Last year was the most contentious and acrimonious that I have seen in the 3 different legislative bodies in which I have served. I think this was intentional on the part of Speaker Pelosi who believed that the new majority Democrats could roll over minority Republicans and a weakened lame duck President. She felt that this strategy would accomplish much and result in improving popularity for the new majority as they stared down the president and his party. Pelosi was wrong. Congress ended the year with a record-low near single digit approval rating, less than a third of the much-maligned approval rating of President Bush. Furthermore, only one of her vaunted "6 for ’06" issues actually became law. And, many of the benchmarks upon which Democrats ran in 2006 are now worse since they have been in power. There are more troops in Iraq now than before Pelosi became speaker. And gas prices are near record highs while the economy is sputtering amid deficits, which after 4 years of decline, may now start to increase again. It’s a pretty dismal record regardless of whether you agree with the Pelosi agenda or not. So, will Pelosi and Reid… Read More

This week marks the one-year anniversary since border patrol officers Ramos and Campean were placed behind bars. California Congressman Duncan Hunter gave us the following words to commemorate this dark anniversary:

Today we are pleased to offer this guest commentary from FR Friend, State Senator George Runner. Runner is Chairman of the Senate Republican Caucus…

Nunez-Schwarzenegger health care bill: Empty promises By Senator George Runner Despite all of the promises from Speaker Fabian Nunez and Governor Schwarzenegger about their “universal” health care proposal, the fact is very few Californians will benefit but most of them will pay heavily. And that’s why it won’t past muster with voters in November 2008 The truth is, more than 30 million Californians already have health care coverage through… Read More

Today we are pleased to offer this guest commentary from FR Friend, State Senator George Runner. Runner is Chairman of the Senate Republican Caucus… Nunez-Schwarzenegger health care bill: Empty promises By Senator George Runner Despite all of the promises from Speaker Fabian Nunez and Governor Schwarzenegger about their “universal” health care proposal, the fact is very few Californians will benefit but most of them will pay heavily. And that’s why it won’t past muster with voters in November 2008 … Read More

I wouldn’t normally recommend a government document to anyone as a good read, this report from the Transportation Corridors Agencies (TCA) in Orange County is a refreshing exception.

The report was released last week by the TCA in response to the California Coastal Commission’s state-of-fear staff report that blasted the TCA’s plans to complete its 241 tollroad as hastening the destruction of all life on Earth. OK, I exaggerate the alarmism of the Coastal Commission report — but not by much.

The opening paragraphs will give you a flavor of this scathing response:

Yesterday my good friend and occasional FR colunnist, Lance Izumi, was named president of the board of governors of the California Community College. Pacific Research Institute, the think tank for which Lance works, issued the following release today:

PRI’s Lance Izumi Named President of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges

San Francisco – On Tuesday, January 15, Pacific Research Institute’s director of Education Studies Lance T. Izumi succeeded Kay Albiani as president of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges. The Board sets policy and provides guidance for the 72 districts and 109 colleges within the system. It is the largest system of higher education in the country with more than 2.6 million students.

“Kay Albiani has been one of the greatest leaders of the state’s community colleges,” Mr. Izumi said. “I look forward to continuing that tradition of… Read More

This afternoon I received a press release from my friend James Vaughn, Executive Director of the California Chapter of the Log Cabin Club (for those new to the game, this is the Gay/Lesbian Republican Organization). The release was touting the appointment by Governor Schwarzenegger of Peter Hankwitz to the California Student Aid Commission. I have met Peter a few times before (he is pictured to the right). A Republican, he hails from the San Fernando Valley, works in the entertainment industry, and as James’ release points out, he is the 11th Log Cabin Club appointment made by this Governor. Peter, congratulations!

FR readers may have noticed that I don’t write a lot about Gubernatorial appointments anymore. It’s not that Arnold isn’t… Read More

We would like to issue a sincere warning to anyone or any group that has legislation pending in the State Legislature that could impact them — stay away from Speaker Fabian Nunez or you WILL get fleeced by him to "give" big bucks to his self-served, career-extending Yes on Proposition 93 Committee.

While we know that many such individuals and entities have already had a "cashectomy" from Nunez, apparently those millions simply aren’t enough.

How do we know this?

The Yes on 93 Campaign in the last couple of days has CANCELED over HALF OF A MILLION DOLLARS in reserved TV time in five media markets.

You chances of seeing a Yes on 93 commercial on ABC, CBS, or Fox in the Fresno Area has gone down. Or if you live in Los Angeles, look for less Yes on 93 propaganda on CBS, NBC, ABS, FOX and KCAL (over $300,000 of the dropped buys were in the LA market). In the Capitol City? Time on UPN and FOX has been slashed. San Francisco? Your CBS. ABC, NBC, and FOX affiliates have had Yes on 93 ads… Read More