Tomorrow is the big day. Instead of spending Valentine’s Day with my wife, I will have the privilege of voting on a state budget.

As of this posting, my offices have received 246 phone, faxes or emails from actual constituents opposing the proposed tax increases and 20 phone calls supporting them.

The media talks about the pressure on legislators. It is always easy when you are on the same side as the constituents.

See everybody tomorrow.… Read More

The job of being a legislative caucus leader is to represents the interests of their caucus members. There is no doubt that overwhelmingly Senate and Assembly Republicans oppose these proposed, outrageous taxes. So why aren't the leaders doing their job, and going back to the Governor and Democrats and saying this plan doesn't work? And if they aren't doing that, are the Republicans who elected them to leadership holding them accountable? When individual legislators fold on a bad plan, it's on them. When legislative leaders do it, everyone who put them into their leadership spots are equally responsible. At least to my way of thinking.… Read More

FYI – The Whitman for Governor campaign has already (in some cases) or is about to (in other cases) announce these federal and state legislative endorsements: Congressmen Wally Herger and Buck McKeon, State Senators Dave Cox and Mark Wyland, Assemblymembers Roger Niello and Audra Strickland, as well as an endorsement from former Assembly Republican Leader George Plescia.… Read More

By a vote of 61-5:

The economic state of our nation and California is being used by the Democrats in turning this state and country into a socialist paradise. Although out numbered greatly, most Republican legislators have held fast to Conservative Republican Economic principals. Those who have stuck to their guns while under intense pressure form many sides should be commended and rewarded in their future political endeavors. By the same token there are a few Republicans that are sacrificing their principals for immediate personal political gains. They should be considered traitors of the party, their names published frequently, and opposed vigorously in any future political ambitions. It is time that true Republicans stand up openly and loudly for our principals without fear or compromise.

RPLAC officially adopts this resolution commending all Republican legislators holding the line on new or more taxes and oppose big government and that RPLAC name those Republican Legislators who go against Republican values and ideals and proclaim our opposition to their quest for further political positions.… Read More

I’ve already posted information regarding Sacramento Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan’s effort to eliminate the $2.4 million Sacramento County spends providing free, non-emergency healthcare to citizens of other countries. Now, the issue caught the ear of the local radio powerhouse Armstrong & Getty program…here’s a clip…

This issue is growing with tight budgets across the state – and ten other counties currently fund similar programs providing free healthcare, above and beyond emergency and public health, to citizens of other countries.… Read More

From John Fund of the Wall Street Journal:

I feel like I am watching a split screen – and both are depicting horror movies in public policy. As I write, one screen shows our lawmakers in Congress rushing a gigantic spending bill through so quickly that Democratic Senator Frank Lautenberg admitted that none of his colleagues would be able to read a final version before they vote on it. Lobbyists with goodies in the bill had copies of the bill yesterday, even before lawmakers did. The second screen I am watching is one focused on my home state of California. There “Five Men In A Room,” the state’s… Read More

Today could be one of the worst economic days in US history.

Congress may pass the most expensive aggressive pork laden spending bill ever. Only with thehelp of 3 pathetic Republican senators.

Back home, our legislature is set to impose more taxes on the highest taxes in the US, only to preserve union power. The only way to force new taxes, votes must come from Republicans.… Read More

Waste Watchers- Your Tax Dollars Hard at Work: Paying a Teacher Not to Teach During these tough budget times, many school districts are finding ways to maximize funding going into the classroom. That’s precisely why parents should be outraged that at least one district is using tax dollars to keep a teacher out of the classroom. The Kern Union High School District pays the president of the Kern High School Teachers Association, or KHSTA, a regular full-time teaching salary even though, as president of the association, he currently spends no time in the classroom. In essence, taxpayers are paying a teacher not to teach.

According to the Bakersfield Californian (January 27), "Mitch Olsen, in his fifth year as KHSTA president, is classified as a teacher by the district. Three periods, or 60 percent of his work day, are funded by the district; the remaining two periods… Read More