As Governor Schwarzenegger prepares to sign the California State Budget, we hear at the FlashReport are prepared to say that everyone involved in the process were winners AND losers.

The winners:

Legislative Republicans, led by Senate Republican Leader Dave Cogdill and Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines, draw a bright line in the sand and said that the problems caused by massive over-spending in state government WILL NOT be resolved by increasing taxes on Californians. In the face of Democrats who made as a top priority a hike in the state’s income taxes, and a Governor of their own party pushing a multi-billion dollar sales tax increase, GOP legislative solidarity won the day.

**There is more – click the link**

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2008

SB 1322-Removes requirement that school teachers cannot also be open advocates forCommunist overthrow of our government. I know, how would that be different than what goes on at college now?

AB 2747-Assisted suicide by heavy sedation. Subjecting those deemed terminal to contemplate "end-of-life options" such as total sedation. Nurses would offer these options without patient having first sought them.

AB 2567-California State Day of recognition for deceased San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk. Would be recognized primarily because of his sexual preferences. Was murdered in a rampage along with Mayor Moscone, who didn’t receive a state day of recognition.… Read More

Both bills to change the budget provisions asked for by the Governor, tightening the rainy day fund from grabs by the legislature,and exchanging the 10% higher wage withholding for insteaddoubling thepenalty on income of taxpaying employers that owe more than $1 million in taxes,passed the Assembly and Senate. This heads off the veto and veto override and should receive the Governor’s signature on the entire budget document, probably Monday, after his review.

SCA 30, the rainy day fund, tighter version, passed 57-15 in the Assembly [before all vote adds or changes tallied]with all Republicans and many Dems in support. The taxpenalty on corporations, SB 28X passed by 42-31, with only Dem ‘aye’ votes and at least 1 Dem no vote. [28X still had the rest of the provisions that were in the previous version, AB 36XXX, including various accelerated tax payments and others.]

The win for the day was a ‘rainy day fund’ [I still think it’s a‘drought’ fund, like water behind a dam]that is more difficult for the legislature to get its hands on; getting rid of the unbelievable grab of 10%… Read More

It looks like California finally has a budget. This year’s budget drama may have set a record for the most protracted negotiations in state history, but none of the parties involved are necessarily happy with the outcome. Governor Schwarzenegger swept into power with promises to rein in Sacramento’s out-of-control spending. However, even the Governator hasn’t seen any more success than his predecessor in this area.

Responding togovernment’s continuing tax-and-spend addiction, Americans for Prosperity has been quite vocal and visible this year in its campaign to ensure taxpayers are protected. A few hours after the budget deal was announced, AFP held a budget forum to discuss this year’s budget and tactics for improving negotiations (i.e., protecting taxpayers) in the future.

Surrounded by the beautiful views in the Capitol View Room of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, dozens of capitol staff, policy makers, and AFP supporters assembled to asses the budget process and contemplate the future.

Moderating the forum was AFP’s California Chairman Peter Foy, also a Ventura County Supervisor, who… Read More

It looks like California finally has a budget. This year’s budget drama may have set a record for the most protracted negotiations in state history, but none of the parties involved are necessarily happy with the outcome. Governor Schwarzenegger swept into power with promises to rein in Sacramento’s out-of-control spending. However, even the Governator hasn’t seen any more success than his predecessor in this area.

Responding togovernment’s continuing tax-and-spend addiction, Americans for Prosperity has been quite vocal and visible this year in its campaign to ensure taxpayers are protected. A few hours after the budget deal was announced, AFP held a budget forum to discuss this year’s budget and tactics for improving negotiations (i.e., protecting taxpayers) in the future.

Surrounded by the beautiful views in the Capitol View Room of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, dozens of capitol staff, policy makers, and AFP supporters assembled to asses the budget process and contemplate the future.

Moderating the forum was AFP’s California Chairman Peter Foy, also a Ventura County Supervisor, who… Read More

OC Register columnist Frank Mickadeit’s wrote a column today was way off base. There is a link to it on the main FR page.

My brother Brian is running for Moulton Niguel Water District – Division 5 and he is well qualified. Brian is an involved and passionate member of the Laguna Niguel community. He is running to address specific water policy areas. His background and community involvement make him just as or more qualified to run for office than many current OC elected officials at the local and state level.

Brian serves on the Laguna Niguel Parks and Recreation Commission and he is an OC Parks Commissioner. He serves on the board of the Saddleback College Foundation and as president of his 600+ homeowner association.

Brian is president of a company he founded that distributes metal fasteners- the company has some ten employees and does business domestically and internationally. Prior to starting his current business, Brian spent more than a decade in the finance and technology worlds where he started, built and sold several companies.

Brian has received the endorsement of the CRA, OCYRs and the Republican Party of… Read More

My longtime friend (going back to college days), Assemblyman Joel Anderson, pulled off an event that San Diego hasn’t witnessed in over a decade. Last, Saturday night he packed a ballroom at the Town and Country (the site of CRP conventions of olde) with an eclectic collection of San Diego ‘s most influential business leaders and grassroots activists — and raised a boatload of political donations. I’ve been wanting to tell FR readers about it all week, but trying to cover the state budget gyrations has been time-consuming…

The event attracted a capacity crowd of 350 for dinner and another 110 to the "Host reception" beforehand.

Scattered about the room were the event’s sponsors, representatives from Northrop Grumman, RA Capital Advisers, Barona Band of Mission Indians, Intuit, CH2MHill, Sycuan, Geico, Hamann Companies, Associated Builders & Contractors, and many others. The event also drew a star-studded cast of East County ‘s most influential grassroots activists, a revealing glimpse of Anderson ‘s deep connections inside his district.… Read More

My longtime friend (going back to college days), Assemblyman Joel Anderson, pulled off an event that San Diego hasn’t witnessed in over a decade. Last, Saturday night he packed a ballroom at the Town and Country (the site of CRP conventions of olde) with an eclectic collection of San Diego ‘s most influential business leaders and grassroots activists — and raised a boatload of political donations. I’ve been wanting to tell FR readers about it all week, but trying to cover the state budget gyrations has been time-consuming…

The event attracted a capacity crowd of 350 for dinner and another 110 to the "Host reception" beforehand.

Scattered about the room were the event’s sponsors, representatives from Northrop Grumman, RA Capital Advisers, Barona Band of Mission Indians, Intuit, CH2MHill, Sycuan, Geico, Hamann Companies, Associated Builders & Contractors, and many others. The event also drew a star-studded cast of East County ‘s most influential grassroots activists, a revealing glimpse of Anderson ‘s deep connections inside his district.… Read More