FlashReport » Assemblyman Curt Hagman

Democrat Budget Targets Schools, Grows Welfare, Protects Public Employee Unions

Assemblyman Curt Hagman — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 09:05:25 +0000

Yesterday, Sacramento Democrats finally passed the remaining so-called “trailer bills” to complete the work on their majority vote budget plan. The more we let the sunshine in on the Democrat majority vote budget, the worse it looks for the priorities of California’s hard-working families. In my view, Californians deserve better than a phony budget that was made up by Democrats as they went along in the process, violating the spirit of openness and transparency in state government that should be the guiding principle of every lawmaker.

Here are just a few of the worst features of the Democrat majority vote budget passed yesterday:

Plays Politics to Boost Governor’s Massive Tax Increase

To try and boost the passage of Governor Brown’s $8.5 billion tax increase measure, Democrats voted in their majority vote budget plan to manipulate the elections process. They passed a measure to move the Governor’s tax initiative up to the top of the ballot, even though his initiative qualified tenth among the measures that will appear on the November 2012 ballot. At the same time, the Governor’s education trigger cuts would still be… Read More

The Voters’ Unmistakable Message

Assemblyman Curt Hagman — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 13:56:36 +0000

Californians are demanding real change to the failed status quo and on June 5th, based upon the primary election results, they sent an unmistakable message to Sacramento – stop overspending or else.

That message was clearly delivered by the voters. Victories for pension reform in San Jose and San Diego, and the looming defeat of a higher cigarette tax, are an encouraging outcome for fiscal responsibility in California. In the Democrat bastion of San Jose, voters overwhelmingly approved a measure that will force current city workers to either contribute more of their own money to their existing pension plan or enroll in a less generous plan with a higher retirement age. Future workers will receive retirement benefits that are somewhat similar to what private sector workers receive. San Jose’s voters approved this reform mainly because the city’s pension costs rose from $73 million in 2001 to a whopping $245 million this year. Residents have seen less police and fire services and more potholes as city government spent more money to fund out-of-control pension costs for retirees. The voters understood that every additional dollar… Read More

Public Employee Unions Thwart End to Pensions for Politicians

Assemblyman Curt Hagman — Thu, 05 May 2011 14:05:54 +0000

Everyone knows that trying to pass any kind of meaningful public employee pension reform in the Democrat-dominated legislature would be an extremely difficult proposition. But surely Democrats would be eager to work across party lines and end the practice of politicians taking home generous pensions, right? Wrong.

In a display of how influential public employee unions truly are in Sacramento, their representatives came in droves to the Assembly Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security committee to oppose the common sense.Opposition included even those groups not affected by the bill.

Just to give a sense of the opposition; CalSTRS, SEIU, Professional Engineers in California Government, California State Sheriffs’ Association, California District Attorneys Association, California School Boards Association, Small School Districts’ Association, California Fraternal Order of Police, Professional Peace Officers Association and Judicial Council of California who are constitutionally exempt from my legislation.

So far the only possible compromise offered from the various organizations has been, “We’ll remove our opposition if you exempt… Read More

Censoring Christmas

Assemblyman Curt Hagman — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

For most Californians, the arrival of December means gift shopping, family get-togethers, and good cheer. But it also reignites the ridiculous feud over the word that is the main reason for the holiday season – the word "Christmas." Last month, I sent out an e-mail invitation to my constituents in the 60th Assembly district to join me for a "Christmas" open house at the district office. I ended my invitation with a saying you may have heard before: "May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace, the joy of Christmas give you hope, the warmth of Christmas grant you love." Isn’t this the true meaning of the season?

The grinches in our community reacted as if I sent them a letter that used a four-letter word which no one should dare speak in government. My office received phone calls stating that using the word "Christmas" is a violation of the separation of church and state and that it was insulting to non-Christians. I decided to ask my constituents in an email survey whether they approved or disapproved my use of the word "Christmas." An overwhelming number emphatically… Read More

SB 399 and the Undead

Assemblyman Curt Hagman — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Yesterday, showed exactly why it is hard to get things done in

Sacramento . Senate Bill 399 would overturn a voter approved initiative and allow the state to re-sentence violent juveniles that have been sentenced to life without parole. Needless to say this has been controversial. As it came to the floor of the Assembly, it was clear the bill didn’t have the votes to pass. This particular piece of bad legislation has had so many lives I have nearly lost count. I first encountered this public safety nightmare in 2009 when it came before the Assembly Public Safety Committee of which I am vice chair. At that time the committee believed SB 399 was a bad idea and it did not garner the votes to pass. Fast forward to January 2010 during a month when the legislature is focused on getting two … Read More

Assembly to Vote on Health Care Freedom

Assemblyman Curt Hagman — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Today every member of the State Assembly will have a choice between freedom and big government. Today is the last day to vote on amendments for the regular session of the State Assembly. SB 810 is Senator Leno’s gigantic single payer health system that dismantles private insurance and gives control over you health to the State. It is worse than what was passed by Congress and will drive jobs and businesses out of state with new taxes.

Today I will propose an amendment that would replace this socialized health care scheme with language that would protect our freedom from

Washington D.C. ’s health care plan the language is similar to Virginia ’s that is working its way … Read More

Now Is The Time To Stand Up for 2nd Amendment

Assemblyman Curt Hagman — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Over the Fourth of July one could not help think of the brave few men who took on the greatest empire on the Earth in order to be free. It is no coincidence that after gaining independence the Founders went about guaranteeing God given rights from a potentially tyrannical new government. The Second Amendment and the right to bear arms guaranteed the First amendment and all others. Recently over the last couple years and just last month the United State Supreme Court has struck down laws that infringed on that right.Unfortunately, the California State Legislature hasn’t gotten the message about protecting our freedoms. Below are three bills that passed the State Assembly (over my objections in committee and on the floor). These bills are now awaiting action in the State Senate. While the Senate is on a break,… Read More

Day of Prayer Respects Our Heritage and Constitution

Assemblyman Curt Hagman — Wed, 05 May 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Prayer has always been a component of American history. You need not be a person of faith to know that prayer has influenced our history and that Presidents have honored and called for prayer during times of national crisis. It is ingrained into our national traditions. It is in that spirit that the National Day of Prayer was created by a joint resolution of Congress and signed by President Truman in 1952 to annually recognize prayer’s importance.

Since then, there have been 57 Presidential Proclamations for a Day of Prayer. Last year, all 50 state governors including Governor Schwarzenegger signed similar proclamations encouraging citizens to pray. The Day of Prayer serves to remind all Americans, of all backgrounds, to reflect on the blessings and challenges that have shaped our nation. It is a wholesome call to pray for the well-being of our communities, country, and those serving in our Armed Forces.

Unfortunately, for a small and vocal minority largely comprised of atheists and agnostics, the safe guards in the First Amendment are not enough. A group called the Freedom From Religion Foundation believes that the National Day of Prayer leaves… Read More