Flashreport Blog

In the famous movie, Casablanca, Captain Louis Renault announced:

I’m shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here. [A casino worker gives Renault a wad of money.] Casino Worker: Your winnings, sir.

Over this last week, we have seen many in the Governor’s office and the Democrat Leadership announced that they are “shocked” that the California Department of Parks and Recreation had hidden money while they were attempting to extort more money out of the taxpayers by threatening to close down parks. “How could they be so deceptive?” our liberal friends in politics and the media cried, “They lied to us.”

Oh, give me a break. This deception has been going on for years, aided by the full time budget staff at the Legislature, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the “Career Executive Assignment” (CEA) staff in the various state agencies and departments, and the leaders of the various government unions. Who lost their job over this? A couple of political appointees, either too lazy, too stupid or too trusting to inquire from these career… Read More

This just in from San Diego City Councilman, candidate for Mayor, and long-time pension reform advocate Carl DeMaio..

This morning you will be reading about an important court ruling that protects efforts to bring meaningful pension reform to San Diego. I wanted to provide a little analysis for what this means going forward.

After Comprehensive Pension Reform was supported 66% of San Diego citizens in June, the local Municipal Employee Union and representatives of the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) asked the Superior Court for a restraining order against the City of San Diego. The Unions and their allies at PERB wanted the Court to stop San Diego from doing the work necessary to implement Proposition B until PERB makes a decision on a frivolous union claim. That decision could take six months or longer.

The Court chose to allow San Diego to meet its obligations under the City’s charter and work toward making pension reform a reality. In his ruling, Judge Vargas noted “The court finds traditional equitable considerations now weigh in favor of the voters, the City of San Diego and of a proper and… Read More

Today’s main page is loaded with great content. Top of the main page: coverage of the Tea Party’s big win in Texas as well as a great original piece from Assemblyman Dan Logue. But, there are other stories below the fold that shouldn’t be ignored. Rather than worry about arranging the headlines, I’ll just highlight today’s five must read stories.

5. Union Elite: The Top 1% Steal from Rank-and-File Members

There’s no question that government needs to reform union contracts, lower pension costs and reduce health care benefits. (Read Joel Fox’s latestFox and Hounds blog postto understand why.) But, too often,Republicans turn this debate into a philosophical attack on unions.That’s an ineffective strategy, especially when the union leadership is busy stealing from rank-and-file members.The Top 1%, the union’s elite leaders, have pilfered from union coffers to pay for lavish parties, even one former leader’s honeymoon.

The LA Times… Read More