This blog entry falls squarely into the category of, "You’ve GOT to be kidding me, right?

A great resource on the internet to find out what is really going on Inside the Beltway is Human Events Online (I actually subscribe to the print edition). There are a lot of great feature columns on the site, one of which is the Taxpayer Rip-Off Of The Week.

Well, this week’s highlighted rip-off is yet another example of the "Earmarker in Chief" Congressman Jerry Lewis (so dubbed by the Wall Street Journal), who is Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Lewis is a California Republican, and a moderate who clearly has a difference of opinion from this publisher on the proper scope and role of the federal government, as demonstrated by this column below…

After you read it, you’ll be scratching your head, and asking how a Republican could support such a boondoggle earmark. But before you throw all of… Read More

Phil Angelides must have blacked out today in the stifling heat of the Sacramento Valley. Only temporary unconsciousness would explain why he sent a press release to reporters announcing blackouts in Los Angeles.

“With reports of blackouts in Los Angeles, emergency energy cutbacks by state agencies, and Stage One alerts being sounded by state energy officials, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides today criticized Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for failing to attract any significant new power plant generation in California and mismanaging the state’s energy policy.”

Now, this is news to me – particularly coming on the heels of my lunch this afternoon with an energy guru who surely would have told me if LA was experiencing – or even on the verge of – blackouts.

So I went to Google News and typed the words “blackout, Los Angeles.” Nothing. Next I went to KNBC’s website to check the headlines. Blackouts in LA would be major news in Lala Land. I turned up…nada.

So, what would cause Phil Angelides to issue a press release blaming Gov. Schwarzenegger for blackouts in LA? The most… Read More

Two California Republican Congressional Representative voted against protecting marriage. A total of 27 Republican voted no while 34 Dems voted the right way. LA County based Congressman David Dreier and Congressman Mary Bono voted with Barney Frank, Maxine Waters and others that want to undermine traditional marriage in the states. As we can see courts have invalidated several marriage laws and the Supreme Court can do the same thing. I agree with critics that we shouldn’t have to pass these types of amendments. There right we shouldn’t have too, unfortunately activist liberal judges make it a necessity. To find out what other liberals Dreier and Bono voted with click here.Good news is that Newest Congressman Brian Bilbray voted yes on the amendment.… Read More

All the talk in Sacramento over the past couple of weeks has centered around a new arena deal. The negotiations have centered around a 1/4-cent sales tax increase to fund the $500 million new entertainment facility that would be home to the Sacramento Kings/Monarchs. It is likely to be financed with 80% public money and 20% private dollars (Sacramento Kings ownership).

Negotiators from the county and the NBA have a deadline of this week to come up with a deal that will allow the Board of Supervisors to put the measure on the November ballot.

The rumor is that they will split the measure into 2 questions. Part 1, would be the question to raise the sales tax and Part 2 would be how to spend it. By splitting the question, they will avoid the 2/3rds vote requirement and the measures will need only a simple majority. The strategy has some risk, opponents will likely take the measures to court if they pass, charging that splitting the vote was a end run around California law that requires tax increases that are "earmarked" be approved with a 2/3rd vote.

In order… Read More

Just hearing the word conflict gives government watchdogs a warm fuzzy feeling and the media just can’t help themselves from writing a story ANY time someone suggests a conflict exists.

Few people, even those engaged in the business of government and politics and public policy can cite what, under the law, actually constitutes a conflict. Thus every time someone lobes an accusation of conflict, it becomes news.

Not being a member of the State Bar I cannot offer legal advise, but I do know that there is NO law that would put a political consultant who is not on the government payroll in the position of having a legal conflict.

So you can imagine my frustration when I read a story in the LA Times today with an Internet link that reads: Conflict of Interest for Gov.’s Aide?

**There is more – click the link**… Read More

Just hearing the word conflict gives government watchdogs a warm fuzzy feeling and the media just can’t help themselves from writing a story ANY time someone suggests a conflict exists.

Few people, even those engaged in the business of government and politics and public policy can cite what, under the law, actually constitutes a conflict. Thus every time someone lobes an accusation of conflict, it becomes news.

Not being a member of the State Bar I cannot offer legal advise, but I do know that there is NO law that would put a political consultant who is not on the government payroll in the position of having a legal conflict.

So you can imagine my frustration when I read a story in the LA Times today with an Internet link that reads: Conflict of Interest for Gov.’s Aide?

Folks, I will let you in on a little secret. I use the same technique in political direct mail. The devise: framing the damning accusation as a question. This way you are not making an… Read More

This is Ramesh Ponnuru regarding a federal marriage amendment:

MARRIAGEAMENDMENT VOTEIN THE HOUSE[Ramesh Ponnuru]

The vote was 236-186, not enough to pass an amendment but 9 more than last time. Nevada Republican Jim Gibbons was the only former no vote to switch to yes; the other gains came from freshmen members. (For example, Chris Cox, a no vote, was replaced by John Campbell, a supporter.) Posted at 2:09 PM… Read More

I know that many readers of the FlashReport assume that publishing this site is a full-time endeavor. Thanks to the great support team on this site, and miracles of modern technology, the FR is largely done in the wee hours of each morning (at least my part). My full time job since March of 2001 (when I left my position as Executive Director of the California Republican Party) has been as Deputy Director for Public Affairs with the Sheriff’s Department in Orange County. It’s been a great position, working closely with our great Sheriff Mike Carona.

I’m excited to share with you all that after over five years, I have decided to go out on my own, and form my own business. So starting in August, I will be opening up an office (actually I will be subletting some office space from FR friend and former Assembly Republican Leader Scott Baugh) and starting up a government relations – political – communications consulting firm! I’ll share more with you about it when I get it off of the ground in the coming weeks. I am very excited to be going out on my own!! (Of course, this will give me more time and flexibility to work on… Read More