Diane Harkey’s campaignmay have been illegallybankrolled to the tune of nearly $1 million taken out of a busted real estate deal, according to an article on the cover of the Business Section of the Los Angeles Times today, a KNBC televised report last night, and a federal racketeering case filed by investors against Dan Harkey in Riverside county. Readers can access this information at www.dianeharkeywatch.com..

Yes, I am a critic of Assemblywoman Harkey (but I did not oppose her in the recent general election and turned down offers to help other non-Republican candidates in her race). I’ve decided to write this blog because I note the information is not covered elesewhere in FlashReport today. We did not see eye-to-eye while we were both on the Dana Point City Council. But I supported her failed race for State Senate wholeheartedly, vouched for her endorsement with certain anti-tax organizations, and even contributed to her campaign and attended an event with Chuck DeVore. Chuck knows the whole story. After telling me she would stay out of my own… Read More

So this is it, huh? For a $70 billion dollar, five year tax hike, all its going to take is a blanket primary and some pay cuts for legislators if they do a late budget. The Democrats will take that deal all day long.

I couldn’t be more embarrassed of this "deal" and can’t fathom that anyone can believe it is worth a $70 billion hit to taxpayers already taxed at the highest rates in nation.

Should we just introduce a resolution to disband the State GOP this weekend in Sacramento? What else will there be to do? Attend seminars about "getting out the vote" or "speaking to the media" when our own legislators can’t even stand firm on tax increases.

Abel Maldenado, either you are not too bright, or a closet tax collector for the welfare state. What a sad, disgusting episode in our State’s history.… Read More

The name of his replacement has not yet been made public… In fact, it still may be in flux as we blog…… Read More

Early this morning, State Senate Republicans caucused off of the Senate Floor, and decided that they wanted to make a change in their leadership. Replacing Dave Cogdill is Dennis Hollingsworth. I have known Dennis personally for over fifteen years, long before he was elected to the legislature. He is a good man and will be a good leader for his caucus. Dennis was a very early, outspoken opponent of this current Big 5/Big Taxes plan, expressing very clear and realistic concerns about the over $14 billion in new taxes that it contains – which would add roughly $1300 a year in new taxes to the average family in California.

This morning I thought I would pen a brief appeal to Hollingsworth’s colleague and counterpart on the other legislative chamber, Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines. As a legislative caucus leader himself, Villines understands the importance for a new leader being able to take stock of his new position. Understanding that Villines supports this current budget deal (a… Read More

Early this morning, State Senate Republicans caucused off of the Senate Floor, and decided that they wanted to make a change in their leadership. Replacing Dave Cogdill is Dennis Hollingsworth. I have known Dennis personally for over fifteen years, long before he was elected to the legislature. He is a good man and will be a good leader for his caucus. Dennis was a very early, outspoken opponent of this current Big 5/Big Taxes plan, expressing very clear and realistic concerns about the over $14 billion in new taxes that it contains – which would add roughly $1300 a year in new taxes to the average family in California.

This morning I thought I would pen a brief appeal to Hollingsworth’s colleague and counterpart on the other legislative chamber, Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines. As a legislative caucus leader himself, Villines understands the importance for a new leader being able to take stock of his new position. Understanding that Villines supports this… 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

I appreciate that Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner has come out strongly against the budget deal with its $14 billion tax hike (although I cringed at his "they don’t have the guts to raise taxes on the rich" comment. Can we please not lend any credibility to progressive taxation?).

So why is Poizner headlining an event to raise money for Anthony Adams, one of the three Assembly Republicans who is voting to pile this mass of taxes on the rest of us?:

This tax hike isn’t an ordinary issue on which Republicans of good will can disagree. This is elemental. It goes to the heart of the Republican Party’s reason for being. It is a political Rubicon that shouldn’t be crossed without penalty.

One penalty is party luminaries should shun tax-hikers like Adams and refuse to raise money ffor them. I’d like to see Poizner put some teeth into his rhetoric and say, "Sorry Assemblyman Adams, but I can’t ask republicans to… Read More

EDITORIAL FROM TOMORROW’S PRINT EDITION OF THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

If you thought Washington’s stimulus debate was depressing, take a look at the long-running budget spectacle in California. The Golden State’s deficit has reached $42 billion, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is threatening to furlough 20,000 state workers (go ahead, make our day), and as we went to press yesterday Democrats who control the legislature had blocked lawmakers from leaving until they finally get a deal.

It’s sad to watch. The Golden State — which a decade ago was the booming technology capital of the world — has been done in by two decades of chronic overspending, overregulating and a hyperprogressive tax code that exaggerates the impact on state revenues of economic boom and bust. Total state expenditures have… Read More