The ink is hardly dry on the proclamation signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointing John J. Benoit to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. Benoit was tapped to fill a vacancy created when the incumbent Supervisor vacated his seat due to an illness that shortly thereafter claimed his life. While I could devote an entire column to why a newly elected member of the California State Senate would seek to be appointed to county office instead, let’s just say for our purposes that this is exactly what happened.

Very soon, Governor Schwarzenegger will be signing yet another proclamation – this one calling for a special election to fill the vacancy created in the 37th Senate seat – open due to the departure of Senator Benoit. While trying to map out the date of the special election isn’t a precise science, in all likelihood there would be special primary election in mid-January, and if no one gets more than 50% of the vote, then a runoff general election a few weeks later. Senate District 37 is the 10th… Read More

FR readers statewide would do well to read this piece in the Orange County Register that shines a spotlight on the outrageous and expensive health benefits that are lavished on the City Councilmembers in Laguna Hills. I wish that I could say that this city is an exception, but it is my belief that part-time elected officials on City Councils, School Boards and Special Districts all over the state are getting pretty posh benefits like this.

This may sound like a backwards notion, but it seems to me that if an elected office is a full-time job, such as a state legislator, a county-wide official, or some councilmembers of large cities — well, those positions should come with benefits. But if you are a part-time elected official, that means that you either do something else for a living, are independently wealthy, or are retired — you should not be receiving healthcare or retirement benefits — period.

If people feel that the compensation through stipends for local elected officials are not sufficient enough, then perhaps a local government… Read More

You’re not really "plugged in" to all of the California political news and commentary that you can be, if you aren’t a "Fan of the FlashReport" on our Facebook Page, or subscribed to follow our Twitter Feed.

Just minutes ago a Republican candidate announced for statewide office on Twitter.

Get with the "in crowd" and sign up for Twitter updates and go to our Facebook page today!… Read More

Excerpts from LA Times today by Christi Parsons:

Reporting from Madison, Wis. – Declaring there should be “no excuse for mediocrity” in public schools, President Obama on Wednesday pledged to push for recruitment of better teachers, better pay for those who succeed and dismissal of those who let their students down.

When principals are trying to determine which teachers are doing well, he said, they should be able to consider student performance as part of the evaluation.

And when schools are failing, “they should be shut down,” Obama said. “But when innovative public schools are succeeding, they shouldn’t be stifled, they should be supported.”

The president’s tough words came as Obama spoke to students and teachers at a charter middle school in Wisconsin’s capital, Madison. But as he announced the criteria by which states can win grants from the Department of Education’s $4.35-billion “Race to the Top” fund, Obama spelled out standards that depart from conventional Democratic dogma.

Obama called for the abolition of “firewall” rules, which prevent many… Read More

Just in off of Kevin Jeffries’ twitter feed:

"Congratulations to Supervisor Benoit! And yes, I’m still NOT running in the special election for his vacant Senate seat."

So far it would appear that Assemblymembers Emmerson, Miller and Nestande are actively gearing up for runs (making calls to supporters and potential donors, etcetra). We’ll see how this all develops.… Read More

FR friend Senate Republican Caucus Chairman Bob Huff is one legislator who makes effective use of the medium of video to regularly communicate with his constituents and interested parties. Below you can see his "Huff Capitol Weekly Comment" where he talks about some education reform he is has helped pass off the Senate floor, and he also shares his perspective on the positive outcome on achieving a comprehensive water solution (a shout-out to the video editors for the great overlays of the scenic delta…).

Huff mentions that he taped this video right after the all-night marathon session on water. Given massive sleep deprivation, the Senator manages to pull of his commentary AOK!

Check it out:

… Read More

At some point today, John Garamendi will be sworn in as a new member of the United States House of Representatives. In doing so, he will step down from the office of Lt. Governor. Governor Schwarzenegger will be able to name his replacement, subject to a confirmation vote of both the State Senate and the State Assembly. In theory the Governor could tap Garamendi’s replacement as early as tomorrow afternoon – after all, he has already had over a month to think about it, with Garamendi the overwhelming favorite to win his election to Congress as the Democrat nominee in a House seat with an 18-point advantage for the party of Obama.

There has been a good deal of conjecture taking place already as to whom the Governor might appoint. Let me start off by saying that the names of a number of Democrats have been thrown around – the most plausible of which being that of his old friend, former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg (pictured, who is currently trying to change the world as Co-Chairman of California Forward).… Read More

At some point today, John Garamendi will be sworn in as a new member of the United States House of Representatives. In doing so, he will step down from the office of Lt. Governor. Governor Schwarzenegger will be able to name his replacement, subject to a confirmation vote of both the State Senate and the State Assembly. In theory the Governor could tap Garamendi’s replacement as early as tomorrow afternoon – after all, he has already had over a month to think about it, with Garamendi the overwhelming favorite to win his election to Congress as the Democrat nominee in a House seat with an 18-point advantage for the party of Obama.

There has been a good deal of conjecture taking place already as to whom the Governor might appoint. Let me start off by saying that the names of a number of Democrats have been thrown around – the most plausible of which being that of his old friend, former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg (pictured, who is currently trying to change the world as Co-Chairman of California Forward).… Read More