OK GOP Legislators, it’s time for a huddle… Today the State Legislature will come back into session after their Summer recess, and it is my hope you Republican legislators will come to Sacramento ready to face the coming onslaught of big-government legislation as a team. Of course, the primary source of pressure to pass bills that raise fees and taxes, or expand the size, scope and reach of the state government will come from the Democrats who control a majority of votes in both houses of the legislature. By remaining unified as Republican caucuses on these bills, you GOPers in the State Senate and State Assembly can achieve two important goals: the first would be to ensure that no tax or fee increases requiring a 2/3 vote of the legislature will ever see the light of day. But equally important, your united opposition to liberal legislation will send an important message to Governor Schwarzenegger that we are unified, and opposing poor public policy proposals. Of course,… Read More

OK GOP Legislators, it’s time for a huddle… Today the State Legislature will come back into session after their Summer recess, and it is my hope you Republican legislators will come to Sacramento ready to face the coming onslaught of big-government legislation as a team. Of course, the primary source of pressure to pass bills that raise fees and taxes, or expand the size, scope and reach of the state government will come from the Democrats who control a majority of votes in both houses of the legislature. By remaining unified as Republican caucuses on these bills, you GOPers in the State Senate and State Assembly can achieve two important goals: the first would be to ensure that no tax or fee increases requiring a 2/3 vote of the legislature will ever see the light of day. But equally important, your united opposition to liberal legislation will send an important message to Governor Schwarzenegger that we are unified, and opposing poor public policy proposals. Of course,… Read More

In the city of San Clemente the rights of property owners have been set aside by the council majority, but some residents are not taking it lying down.

While I am mainly a pollster, ever once in while I find myself running an independent expenditure campaign or even more commonly, I am the consultant people call to take on city hall or some other government agency that has overstepped their authority. It is a role I really enjoy, mostly because I am good at it–and almost always win. Fighting for the cause of liberty and getting paid well for the work is tremendously rewarding.

I am in the midst one such battle in San Clemente.

The OC Register today published a rebuttal to one of their editorials that called the city council in San Clemente out for their anti-property rights vote. The rebuttal, written by Jim Cogan, a leader among the "we don’t think our neighbors should be able to make home improvements and add on to their homes" crowd makes me the focus of his response.

Here is an expert from the rebuttal (… Read More

So, I finally get home after some time off…the kids swam with dolphins and frolicked in the waves while yours truly tested the physiological limit of BFPH (bodily functions per hour) after ingesting some tainted tuna on a catamaran…TMI? Sorry…but I felt like I was gonna die…but once I finally get to catch up on things….my perspective changed …death wasn’t in the air on the goofy Fun Ship…but its hanging heavy over this company town asthe SS Angelides is beginning to resemble the SS Minnow…

I first hinted at some fractures in the Angelides camp in an earlier post…then our skipper pointed out thecontradictory statements from the growing legion of press folks rearranging the deck chairs of the Titanic (clearly one Angelides staffer has been assigned to Flash…hence the new hire), and now the ex… Read More

[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 of medical costs from a patient 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’s part of the story. I think it has more to do with the market and… Read More

[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