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Jon is the elected Vice Chairman, South of the California Republican Party.
Recent Posts
- No Conservatives In The Room
- One Way To Save Money On Corrections: Don't Overpay People
- Race to the Top
- Today's Commentary: With The "Science" Behind AB 32 In Serious Doubt, It's Time To Repeal The Draconian Law...
- Voter fraud and the Bolsheviks
- Shocked! By The Politics Surrounding The Lieutenant Governor Vacancy
- Things I'm Thankful For
- Today's Commentary: Arnold, Abel and Indifference
- Governor Should Respect Conservatives, Not Dis Them
- WSJ: Arnold's Heir Transplant
Commentary Library
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FR BlogScan
November 30 Open Thread (Source: Calitics)
Congress: How did couple crash State Dinner? (Source: OC Register Total Buzz)
MICRA Reform From On High? (Source: Calitics)
County Democrats’ executive director moving on (Source: OC Register Total Buzz)
Protesters to greet Pelosi in Orange County (Source: OC Register Total Buzz)
CA-03: Ami Bera Stands Alone (Source: Calitics)
No Conservatives In The Room [By Jon Fleischman - Publisher - Flash Report] (Source: FlashReport)
One Way To Save Money On Corrections: Don't Overpay People [By Assemblyman Curt Hagman - San Bernardino County - Flash Report] (Source: FlashReport)
Go To BlogScan PageFR BlogScan
November 30 Open Thread (Source: Calitics)
Congress: How did couple crash State Dinner? (Source: OC Register Total Buzz)
MICRA Reform From On High? (Source: Calitics)
County Democrats’ executive director moving on (Source: OC Register Total Buzz)
Protesters to greet Pelosi in Orange County (Source: OC Register Total Buzz)
CA-03: Ami Bera Stands Alone (Source: Calitics)
No Conservatives In The Room [By Jon Fleischman - Publisher - Flash Report] (Source: FlashReport)
One Way To Save Money On Corrections: Don't Overpay People [By Assemblyman Curt Hagman - San Bernardino County - Flash Report] (Source: FlashReport)
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December ( 154 )November ( 161 )October ( 124 )Tips and Leads
Recent Comments
Dr. MaryRose Consiglio on Today's Commentary: With The "Science" Behind AB 32 In Serious Doubt, It's Time To Repeal The Draconian Law...
Robert Bosich on Today's Commentary: With The "Science" Behind AB 32 In Serious Doubt, It's Time To Repeal The Draconian Law...
Don Stout on Today's Commentary: With The "Science" Behind AB 32 In Serious Doubt, It's Time To Repeal The Draconian Law...
Ken Hunter on Today's Commentary: With The "Science" Behind AB 32 In Serious Doubt, It's Time To Repeal The Draconian Law...
Robert Bosich on Today's Commentary: With The "Science" Behind AB 32 In Serious Doubt, It's Time To Repeal The Draconian Law...
Robert Bosich on Voter fraud and the Bolsheviks
james sills on Voter fraud and the Bolsheviks
Don Stout on Today's Commentary: Arnold, Abel and Indifference
Matt Munson on Today's Commentary: Arnold, Abel and Indifference
George Ford on Today's Commentary: Arnold, Abel and Indifference
Bob Evans on Today's Commentary: Arnold, Abel and Indifference
Katie Teague on Today's Commentary: Arnold, Abel and Indifference
Matt Munson on Today's Commentary: Arnold, Abel and Indifference
Don Stout on Today's Commentary: Arnold, Abel and Indifference
Matt Munson on Today's Commentary: Arnold, Abel and Indifference
FlashReport Weblog on California Politics
No Conservatives In The Room
by Jon Fleischman - Publisher (bio) (email)(print)
I wouldn't call the interview news-worthy in that Maldonado continues to throw the problems that California government faces not at the feet of the big spending liberals who control state government, but rather all "all of the partisans" -- Republicans included.
I'm sure that Republicans in Sacramento, who are largely relegated to the sidelines by the Democrats, are equally to blame for our overspending mess.
It will be interesting to see the politics of Abel Maldonado's confirmation. His strategy for getting confirmed seems to be to attack just about everyone with a vote.
I'm not sure that personal attacks are going to win you any votes, Senator. And when you have the nerve to trivialize an elected officials belief system, that is personal. When you imply that elected officials are only voting the way they are because of partisan politics, that is personal.
Senator, you may not be burdened with the inconvenience of uncompromising conservative principles, but those of us that are sending representatives to the Capitol who have to fend off all of those customers of government who seek big government solutions to every problem actually see committed conservative ideologues not as a bad thing, but a good thing.
Your so-called "open primary" measure will only lead to bigger and fatter state government. Those "rigid" conservative ideologues that you lump in as part of the problem are all that stand between Californians and lots and lots and lots of higher taxes.
Anyways, here's the interview excerpts.
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One Way To Save Money On Corrections: Don't Overpay People
by Assemblyman Curt Hagman - San Bernardino County (bio) (email)(print)
My assignment to the Joint Legislative Audit Committee has given me the unique opportunity to delve into the inner workings of California state government. Recently an investigation completed by the California State Auditors Office crossed my desk or inbox as the case may be. This report concluded that poor internal controls in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation facilities are responsible for several instances of overpayment to employees for inmate supervision.
From March 2008 through February 2009 the State Auditor found five of the six facilities examined overpaid employees who did not meet the requirement for extra pay totaling a lost to the state of $34,512. Using this data it was concluded by the State Auditor as much as $588,512 was overpaid statewide during the same twelve-month period.
This is exactly the kind of waste the state cannot afford right now. Occurrences like these in previous years were a nuisance but could be considered budget dust, money not amounting enough to be concerned about, but now when we are cutting deeply into the Healthcare and Social Services of the most vulnerable of our state's citizenry every penny counts. Overpaying employees because a facility and supervisors could not be bothered to ensure its own protocols are being followed is lazy in the best of times and theft from those who truly need it now when the state is in crisis.
It is my hope that these errors, having been brought to light, will be corrected by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations. It is very difficult for me to understand why every state department has not taking responsibility for its budget in this time of economic crisis to ensure they are not wasting the little revenue the state still has available.
It is time for all those charged with governance of California to take responsibility for improving the current circumstances. This duty rests squarely on the shoulders of the civil servants and state workers as much as it does the heads of departments and elected officials. If we in the legislature are working so hard to save their jobs the least we can ask is that they do them.
There is no magic wand to be waved to solve California's problems. It is and always has been the greatness of the people of California that make our state such a desirable place to live; their drive and determination for excellence made us great and will again all we need to do is ask. I am asking now join me to make California the Golden State once more.
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Race to the Top
by Hon. Bill Leonard - Statewide (bio) (email)(print)
In the shadow of the partisan splits on the budget is an interesting bipartisan campaign to go after federal education dollars. The Obama Administration has set aside $4.3 billion to distribute to states that adopt most of its recommended reforms. The California State Senate has already passed a reform bill that would constitute California's application and the Assembly is scheduled to meet in special session (hard to remember there ever was a regular session) in December to consider the Senate bill.
I say "consider the Senate bill" because, while the money has been the focus of the headlines, it is the reforms that should have a greater impact on education in California. First, note the politics: the bill is jointly authored by Democrat Senators Gloria Romero and Elaine Alquist, as well as Republican Senators Bob Huff and Mark Wyland. Their collaboration is a testament that politicians can work together. The bill proposes several major changes in education. One of the most controversial is that the bill would permit, for the first time, student test data to be used in helping to evaluate the job performance of teachers and administrators. It is long overdue to reward and honor teachers and principals who rise above the average.
The bill would also delete the silly limit on the number of charter schools that can be established. Charter schools are a valued public school option where teachers, students and students' parents can work to establish a local school under a charter that can waive many oppressive state regulations.
While we have a state funded and regulated school system we also have very strict school district boundaries that students cannot cross. Until now. This bill would set up a system of open enrollment where parents could apply to enroll their children in any school district in the state. While this is not the voucher or tuition tax credit that I would like to see, it goes a long way to empowering parents to research and choose the best school for their kids.
The bill goes further than current law in identifying the 5% of the lowest performing schools and brings new focus to their lack of achievement. It also requires that parents of children attending those schools be given formal notice of the school's lack of performance, thus empowering them to act to do something about it.
A hat tip to the authors for this comprehensive bill, to the Governor for his support, and to the Senate for a timely passage of such an important bill. Now it is up to the Assembly to ignore the critics and take final action.
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Today's Commentary: With The "Science" Behind AB 32 In Serious Doubt, It's Time To Repeal The Draconian Law...
by Jon Fleischman - Publisher (bio) (email)(print)
(CARB) and others that the “the science of global climate change is unequivocal and there is consensus among credible scientists.” Evidence of such usually and typically point to the various studies by the United Nations’ International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) group of self-appointed experts. Just over a week ago, however, internal communications from part of the IPCC support network came to light that questions their honesty and integrity, and most certainly raises questions about the very “settled science” that lies (pun intended) at the heart of AB32.As a quick reminder to those not closely familiar with California’s “landmark” global warming legislation, AB 32 added the following to the Health and Safety Code 38501.
Going back to the early 1980s, with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, scientists at the United Kingdom’s University of East Anglia established the Climatic Research Unit (CRU) to produce the world’s first comprehensive history of surface temperature. It’s known in the trade as the “Jones and Wigley” record for its authors, Phil Jones and Tom Wigley It has served as the primary reference standard for the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) until 2007. It was this record that prompted the IPCC to claim a “discernible human influence on global climate.”
The Climate Research Unit has now had documents and emails revealed that demonstrates they manipulated data and excluded scientists who opposed their cause. Much of the CRU's work has been central to the UN IPCC reports. Their seeming only defense to the bawdy history is to accuse those who found and released the information of criminal hacking, or to attempt to trivialize what is serious scientific malfeasance. Michael E. Mann, who directs the Earth System Science Center at Pennsylvania State University, quoted in a Washington Post article, said those folks are “taking these words totally out of context to make something trivial appear nefarious." Of course, this is the same “Hockey-Stick Michael Mann” who became infamous for statistical malpractice in constructing the now completely discredited “hockey stick” graph of alarming warming. Charts showing pending Earth temperatures “skyrocketing” like a hockey stick on a graph have been used to stir much emotion in support of massive government regulation.
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Voter fraud and the Bolsheviks
by James Lacy - Political Law (bio) (email)(print)
To support her claims, Minnite cites a comment by a Herb London of New York state, a person involved in conservative politics there, who blogged, "It was once wrong to use community groups such as ACORN to steal an election." I write for what Minnite might consider a "rightwing blog" on the subject of election law, and I for one don't believe that ACORN actually "stole" the election for Obama. I also don't think London's comment is more than rhetoric protected by the First Amendment. He is not saying that ACORN literally "stole" an election.
Though stealing elections can occur, and history demonstrates that those who are most successful at it are often also interested in stifling free speech. I am reading a fascinating new book this Thanksgiving holiday, a biography of Trotsky by Robert Service. The book details how Lenin and Trotsky initially seized power in Petrograd in October 1917 by supplanting Kerensky's Provisional Government with the Petrograd Soviet. After losing the seat of his government with the Bolshevik storming of the Winter Palace, Kerensky made a brief show of force with his troops just outside the city, but lost a skirmish with armed Bolsheviks and dispersed. Lenin promptly issued one of his first decrees: an order censoring the press from making "anti-Bolshevik" statements. A few weeks later a nationwide election was held in Russia for a Constituent Assembly, something Kerensky had in the works for months before and which the Bolsheviks could not yet derail. The election result was not to the Reds liking. Though they were a large party presence in the Assembly, they won only about 25% of the vote and could not govern without coalition. So, instead, Lenin just kept issuing orders, censoring the press, and suppressing opposition parties. His Soviets around the country began to fill the power gap, and when the Constituent Assembly actually met in January of 1918, armed Bolsheviks simply dispersed it (like Kerensky's troops a few months earlier) and that was the end of democracy in Russia for about 75 years.
Censorship in this country is never justified. The Obama White House is not setup to issue decrees that limit free speech because the First Amendment of our Constitution does not allow that sort of thing. It is OK for rightwingers to criticize Obama and ACORN. And although it might not be literally true that ACORN stole an election (as did Lenin and Trotsky), it is still OK in this country for Herb London to say what he said. And Lori, after hearing for eight years of the Bush Administration how Bush "stole" his own election, I think its time to cool it on the "speech police" angle.
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Shocked! By The Politics Surrounding The Lieutenant Governor Vacancy
by Doug LaMalfa - North California (bio) (email)(print)
A) the mere existence of an LG
B) the candidate chosen to fill the vacancy
C) the "horrendous" cost of possible special elections to replace the domino'd open seat[s] caused by appointing a current legislator as Lt Governor
My, ahem, 'favorite' line may be about the governor, by moving to fill the vacancy "has chosen politics over seniors and children." [It was uttered by someone seeking statewide office]
As a duly elected Constitutional officer, the Lt. Governor does have certain responsibilities. A key one is a vote on the State Lands Commission, which would have jurisdiction over key oil drilling policy. The bottom line should be is that if the people of California through their Constitution have provided or allowed for the existence of a Lt Guv, and thus vote one into office, then it's the obligation of the Governor and the Legislature to appoint and confirm a replacement as a vacancy occurs...similarly as elections are soon required when any legislative seat opens up.
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Things I'm Thankful For
by James Lacy - Political Law (bio) (email)(print)
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Today's Commentary: Arnold, Abel and Indifference
by Jon Fleischman - Publisher (bio) (email)(print)
This dynamic duo of inconsistency causes me much anguish because they are not Democrats - but rather make their home in my party, the Republican Party. Yet, in doing so, both of these politicians spend a tremendous amount of time and energy attacking not only the Republican Party, but actually decrying the influence of political parties in general - seeing ideologues of the left and the right not as people committed to ideas and ideals, but as some sort of robotic slaves to partisan dogma. It is very unfortunate because, as Republicans, both of these gentlemen are causing great damage to the GOP, by creating confusion and muddying the perception of Californians about the principles and policies for which the Republican Party stands.
At a time when President Barack Obama is taking America in the wrong direction, Schwarzenegger has publicly praised him for all of his terrible, expensive and government-expanding initiatives including the so-called "stimulus" bill, cap and trade (or as we call it, cap and tax), and now he has expressed support for Obama-care, government health care for America. Understand these are all policies that Republicans in Washington, D.C., have shown remarkable unity in opposing.
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Governor Should Respect Conservatives, Not Dis Them
by Jon Fleischman - Publisher (bio) (email)(print)
I don't want to speak for all of those elected Republicans in the State Capitol -- but I will speak for myself. I am not a conservative because I am a Republican, I am a Republican because I am conservative.
The reason why conservatives in the legislature seem to
I think what Schwarzenegger is trying to say is that he doesn't believe that there should be ideologues in Sacramento -- individuals who are committed to a certain set of principles and ideas. Never mind the fact that it was a group of committed ideologues who founded the very republic in which we all enjoy our freedom.
Conservatives believe that practical solutions to solving problems facing our state should be looked to, first, beyond government. To individuals, to families, and communities. Ultimately, where government involvement is required or desired, it must be done mindful of the fact that the first most important calling of government officials should and must be to ensure that they do not set into motion actions by government that interfere with the life, liberty and freedom of the people. When it does, it is a "taking" of rights that must be closely scrutinized, and weighed heavily.
Last February's state budget deal, which included the largest tax increase in the history of any state, wasn't opposed by Capitol Republicans (except the Quisling Six) because the "Republican Party blindly opposes all tax increases" -- it was opposed because conservatives in the legislature understand that tax increase, putting aside the practical reasons for why they don't work, represent a direct "taking" of freedom and liberty from the people governed. Conservatives, by and large, feel that state government is already too large and tries to do too much.
So, with all due respect to Governor Schwarzenegger, I think that his vision of a state legislature that is dominated by politics who are not ideologues, who will make decisions about how to deal with the state's problems "unburdened" with the need to gut-check ideas against the very idea that government should be limited in its size and scope, is scary.
Yes, state government has an important role to play in our society. But we must strive to increase the role of individuals, families and communities, and reduce the role of state government to the greatest extent possible.
Dismissing well meaning conservatives in the legislature as "partisan" and "too rigid" is insulting, because it shows a profound disrespect for those to whom the Governor is referring, and worse, asserts that the Governor's value system is somehow superior to theirs.
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WSJ: Arnold's Heir Transplant
by Jon Fleischman - Publisher (bio) (email)(print)
From today's Wall Street Journal Political Diary...
Arnold Schwarzenegger likes to drop big political news on Jay Leno's TV show. In 2003, he announced his campaign for governor there. Last night, he followed that tradition by announcing his pick to be California's next lieutenant governor -- State Senator Abel Maldonado, an Hispanic Republican who's the closest thing the governor has to an ideological ally in the legislature.
The job became vacant three weeks ago after Democratic Lt. Governor John Garamendi won a seat in Congress. Mr. Maldonado is a 42-year-old moderate whose family emigrated from Mexico to start their own farm. But he's also viewed with suspicion by conservatives after voting for a tax increase supported by Mr. Schwarzenegger this year. Mr. Maldonado took a lot of heat for his vote because he had signed a pledge not to raise taxes.
Meanwhile, Democrats aren't happy with his appointment either because they fear that his potential status as No.2 in the state would give him a leg up on winning the job in his own right in the 2010 election.
The nomination requires majority approval of both the Assembly and Senate in the next 90 days, or the nomination is rejected by default. Given that four of his 39 fellow state senators themselves plan to run for Lt. Governor next year, you can bet several will be maneuvering behind the scenes to undermine his chances of being confirmed. Should Mr. Maldonado take office, Republicans would hold three of California's seven statewide elected offices, the largest number in over a decade.
-- John Fund
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Welcome to Sacramento, Assemblyman Norby
by Assemblyman Curt Hagman - San Bernardino County (bio) (email)(print)
I endorsed Chris Norby because I believe he does what he says and he says what he means. As Floor Leader I need members like Chris by my side to help us push the Republican vision. I am confident that Supervisor Norby (and now, presumably, Assemblyman Norby) will make the voters of his district proud and will be a valuable asset to our caucus.
While this was a special election and Chris will still have to face a run-off, I have no doubt that he will be working with us in the Capitol come next year. Congratulations Assemblyman Norby, and welcome to Sacramento.
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Happy Birthday Richard
by Jon Fleischman - Publisher (bio) (email)(print)
I tried to think of something special for my friend Richard Costigan to commemorate this, his birthday. I went to his FB page, and realized that he's got plenty of people there wishing him well on his big day (FR friends John Bovee and Nancy Bennett among many others).So, Richard, for you -- a birthday cake right here on the FlashReport blog.
Hope you have a great one!
(Also, on behalf of all of your friends, we "get it" that you are disappointed that the Governor tapped Maldonado and not you to be Lt. Governor. Better luck next time -- get over it!)
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U.S.Senate 2010 - Great Video From Chuck DeVore
by Jon Fleischman - Publisher (bio) (email)(print)
In the GOP primary for U.S. Senate, there are two candidates running -- Assemblyman Chuck DeVore and Carly Fiorina, the former Chief Executive Officer of Hewlett Packard. Over the next seven months or so, we'll be featuring a lot of coverage in the race between these two for the GOP nomination. We'll try to help you to make an informed decision, or if you've already decided, then we'll give you a "front row seat" to watch it all play out.
Today I wanted to share with you a great video prepared by one of the candidates, Chuck DeVore. I love this video because unlike a lot of the snarky web-videos we see (especially in the GOP gubernatorial primary lately), this piece really gets to the heart of who Chuck is -- I know because I've known Chuck for twenty years -- he is a close family friend. Check it out, and so that you have some anticipation, if you watch enough of the video, you can see the Assemblyman tooling around his backyard with his lawn mower -- seriously.
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Fleischman Nails It With Leno Prediction
by Meredith Turney - State Capitol (bio) (email)(print)
Much will be said about the appointment of moderate State Senator Abel Maldonado to be California's next Lt. Governor. His appointment was not a surprise. I didn't read one article or column that pondered the Governor's potential LG picks that didn't prominently mention Maldonado.
That said, I only read one commentary that looked at the Governor's LG pick that 100% "nailed it" as to the timing of the appointment.
In his November 5 column, And The Next Lt. Governor Is... (Envelope Please), Fleischman said, "One thing is certain, Arnold Schwarzenegger will make his selection soon. How soon? Doesn't he have a scheduled appearance coming soon with Jay Leno?"
Very precient, Flash!
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Will Cogdill Decision Shake Up BOE Race?
by Mike Spence - Los Angeles County (bio) (email)(print)
Senator Cogdill's decision not to run for re-election may impact the race to replace Bill Leonard on the Board of Equalization.
Former Assemblyman Alan Nakanishi is seriously looking at a run at Senate District 14. Nakanishi previously ran for Senate against Mike Machado in 2000 and just missed. The race, assuming Mike Villines stays put for Insurance Commissioner, has only one other big name opponent, Assembly Tom Berryhill. Berryhill is oft mentioned as a possible successor to Sam Blakslee as Assembly Republican Leader.
Nakanishi would have to be able to get his money back from the various slates he bought. That would give him the half a million needed to run in the senate race. Having him change to Senate race changes the dynamics in a race that featured him, State Senator and rumored ballot title "Taxpayer Advocate" George Runner, Former Assemblywoman and Leonard's deputy Barbara Alby and Senator Roy Ashburn.
His odds to win the Senate seat seem better than beating both Runner and Alby.
And people say nothing politcal happens over the holidays.
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