Last night a few folks gathered to celebrate FR blogger Adam Probolsky’s 34th birthday. A few of the familiar guests — Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman, Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines, and Assemblyman Chuck DeVore… Senator Ackerman wanted me to let FR readers know that if you would like to make a donation to GOP efforts to pick up legislative seats in Adam’s honor, that he will accept credit card or check… … Read More

The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) estimates that, under the Indian Gaming Regulation Act (IGRA), there are approximately 400 Indian casinos in operation today. These casinos are owned by roughly 220 federally recognized tribes and, in 2006, they generated over $25 billion in revenue, of which all tribal income was not taxable by the federal government. As new tribes are recognized every year and casinos are built, NIGC findings project these revenue numbers to climb above the $30 billion mark in the next decade.

Despite these enormous profits, nearly a third of all Native American families that were supposed to benefit from IGRA remain in poverty.

Why?

Part of the answer lies in the fundamental flaws inherent in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. This act was created with the intent of providing economic opportunity and growth to Native Americans groups who had been living without basic necessities on poverty-stricken reservations for generations. Unfortunately, it has done little to help its intended recipients and, instead, has opened the door to multi-billion dollar tribal gaming monopolies that benefit a select few. This unintended… Read More

Respected Sacramento Bee Columnist Dan Weintraub, on his blog (sorry, you have to pay $$ to read it) reflected on FR’s annual Top Twenty Bills to Veto. Apparently Weintraub might have to join the ranks of those who think that Arnold is more conservative than he actually is — those ranks include many on this website (and a vast amount of those who worked hard on his election and re-election).. Weintraub, upon review of our list (compiled by State Senator Dennis Hollingsworth, Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, and yours truly) said this:

Respected Sacramento Bee Columnist Dan Weintraub, on his blog (sorry, you have to pay $$ to read it) reflected on FR’s annual Top Twenty Bills to Veto. Apparently Weintraub might have to join the ranks of those who think that Arnold is more conservative than he actually is — those ranks include many on this website (and a vast amount of those who worked hard on his election and re-election).. Weintraub, upon review of our list (compiled by State Senator Dennis Hollingsworth, Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, and yours truly) said this:

Some brain surgeon on the Placer County GOP Central Committee introduced a resolution to… get this… “censure” Assemblyman Ted Gaines for opening an exploritory committee for a candidacy for Congress — challenging embattled incumbent John Doolittle for the GOP nomination in CD 4.

On this website we have reported about survey data that shows that Doolittle would lose handily to Democrat Charlie Brown next November…

So Doolittle has a short period of time to demostrate, objectively, that he can hold CD4 for the GOP. Until he can do that, who can really throw stones at other GOPers who want to run?

Apparently the elected members of the Placer County Central Committee agree, as they overwhelmingly rejected the proposed resolution.

Now the situation in CD4 is complex, to be sure. I have known John Doolittle for 20+ years, and I truly believe that he has committed no criminal wrongdoing. Still, no one “owns” a U.S. House seat. Doolittle should make his case to primary voters — and he will need to demonstrate an ability to defeat Brown…. But he has to… Read More

There is no better source documentation for the real disaster of Arnold Care than Fresno County’s own Dr. Linda Halderman. Her recent piece in the Fresno Bee is literally all you need to know about the issue. Not only is there no basis in freedom and capitalism in his approach, but the sheer numbers tell us this – if you put every uninsured person into the health care system tomorrow – it would collapse. There aren’t enough doctors – period.

There is nothing here to support. The entire plan is a lark.… Read More

The email I got today was simple. "CRA Press Release" It pointed out that CRA was supporting the Governor’s health plan.

I was a little surprised considering CRA has always been against more government control of health care and doesn’t think taxes should be raised to cover illegal aliens in the plan.

Here is the rest of the story.

The California Republican Assembly doesn’t support the plan, but the press release was from the California Retailer’s Association. Think about it. Your next 80-ounce soft drink purchase subsidizes the effort to create more government subsidies for health care.

No word on when the California Reading Association, California Restaurant Association, California Rehabilitation Association, California Redwood Association, California Rental Association or the California Redevelopment Association will send their releases out.… Read More

5:35 pm Union-Trib Update____________

The Union-Trib stunned the San Diego political establishment this morning by not only charging City Attorney Mike Aguirre with ethics violations for taking campaign contributions from employees, but also editorializing on how one would legally go about removing him from office.

Within a matter of hours, the GOP called a press conference for 3 pm today, to announce they would carry the water in the endeavor. Voice of SD has it as follows:

GOP Seeks Removal of Aguirre

The San Diego County Republican Party just announced that it will be filing an ethics complaint against City Attorney Mike Aguirre with the intent of having him removed from office.

A press conference is scheduled for 3 p.m. outside of City Hall.

The announcement comes on the heels of this… Read More