I just saw Russ Feingold, Democrat from Wisconsin, call on Congress to end the war in Iraq by pulling funding.He called it the "power of the purse" (I’m sure he meant ‘man bag’ – for all you Friends fans).

But still, it’s an interesting concept…

Following his logic, could we end illegal immigration in California and the U.S. by pulling funding?… Read More

CTA political hack Joe Nunez, who championed the public employee union led effort in 2005 to sink the needed reforms on the special election ballot failed to achieve the two-thirds vote necessary to be confirmed in his appointment to the State Board of Education. Nunez needed 27 votes and he only got 25… But while Senator Dick Ackerman and almost all of the Senate Republican Caucus get credit for opposing the nomination, unfortunately two Republicans spurned the group decision made by the GOP Senators, and voted FOR Nunez’ confirmation – Senator Jeff Denham and Senator Abel Maldonado. However, two Democrat Senators were absent, and today was the deadline for Nunez to be confirmed.

So the good news is that a professional union political hack is off of the State Board of Education.

But the tragic news is that Denham and Maldonado, who both knew how big of a vote this

I spoke with Senate Leader Dick Ackerman who had this to say, "The education of California students will be in better hands now that Nunez is off of the board."

Ackerman is to be commended for his leadership on this issue.

Denham and Maldonado,… Read More

REPUBLICAN SENATORS: CAN THEY STAND TOGETHER? Today, Senate President Don Perata will bring up the confirmation vote for Joe Nunez to the State Board of Education. Nunez is one of the top public employee labor union hacks in the state, and actually served as Chairman of the organized union-led effort to sink all of the meaningful and importance reforms that the Governor brought to the voters in the special election of 2005. If you look up Joe Nunez in the dictionary, you will see that he is a total union political hack. Senator Jim Battin penned a post on this site urging his colleagues to vote no. Voting against his confirmation, which under state law takes a 2/3 vote, should be one of the easiest votes that a Republican in the Senate has ever cast.

But it isn’t just an easy "no" vote, it is an important one. At stake is the… Read More

REPUBLICAN SENATORS: CAN THEY STAND TOGETHER? Today, Senate President Don Perata will bring up the confirmation vote for Joe Nunez to the State Board of Education. Nunez is one of the top public employee labor union hacks in the state, and actually served as Chairman of the organized union-led effort to sink all of the meaningful and importance reforms that the Governor brought to the voters in the special election of 2005. If you look up Joe Nunez in the dictionary, you will see that he is a total union political hack. Senator Jim Battin penned a post on this site urging his colleagues to vote no. Voting against his confirmation, which under state law takes a 2/3 vote, should be one of the easiest votes that a Republican in the Senate has ever cast.

But it isn’t just an easy "no" vote, it is an important one. At stake is the… Read More

***UPDATE***

San Bernardino County’s newest Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt issued the following statement upon his appointment and swearing-in as county supervisor for San Bernardino County’s sprawling First District:

SAN BERNARDINO – The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors today voted to appoint Brad Mitzelfelt as First District Supervisor. The Board met this afternoon to consider the appointment and selected Mitzelfelt from an original field of 13 candidates, in which two semifinalists were interviewed today.

“I am honored and humbled by this appointment. I’m looking forward to working the hardest I’ve ever worked for the residents of the First District and San Bernardino County,” said Mitzelfelt after his appointment. “I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who has supported me and expressed their confidence in me.” San Bernardino County’s First District covers an area of over 17,000 square miles,… Read More

As my fellow bloggerAdam Alemanjust reported, former FR Blogger and Bill Postmus Chief of Staff Brad Mitzelfelt has officially taken a seat in the big chair, becoming the newest Supervisor in San Bernardino County.

That Brad was chosen over the other applicants is both a good thing for the constituents of the 1st Supe District and for conservatives at-large.

With the appointment now out of the way now though, all eyes turn towards the actual campaign for the seat next year.

The appointment process hasn’t historically lent itself kindly to re-election in SB. From what I can gather, the last successful appointee-turned-elected Supervisor was decades ago.

Even more pressingin the immediate thoughis whether Brad even has any intention of seeking election to stay on the Board past next November.

Whether or not he does – and not to put words in his mouth, but I have heard from many informed folks who say he isn’t going to – there will almost certainly be a crowded field for this race in ’08 (at least partially comprised of the other applicants).

In any event, anearly front-runner has to be Mark Kirk,… Read More

BREAKING: Former Flashreport Correspondent Brad Mitzelfelt Newest San Bernardino County Supervisor

BREAKING: Live from San Bernardino County’s Government Center: Brad Mitzelfelt, who recently served as the Flashreport’s San Bernardino County correspondent, has been approved by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors to replace departed incumbent Bill Postmus, who moved up to countywide office. Supervisor Mitzelflet will take office immediately and he has promised to become a strong advocate for his First District constituents. Mitzelfelt’s background includes his service to the nation as a United States Marine combat veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm. Supervisor Mitzelfelt had been former Supervisor Bill Postmus’ Chief –of –Staff, where he had been integral in developing many pro-business and pro-taxpayer county policies. Supervisor Mitzelfelt’s comments upon receiving the appointment are as follows: “Today marks a new chapter in my public service to the constituents of the First District, but my level… Read More

The Orange County Board of Supervisors is solidly in the hands of a conservative majority and there is a vacancy that will be filled by Special Election on Feb. 6. But regardless of that outcome the next two years should be filled with votes that broadly shrink the size of county government and put the county’s future financial health back on track by reforming pension and health care benefits for county employees.

Each of the present supervisors has conservative credentials:

Chairman Chris Norby is a nationally known leader on the issue of redevelopment reform; vice chairman Moorlach not only predicted the county’s bankruptcy but more importantly lead the county’s investments as Treasurer and conservative Tax Collector for over a decade; Pat Bates had a solid voting record in the State Assembly and never wavered on her principles in face of a massive assault by her campaign opponent who seemingly sold out to every special interest there is; and Bill Campbell built a remarkably successful business before serving in the State Assembly and now on the Board and knows the meaning of paying wages and how harmful the actions of government can be on… Read More