Readers of today’s Flash Report main page probably noticed some articles about the Assembly Judiciary Committee passing an anti-Proposition 8 resolution yesterday, HR 5. This news was probably lost in the intense focus on budget debates, but taxpayers should be outraged about this for two reasons.

First, why on earth is the legislature spending taxpayer dollars to hear a resolution (non-binding pontificating) on an issue that voters decided twice (at great expense to the state already)? Maybe it had something to do with that fact that anti-Proposition 8 organization Equality California had been planning a lobby day for their supporters for months and Democrat leadership didn’t want to disappoint them. (If only conservative organizations could coordinate with the legislature on the timing of our committee hearings!)

Packing committee room 4202 with their supporters, including the ubiquitous attorney Gloria Allred, the Assembly held an… Read More

We have confirmed that after a lengthy caucus meeting, there is a new Senate Republican Leader — Dennis Hollingsworth!

This decision was made in the midst of tense negotiations over a state budget deal.

While we don’t go into the internal politics of caucuses, it is fair to say that it was unusual that the former leader, Dave Cogdill, was supporting a budget plan that was not supported by a majority of his colleagues.

Congratulations Senate Leader Hollingsworth!!… Read More

Senate Republican Leader Dave Cogdill, of Modesto, today issued the following statement: My primary goal in leading this Caucus has always been to maintain unity within our dynamic membership. I knew this would be a daunting task with the state’s precarious fiscal situation, but it was a challenge I was honored to take. While there are many things to dislike in this budget, I am proud it contains the vital reforms our Caucus has been pushing for – fixing our broken budget system, making government more efficient, giving flexibility to schools to direct more money to the classroom and creating more jobs in our state. It is now painfully apparent that this package will not achieve the votes needed to pass the Legislature.… Read More

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

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

Today GOP Gubernatorial aspirant Meg Whitman gave the first of three major speeches she intends to make this week. With all of the politics taking place in Sacramento right now, I don’t really have much time to cover and analyze her remarks — right now. We’ll be able to pivot back to 2010 politics soon enough (Whitman conducted a couple of interviews with newspapers that are certainly worthy of commentary).

Whitman spoke today in the Silicon Valley (which she would know well) at the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose. I have attached below a link to her speech. If you’re following this primary, you should read it — as it is Whitman’s first major address as a candidate.

Ironically, I was last at the Tech Museum a couple of years back, to attend the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner. How poetic. (*Note,… Read More

Given that Senate Republican Leader Darrell Steinberg has lectured his colleagues to "bring their toothbrushes" as a statement of his willingness to "lock down" the State Senate until somehow, out of pure physical exhaustion, he can gather votes for his major tax increase (good luck) —members of the State Assemblyare well prepared if Speaker Karen Bass follows uses the same sort of strong-arm tactics the legislature’s lower chamber.

Assemblyman Bill Emmerson, an orthodontist by profession, has provided his Assembly colleagues with toothpaste and toothbrushes.

In a note with his small gift of hygiene products to his colleagues, Emmerson wrote, “I hope this small tube is enough to get you through these trying budget negotiations.”… Read More