Given the FlashReport’s wide viewing audience, and knowing that many of its readers are local and state elected officials, I wanted to give you a heads up that the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) recently revised the financial disclosure statement that most state and local elected officials (as well as many managerial-level state and local employees) file annually. The form, known as a Form 700 "Statement of Economic Interest" has been revised to clarify several things, including how to report investments in business entities where the filing party owns 10% or more of a business entity. There had been some confusion in the past as to where to report 10% + interests on the Form 700. That has now been clarified. Most of the other changes are technical. The revised Form 700 also summarizes new legal requirements that generally prohibit elected, appointed and managerial local government employees from lobbying their jurisdiction for one year after leaving office. Additionally, the revised form summarizes a new law that requires local government officials to attend ethics… Read More

MARK WYLAND – A GREAT LEGISLATOR Yesterday’s news that Assemblyman Mark Wyland, the well-respected legislator from northern San Diego County will not run in the GOP primary for Congress (the seat currently occupied by the sullied fighter ace, Duke Cunningham) will certainly impact that Congressional race. But it should not be lost that Wyland, who will likely face little or no competition for the State Senate seat for which he has opted to run, will make a great addition to the State Senate GOP caucus. State Senator Bill Morrow is term-limited out of his office, and is a leading candidate for the Cunningham seat.

In his time as a State Assemblyman, Wyland has garnered a reputation for being a smart, political savvy, and policy-wise legislator. He has been a leader within his caucus for philosophical conservatism, and he also has put together a great group of staffers who are dedicated to the same limited-government cause which Wyland… Read More

A mail piece featuring Diane Harkey, candidate for the 35th Senate District has hit district mailboxes today. She apparently used personal money because the piece was for the CA Border Patrol Initiative, but it is clearly the beginning of her campaign.

First mail piece in the race for the 35th. Her only opponent, Assemblyman Tom Harman has been somewhat absent from the GOP political scene since Harkey announced. This is not necessarily a bad thing for his chances since his first race for Assembly was won with Democrat votes in that year’s ‘open primary’. He may be courting them now since the Special Election (which will feature an ‘open style’) for the seat (to replace soon to be Congressman John Campbell) will be coming up very quickly.

Tom, send us your first piece…

NOTE: The OC Power Brokers Series III – Lawyers Edition I promised will be… Read More

I just hung up the phone with Chuck Devore who was the first Assemblyman, after George Plescia to endore Senator Bill Morrow for Congress. Devore’s endorsement is important in a variety of ways, but I’m not going to vomit the reasons to the readers of this august site. No way dude.

I would urge you to check out the ’80’s cult hit "Drivers Seat" by the obscure band Sniffin The Tears because not only is Bill Morrow now in the drivers seat, his opponents should be tearing up now that conservatives like Devore don’t have to choose between the two leading conservatives. Morrow’s now the consensus conservative.

Like most conservatives, I like Mark Wyland not only as the future State Senator from the seat currently held by Morrow, but as a… Read More

Firstoff, let me say how happy I am to participate on the FlashReport as its newly-coined "political law" correspondent. Look for my musings on the intersection of politics and the law; two fields I like to think I know a little about (though apparently not enough to make it on any of Adam’s "Top 10" lists). I am joining what is already an outstanding team of opinion leaders here in California. To share this blog page with the likes of Dan Schnur and my good friends Matt Cunningham, Adam Probolsky and yes, even Barry Jantz, is an honor. Of course, I would not be my lawyerly self if I failed to mention that nothing I post is or should be construed as legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by anything I post. With that caveat, off to the races . . .

As FlashReport publisher Jon Fleischman appropriately pointed out in his commentary today (link), the CRLA’s endorsement… Read More

Popular north San Diego Assemblyman Mark Wyland has opted NOT to run for the seat of retiring GOP Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham. Wyland, instead, will seek the open seat of termed-out State Senator Bill Morrow.

This is ‘hot off of the press’ from regular FlashReport San Diego Correspondent Duane Dichiara, who is Wyland’s Chief of Staff. Dichiara, who is having a busy day I am sure, called me long enough to say that Wyland has decided to run for State Senate. I’m sure we’ll hear more from Dichiara later on the FR blog.

As for instant analysis from me, here is something basic, leaving the rest Dichiara, and presumably FR blogger Joe Justin (who is running Morrow’s campaign)…

The field of candidates for the safe Republican Congressional seat is still a crowded one, including State Senator Bill Morrow and former Assemblyman Howard Kaloogian, who are generally considered the conservative candidates — and former Congressman Brian Bilbray and businessman Alan… Read More

On December 6, unless something extraordinary happens, Senator John Campbell will be elected the new congressman for California’s 48th District. But once he’s elected, half-way through the 109th Congress, what’s next?

First, he will immediately come to Washington to be sworn in by the Speaker as the 435th most powerful member of Congress and join the freshman class of the 109th Congress. He will assume Chris Cox’s spacious suite in 2402 Rayburn until the end of 2006 when he will select an office commensurate with his seniority which will likely bump him over to Longworth or Cannon (the usual first stop for freshman).

The House Republican Steering Committee (the committee on committees) will either be convened for a special meeting to determine Campbell’s committee assignments or it will be done more informally via email or phone to the 28 members of the Steering Committee who have a total of 33 votes (Speaker gets 5, Majority Leader has 2, one for each other).… Read More

District 3 San Diego Councilmember Toni Atkins on Fridayfiled a Form 501 Candidate Intention to raise money to run for the 4th District County Board of Supervisors, setting up what would be a significant showdown against incumbent Sup Ron Roberts next year.

Roberts no longer being in the hunt for an executive position at Centre City Development Corporation (see Duane Dichiara’s prior post) has scuttled Atkins’ hope for a vacancy on the Board of Sups. Yet, it is clear that her recent tenure as acting mayor in the wake of Dick Murphy’s resignation has bolstered her confidence in taking on Roberts.In recent days, Atkins indicated no interest in being city council presidentin favor of Scott Peters, thus ensuring the time needed for a campaign.

Add to this … the clear bet that… Read More