politicians. And for those who think it's okay to do so postumously, let me assure you that Mineta is very much alive and kicking.… Read More

As we mentioned previously, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association has filed a lawsuit asking a judge for relief because the state legislature and the governor are in the midst of a deceptive effort to cause Californian’s to consider whether to support or oppose Proposition 1A without having all of the information about the measure readily available to them — there is no mention in the title or summary of this measure that mentions that the passage of it would extend a boatload of taxes for years! Below we have linked the legal documents filed with court for those who would like to read them.

This "keep all of the facts from the voters" campaign extends beyond the omitting of information in the official voter guide pamphlet (though that omission is the most egregious) — it seems that proponents of Proposition 1A literally don’t want to even mention the taxes. Of course, what they should be doing is making the case that they feel the spending cap in 1A is strong enough to justify extending tens of billions in taxes on Californians.

Another example of this "don’t fully disclose and discuss the pros and cons of… Read More

I’ve received a steady barrage of news releases from "Budget Reform Now," the campaign committee seeking approval of Propositions 1A through F — which in turn are part of the Schwarzenegger/Democrat "Kill California’s Economy Now" budget.

Four landed in the ole inbox today alone, and they drive home the sad truism that big businesses interests — contrary to the self-delusions of the Left — are not the bankrollers of the Right or battlers for the free market. Oh, that it were!

In one press release, I am treated too the depressing spectacle of Joel Fox — former long-time president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association — singing the praises of Prop. 1A as head of something called the "Small Business Action Committee."

I wasn’t aware small businesses favored action to extend the massive $13.5 billion tax hike for two additional years! Call me old-fashioned, but champions of small business are supposed to oppose transfering wealth and power to government, not support extending such transfers.

Other "pro-business" groups selling out the free market include the… Read More

By an estimated 60-40 margin, voters in the City of Clovis tonight roundly rejected a proposed 1% sales tax increase. Despite having the support of Republican City Council members Nathan Magsig, Lynn Ashbeck and Jose Flores. The lone GOP council member in opposition was Council President Bob Whalen, who is planning on running for Assembly District 19 in 2010 when incumbent Mike Villines is termed out.

The Measure was flawed from the beginning, with no sunset clause and no direction for the funds except the general fund.

The Fresno County Republican Party and Lincoln Club of Fresno County came out in early opposition to Measure A, and a consortium of conservative groups held a press conference this week opposing the measure.

Ironically, the tax increase deal brokered two weeks ago in Sacramento probably hurt the cause of Measure A. The tax increase was brokered by Mike Villines, whose District includes the City of Clovis.… Read More

This coming May, California voters will be asked to vote on a half-dozen different ballot measures placed before them by the state legislature.

Over the coming weeks, I will be taking a look at each of those measures – analyzing them and giving FR readers my take on them. The first one that I am going to tackle is the last of the six on the ballot – Proposition 1F.

1F is a pretty straight forward measure to describe – if California has a deficit in a given year, then the independent commission that reviews the salary of the Governor and State Legislators is directed to not give any raises to these politicians for that year.

On a first-pass, it sounds pretty reasonable. But the policy objective behind this measure, upon closer examination, is quite… Read More