Recycling is economically possible because there is a market for recyclable goods. However, a good deal of that market demand comes from Asia, and with the recent global economic downturn, recycling markets have become incredibly volatile and unpredictable, causing instability in our domestic recycling efforts. Recyclers are stockpiling recyclable materials in hopes of an upturn in the market, but if that doesn’t occur, how long before our recyclables end up in landfills? Even if you are an eco-Grinch who maliciously throws your cans and bottles in your garbage just to be a pill, the fact is that our landfills simply cannot hold the recyclables that will go into them if the market for these commodities evaporates. And that’s every taxpayers problem. The more we throw away, the more space we take up in landfills. When a landfill becomes a “landfull”, taxpayers have to build a new one. The less we throw away, the longer our landfills will last. The amount of taxpayer money we save by extending the longevity of our landfills is an important … Read More

[Cross-posted from OC Blog]

Although I’ve hardly blogged on the topic, I’ve done a good deal of thinking about the November election and what it portends for the Republican Party and conservatism (and they are two different things).

Much ink and many pixels have been spilled writing prescriptions for the GOP’s recovery, so I don’t see the need to add to the pile of punditry. Suffice it to say I don’t think the GOP needs to gin up a new set of principles, or even that the election constituted a rebuke of the center-right physiology of the Republican Party. No political party can win every election, and the GOP has done much to merit back-to-back defeats for reasons that have been amply commentated… Read More

H/T to Cap Weekly…. Steinberg selects committee chairs

Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg has chosen his committee chairs. They are:

Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego): Senate Appropriations Committee Sen. Ron Calderon (D-Montebello): Senate Banking & Finance Committee Sen. Denise Ducheny (D-San Diego): Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Sen. Gloria Negrete-McLeod (D-Chino): Senate Business, Professions & Economic Development Committee Sen. Gloria Romero (D-East Los Angeles): Senate Education Committee Sen. Loni Hancock (D-Berkley): Senate Elections, Reapportionment & Constitutional Amendments Committee Sen. Alex Padilla (D-San Fernando Valley): Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto): Senate Environmental Quality Committee… Read More

Some members of the State Legislature today introduced a resolution opposing Proposition 8. Here is the Sacramento Bee article on the issue.

Ok. i don’t agree but I understand.

The part that kills me is those that are praising them for their stand on principle. Many of these same Legislators also oppose 3 Strikes but don’t have the political courage to introduce a resolution opposing that measure. Why?

The answer is simple. All of these Legislators represent districts where Prop 8 failed — and it failed by large margins among Democrats. 3 Strikes is still very popular even among Democrats. This is simply politics.

Praise for standing on principle would be well deserved for a resolution opposing 3 Strikes — but opposing Prop 8 does not meet that test.… Read More

Breaking News from the Bee…

Read it here.… Read More

Catching up on some news from yesterday, Senate Republican Leader Dave Cogdill put out a release announcing his leadership team for the coming session. The news is that there wasn’t much news. Pretty much the leadership team that was in place will stay. The one change is that in place of State Senator Jim Battin, who had served as one of the two GOPers on the influential Senate Rules Committee, he will now be replaced by conservative (most of the time) Sam Aanestad.

George Runner will continue to serve as Caucus Chairman, Mark Wyland is still the Assistant Leader, and Tom Harmon is still the Whip.

Cogdill’s approach of leaving folks in place, with the continuity that comes with it, should help to keep the Senate Republican Caucus steeling for what will be a long season ahead — with the Democrats, the Governor and all of those Sacramento lobbyiests out for a massive tax increase.… Read More

Some argue this could never have been a Republican year. Theeight year itch, a long but successful war plus a shattering economy with big governmentintervention. John McCain was the most moderate nominee since Jerry Ford. Still Republicans need to account for those who call themselves Republicans but endorsed Obama.

Just to keep the record clear the following are noted Republicans who gave their reputations toObama. Their support will be noted for the rest of their lives.

Benedict Arnold : First RINO

Former Governor Massachusetts, William Weld.

Former Rhode Island Senator, Lincoln Chafee.

Former Governor Minnesota, Arne Carlson.

Former Governor and Senator Connecticut, Lowell Weicker.

Former Governor Virginia, Linwood Holton.

Former Governor… Read More

Almost one month after the historic Election Day that swept Barack Obama into power, conservatives have finally uncovered the silver lining: Tom McClintock will soon be sworn in as a congressman. Vowing to “carry the message” of traditional Republican values to Washington, D.C., Tom McClintock declared his victory in the 4th congressional district contest at a press conference today.

Two hours earlier and just 30 miles away, new and returning members of the state legislature were sworn in to the legislative bodies where McClintock served for over two decades. The commute home won’t be quite as easy now.

Surrounded by staff, faithful volunteers, supporters, and media, McClintock delivered his long-awaited (and expected) victory speech at his campaign headquarters, the nerve center of post-election operations. Thanking his supporters for their hard work and expressing his humility at being chosen to serve them in Congress, the congressman-elect emphasized that in a close election, every volunteer action is significant. He then thanked the voters of the district, telling them that the message they sent has been “heard around the nation.”

… Read More