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Jon Fleischman

Statement from Assemblyman Todd Spitzer

Assemblymember Spitzer, Chief Republican Whip, sent over this statement regarding the budget:

“I want to make it unequivocally clear: I will not be voting for any budget that includes a tax increase of any kind or any gimmicks to put tax increases on the ballot.

The fact is Sacramento needs a responsible, permanent budget process that stops overspending. In the last four years, state expenditures have grown by 44% – or $31 billion. The fact that Democrats want to raise taxes after such a large growth in spending is ludicrous.

What bothers me the most is that Democrats support raising taxes over $9 billion but, at the same time, propose cutting local public safety funding by $218 million from last year’s budget. Government’s most important role is to protect the public’s safety. The irony is that the majority party would rather support bureaucratic social programs instead of keeping neighborhoods safe.”… Read More

Jon Fleischman

Assembly Republican Caucus Chairman Bob Huff’s Statement

Statement by Assembly Republican Caucus Chairman Bob Huff:

"I stand by my pledge to oppose tax increases for the state budget for 2008-09. Raising the state sales tax or income tax will increase the cost of living and hurt working families who are already struggling to keep their heads above water in the face of high gas and food prices, and house payments. Raising taxes on California businesses will cause many companies to leave California for other states, delay our economic recovery and kill jobs. We did not run up a $15 billion dollar budget deficit because Californians are paying too little in taxes. The problem is the Legislature is spending too much, not that we are paying too little. "… Read More

Democrat Double Talk

Assembly Democrats are talking out of both sides of their mouths when it comes to the budget debate. Last week, Assembly Republicans asked, requested, pleaded and practically begged Democrats to put their budget proposal up for a vote. We want them articulate the need for $9 billion in higher taxes from California ’s hardworking families to pay for their spending addiction. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the intestinal fortitude to stand behind their budget proposal and used a series of parliamentary maneuvers to silence Republicans every chance they got. But one thing is clear – Democrats are talking out of both sides of their mouths. Here’s what Assemblyman John Laird, the outgoing Chair of the Budget Committee, said on Thursday: Read More

Jon Fleischman

Termed Out Assemblyman Alan Nakanishi’s Statement

This is simple, and to the point. The special interests that want to grow government need not bother calling Nakanishi’s office:

“I remain steadfast in my commitment to oppose any tax increases. We need to cut spending, not raise taxes.”Read More

Jon Fleischman

ACTION ALERT!! Senator Ashburn “open” to voting for Arnold’s “temporary tax”???

PLEASE READ THIS THROUGH, LISTEN, AND THEN CONTACT STATE SENATOR ROY ASHBURN!

Upon returning from my vacation, I was impressed upon by some Capitol insiders that there was a "problem" within the Senate Republican Caucus — and that we may no longer have a unified team to oppose a tax increase. As you know too well from last year, it takes a two-thirds vote to pass a budget, as well as to pass a tax increase (or place one on the ballot). That means that only two GOPers need to "go south" before the entire defense against new taxes shifts over to the Assembly where six votes of Republicans (or perhaps seven due to the illness of one Democrat member) are needed, along with every Democrat, to pass a budget, raise taxes, or place a tax increase on the ballot.

I was told that State Senator Roy Ashburn was publicly saying there were circumstances under which he would be willing to support Governor Schwarzenegger’s "temporary sales tax… Read More

Inside the Beltway News – Monday

For many reasons, a race to the political middle has blurred the once-clear philosophical lines dividing the two major political parties. Today, the Wall Street Journal (subscription and / or registration required) does an exceptional job of erasing the muddled middle and aligning politicians with philosophy. The paper ran columns by Attorney General Brown and Newt Gingrich each outlining what could be done with $10 billion.

Brown showcases myriad government regulations and controls as well as grant programs that can come, he says, to achieve energy efficiency and other goals.

Gingrich, on the other hand, outlines seven separate goals to be set and a corresponding billion dollar (in some cases multi-billion dollar) prize(s) to incentivise private sector progress toward worthwhile goals.

California’s present fiscal reality shows the limits of excessive spending and pursuit of problems arguably addressed elsewhere. While the federal government is… Read More

Jon Fleischman

Mimi Walters’ Statement

Assemblywoman Mimi Walters isn’t termed out, but she is leaving the Assembly at year’s end to go to the State Senate, but she send in this statement in response to this morning’s commentary… (Keep ’em coming!)…

“I will not vote for any budget bill or any other bill that raises taxes. The state’s budget deficit was caused by over-spending. Raising taxes and giving the Legislature more money to spend on new and bigger government programs does not solve the problem – it makes it worse. We need to pass a balanced budget using current resources and also pass a strong deficit prevention measure to constitutionally limit the growth in state government spending.”… Read More

Jon Fleischman

Thank You!

My family just returned from an amazing two week trip to Italy, where we traveled to Rome, Venice and Florence. It was an amazing trip, the memories of which I will cherish forever.

I wanted to extend my sincere appreciation to the awesome team that we have here at the FlashReport. While I was away, the site continued to provide our daily news roundup, insiteful columns, and great commentaries and blogs from our contributors (I did manage a few blog posts from abroad myself!).

Thanks again to the team!… Read More

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