I’ve received a number of calls from reporters over the last few weeks seeking my reaction to the fact that many tax hike bills have stalled in the Legislature. Despite the passage of Prop 30 giving California both the highest marginal income tax rate and the highest state sales tax rate in America, the sheer number of legislative proposals seeking even more revenue is staggering. Especially common are proposals to hit unpopular products or industries like cigarettes, soda, and oil extraction. But, for now, it appears that most of these tax hikes have lost traction.

When I was younger and more naïve, I would have shared the reporters’ assumption that the Legislature isn’t as enthusiastic to raise taxes as we originally feared once the Democrats achieved their super-majority status. But I’m older, wiser and far more cynical than I used to be and, more importantly, I’ve worked within two blocks of the Capitol and have observed what really motivates its inhabitants. In a word, it’s money. And the interests targeted by these bills have lots of it.

For example, not long ago soft drink manufacturers rushed to contribute millions to Jerry Brown’s… Read More

With industrial electricity rates 88 percent higher in California than in Texas last year, the news that the San Onofre nuclear plant in is not going to be restarted is just more evidence of a government created energy crisis in the making.

Due to political pressure from Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-CA for the closure of one of California’s largest power plants, a shortage of electricity is expected, power producers agree. But they claim they can handle it. At what cost?

It is 108 degrees in Sacramento today. If this is a sign of the summer ahead, a shortage of electricity is not good news.

And it’s even tougher to take knowing my $300-a-month California electricity bill would be $61 in Texas.

Gov. Jerry Brown wants us to practice conservation measures. Could this be a Gray Davis redux? “The governor also is urging continued… Read More

At the end of my typical talk on California and our public employee problems, I usually ask my audience,“What’s the ONE important lesson you should take away with you from my presentation?”

I get the usual responses —“No new taxes!” — “Throw the bums out!” — “Vote GOP!” — “Elect Rider as dictator for life!”(that last one doesn’t come up often enough).

But then I must gently chastise my newly brainwashed disciples, presenting the REAL lesson I’m imparting:“Get a government job!”

After reading this Chris Reed article (posted previously on FlashReport), I might have to narrow that advice —get anUNSKILLEDgovernment job— ideally with a government agency that flies below the media radar (such as a water district).

Incredible pay scale, no training needed (saving YEARS of college time and cost — and thus allowing one to retire years earlier with a fat pension), no… Read More

Unreported other than in a British newspaper, is the fact that Southern California Edison bowed to political pressure from liberal Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer in making the decision last Friday to permanently shut down its two nuclear reactors at San Onofre, because of problems in one of the reactors steam generator systems. The plant had provided electricity for 1.4 million households. The closure of the facility leaves just one operational nuclear power facility in the state, the Diablo Canyon Power Plant in San Luis Obispo County.

The Guardian newspaper reports that week before last Boxer, an ardent supporter of environmental causes in the Senate, contacted the U.S. Justice Department and asked that they initiate an investigation of the plant, which was in the process of restarting one of its two reactors on a limited basis.

California’s available sources of energy have been on the downswing for sometime. Production of electricity by nuclear energy will be greatly reduced by the closure at San Onofre. Add to this that in 2007, the California Energy Commission banned energy acquisition from coal-fueled power plants, here and in other states.… Read More

On May 20, Flashreport posted my open letter to California GOP Chair Jim Brulte.In this letter I urged Mr. Brulte to consider working towards a condemnation of the Common Core Standards (CCS), the Obama administration’s signature education initiative.New CCS academic standards will cost CA $1.6 billion, per the state Dept. of Education, and will do nothing more than replace our current world-class standards.Unless you’re a stockholder of Houghton-Mifflin (new standards require new textbooks) or Educational Testing Service (new standards require new standardized tests) there is no reason to expect a dividend, educational or financial, from the purchase of these new standards.

I pointed out in my letter to Mr. Brulte that Gov. Brown made much show of approving payment for CCS out of Prop. 30 funds (although he understated the CCS cost at $1 billion), meaning that Californian’s have voted to tax themselves to pay a windfall profit to special interests in publishing and testing.On its surface that sounds like a ready target for GOP attack, but no attack… Read More

Following the 2012 elections, many Republican were asking: what is the party going to differently in 2014 and beyond? How can we improve our opportunities for victory?

Out of that discussion, it became clear that we need Republican candidates, staff and activists who are well trained in the most effective techniques in planning, organizing, and executing campaigns in California. In such a competitive environment, our team needs every advantage to make the greatest use of every dollar a donor contributes, or a volunteer spends on a campaign.

Candidates must also learn how to maximize their effectiveness on the campaign trail, including raising money, public speaking and communications, and putting together a winning team. Too many first time candidates don’t make it into office because they lacked the training and education to make the most of their efforts.

This is why we’ve launched a new Republican campaign and training program through the Project for California’s Future, a new initiative to identify, recruit, train, and educate Republican candidates and leaders in California.

The Project’s flagship program is a six month… Read More

SACRAMENTO — A modest rally at the Capitol this morning supporting a state audit of Child Protective Services competed with a humongous rally held by the SEIU.

On the South steps of the Capitol, the CPS audit rally was made up of parents and families who are victims of overly aggressive Child Protective Services divisions.

On the West steps of the Capitol, the SEIU rally was made up of thousands of purple t-shirt-wearing SEIU members demanding raises. Their t-shirts were made up for today’s rally and said “2013 CONTRACT TOUR.” The back of the t-shirt said “YOUR CONTRACT STARTS WITH YOU,” and listed the cities for the SEIU “Townhall Circuit” for 2013 contract negotiations.

Yet what should have overshadowed the small gathering of emotional parents, did not. Although, the contrast was stark.

It was mothers and fathers who said their children had… Read More

[Publisher’s Note: We are pleased to offer this original commentary penned by Assembly GOP Leader Connie Conway. We hope you enjoy it – Flash]

When I am asked to speak to community groups in my district, I often describe the State Capitol as the Disneyland of Northern California. Too many of my colleagues in the majority party are living in a Fantasyland where they think can spend as if there is no tomorrow.

We saw this on full display last week as the Legislature considered literally hundreds of measures before a key deadline. Between May 20 and 31, the Legislature collectively passed 393 bills. To be sure, Sacramento liberals pushed through some very bad legislation that will collectively increase state spending, impose costly new burdens on employers and expand the reach of government into more aspects of our lives.

But as I’ve often said, Republicans are the last line of defense for California taxpayers. By standing together, Republicans were able to prevent some of the worst of the worst measures from passing – legislation that would hurt the economy and wallets of hard-working… Read More