That may be where we are headed. Almost-billionaire Meg Whitman will apparently be at the Irvine Hyatt for an event with a big price tag — a "suggestion donation of $10" — nice.

Perhaps almost-billionaire Steve Poizner will up her one, and hold events where he pays you $10 to come and listen to his pitch.

Tom Campbell? Peter Foy? How much will you pay me to come hear you?… Read More

SB 572, this years version of the "Harvey Milk Day" semi-state holiday bill which Governor Schwarzeneggervetoed last year, is on the file for a possible Senate Floor vote, as soon as this morning. May 22 would be the offical day that "suitable Harvey Milk commemorative exercises" would be urged to be held around the state, including the school system, if the bill were to pass. Although it wouldn’t take effect in 2009, there will likely be a push to get it out of the Senate by May 22, should it not be taken up on today’s floor vote.

Call the State Senators offices that may be inclined to vote for such a bill [hint: Most Republicans won’t need this call] and let em know what you think about SB 572 and yet another "commemorative day"that Sean Penn and Co. would like. Especially since we consolidate heroic Americans into such holidays as "Presidents Day" Light up those Capitol switchboards this morning!… Read More

BLAKESLEE COUNTERS VILLINES ON 1A There are a number of key differences between outgoing Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines and his chosen successor, Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee. But the most start distinction worth mentioning now, as opposed to when the official handing of the conch shell takes place on June 1st, is their position on Proposition 1A on the May 19th Special Election ballot. Villines helped draft 1A, and has been advocating its passage. Blakeslee opposes it, and urges Californian’s to reject the measure and the $16 billion in higher taxes that are triggered if it were to pass.

As FR readers know quite well by now, the text of Proposition 1A contains a revenue "smoothing" measure designed to try and guide California politicians into saving money during good times to then have reserves to spend during tough times. There is a vibrant debate as to whether the… Read More

BLAKESLEE COUNTERS VILLINES ON 1A There are a number of key differences between outgoing Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines and his chosen successor, Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee. But the most start distinction worth mentioning now, as opposed to when the official handing of the conch shell takes place on June 1st, is their position on Proposition 1A on the May 19th Special Election ballot. Villines helped draft 1A, and has been advocating its passage. Blakeslee opposes it, and urges Californian’s to reject the measure and the $16 billion in higher taxes that are triggered if it were to pass. As FR readers know quite well by now, the text of Proposition 1A contains a revenue "smoothing" measure designed to try and guide California politicians into saving money during good times to then have reserves to spend during tough times. There is a vibrant debate as to whether the measure… Read More

Assemblyman Gilmore is front and center on the Wall Street Journal’s lead page today with a story about the coveted fifth floor capitol annex office he occupies.

A link to the story is here.

An office of distinction!… Read More

It may seem counter intuitive for me to be asking this question of Legislative Republicans, as opposed to the liberal Democrats that make up the majority of state legislators – but here it is – are you ready to make serious and deep cuts in state government spending?

I ask this question because as we can all see from the very serious funding shortfall that exists with the adopted budget, upwards of over $20 billion, there is a severe problem, and I think that it is fair to anticipate that California voters are going to reject not only new taxes, but also the various schemes on the ballot to throw more revenues at this problem. The message from the public will be clear – reduce state spending to available revenue.

I direct this commentary to Republicans because it is widely anticipated that the Governor will present a May Revision of the existing budget that includes some very tough spending cuts that will have a huge, material impact on the role and function of California government.

Republicans need to be ready to move beyond the talk, and embrace the cuts, and stand with the Governor when he is doing the right thing.

No one is saying… Read More

I’m watching "Hardball" with Chris Matthews, and they are talking about the ACLU’s insistence that photos of alleged torture of terrorists be made available to the public. The reps from the ACLU seem so sure that these photos will shock the conscience of the American public, and damn the Bush administration. But here’s what befuddles me…photos and videos and nurses’ testimonies about what happens to babies in abortion clinics has been out there for years, but that didn’t shock the conscience of the American public enough to overturn Roe v. Wade. The ACLU is counting on the same activists who will fight to the death to defend the horror of what happens in abortion clinics to be the same activists who will fight roughing up terrorists. I’m not sure you can have a bleeding heart for terrorists if you don’t have one for innocent babies. If photos are released of what happens to terrorists, then I would like to juxtapose those photos to ones from abortion procedures, and ask the ACLU to be consistent in their human rights campaigns. Perhaps California activists could write or call their local ACLU offices and ask for that.… Read More

The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with their own money.

~ Alexis de Tocqueville (1805 – 1859)

Three Liners: OK, so ‘one-liner’ is the term we all know and are accustomed to hearing, well I can’t tell you much in one line, but here’s a group of three-liners on various subjects which may give you some information you didn’t know:

House Cafeteria: Prices in the government-run cafeterias in the basement of the House Office Buildings have gone up recently, at the alarming rate of 31% between 2007 and the end of 2008. According to House Chief Administrative Officer Dan Beard, who oversees the House cafeterias; since Democrats took control of the House they have instituted requirements for organically grown food and required all workers to be union members in order to serve or cook in the cafeterias, and these steps have in turn caused the price increase. But, House staffers do not like paying for all this, so your tax dollars are being considered to subsidize this too!

Cuts: The… Read More