This just off the transom from State Senator Dennis Hollingsworth:

Although this Californian may be more dramatic in his expression of frustration, I think many Californians canunderstand how he feels, especially when it comes to government’s unresponsiveness. We just want to be heard. … Read More

The system is beyond broken up Sacramento. The “Big 5” negotiate behind closed doors. Then they go present deals to their respective caucuses behind closed doors. It is certainly my hope that the next step in the process is that the legislators then leave their caucuses to their constituents, and to those public policy and political experts in whom place trust, before deciding to support or oppose a deal. I am sure I speak for a great many from the right, left and center when I say that a proposal of this magnitude should be a very considered one, and one where we can talk to our representatives when it matters, not after a deal (good or bad) is done.… Read More

The Sacramento Bee has sent out an alert saying that there is a budget deal. What does this mean? I guess we’ll find out. But I am troubled because the theory is that any "deal" means Republicans "blessing" massive tax increases. If you think taxes are a bad idea, NOW is the time to call your Republican Senator and Assemblymember.

The dynamic of a "deal" is that the Big 5 members agree to take a product to their respective caucuses. Billions of dollars in tax increases should be a "work product" soundly rejected by the Senate and Assembly Caucuses.

Republicans cannot afford the damage to our brand name that comes with being the facilitators of a massive tax increase. We’ll lose seats next year for sure, don’t you think?… Read More

Remember back in 1995, when GOP Assemblywoman Doris Allen denied her fellow Republicans control of the Assembly by allowing the Democrats to make her Assembly Speaker?

The same thing has has happened to Tennessee Republicans, per today’s Political Diary:

Tennessee Republicans may soon find out if the public thinks a willingness to relinquish political power on principle is a reason that Republicans ought to be trusted with more power down the road. In effect, the Tennessee GOP has denied itself the speakership of the State House by kicking the speaker out of the Republican Party.

Here’s the backstory: In November, the GOP won control of both houses of the state legislature for the first time since Reconstruction. That victory was one of the few bright spots for Republicans across the country in 2008 and seemed to set the stage for a GOP resurgence and possible capture of the governor’s mansion in 2010. Then, on Jan. 13, the wheels started to come off. Republicans had rallied behind Rep. Jason Mumpower for House Speaker, and he appeared to… Read More

Rumors abound that there is progress on a budget deal. Unfortunately, if the rumors are true, such progress involves major tax increases: A once cent hike in the Sales and Use tax, an across the board income tax hike, a gas tax increase, and a higher vehicle license fee.These are all bad ideas.

The sales tax is a destructive, unfair tax. America is becoming a service oriented economy to such a degree that the sales tax no longer works. Raising this tax makes an unfair situation for retailers worse. Look around at just about any strip mall in California and you will see storefront after storefront that is the former home of a failed retail business. This is the devastation wrought by the combination of a recession mixed with a high tax. The rumored budget deal proposes to hike the state’s portion of the sales tax from 5 percent to 6 percent. This is a 20 percent increase in the state rate. This will suppress consumer demand, and/or divert it to online vendors. In many jurisdictions it would take the overall rate to 10 percent. This would be a catastrophe for our retailers.… Read More

Plastered all over the news today are stories about 10,000 layoffs in the State workforce. That might be signficant, but can it be understood on it own? No.

We need to ask: how many employees, new, were hired by the State since 2004. I have heard the number 50,000 thrown around as the answer, but I don’t know. But if it is, then we are still 40,000 higher than we were, and it unlikely that anyone can put up a rationale defense that we needed the extra (insert number) of employees.… Read More

Yes, you read that title correctly. According to a piece by John Simerman in yesterday’s Valley Times, the state spent $22 million to help sex offenders pay their rent in 2008. In some cases, the payout to individuals was over $2,000 per month. This money was evidently spent to help the parolees abide by Prop. 83, Jessica’s Law. By that same logic, we should be spending millions for paroled thieves to give them everything they want, so they won’t steal anymore. And while we’re at it, perhaps we should spend a few mil on cocaine and give it to paroled drug offenders so they won’t have to buy it and get in trouble.

Since when did the government bear the burden of paying for people to comply with the law? The government didn’t pay for my last speeding ticket, or give me vouchers for taxis so that I couldn’t possibly break the law by driving myself anymore.

I am astounded that someone receiving a taxpayer subsidized salary thought that those same taxpayers should pay for some creepy… Read More