If you need no greater indicator about how life as a Republican legislator in Sacramento is all about defense, you need look no further than a Facebook status update recently posted by Assembly Republican Caucus Chairman Cameron Smyth, who said — “Can't believe the Assembly is voting on 93 bills today and only 4 are authored by Republicans.”

This happens because not only do Democrats author more bills, but more significantly the Democrats kill Republican bills in the various policy committees, while advancing their own.

Actually, it is probably a good sign that there are so few Republican authored bills making it to the floor — given that in order to get to the floor, they have to substantively pass must with ideological leftists.

Until there is more parody in the legislature between parties, Republicans can look forward to passing meaningless studies, non-controversial resolutions, and commemorative license plate bills.

The key, as newly appoint Assembly GOP Floor Leader Curt Hagman would tell you, is to aggresively embarrass Democrats on the floor of the legislature for “fiddling while Rome… Read More

REPUBLICANS SHOULD PRESS FOR A VOTE, AND VOTE TO SUPPORT THE GOVERNOR’S REVISIONS You’ve heard it from FR contributor and Board of Equalization Member Bill Leonard already, but the first order of business in the State Capitol should be to schedule an immediate up or down vote on the Governor’s proposed budget revisions.

Newly minted Republican legislative leaders Senator Dennis Hollingsworth and Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee should ask for an up or down vote right away.

Let me tell you, there is plenty for everyone to dislike in that package, whether you hail from the left or the right. For my part, some of the cuts to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and borrowing money from local governments really don’t sit well with me. And I know that there are a lot for those on the… Read More

REPUBLICANS SHOULD PRESS FOR A VOTE, AND VOTE TO SUPPORT THE GOVERNOR’S REVISIONS You’ve heard it from FR contributor and Board of Equalization Member Bill Leonard already, but the first order of business in the State Capitol should be to schedule an immediate up or down vote on the Governor’s proposed budget revisions.

Newly minted Republican legislative leaders Senator Dennis Hollingsworth and Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee should ask for an up or down vote right away.

Let me tell you, there is plenty for everyone to dislike in that package, whether you hail from the left or the right. For my part, some of the cuts to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and borrowing money from local governments really don’t sit well with me. And I know that there are a lot for those on the… Read More

" We are looking for hard working people who believe in free market capitalism…Multicultural specialists, ultra liberal zealots and college tainted oppression liberations need not apply." This recruitment statement come from one of California’s best Middle Schools. The American Indian Public Charter School, Oakland ranks the 5 th highest of any Middle School from the thousands in operation. Unlike the other schools mostofthe children are exceptionally poor. Bay area liberals are aghast and want this school’s success buried. Betty Olsen-Jones the boss of the far left Oakland Education Assn, aka Teachers Union, isn’t happy with American Indian’s success, byteaching students with discipline, basics, respect, uniforms and homework.… Read More

Think that voter fraud is ACORN signing up some poor kid 29 times for smokes? Apparently voter fraud is now for the rich and famous as well. Opponents of a Hilton condo and hotel projectare reporting 569 questionable voters in the election that approved the project by 129 votes.

George Runner should do a press conference there for his Vote Safe Initiative.No smokes needed.… Read More

Assembly Bill 656 is a picture-perfect example of the flawed logic that prevails in the California Legislature as legislators wrestle with an enormous budget deficit while also trying to appease the dominant far-left liberal wing.

Need revenues? No problem. Tax big oil. That scenario plays well in a Democrat primary, so full steam ahead.

It’s not a coincident that AB 656 is authored by Assemblyman Alberto Torrico, who is embroiled in a contested primary for Attorney General in 2010 and thus needs to burnish his liberal credentials. AB 656 seeks to raise revenues and attack the oil industry by assessing an excise tax on oil – extracted only in California.

Where to begin. First, Mr. Torrico’s bill clearly makes us more dependent on foreign oil at a time when most Californians want us less dependent on foreign oil.

AB 656 also would increase gas prices in the midst of the worst recession we have experienced in our lifetimes – and everyone acknowledges that a gas price increase will hit the poor hardest. I guess the party of the less privileged can hammer the less fortunate if it benefits them politically!

Finally, the one principle… Read More

The Governor gave about a fifteen minute address to the legislature today. Nothing unexpected. You can watch it here (for now), or read it below (or here). Courtesy of the Sacramento Bee you can see a spreadsheet detailing all of the Governor’s proposed cuts (and borrowing) here.

The Governor’s Speech (As Prepared): Earlier this year, we began consolidating all of our IT departments. My proposal to consolidate all of our energy functions is in legislation before you right now. So is a… Read More

With the announcement that President Obama has tapped Republican Congressman John McHugh of New York, the ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, to be the new Secretary of the Army, this opens up the top GOP spot on this key House Committee.

If you were to go strictly on seniority, longtime Maryland Representative Roscoe Bartlett would assume the Ranking Member position. But these days, it is no longer an automatic assumption that the most senior member takes over.

California Republican Howard P. “Buck” McKeon has the next highest level of seniority and the FlashReport has heard rumors that he is looking at a run.

Perhaps, politically, he saw the recent battle for the Ranking Member slot on the House Ways & Means Committee, where fellow Californian Wally Herger, who was next in line in terms of seniority was beat out for that committee’s top spot by Michigan’s Dave Camp – who was… Read More