As I began reading Senator Abel Maldanado’s oped yesterday in support of the proposed "blanket" primary, the great compromise in the budget negotiations, I was stunned by the following lead sentence, "When I was first elected to the state Assembly 10 years ago, I was elected in an open primary system."

Wait! I thought he was trying to make a case FOR the blanket primary? Now that he has refreshed our memories of the circumstances of his election, which we can now tie to a $60 billion haircut for taxpayers over the next five years, why in the hell would any thinking person support this initiative.

We now can quanitiify the cost of our last "blanket primary". $60 billion. Yes, this is the great outcome from the last time! What a persuasive argument to vote no.… Read More

Congressman Tom McClintock gave an outstanding speech in the well of the House of Representatives earlier this week. You can watch him deliver the remarks here, or you can read them below…

M. Speaker:

The Laffer Curve is a simple but elegant method of demonstrating how increasing taxes reduces economic productivity until a point of equilibrium is reached when further tax hikes actually reduce revenue.

If the tax rate is zero, tax revenues are zero. But if the tax rate is 100 percent, tax revenues also reach zero, because there’s no point in working.

… Read More

Okay, so we weren’t on at the same time, or even the same night… Last Wednesday night, Maldonado came onto San Diego’s Rick Amato show where he made his case for why he had to vote for the largest tax increase in the history of any state. He took some shots at yours truly in that interview as well.

On Monday night, I was Amato’s guest for about an hour, and I gave some critiques of Maldobama (h/t to Barry Jantz on the nick-name).

You can get more information on the Rick Amato show here.

The two segments I reference are available here.… Read More

As I arrived at the San Jose International Airport a few minutes ago, I rolled my eyes at the signed proclaiming my arrival at the “Norman Y. Mineta” Airport” – groan.

Who is Norm Mineta? He is a politician of course. Mineta was Mayor of San Jose, served for many years in Congress, and also served as a token Democrat in President George W. Bush's cabinet, serving as Secretary of Transportation.

This practice of “idolizing” politicians by naming public works in their honor (freeways, bridges, airport terminals, and more) are misguided.

Government service, as a representative, is laudable and should be commended. But public works, paid for with the peoples money, shouldn't bear the name of politicians. And for those who think it's okay to do so postumously, let me assure you that Mineta is very much alive and kicking.… Read More

New Gingrich’s group, American Solutions for Winning the Future, has posted a clear and compelling 12-point plan to help "get American back on the path to prosperity." I haven’t seen much of this plan, but there was a prominent full-page advertisement in the "Marketplace" section of today’s Wall Street Journal. A link to the plan is here.

There are some good policies here–issues that Americans across the political spectrum would recognize as critical and important issues.… Read More

As we mentioned previously, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association has filed a lawsuit asking a judge for relief because the state legislature and the governor are in the midst of a deceptive effort to cause Californian’s to consider whether to support or oppose Proposition 1A without having all of the information about the measure readily available to them — there is no mention in the title or summary of this measure that mentions that the passage of it would extend a boatload of taxes for years! Below we have linked the legal documents filed with court for those who would like to read them.

This "keep all of the facts from the voters" campaign extends beyond the omitting of information in the official voter guide pamphlet (though that omission is the most egregious) — it seems that proponents of Proposition 1A literally don’t want to even mention the taxes. Of course, what they should be doing is making the case that they feel the spending cap in 1A is strong enough to justify extending tens of billions in taxes on Californians.

Another example of this "don’t fully disclose and discuss the pros and cons of… Read More

As we mentioned previously, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association has filed a lawsuit asking a judge for relief because the state legislature and the governor are in the midst of a deceptive effort to cause Californian’s to consider whether to support or oppose Proposition 1A without having all of the information about the measure readily available to them — there is no mention in the title or summary of this measure that mentions that the passage of it would extend a boatload of taxes for years! Below we have linked the legal documents filed with court for those who would like to read them.

This "keep all of the facts from the voters" campaign extends beyond the omitting of information in the official voter guide pamphlet (though that omission is the most egregious) — it seems that proponents of Proposition 1A literally don’t want to even mention the taxes. Of course, what they should be doing is making the case that they feel the spending cap in 1A is strong enough to justify extending tens of billions in taxes on Californians.

Another example of this "don’t fully disclose and discuss the pros and cons of… Read More

By an estimated 60-40 margin, voters in the City of Clovis tonight roundly rejected a proposed 1% sales tax increase. Despite having the support of Republican City Council members Nathan Magsig, Lynn Ashbeck and Jose Flores. The lone GOP council member in opposition was Council President Bob Whalen, who is planning on running for Assembly District 19 in 2010 when incumbent Mike Villines is termed out.

The Measure was flawed from the beginning, with no sunset clause and no direction for the funds except the general fund.

The Fresno County Republican Party and Lincoln Club of Fresno County came out in early opposition to Measure A, and a consortium of conservative groups held a press conference this week opposing the measure.

Ironically, the tax increase deal brokered two weeks ago in Sacramento probably hurt the cause of Measure A. The tax increase was brokered by Mike Villines, whose District includes the City of Clovis.… Read More