In the final scene of American Pie (ok, it’s a teen raunch flick, but bear with me for a moment), the boys of East Great Falls raise their sodas and salute “the next step.” Assuming the budget impasse ends in the next few days (or weeks or months, heaven forbid), I strongly urge Republican lawmakers in Sacramento to do the same: salute the next step, and then quickly move on.

Here’s why:

First, there’s the likelihood that the GOP caucuses will be subjected to a media beat-down over the short term, no matter how the budget is resolved. Democrats (maybe Arnold too) will scream “obstructionist”. Reporters almost assuredly will go along with that and ask “what price victory?” – that is, if they’re willing at all to concede a Republican victory (which, I’d contend it will be, as Republican lawmakers have now proven that they’re still relevant in post-partisan Sacramento).

But, second, what we have here a battle, not a war. Budgets come and go each year. Still unresolved is the question of how Republicans can better control the public debate, and then convert that not just for political gain but… Read More

The Editorial Page of the Los Angeles Times yesterday mentioned only three people by name: President Obama, Governor Schwarzenegger, and… this website’s publisher, Jon Fleischman.

They wrote about Jon’s efforts to censure Republican legislators who end up voting for a budget deal that includes a tax increase. And believe it or not, they’re not the biggest fans of the idea.

But I think Jon will be okay. I don’t think he’ll shed too many tears because of the Times’ objections.

In fact, I’m guessing Jon views getting trashed by the Times as a high honor.

So for that Jon, congrats.… Read More

Since the old saw goes – "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" – I’m flattered that it appears my weekly Waste Watch posts are going to be continued on FR.

As you all know, the top-notch staff in the Republican Senate Caucusactually write the Waste Watch – as they always did for me. They do a great job of highlighting the never ending waste of government.

I always felt is was important to constantly demonstrate government’s inability to spend taxpayer’s dollars efficiently even while my Democrat colleagues continued their call for higher and higher taxes. Apparently my successor, Senator John Benoit does too – he’s started posting his version today. You can find it below.

John, I’m flattered you want to keep this great tradtion alive. Thanks.… Read More

In the latest breaking news surrounding the bizarre politics of San Bernardino County, Assessor Bill Postmus has resigned. Postmus has recently been arrested on narcotics possession charges. I don't have enough finger power to type the whole drama from my Blackberry. I will say that this is a sad end of a political career of someone I have known for a long time — but clearly never really knew.… Read More

Recently in the FlashReport my friend Jon Fleischman wrote to urge the Constitutional elected officers to bend to the will of the Governor on the issue of employee furloughs. I disagree. Actually, I oppose furloughs on both constitutional and pragmatic grounds. First, the Constitution. If it means anything (and these days, that seems open to question) the Constitution of California set up a divided executive branch. Unlike the Federal government, California has 11 officials elected independently of the governor. The drafters in both 1850 and 1879 had concerns about an all-powerful executive and wanted to add checks and balances beyond the three separate branches of government.

The Board of Equalization, where I serve, and the other Constitutional officers, do not answer to the Governor. He cannot order us to give a taxpayer a break, nor can he order us to audit a taxpayer who has crossed him. In other states and in the Federal government, I believe that both have happened. (Think of Nixon’s infamous Saturday Night Massacre as an example of an executive wielding inappropriate power of the employees of another agency.) It is a… Read More

PLEASE TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION! Please contact your members of the State Legislature and tell them you oppose a budget agreement that includes tax increases of any kind. Click this link to contact them.

WHEN:

Now! A budget with tax increases could be taken up as early as next week, and our taxpayer allies in the Legislature are taking severe abuse from the tax and spend lobby. They need your help and support to stand firm.

WHY:

California has the highest income tax, sales tax and gas tax in the United States, and the highest corporation tax in the Western United States.… Read More

Born in 1911, in a small town in Illinois, let’s join and remember our 40th President and what he stood for and meant to our country. I was in college at the time he ran for President in 1980, a very difficulttime with Iran and hostages, the Cold Warandthe Soviets,and runaway inflation and interest rates. I remembered the posters up around campus [they actually weren’t torn down back then, especially around the Ag Dept.] of Governor Reagan in the cowboy hat and the optimism in that smile and in his words.

Indeed, he gave us optimism that we could beat the ‘malaise’ we were suffering from. Even the USA Olympic hockey team beat the USSR in the Miracle on ice. That optimism even spilled over into Charlie Daniels hit song at the time "In America"

"…speaking for you and me, and some people from Tennessee, we got a thing or two to tell you all…" "…were gonna put her feet back on the path of… Read More

I am pleased to offer this guest commentary from Senator Abel Maldonado, who represents California’s 15th District along the Central Coast…

John Chiang: A Controller Out of Control By State Senator Abel Maldonado

If your tax refund check is delayed, blame State Controller John Chiang’s irresponsible spending. While you’re trying to find a way to do more with less, the state controller is continuing to do less with more.

On January 6, the governor vetoed the Democrats’ illegal budget. Phrases like… Read More