I was born and raised in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District. For the duration of my life, it has been a Republican district – until now. Liberal Mark Schauer defeated Republican incumbent Tim Walberg 49-46% in 2008. Now I like Tim Walberg and I’ve rarely disagreed with him. But his path to Congress and his performance along the way demonstrate why conservatives cannot afford him as the nominee in November if we are going to capitalize on the current advantages the GOP has going into 2010. Nick Smith represented the 7th District from 1992-2004 and comfortably held the seat with nearly 60% of the vote every time. After his retirement in 2004, a crowded primary which featured his son, Brad, Walberg, and a few others (in a race that divided the conservative base), nominated moderate Republican Joe Schwarz. Schwarz went on to win the 7th handily. In 2006, Walberg, recognizing… Read More

God bless the 11-year-old Palmdale girl who, as reported by the Antelope Valley Press, managed to flee a sex offender last week. She is to be commended for her bravery and quick actions. Had this precious child not escaped, she might have met a tragic fate. Luckily, Palmdale station sheriff deputies were able to nab Keith Holmes, the 78-year-old registered sex offender. Because of tougher sex offender laws, Holmes, who is accused of luring the child, will likely go away for life. Everyone knows that Jessica’s Law requires paroled sex offenders to wear GPS and live at least 2,000 feet from schools. But what some people forget is that Jessica’s Law gives prosecutors strengthened tools for keeping dangerous men like Holmes off the streets for longer periods – or for good. I also couldn’t help but notice Holmes’ advanced years. Hmmm, aren’t elderly people – even elderly prisoners like Charles Manson and registered sex offenders like Holmes – supposed to be peaceful and benevolent souls, and present absolutely no danger to society by virtue of their old age? Isn’t 62 the magic age where bad people become good and… Read More

Check outthis video that points out the true impact of cap and trade on a California based oil producer – Valero. The costs to them in California alone will be $7 billion annually. Is there any possible way this scenario doesn’t translate into higher gas prices for California consumers? I don’t think so. … Read More

As the cold, harsh realities of California’s dismal economy continues to settle into many California households, it’s no wonder taxpayer groups (like Californians Against Higher Taxes) are beating the drum: No new taxes! Read more here.… Read More

2010 will be a very positive year for supporters of Steve Poizner’s campaign for governor. Today Poizner confirmed what most of us have known for a long time – he plans to win this campaign and return conservative principles to Sacramento. Poizner’s campaign announced earlier today that he will be contributing $15 million to his campaign for governor and spending it on spreading his fiscally conservative message. In other news that should keep Poizner supporters smiling throughout the holiday season, the Orange County Register’s editorial board penned a glowing assessment of Poizner’s campaign and candidacy in Sunday’s print edition of the newspaper. Specifically the OC Register notes that: “Mr. Poizner is an energetic, tech-savvy Silicon Valley businessman turned politician. He is seeking the state’s … Read More

The Legislature is working on legislation to make California eligible – and hopefully competitive – for federal “Race to the Top” grant funding worth up to $750 million for California. SB5X 1 by Senator Gloria Romero (D- East Los Angeles) is the bill that I, education reformers, and the Governor support, but it is sitting in limbo in the Assembly Education Committee. The California Teachers Association is opposed to it. The Romero bill contains many genuine reform elements that deserve support and applause. It permits pupil education data to be used for teacher and administrator evaluation and employment decisions; removes the statutory cap on the number of charter schools in California; creates the “Open Enrollment Act” permitting pupils in specified low-performing schools to transfer to other schools within or outside their district; requires intervention in the 5% of California schools that are identified as the most persistently low-performing; allows the creation of alternative teacher credential programs for science, technology, engineering, math and career technical educators; allows 50% of the parents of children in specified… Read More

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must stop dragging its feet and issue a delisting decision in response to petitions from the Riverside County Farm Bureau to remove the Stephens kangaroo rat (pictured) from listing under the Endangered Species Act.

This is the position of attorneys with the Pacific Legal Foundation who today filed a lawsuit in federal court today on behalf of their client, the Riverside County Farm Bureau.

"For 14 years, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been disobeying the legal deadline for properly responding to the Riverside County Farm Bureau’s petition to delist the SKR," said PLF attorney Damien Schiff. "Today we are asking a federal court to order the agency to get off the dime, obey the… Read More

Oops! they did it again: public trusts Britany as much as Legislature on budget. A statewide poll conducted by Wilson Research had an interesting item – it turns out the public is almost equally split between the California Legislature and Britany Spears on who they trust more to manage budgets. Here’s the excerpt from the toplines: Q17: And, who do you think would do a better job handling your family’s budget [ROTATE] California legislators or Brittany Spears? 1. California Legislators 35% 2. Brittany Spears 31% 3. DK/Refused [DNR]… Read More