Last night, Republicans walked off the House Floor after Democrats changed the outcome of a vote after the final tally had been called. And this was not just any vote. The vote would have barred illegal immigrants from receiving food stamps and subsidized housing. Republicans had just enough votes to pass the motion, and we won the final vote 215-213. That should have been the end of it. But not under the Pelosi Congress. After the gavel had fallen, Stockton, California Freshman Democrat Jerry McNerney (CA-11) changed his vote to oppose the motion, and even though the vote was closed, they allowed the outcome to go the other way.… Read More

Throughout California, schools are scrambling to find money to help under-performing students meet federal and state educational standards. Getting the funds to help students in a given school year can determine whether a school district hits or misses its yearly progress goals. There are limited funds and no shortage of school districts that need them. That’s why the "grab and stash" actions of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), a district that already gets the lion’s share of many educational money pots, is particularly egregious.

According to the LA Daily News (July 5, 2007), "Over [the last] four years, [LAUSD)] filed claims for and received $46.6 million in state money under the Pupil Promotion and Retention Program." But, according to a recent state audit, only a fraction of that money was actually justified. Now, the State Controller’s Office says, 97.4 percent of those funds, $45.4 million, must be returned.

How could such a large… Read More

With a lot of the spin (especially in the liberal media) out there being that, "the Republicans are holding up a state budget," I thought I would take an opportunity to walk FR readers through this budget process, and how this simply isn’t the case. The reality is that the process of negotiating a budget acceptable to all parties simply fell apart. Let us start with the understanding that the California State Constitution provides that a state budget must receive the votes of two-thirds of the votes in both chambers of the State Legislature. Then let us look at the budget process as it took place (such that it did) during the Spring. First of all, and most unfortunate in this process, is that Governor Schwarzenegger introduced a budget that contained billions of dollars in deficit spending. From there, the ‘formal’ process of approving a budget through hearings and such was a partisan game, where as part of posturing on the eminent budget negotiations, every decision made was in favor of liberalism and spending. Make no bones about it, Republicans have and continue to have the same concerns about the size and… Read More

With a lot of the spin (especially in the liberal media) out there being that, "the Republicans are holding up a state budget," I thought I would take an opportunity to walk FR readers through this budget process, and how this simply isn’t the case. The reality is that the process of negotiating a budget acceptable to all parties simply fell apart. Let us start with the understanding that the California State Constitution provides that a state budget must receive the votes of two-thirds of the votes in both chambers of the State Legislature. Then let us look at the budget process as it took place (such that it did) during the Spring. First of all, and most unfortunate in this process, is that Governor Schwarzenegger introduced a budget that contained billions of dollars in deficit spending. From there, the ‘formal’ process of approving a budget through hearings and such was a partisan game, where as part of posturing on the eminent budget negotiations, every decision made was in favor of liberalism and spending. Make no bones about it, Republicans have and continue to have the same concerns about the size and… Read More

We just received this from Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman:

Last night Senate Republicans held firm once again to our conviction that the proposed budget fails to either balance or reduce the structural deficit. Nor does the budget include language to prevent frivolous lawsuits that delay building roads, schools and hospitals. We cannot continue to ignore the state’s precarious economic standing. A thirty-percent growth in the state budget over recent years and a projected more than $5 billion deficit for next year, has forced a day of reckoning. Faltering revenues and a slumping housing market has only perpetuated the crisis. California cannot continue to live on… Read More

Backs Andal in Race for Congress

At 2 P.M. this afternoon in Danville, Assemblyman Guy Houston will declare his candidacy for Contra Costa County Supervisor by challenging sitting incumbent Mary Piepho. Houston, a veteran of a targeted seat in the 15th district, will have a huge advantage in fundraising and name identification (as well as the gratitude of the GOP for giving Dean Andal a clear shot at McNerney). Piepho has had trouble solidifying her seat and will now be facing a formidable opponent in Houston. As the long-time Mayor of Dublin before his tenure in the Assembly, Houston is no strager to the importance and differences that a non-partisan race entails and has always had a strong base of democrat support due to his hard work and fiscal conservatism.

After speaking to the Assemblyman, it is apparent that the major financial problems of Contra Costa County were an important factor and he feels he "can do a lot of good" on the Board of Supervisors. He was also keenly aware that a primary in the 11th congressional district would not help the GOP and would waste valuable resources. When discussing… Read More

SENATE GOP RESOLVE AND SOLIDARITY The built-in deficit in the budget passed by the California Assembly is actually about $2.9 billion. This is significantly more than the numbers being thrown around by those advocating the passage of that document in the Senate. One of the problems is that with a budget that is so huge, there are so many areas that can be interpreted and analyzed in different ways. I can tell you that over the years, I have come to rely on the financial acumen of State Senator and FR friend Tom McClintock for some clarity and truth on fiscal matters. $2.9 billion is his number. He also reminds us that this year’s proposed budget represents a $21.7 BILLION dollar increase in state spending since the recall election that brought Arnold Schwarzenegger to Sacramento. So with this as some very sobering context, we have to applaud what are being referred to as the "Magnificent 14" for their solidarity. Republicans sticking… Read More

That is the question all GOP donors and activists need to ask themselves after last nights budget vote. Don’t get me wrong. I like Abel personally. He is a nice guy. If he is the nominee CRA is bound to support the nominees of the party. But his district is a tough one and he will have a tough time in his re-election campaign. It will cost the GOP big bucks to keep him there. Registration has been slipping etc… So is he worth a cool million dollars? Because of the 2/3rds vote needed to approve a state budget, it is the one time that our GOP Senators can make a difference and make a stand. There are no judicial confirmations or leadership control issues at stake. These issues are often used by liberal Republican to persuade us to vote for their candidates. … Read More