At 11:30am today, Governor Schwarzenegger held a press conference where he issued a State of Emergency due to the budget impasse, and also has ordered a third non-paid furlough day for each state employee through June 30, 2010. Below is a release put out by the Governor’s office with the details…

Following the legislature’s inability to pass a comprehensive solution to solve California’s entire $24.3 billion deficit, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today proclaimed a fiscal emergency and called a Proposition 58 legislative special session to address this emergency. Additionally, the Governor exercised his executive authority to save cash for vital state functions and services by ordering three furlough days every month.

“Though the legislature failed to… Read More

"We have that duty to make sure that no one starves," state Sen. Jenny Oropeza (D-Long Beach) said as she pleaded with GOP senators for their votes.

And thusly, the stupidity and ignorance continues……….

I don’t know anyone starving in California. If there are needs, they are being met by family, social service agencies or some form of government. If Jenny Oropeza really believes that this budget is about people starving, she is just dumb.

Even with no money, Democrats don’t get it – because they have no purpose in life other than to spend. Without money to spend, they might as well go home.

Much is made of "outreach" programs to meet politlical objectives. Republicans have their various outreach programs, which don’t work. The entire Democrat outreach program is spending money. That is all they have to offer. And now that then can’t do it anymore, the are an angry mob prone to say stupid things.

Thanks for the entertainment……….… Read More

I have to admit that I was pretty impressed when I got off of the phone with Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner last Sunday night. When my phone rang, and Poizner was on the other end, I expected to have a chat about his campaign for the GOP Gubernatorial nomination. But actually, he was calling me, in his capacity as Insurance Commissioner, to let me know about a bold new policy that he would be announcing on Monday, launching a funding probe from the Department of Insurance targeting investments made by insurance companies in Iran.

"Jon, using my authority as Insurance Commissioner, I will be announcing tomorrow a terror funding probe targeting direct and indirect investments by insurers in Iran."

As I am sure that many FR… Read More

That "mega" number (my eyes glaze over) is now the size of the projected shortfall in the state’s 2009-10 fiscal year budget.

It’s time for the Democrats in the State Legislature to step up and deliver a plan to deal with this shortfall. Every minute, hour and day that goes by without a comprehensive solution, the more difficult it will be to resolve this shortfall.

Hopeful the resolve of Republicans to not allow a piecemeal approach to solving this shortfall is very, very clear to Capitol Democrats. Republicans are committed and united to protecting taxpaying Californians from being hit with higher taxes to resolve this problem. Republicans understand that a piece-meal approach to trying to resolve this shortfall, passing cuts a few billion at a time will eventually lead to a time, mid-fiscal year, when Democrats can simply stop agreeing to cuts at all — leaving our state more vulnerable to a play to raise taxes. Especially since the ability to implement cuts becomes more dubious once you are well into the fiscal year. Funny how that works — cuts take considerable time to implement, while tax increases seem to go into… Read More

I have to admit that I was pretty impressed when I got off of the phone with Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner last Sunday night. When my phone rang, and Poizner was on the other end, I expected to have a chat about his campaign for the GOP Gubernatorial nomination. But actually, he was calling me, in his capacity as Insurance Commissioner, to let me know about a bold new policy that he would be announcing on Monday, launching a funding probe from the Department of Insurance targeting investments made by insurance companies in Iran.

"Jon, using my authority as Insurance Commissioner, I will be announcing tomorrow a terror funding probe targeting direct and indirect investments by insurers in Iran."

As I am sure that many FR… Read More

June’s local school tax elections went 3 for 4. Yesterday La Canada Unifiedapproved a parcel tax with over 70% of the Vote. They join Palos Verdes Peninsula and South Pasadena Unifiedin passing parcel taxes. Yours truly went 4 for 4 when Rowland Unified’s attempt to pass a parcel tax got a little over 51% of the vote. Parcel taxes need a two-thirds vote to pass.

It seems that these votes were referendums on their local school districts. Most local taxes are viewed through that lens. Each of these communities had rejected 1A on May 19th. That was a referendum on the state.… Read More

You would think that the last thing the California Legislature would want to do is add yet one more burdensome layer of taxes on small businesses – especially at a time when we ought to pass measures to stimulate the economy. But that’s not the mindset of the Democrat leaders in the Legislature.

Instead, the cornerstone of their current Budget Proposal is a 3 percent withholding tax on Independent Contractors.

This illogical proposal would slow economic recovery and growth in California, and has the potential to put more people out of work. As it is, the state is already approaching a 12% unemployment rate.

Furthermore, this measure could actually force small business owners to shut their doors, or at the very least stretch other small businesses to the limit, as they will be compelled to provide an up-front loan to the state even if they have no tax liability.

When are the Democrats going to learn that small business is the fuel that drives California’s economy?

… Read More

As we get closer to midnight rumors are starting up that the solidarity and unity of purpose of Senate Republicans is starting to fray. I've checked into this fairly recently with a source and was assured that GOP Senators were still standing together against any piecemeal cuts that would undercut pressure for a comprehensive solution to take us to June 30 of next year.

We commend Senate Republicans for their resolve, and urge them to reject the false notion that voting for a $3 billion cut bill tonight will help anything. The three biggest results of doing that would be damage to our negotiating position, kicking the can to the pleasure of the unions, and avoiding needed cuts through July and into August.

By standing firm, Senate Republicans will ultimately be able to claim a key role in an ultimate $24 billion solution, and will have protected taxpayers!… Read More