[Today’s commentary was written by FR Managing Editor Nicholas Romero. – Flash]

On Tuesday, July 25th, the Governor signed Executive Order S-13-06 directing the Department of Managed Health Care to curtail what’s called “balance billing” in emergency care. “Balance billing” is a term to describe a noncontracting physician’s attempt to secure the unpaid remainder a patient’s bill when that patient’s insurance company fails to pay in full. In most cases, doctors only “balance bill” if the insurance company aggressively refuses to provide for a reasonable portion of the costs incurred from services provided.

At the time, Phil Angelides said, “Governor Schwarzenegger has once again gotten religion and reversed course to embrace an issue Democrats have pushed for years.”

An article in the Daily News quoted a consumer advocacy group as characterizing the fight over “balance billing” as one between doctors and HMOs.

Well, that is part of the story. I think it has more to do with the market and enrollees’… Read More

The Escondido Councilmembers Respond…well, some of ’em… Last Sunday I noted the SDUT editorial chastising Escondido as a poster city on Kelo abuse, and invited the city council to let me know what, exactly, they were thinking. Emails of my post were dispatched to each of them.

Two, thus far, have responded. Coincidentally, Marie Waldron and Ed Gallo were the two votes against the taking…no response from Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler or Councilmen Ron Newman and Sam Abed. Here’s what the anti-Kelo minority had to say:

Barry: Marie and I were the 2 dissenting votes. My exact comment at the Council meeting was that "this is much like the Kelo decision". The owners of the Lowe’s project property are working to purchase the taco shop and hopefully an agreement will be reached shortly. -Ed Gallo… Read More

Friday, Governor Schwarzenegger flew up to the North State to spend some time recognizing area firefighters for their work (click here for photos). There have been several outbreaks in forested areas [good thing they aren’t all "roadless" so our fire crews can get at the fires…oops, did I say that?] The challenge [so far] was the Junction Fire in Trinity County, just west of Weaverville which is west of Redding about 50 miles. Thedifficulty here was to keep the fire from sweeping through Weaverville as had happened to over 20 structuresand homes during a big firein 2001. This blaze came from farther west and had a wind pushing it towards town, just a couple miles away, even shutting down Hwy 299. The quick work of the CDF units in the area and others drawn in from other north state CDF units, combined with the local departments, volunteers from Weaverville, Junction City, Douglas City, Salyer, Lewiston andseveral… Read More

The Ventura Republican Party has a long history of divisive internal fighting between its component factions. These divisions have undermined the core missions of the VCRP – registering voters, recruiting, training, and deploying precinct captains, recruiting candidates, and raising money. The opportunity of uniting the two major factions usually only occurs every few years. One of those rare alignments, when the Ventura civil war could at long last end and allow the party organization to play a meaningful role in local politics, is upon us.

In 2000 Jackie Rodgers was elected Chairman of the Ventura County Republican Party. By any standard, and from any perspective, Rodgers proved incapable of understanding or implementing basic programs which are the heart of a county organization. However, she was very effective at alienating both Republican officials and her own committee members. In 2002, facing a nearly united committee, Rodgers resigned in advance of being sacked.

Suddenly the stars were in alignment. The factions were at least loosely aligned in wanting reform and an effective organization. Long-time activist Leslie Cornejo was elected Chairman.… Read More

(Yeah, I’m stealing Joe’s theme of song titled posts. This one’s from Keane.)

I get a lot of questions about what it’s like to set up the FlashReport for Jon Fleischman. I’m not tooting my own horn, I’m merely stating that a lot of you are curious. And judging by the tone in which the questions are posed, I feel there’s this rosey, romantic view of working on the site. So, here’s me answering you.

When Jon asked me if I could sub for him on the FlashReport, I was astonished. Nervous really. We’re talking immediate stage fright as the mind contemplated the enormity of cyberspace and its effects. I understood how many people read the site and how many people would question the content if it appeared like a kid put it together. I’m highly conscious of my age and believe that a lot in politics is paying your dues. I think I felt like I was cutting in line. This state has great activists and great political minds. So what did I do to deserve this? Jon didn’t really give me a satisfying answer. I haven’t stopped… Read More

(Yeah, I’m stealing Joe’s theme of song titled posts. This one’s from Keane.)

I get a lot of questions about what it’s like to set up the FlashReport for Jon Fleischman. I’m not tooting my own horn, I’m merely stating that a lot of you are curious. And judging by the tone in which the questions are posed, I feel there’s this rosey, romantic view of working on the site. So, here’s me answering you.

When Jon asked me if I could sub for him on the FlashReport, I was astonished. Nervous really. We’re talking immediate stage fright as the mind contemplated the enormity of cyberspace and its effects. I understood how many people read the site and how many people would question the content if it appeared like a kid put it together. I’m highly conscious of my age and believe that a lot in politics is paying your dues. I think I felt like I was cutting in line. This state has great activists and great political minds. So what did I do to deserve this? Jon didn’t really give me a satisfying answer. I haven’t stopped asking.

I… Read More

Some thought my post yesterday didn’t do enough to differentiate Governor Schwarzenegger from Senator Perata on the crackers controversy, although it did directly link to a SDUT article with a comment from the Gov’s staff.

Ok, fine, here’s the comment from the UT directly, powerful, unlinked, unadorned, and un-editorialized:

Adam Mendelsohn, a Schwarzenegger spokesman, said, “The governor could not disagree more with Senator Perata’s comments.”

One of the most hitting statements in response to Perata came from Assemblyman Jay La Suer, who represents God’s crackers living in the area visited by Arnold last week and ridiculed by Perata this. A cracker jack of a release:… Read More

Virtually every day, my friend Bill Bradley pens a column and then some on California politics. He does this over at his New West Notes Dot Com website. In the coming weeks, we’ll be talking more about Bradley.

That said, in his piece today, Bill inadvertently touched off a pet-peeve of mine. Today he glosses over the Field Poll results, to see how both candidates and ballot measures are fairing as we are about 100 days out from the election.

In his very brief descriptions of Dianne Feinstein and Dick Mountjoy in the US Senate race, he calls Feinstein a “centrist” and Mountjoy a “right winger.”

First and foremost, he is more or less correct about Mountjoy. Dick and I have know each other for nearly twenty years. He is a conservative’s conservative.

But how can ANYONE call Dianne Feinstein a centrist?? Give me a break. She is, in fact, one of the most liberal members of the United States Senate, regulalrly supporting increases in taxes, and expanding government programs — opposing any proposed reduction in federal spending with a passion. Her ratings by the various taxpayer groups that monitor votes in the… Read More