Today’s guest commentary is authored by Flash Report contributor Adam Probolsky. The top story today is the Governor’s appointment of Democrat Linda Adams as Cal EPA chief. I will let others make the ‘fox in the hen house’ analogies.

But this appointment is a further evidence that the Republicans need to develop some credibility on environmental issues and change the bellwethers on which the public judges whether someone cares about the environment.

Republicans need to change the conversation by totally debunking the idea that drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska is bad for the environment, promote all the local Republican-lead initiatives (backed by developers) that preserve natural open space and habitat and improve water quality and yes, even acknowledge that Global Warming could, could be something we should at least look into.

Caring about the environment is not part of the exclusive domain of the Democratic party.

Care to read comments, or make your own about today’s Daily Commentary?

Just… Read More

Yesterday, the House Republican Study Committee conservatives were successful in removing half a billion dollars inspending that exceeded the budget threshold in the budget just passed on wednesday night. This $507 million was disguised as emergency war spending but was actually for standard construction projects most of which were in the United States. The White House agreed that the money should be removed. Democrats admitted it was a "budget gimmick". I’m not sure we would have won this fight a year ago. This success reflects growing support in Congress for the idea that we are spending too much and also reflects the increased willingness of conservatives to make a stand.

Congratulations and thanks go out to Rep. Mike Pence (R-In), John Shadegg (R-Az) and Jeb Hensarling (R-Tx) who led the fight to save taxpayers a half a billion.… Read More

There is a nasty Sheriff’s race going on. The long term incumbent is being challenged by two political upstarts. Charges and counter charges…. mud slinging everywhere!!! Oh wait that is in Orange County. Anyway, here is Riverside County we have the same situation without the mud slinging. Long Time Sheriff Bob Doyle is being challenged by former Temecula Police Chief Rick Sayre and Desert Hot Springs Police Officer Bob Ritchie. So far the only one who seems to have a real campaign (endorsements signs, mail, and slates) going is Doyle. If Doyle does not get 80% of the vote, I would be shocked.… Read More

Starting on May 21 and running through June 5, state and local candidates and committees (including major donors) will have 24 hour reporting obligations for"late contributions" or "late independent expenditures" made and receivedduring thatperiod.

A “late contribution” is a contribution that “totals in the aggregate one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more that is made to or received by a candidate, a controlled committee, or a committee formed or existing primarily to support or oppose a candidate or measure” in the last 16 days before an election at which the candidate or measure is being voted upon. Only contributions made during the May 21 – June 5 period are aggregated to determine whether it is necessary to file a late contribution report. Late contributions must be reported onFPPC Form 497.

A “late independent expenditure” is an independent expenditure that “totals in the aggregate one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more that is made for or against any specific candidate or measure involved in an election” in the last 16 days before an… Read More

You can’t make this stuff up.

Today I read about the appointment of another former top aide to Gray Davis being appointed to a top-level appointment by Governor Schwarzenegger… My thoughts…

In 2003, in a historic effort, an overwhelming number of Republicans joined forces with many Democrats and Decline to State voters, and helped support the recall of Gray Davis. The unprecedented recall of a sitting Governor was a repudiation of the man, his policies, and his personnel. It was a statement that we wanted a clean-break from anything ‘Gray Davis’! I was pleased to support Arnold Schwarzenegger, who won the special election vote with a mandate to take California in a new direction – with new ideas, new policies, and new people running state government.

That having been said, I am disturbed by the entry of a third high-profile former “insider” of Governor Davis into the heart my Republican Governor’s… Read More

The Daily Breeze Has a profile on Dan Walker. Dan has been a fixture in South Bay politics since the mid 70’s. It includes two runs for State Assembly. He says win or lose in a tough race for re-election that this will be his last race. See the profile here.… Read More

Budget for 2007:This week, the House passed the budget for fiscal year 2007.As a member of the Budget Committee this is an issue I have been working on for several months. By passing this budget, we have turned the corner in the effort to control spending, and put ourselves back on to the road to fiscal responsibility.It returns the government’s growth rate to a reasonable level: below the rate at which revenues are increasing and below the growth in population plus inflation. In the years following the recent tax cuts, we have seen a dramatic increase in government revenues as our economy has expanded.By ensuring we keep these policies in place while controlling spending simultaneously, we will be able to reduce the deficit over time. … Read More

Are there really that few conservative voters in California? That’s what I feel like polls must be showing these days. If you look at the national political picture, President Bush and the Republican Congress are suffering hemorrhaging on their right flank due to frustrations on the inability of the federal government to grapple with the issue of illegal immigration, the desire for an exit-strategy for Iraq, and the out-of-control spending that is taking place under GOP reign. Conservatives have strong feelings on the issue of illegal immigration, and our preferred way of dealing with the many millions of undocumented people who have violated our nation’s laws by coming here are articulated well by Congressman Dana Rohrabacher here. You can understand more about the spending problem here. So I find myself frustrated on two levels. As I look back in Washington, D.C., I am… Read More