These three Republican Senators: Roy Ashburn, Dave Cogdill, and Abel Maldonado all just vote to approve over $14 billion in new taxes, along with (of course) every Democrat.

It is a sad, depressing day indeed. Horrible for taxpayers, and terrible for the Republican Party.… Read More

From Capitol Alert:

This morning, Adams joined Assembly GOP leader Mike Villines and Assemblyman Roger Niello, R-Fair Oaks, as the three GOP votes needed, along with every Democrat, to pass the $40 billion budget deficit package in the lower house. The plan includes $15 billion in spending cuts, $12.8 billion in temporary tax increases, and $11.4 billion in borrowing.

By the time of the vote, Adams had gathered signed 2010 endorsements from every single Republican in the Assembly.

"While all the members may not feel the same way that I do about the matter, they are still very supportive of me and know that I’m doing this on principle and not for some giveaway or something like that," Adams said.

Un-fer-reaking-believable.

What does Adams have to do for his colleagues to yank their endorsements: Burn a picture of Ronald Reagan on the Assembly floor?… Read More

This weekend the CA GOP will gather in Sacramento for the Spring Convention and the power of the State Republican Parties and the National Committee men and women is made clear in this article just published in Politics Magazine. State and local party members have a real impact in setting our national agenda.

A cloud of potential ruin hangs Republicans and over the Democrats too. State Senator Maldonado’s sucker punch in the gut of organized political parties could destroy our party structure. The ‘top-two’ Primary System could see two Republicans face-off in a General Election.

Expect strong opposition to the measure this weekend.

http://www.politicsmagazine.com/plan-of-steele/… Read More

In the Assembly —

Republican Assemblymen Mike Villines, Anthony Adams and Roger Niello put up the necessary Republican votes to pass the $14 billion + in new taxes.

Oh — and to make matters even worse, Republican legislators flocked onto measure to place an open primary on next June’s primary ballot. Wonderful "reforms" team — taxes, and then a measure designed to destroy political parties.

I am tired, so you’ll have to wait to get more thoughts on all of this from me.

If you are bored today, you can call the Governor and ask him to veto the taxes that he wants and the open primary that he wants. But it would be a waste of time.… Read More

This weekend, appointed-incumbent Patricia Welch will be seeking election to a full two-year term as Northwest Regional Vice Chairman of the California Republican Party. I have had the pleasure of knowing Patricia for a very long time (she was involved for many years in Orange County GOP politics before migrating north) and she is a rock-solid GOP leader and activist. She’s not only a hard worker — but a smart worker. The party need leader’s of Patricia’s character, integrity and sophistication in our Board of Directors. Below is a column penned by Patricia, that I hope you will take the time to read. There’s not much political analysis to give you on her "race" — as of now, she is running unopposed. Way to go!

Jon Fleischman _______________________________________________

Positive Political Change in the Northwest… Read More

From today’s Wall Street Journal Political Diary E-mail:

It’s Getting Sweaty in Sacramento

Day Five of the California Hostage Crisis grinds on with state legislators no closer to approving a $42 billion plan to close the state’s budget deficit with a mixture of spending trims and higher taxes.

The tax hikes have the support of every Democrat in the legislature, but three Republican votes in the Assembly and three in the Senate are needed to meet the requirement that the budget pass with a two-thirds vote. In the Senate, only two Republican votes have been secured. One of them is Dave Cogdill of Modesto, who was unceremoniously dumped late last night as his party’s… Read More

I am sitting here at an impromptu “blogger row” in the back of a ballroom at the Marriott in Irvine. Sitting next to me is fellow blogger Matt Cunningham.

We are here to check out Meg Whitman as her “campaign kick-off tour” swings through Orange County. She is the featured speaker at a meeting of popular local Congressman (and former Fleischman employer) Ed Royce, who today formally endorsed Whitman in a lengthy, and emphatic introduction of the former CEO of eBay. Royce told the audience that while 9 million people voted in the last gubernatorial election in California, eBay has 12 million registered users here in the Golden State. (Now if we could get all of them to register and vote!)

Because I am so focused right now on the state budget Big 5/Big Spending deal in Sacramento, I will share with FR readers that Whitman just slammed Sacramento politicians for proposing tax and fee increases.

She made a lot of references to the out of touch politicians in the Capitol who don't understand how things happen in the real world.

I couldn't miss the not so subtle shot across the bow of the S.S.… Read More

A busy period of time on the State Senate Floor. Cogdill passed the baton to Hollingsworth, both said a few words — did a "grip and grin" for cameras.

Senate President Darrell "Lockdown" Steinberg went ahead and held the vote on the $14++ billion in tax increases.

On the Democrat side, Orange County’s Lou Correa abstained, and Lois Wolk, who was sick, did not vote. All of the other Democrats, I’m sure with glee, voted yes.

On the Republican side, all of the GOPers voted no, including Maldonado, except for three abstentions — from Cogdill, Cox and Ashburn.

Predictably, no Republican went up on a massive tax increase vote when it wouldn’t have passed. Ideally, there should have been 15 GOP votes of "no" — but beggars can’t be choosers after such a long weekend.

But, it goes on… Everyone is still locked down… Toothbrushes at the ready?

(Wolk came in, and "added on" with her undoubtedly gleeful YES on the taxes. — h/t to our twittering friends Anthony York with Capitol Weekly and John Myer with KQED.)… Read More