The Senate has adjourned without a vote with session called for tomorrow at 10am. Democrats gave a lot of floor speeches blaming Republicans for the consequences of inaction. But we should note for the record that the votes have and continue to be there to 'right size' state government. Funny how the union-tool dominated left won't put up all of the billions in spending reductions that everyone agrees to without gauging taxpayers with more taxes. How much you want to bet most MSM papers blame Republicans, instead of the Democrats, for lack of progress? I don't think the votes are there tomorrow either for the Big 5/Big Taxes deal…

Taxpayers owe Senate Republicans a debt of gratitude — today their taxes didn't go up.… Read More

It’s no secret that business and residents are leaving California in record numbers. But don’t listen to me. Read this column by Bill Steigerwald, a columnist at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

And to get a better idea of just how bad the film industry is suffering in California, read this Daily News article where writer Troy Andersonreports " the percentage of studio feature films shot in California has dropped from 66 percent in 2003 to 31 percent last year, said Amy Lemisch, executive director of the California Film Commission."

The story goes on to say: Jack Kyser, chief economist at the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp., said California needs to become more competitive.

"People in California are just sort of sitting back, not understanding the implications of this, and if we’re not careful, this is another industry that could slip away from us, just like aerospace did," Kyser said.… Read More

I just read on the Sacramento Bee’s Capitol Alert website that GOP Senators emerged from a caucus meeting, and Cogdill announced that there were not the votes to pass this deal, and requested that Steinberg send legislators home. Steinberg refused. Senate GOP Leader Dave Cogdill should up the ante, and make it clear that if his caucus isn’t allowed to go home that he will no longer support the plan himself.

Assembly Republican Leader Villines (if he hasn’t already) should tell Speaker Bass that there are no longer GOP votes for this plan as long as Republicans are being "locked down" like criminals. Cross-chamber solidarity is important.

This is not the right way for Republicans to be treated, as if their objections are so trivial that carrots (pork) or sticks (sleep deprivation) are going to weaken their resolve to protect California taxpayers.

Maybe it’s time to hold a press conference and demand the "release" of Republican legislators (if Democrats want to enjoy their own "lock down" party, well, that’s their… Read More

The key comment I saw in this Associated Press story by Judy Lin on the deadlock on the Big 5/Big Taxes plan is from San Francisco Democrat Tom Ammiano.

Check this out:

Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, also a Democrat, said the Senate deadlock was causing some in the Assembly to have second thoughts about the unpopular plan.

This should be encouraging news to the Senate Republican "Daring Dozen" who are standing tall for California taxpayers.

You are doing the right thing. I can also tell you that you have a lot of moral support coming your way from Assembly Republicans, many of whom have let me know how glad they are that you are all doing the right thing.… Read More

Check out the floor speech of State Senator Tony Strickland, as he handily makes the case for why the Big 5/Big Taxes budget is bad news for California. The video is here.

I guess today it would be the "Day after Valentine’s Day" Massacre. But the point is still relevant.… Read More

I just received a “Breaking News Alert” from the Sacramento Bee. Of course I opened it right away. When you get an alert e-mail from a newspaper — it usually means what it says – hot news. Budget voted out? Wildfire? Another Obama nominee flaming out? What was the NEWS?

You will not believe this, the “news” was the Bee pushing out to it's email list an “online editorial” — “Call Senator Cox And Urge Him To Be A Hero”

That's right — this paper with reporters who I believe try to objectively cover news have had their credibility BLOWN OUT OF THE WATER. Clearly the decision makers at the Bee don't want to “bring us” coverage of the news, they want to make the news — and naturally they are trying to pressure Republican Senator Dave Cox into voting for their liberal dream – over $14 billion in new taxes.

Goldmacher, Sanders, Yamamura, and others at the Bee — welcome to the new editorial/news department. From now on, you should start your stories with your opinion of the news.

So much for journalistic standards.… Read More

This just in from Republican Senator Jeff Denham:

“As I looked around the Senate Chamber a little before dawn this morning I couldn't help reflecting back to the lock-in that then-President Pro-Tem Don Perata tried on us a few years back as well as remembering the famous Speaker Jesse 'Big Daddy' Unruh lock-in in the Assembly back in 1960's.”Historically, these lock-ins are not successful, at least from the majority party's perspective. If anything, they seem to harden the will and resolve of the minority party. Indeed the longer it goes on the more strength the minority seems to gain.

It appears the assembly has the votes to pass this budget proposal andthe senate hasall but one vote necessary for the two thirds vote needed in the senate. We have been in this situation before and I believe we willsee the same resultagain, IMPASSE.The will of the minority is once again hardening.

It's just before 11:00 am now and Senate President Pro-Tem Darrell Steinberg announces that we are recessing until 1:00 pm and I and others plan to make a break for our in-session residences to sleep (really nap),… Read More

Both houses are still in, the Assembly locked on the Floor, in the lounge, etc., the Senators locked in the building proper, limited to their floor or their office. It sounds like they’regetting pretty cranky too…at least they have TV in the lounge so they can watch the Daytona 500 today!

(Note that Nascar’s #99 – Carl Edwards – is doing a backflip out of a car to celebrate the fact that it’s a new morning and there aren’t new taxes!)… Read More