This just in from Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association… HJTA has released itsannual Legislative report card based on the votes and/or abstentions on 29 bills introduced in the California Legislature. These bills include proposals which either directly diminish the protections of Propositions 13 or 218, or are “tax like fees” that should require voter approval per Proposition 13. 2008 saw an overall lowering of grades as several bills (including what is now Proposition 1A (High Speed Rail) were passed with bipartisan support despite our strenuous objections. The number of A grades received (28) is the lowest ever. The number of B grades received is our highest ever (14).We’d also like to commend the four legislators who received perfect scores in 2008: Joel Anderson, Ted Gaines, Audra Strickland, & Mimi Walters.Especially on Election Day, it is important… Read More

On this election day, much will be decided across this country. The next President and Vice President will be elected. Republicans will certainly lose seats in the United States Senate, but will we be able to retain enough seats to filibuster against egregious, left-wing legislation? Pundits estimate House GOP loses in the neighborhood of 20-30 seats (some say that Tom McClintock’s bid for Congress is in peril, and that once-thought-safe incumbent Members of Congress like Dan Lungren are no longer assured reelection).

As the State Legislative level, it is unclear whether the sizable lead of Barack Obama in California will sweep Democrats into an even greater lock-hold on the Senate and Assembly, or whether, like in 2006, the Democrat wave will crash at the border (no state legislative seats changed parties that year).

In the State Senate, only one seat – the 19th District – is really in… Read More

On this election day, much will be decided across this country. The next President and Vice President will be elected. Republicans will certainly lose seats in the United States Senate, but will we be able to retain enough seats to filibuster against egregious, left-wing legislation? Pundits estimate House GOP loses in the neighborhood of 20-30 seats (some say that Tom McClintock’s bid for Congress is in peril, and that once-thought-safe incumbent Members of Congress like Dan Lungren are no longer assured reelection).

As the State Legislative level, it is unclear whether the sizable lead of Barack Obama in California will sweep Democrats into an even greater lock-hold on the Senate and Assembly, or whether, like in 2006, the Democrat wave will crash at the border (no state legislative seats changed parties that year).

In the State Senate, only one seat – the 19th District – is really in… Read More

Tonight, FR Publisher Jon Fleischman will "host" a live chat on the FR blog page, as election results come in. Using new technology, FR blog readers will be able to tune in to the live chat, and weigh in themselves in real time!

Be sure to check out the action later this afternoon, when the polls start to close on the East Coast. The live blog feed will appear atop FR’s blog page tonight.… Read More

Here at the FlashReport, we’ll be live-blogging election results for California. I am at the Hyatt Hotel in Irvine, site of the California Republican Party’s election night party, safely sequestered in the "war room" were election contests across the country and especially here in California will be closely monitered.

… Read More

The fine folks over at Politicker are reporting that House Republican Leader John Boehner is preparing to campaign for re-election to his leadership post…

Huh?

That is quite possibly the dumbest thing I have ever heard. The only thing that would be more stupid would be his colleagues offering Boehner, or anyone in the current House GOP Leadership, any support — except out the door.

It is so clear that we need fresh faces in our leadership for Republicans in the Senate and the House.

Boehner and his team can point to no meaningful policy victories whilst in the minority (Oh, except Boehner supported the outrageous government bail-out of Wall Street, but so did Pelosi. That wasmore a victory, with Pelosi, against conservatives and cautious taxpayers). And it is very clear that Boehner will have presided over historic losses of Republicans during his tenure.

Exactly on what "platform" does Boehner think he could run for another term? The reality is that Boehner’s election… Read More

As we wait these last few hours for the polls to close, I thought I’d share some interesting numbers sent out by the guys at Political Data.

Total Voters in California– 17,247,190 New Voters Registered After 9/15/2008 –1,225,894 Total Early Voters –6,954,009 Permanent Absentee Voters –5,785,495 Voters in Mail Ballot Precincts –603,009 Voters Applying to Vote Early– 1,285,330 Returned Ballots (Voted) as of 11/3/2008– 3,941,247… Read More

Yesterday, I asked my business partner, Matt Rexroad, if we could count on him to wear his lucky shirt on Election Day. Mostly because it makes me laugh to see him wearing the old rag (pictured at left). Matt tells me his fellow students used to walk by and pat his shoulder to get a little luck from the shirt when taking finals in college and law school. He’s also wears it every Election Day.

I have another friend who’s E-Day ritual of going to church in the morning then going to buy a music CD (not sure if he buys his albums off I-tunes now).

I don’t have an Election Day ritual, but this might be my year to start one. If you have any suggestions or if you have some of your own rituals let me know.… Read More