This weekend, appointed-incumbent Patricia Welch will be seeking election to a full two-year term as Northwest Regional Vice Chairman of the California Republican Party. I have had the pleasure of knowing Patricia for a very long time (she was involved for many years in Orange County GOP politics before migrating north) and she is a rock-solid GOP leader and activist. She’s not only a hard worker — but a smart worker. The party need leader’s of Patricia’s character, integrity and sophistication in our Board of Directors. Below is a column penned by Patricia, that I hope you will take the time to read. There’s not much political analysis to give you on her "race" — as of now, she is running unopposed. Way to go!

Jon Fleischman _______________________________________________

Positive Political Change in the Northwest… Read More

Early this morning, State Senate Republicans caucused off of the Senate Floor, and decided that they wanted to make a change in their leadership. Replacing Dave Cogdill is Dennis Hollingsworth. I have known Dennis personally for over fifteen years, long before he was elected to the legislature. He is a good man and will be a good leader for his caucus. Dennis was a very early, outspoken opponent of this current Big 5/Big Taxes plan, expressing very clear and realistic concerns about the over $14 billion in new taxes that it contains – which would add roughly $1300 a year in new taxes to the average family in California.

This morning I thought I would pen a brief appeal to Hollingsworth’s colleague and counterpart on the other legislative chamber, Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines. As a legislative caucus leader himself, Villines understands the importance for a new leader being able to take stock of his new position. Understanding that Villines supports this… Read More

Early this morning, State Senate Republicans caucused off of the Senate Floor, and decided that they wanted to make a change in their leadership. Replacing Dave Cogdill is Dennis Hollingsworth. I have known Dennis personally for over fifteen years, long before he was elected to the legislature. He is a good man and will be a good leader for his caucus. Dennis was a very early, outspoken opponent of this current Big 5/Big Taxes plan, expressing very clear and realistic concerns about the over $14 billion in new taxes that it contains – which would add roughly $1300 a year in new taxes to the average family in California.

This morning I thought I would pen a brief appeal to Hollingsworth’s colleague and counterpart on the other legislative chamber, Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines. As a legislative caucus leader himself, Villines understands the importance for a new leader being able to take stock of his new position. Understanding that Villines supports this current budget deal (a… Read More

The replacement of Dave Cogdill by Dennis Hollingsworth bodes well for California Taxpayers. Here is the question. Now that Cogdill is no longer the leader will he feel comfortable enough to vote the way he knows is right, as opposed to the way he has been convinced is "responsible."

Every Republican knows that the Democrats created this budget crisis by spending like drunken sailors on leave (with apologies to those sailors, since they are at least spending their own money). They then cry about the bankruptcy they have created, and then whine when Republicans won’t raise taxes to cover their spendthrift ways. Unfortunately, in the past, the general Republican response has been to "be responsible" and bail the Democrats out. Democrats are the bad teenagers, enabled by years of Republican indulgence, who have been arrested for breaking the laws of economics, and are asking Republicans to hire the lawyer and post the bail for their irresponsible behavior in the past. Too often, Republicans have indulged this bad behavior because they "cannot let the people" suffer.

First, the people won’t suffer. Some people… Read More

A busy period of time on the State Senate Floor. Cogdill passed the baton to Hollingsworth, both said a few words — did a "grip and grin" for cameras.

Senate President Darrell "Lockdown" Steinberg went ahead and held the vote on the $14++ billion in tax increases.

On the Democrat side, Orange County’s Lou Correa abstained, and Lois Wolk, who was sick, did not vote. All of the other Democrats, I’m sure with glee, voted yes.

On the Republican side, all of the GOPers voted no, including Maldonado, except for three abstentions — from Cogdill, Cox and Ashburn.

Predictably, no Republican went up on a massive tax increase vote when it wouldn’t have passed. Ideally, there should have been 15 GOP votes of "no" — but beggars can’t be choosers after such a long weekend.

But, it goes on… Everyone is still locked down… Toothbrushes at the ready?

(Wolk came in, and "added on" with her undoubtedly gleeful YES on the taxes. — h/t to our twittering friends Anthony York with Capitol Weekly and John Myer with KQED.)… Read More

The name of his replacement has not yet been made public… In fact, it still may be in flux as we blog…… Read More

Senate Republican Leader Dave Cogdill, of Modesto, today issued the following statement: My primary goal in leading this Caucus has always been to maintain unity within our dynamic membership. I knew this would be a daunting task with the state’s precarious fiscal situation, but it was a challenge I was honored to take. While there are many things to dislike in this budget, I am proud it contains the vital reforms our Caucus has been pushing for – fixing our broken budget system, making government more efficient, giving flexibility to schools to direct more money to the classroom and creating more jobs in our state. It is now painfully apparent that this package will not achieve the votes needed to pass the Legislature.… Read More

We have confirmed that after a lengthy caucus meeting, there is a new Senate Republican Leader — Dennis Hollingsworth!

This decision was made in the midst of tense negotiations over a state budget deal.

While we don’t go into the internal politics of caucuses, it is fair to say that it was unusual that the former leader, Dave Cogdill, was supporting a budget plan that was not supported by a majority of his colleagues.

Congratulations Senate Leader Hollingsworth!!… Read More