Meredith Turney

Meredith is Communications Director for Media and Public Affairs Strategy and a CRA Vice President.
Recent Posts
- Today's Commentary: Poizner Should Reconsider Creation Of His Own "Do Not Invest" List For Private Insurance Companies
- AG to CalPERS: Divest from Iran Now
- NTLC's Lew Uhler Urges Rejection Of Maldonado As Lt. Governor
- CRA Statement on Maldonado Confirmation Vote
- Slate mailer racks up $84,000 fines
- Projections Moving Faster than the Trains
- Statewide proposition lineup
- Sunday San Diego: Napping in AD 77, Waking in AD 78, CalPERS says Pound Sand on Divestments, and More
- Carly Fiorina On President Reagan's Birthday
- CRP Chairman Nehring's Statement In Response To SacBee Story
Commentary Library
Authors
FR BlogScan
Commentary: Poizner Should Reconsider Creation Of His Own "Do Not Invest" List For Private Insurance Companies [By Jon Fleischman - Publisher - Flash Report] (Source: FlashReport)
Today's Commentary: Poizner Should Reconsider Creation Of His Own "Do Not Invest" List For Private Insurance Companies [By Jon Fleischman - Publisher - Flash Report] (Source: FlashReport)
The Lite Guv Intrigue Continues (Source: KQED's Capitol Notes)
February 8 Open Thread (Source: Calitics)
As Some Hesitate, Laird Says He Can Win Maldonado's Seat (Source: Calitics)
The Lite Guv Intrigue Continues (Source: KQED's Capitol Notes)
Recount of Mission Viejo recall announced (Source: OC Register Total Buzz)
If GOP Doesn't Want Maldo as LG, Have a Primary (Source: Dem Majority Report)
Go To BlogScan PageFR BlogScan
Commentary: Poizner Should Reconsider Creation Of His Own "Do Not Invest" List For Private Insurance Companies [By Jon Fleischman - Publisher - Flash Report] (Source: FlashReport)
Today's Commentary: Poizner Should Reconsider Creation Of His Own "Do Not Invest" List For Private Insurance Companies [By Jon Fleischman - Publisher - Flash Report] (Source: FlashReport)
The Lite Guv Intrigue Continues (Source: KQED's Capitol Notes)
February 8 Open Thread (Source: Calitics)
As Some Hesitate, Laird Says He Can Win Maldonado's Seat (Source: Calitics)
The Lite Guv Intrigue Continues (Source: KQED's Capitol Notes)
Recount of Mission Viejo recall announced (Source: OC Register Total Buzz)
If GOP Doesn't Want Maldo as LG, Have a Primary (Source: Dem Majority Report)
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2010
February ( 46 )January ( 138 )2009
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December ( 118 )November ( 126 )October ( 140 )September ( 139 )August ( 166 )July ( 198 )June ( 162 )May ( 136 )April ( 151 )March ( 170 )February ( 184 )January ( 176 )2006
December ( 138 )November ( 222 )October ( 202 )September ( 178 )August ( 179 )July ( 159 )June ( 192 )May ( 247 )April ( 179 )March ( 236 )February ( 219 )January ( 228 )2005
December ( 154 )November ( 161 )October ( 124 )Tips and Leads
Recent Comments
Katie Teague on CRP Chairman Nehring's Statement In Response To SacBee Story
Katie Teague on CRA Statement on Maldonado Confirmation Vote
Robert Bosich on NTLC's Lew Uhler Urges Rejection Of Maldonado As Lt. Governor
Robert Bosich on CRA Statement on Maldonado Confirmation Vote
JIm Lacy on Statewide proposition lineup
Tom Kaptain on Statewide proposition lineup
Larry Urdahl on Money "Trail" in Open Joel Anderson AD 77 Seat
Matt Munson on Statewide proposition lineup
JIm Lacy on Ballot Designation Junkies Get Excited
Cliff Unruh on Rest In Peace Ethie Radanovich
Chris Lauer on Chief of Staff for Senate Republicans Off To PG&E
JIm Lacy on Ballot Designation Junkies Get Excited
Ken Hunter on An Open Letter to Senate Republicans
Howard Epstein on Today's Commentary: South Lake Tahoe Transit Chief Embroiled In Controversy
Sean Loranger on Sheriff's union biggest loser in Mission Viejo recall election
FlashReport Weblog on California Politics
Senate Rules Committee Approves Maldonado LG Confirmation
by Meredith Turney - State Capitol (bio) (email)(print)
A few moments ago the Senate Rules Committee voted 4-0 to approve Senator Abel Maldonado's nomination to fill the Lieutenant Governor position vacated by John Garamendi. All of the Democrats on the committee and one Republican voted for the confirmation: Steinberg, Oropeza, Cedillo and Dutton. Senator Sam Aanestad announced at the beginning of the hearing that he would recuse himself because of his run for Lieutenant Governor.
The almost three-hour hearing began with Maldonado tearing up during his opening statement as he thanked his immigrant parents for their support. Maldonado also took the opportunity of his opening statement to restate his opposition to offshore oil drilling in California. The nominee announced that his first priority as LG would be jobs, even stating that he wants to be the "Chief Job Creator of California"a title most business owners would find quite humorous considering any politician's ability to create real jobs. In fact, Maldonado would better serve California in this capacity by returning to the private sector.
Maldonado went on to state that he also wants to be the "Expediter in Chief," helping people cut through red tape. Again, Maldonado had his chance to do that in the state legislature by repealing onerous regulations.
Senators then peppered Maldonado with several questionsto "understand his thought process"about his actions during last year's budget negotiations. The focus of most of the questions was Democrats' obvious dissatisfaction with spending cuts for education and social welfare programs. Maldonado stated that he continues to support the 2/3 vote requirement for passing budgets in the state legislature, but mentioned he would be open to a constitutional conventionas a last resort if the legislature wasn't able to implement reform itself. When asked about his votes for spending cuts last year, Maldonado passionately proclaimed that he "hated" making the cuts.
Throughout the committee hearing, Maldonado appeared to be trying to tout his liberal credentials with the majority party, sympathizing with their anger over budget cuts. In fact, there wasn't a lot of reason for any Republican to vote for Maldonado's confirmation other than the (R) next to this name. Even Senator Dutton acknowledged his vote came down to a coin toss. Prior to their votes, each Democrat emphasized that their vote to confirm was "not a political endorsement."
The confirmation vote now heads to the full Senate. It will be interesting to see how Republicans and Democratswho were both held hostage by Maldonado's Ben Nelson-like demands last year during the budget battlewill respond to the Governor's choice for his lieutenant.
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The AG Wants to Know: Conan or Leno?
by Meredith Turney - State Capitol (bio) (email)(print)
California's Attorney General Jerry Brown wants to know: Are you on Team Coco or Team Leno? This morning the presumed gubernatorial candidate tweeted: @JerryBrown2010 Big debate at the campaign office... Where do you stand? http://www.jerrybrown.org/node/590.
The link takes visitors to the Brown for Governor 2010 Exploratory Committee web site, where there is the following poll:
Pick a Team: Team Coco or Team Leno?
Big debate at the campaign office... Where do you stand?
If you provide your name, zip code and e-mail, you'll be entered into a drawing for a vintage 1974 "Brown for Governor" bumper sticker signed by Jerry.
Since the NBC debacle is the most interesting contest in California right now, it was only a matter of time before politicians began weighing in. How convenient and environmentally conscious for Brown to recycle his "vintage" 1974 bumper stickers...
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AB 118 Goes Down in Global Warming Flames
by Meredith Turney - State Capitol (bio) (email)(print)
Like every other committee, the numbers are stacked against Republicans (Steve Knight and Danny Gilmore are the only Republicans on Natural Resources). After brief testimony on the bill, Democrats launched into their typical condescending speeches about how the citizens who testified for AB 118 don't understand the ramifications of global warming.
Committee Chair Nancy Skinner lectured AB 118 supporters that while she understood job loss is a problem in California, it was her understanding the state was receiving most of the venture capital for green jobs in North America and creating jobs. Logue quickly corrected her by clarifying that for every green job created, two jobs were lost in the state. And many green companies launched in California left for Nevada after finding California's business regulation too inhospitable to their company.
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Where’s the Common Sense?
by Meredith Turney - State Capitol (bio) (email)(print)
Americans for Prosperity of California has produced a 5-minute video detailing 12 of the decisions California's government made in 2009 that completely lacked common sense. It's actions like the 12 listed in the video that explain how government intrusion has led to so many of our current problems.
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Schwarzenegger gives Obama an A?!
by Meredith Turney - State Capitol (bio) (email)(print)
Now I know that Schwarzenegger is the very definition of a RINO. But this goes beyond a Republican elected official merely trying to be courteous to the President. "A for effort" is the mantra of the Leftresults doesn't matter, it's how you feel about what you're doing that will be graded.
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Our Christmas Gift: ObamaCare
by Meredith Turney - State Capitol (bio) (email)(print)
I am so appalled by the disgusting, anti-American behavior of the Democrats in DC that as the vote took place last night, I wrote a Townhall column expressing sentiments I'm certain are shared by most Americans. We still have a few days left to put pressure on the venal Senators who are selling out all Americans. It may be Christmas week, but America is in great peril and we have to remain vigilant.
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California and Dubai Connection?
by Meredith Turney - State Capitol (bio) (email)(print)
On his Fox News Channel show yesterday Glenn Beck had an interesting conversation with
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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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UC Students Protesting Fee Increases—Welcome to the Real World
by Meredith Turney - State Capitol (bio) (email)(print)
These student protesters are learning a valuable real world experience before they even graduatemoney isn't made out of thin air, it's earned through hard work. Now that they understand how average taxpayers feel about government confiscation of their hard-earned dollars, the UC students should take the next step in their real-world educationjoin the tea party protesters and demand a government that doesn't punish productive taxpayers. I'd love to see these students flood a capitol committee hearing and protest all the taxes and fees they'll be paying as soon as they graduate.
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Heritage Foundation: Big Labor Is Bankrupting Our Country
by Meredith Turney - State Capitol (bio) (email)(print)
Heritage scholar James Sherk explains that unions are no longer organizations that protect the interests of workers in the private sector. Instead, the majority of union members are in government, sapping taxpayer dollars for benefits and pensions that private sector employees will never seeespecially since the private, productive sector must finance these government workers' benefits.
Sherk cites California as an example of unions pushing for taxes on private entities to finance their entrenched government bureaucracy: "In California, the SEIU spent $1 million on a television ad campaign pressing for higher oil, gas, and liquor taxes instead of spending reductions."
Paycheck protection would transform Californiaand the rest of the nation.
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Real Leadership brought down the Berlin Wall
by Meredith Turney - State Capitol (bio) (email)(print)
The afternoon panel, "The Unfinished Legacy of the Fall of the Wall," featured an unparalleled assembly of world leaders and journalists: President of the Czech Republic Vaclav Klaus, the former Prime Minister of Estonia Mart Laar, Margaret Thatcher's Foreign Advisor, Lord Charles Powell, renowned economist Leszek Balcerowicz, the Georgian State Minister for Reintegration Temuri Yakobashvili, Steve Forbes and the Economist's Edward Lucas. While Americans have our own perspective on the end of the Cold War, these panelists offered their views on the significance of Reagan's policies and his historic speech.
In facing all of our current problems, we need similar focus and dedication from our leaders. As Ed Meese observed, there is a longing amongst Americans for the wisdom of Reagan and his principles. That wisdom and those principles didn't end with Reagan's passing. The people assembled at the Reagan Library prove that Reagan's greatest legacy is the millions of people he inspired with his passion for freedom and the principles of limited government.
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Newsom Out of Governor Race
by Meredith Turney - State Capitol (bio) (email)(print)
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Tea Party Movement Still Going Strong in California
by Meredith Turney - State Capitol (bio) (email)(print)

The Tea Party Express also has a crew who will tour the entire nation, including Sacramento-based political commentator Mark Williams, military mother and advocate Deborah Johns, and several singers who keep the crowds entertained and enthused. Americans for Prosperity, the organization for which I work, was honored to participate in the rallies throughout Southern and Central California.

The fact that the tea party movement is still attracting such large crowds, where just one year ago it was nearly impossible to gather even small groups, means that the fervor for true political change is still increasing. The focus of the Tea Party Express tour is 2010, the year conservatives have the chance to take back Congress and throw a road block in the way of the Obama Administration's socialist takeover. For the tea party patriots and conservatives everywhere, November 2010 can't come quickly enough.
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No More GPS, Radio, Cell Phones in Cars?
by Meredith Turney - State Capitol (bio) (email)(print)
First, they banned our cell phones (with the exception of First Lady Shriver), now they want our GPS, satellite radio and garage door openers. The California Air Resources Board has approved a "Cool Cars" regulation that will require car windows to have an advanced glazing in order to block the sun's heat, supposedly reducing the need for air conditioning. This was the same government agency that earlier this year floated the idea of banning black cars in California for the same reason.
Unfortunately, as with so many brilliant government ideas, the regulation was adopted before this window glazing technology was completely tested. Turns out the glazing can interfere with GPS, garage door openers, cell phones and satellite radios. The regulation will even be imposed on soft-top vehicles, leading to speculation Jeep may stop selling its soft-cover vehicles in the state. Sun roofs would be tinted so dark they would essentially be black (forget driving PCH with that California sunshine beaming down on you). Read more here.
Did I mention that ankle tracking bracelets for convicted criminals may also not work when the new window glazing rules are implemented? As long as he's in his car, any parolee can forget that pesky piece of hardware strapped to his leg. On the bright side, conspiracy theorists will feel a lot safer knowing the government can't track them in their cars...
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Governor Violates Trust of Californians
by Meredith Turney - State Capitol (bio) (email)(print)
Waiting until the last minute, late yesterday Governor Schwarzenegger took action on the hundreds of bills sitting on his desk. Each of the bills signed into law will have an impact on our state, but two in particular will impact our society and our children. SB 54 (Leno) will require California to recognize all out-of-state same-sex marriages performed before Proposition 8 was passed last year. SB 572 (Leno) will require the governor to declare every May 22 Harvey Milk Day.
Proposition 8 was such a controversial and emotional topic, you'd think the governor would be wise enough to step back from the issue for a while. But instead, he flouted the will of the people who have twice overwhelmingly declared that they intend only traditional marriage be recognized in California. By signing SB 54, Governor Schwarzenegger told Californians that he has no regard for their decision. That is a dangerous precedent to set for the governor and his successors. Distrust of elected officials is already running high and the governor just reinforced the out-of-touch, despotic perception many now have of their government.
The governor's signing of SB 572 is rather puzzling given the fact that he vetoed identical language last year. In his veto message the governor clearly stated that he though Milk should be honored in San Francisco, where he had his most impact and is regarded as a local historical figure. Parents were rightfully outraged when they discovered that Harvey Milk Day includes celebratory exercises in public schools for all school children. The public expression against this bill was so great that the governor's office actually had a special phone line dedicated to calls regarding the topic. Obviously the governor changed his mind on Harvey Milk Day, but in changing his mind, he violated the trust of thousands of parents who will undoubtedly pull their children from school every May 22.
By signing SB 54 and SB 572, the governor also sends the message that he doesn't take seriously the monumental economic problems facing our state. Neither of these two bills will help pull our state out of its current nosedive. Instead, focusing on Harvey Milk Day and undermining Proposition 8 tells voters that the governor and legislature are more intent on promoting a social agenda than solving the state's real problems. That is a violation of the public trust.
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