FlashReport » Jennifer Nelson

The Rewards of Bipartisan Cooperation

Jennifer Nelson — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

It came as no surprise that Gov. Jerry Brown’s first budget plan included a proposed tax increase that requires a vote of the people.He was very clear in his campaign that he would not increase taxes without a vote of the people and a balanced budget without a tax increase would be just so…un-Democratic!

Reaction from the right side of the aisle also was not surprising. Senate Republican leader Bob Dutton immediately said that there was “zero” support in his caucus for increased taxes. After Brown visited with the Assembly GOP caucas, theirleader Connie Conway described the meeting to the Los Angeles Times: "It was cordial. It was conversational. I don’t think anyone changed their mind about raising taxes."

It doesn’t … Read More

Illinois contemplates education reform in exchange for high taxes

Jennifer Nelson — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Let’s hope that Governor Brown and his people are taking note of the education debate raging in Illinois.An article in today’s Wall Street Journal sums up the plan under debate:teachers would not earn tenure until they’ve been rated "proficient" or "excellent" by their principals for four years; tenured teachers rated "ineffective" for two years could lose tenure, districts would have an easier time dismissing ineffective teachers and layoff decisions would be made based on teacher performance—as opposed to seniority.The final piece of the proposal would restrict teacher unions’ ability to strike by requiring them to take part in mediation (and give school boards the power to accept the mediator’s solution) before striking. According to the WSJ, this deal is being rushed because state officials want to offer this up in exchange for a tax increase. … Read More

Political Ad on US Debt to China

Jennifer Nelson — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Wow–a hard-hitting ad from Citizens Against Government Waste. Worth watching.

/> … Read More

The Dems Sleazy Campaign Against Villines & Maldonado

Jennifer Nelson — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0000

One of the most maddening set of ads this political campaign season are the ads the Democrats are running against Mike Villines and Abel Maldonado.Both men were key Republican votes for last year’s budget in which Governor Schwarzenegger and the Democratic legislative leaders choose to raise taxes rather than make tough spending cuts.According to an email that I just received from Democrat Dave Jones (who clearly purchased or was given a GOP list), Villines raised our taxes $14 billion. Republican voters don’t need Dave Jones and Gavin Newsom to tell us what Villines and Maldonado did last year.We know. What we need Dave Jones and Gavin Newsom to tell us is the truth:that the Governor and their party supported and encouraged Villines and Maldonado to change their positions and cast that vote.I know that no one held a gun to their head but the pressure “to do the right thing and pass a budget” was great.And I’m … Read More

Whitman vs Brown, Round Two*

Jennifer Nelson — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Tonight’s debate between Meg Whitman and Jerry Brown was by far the most interesting debate of the season.It was a pleasure to have just one person—Tom Brokaw—moderating, asking the questions and posing follow-up questions when necessary.The candidates, while clearly sticking to campaign message points, addressed a number of key issues, giving voters a clear idea of the differences between their approaches. The big question following every debate is always: “who won?”Clearly, Whitman was the victor tonight.The political novice in the race, she proved to be quick on her feet, confident, and comfortable with her facts and knowledge about state government.And she had veteran campaigner Jerry Brown on the run. One of the ways Whitman had the edge was her direct and clear answers.She seemed prepared to answer the issues in a way with which voters could connect. Brown, on the other hand,often talked around the … Read More

When the race gets tough, the Dems get dirty

Jennifer Nelson — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Once again, the Democrats have gone dirty rather than try to win on the issues.Meg Whitman’s housekeeper “scandal” breaks days after she receives an endorsement from comedian and actor Paul Rodriguez, the day after a solid debate performance and the week before Whitman and Brown are due to participate in a debate that will be televised in Spanish around the state. What’s her big sin?Her husband forgot to mention a letter to her that notified them that their "legal" housekeeper might have an issue with her Social Security number.Her critics say that from that day on, Whitman knew that her housekeeper was illegal.From everything I know about these letters, they explicitly tell employers that they cannot take any action against an employee because of the letter.They are simply to give the letter to the employee—which is what Whitman’s husband did. Should Whitman’s husband have told her?Maybe, … Read More

Whitman & Education Reform

Jennifer Nelson — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Last night my good friend Lance Izumi joined Meg Whitman (and a few other friends and fans) at a special movie preview of “Waiting for Superman.” Izumi, for those of you who don’t know him, is the senior director of education studies at the Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy and co-author of the book “Not as Good as You Think: Why the Middle Class Needs School Choice” (and is featured on the FR home page today.) He is also featured in the new "Waiting for Superman" movie, which was made by Academy-award winning documentary director Davis Guggenheim ("Inconvenient Truth").

Whitman has seen the film and thinks it is a must-see for people who care about kids and… Read More

Meg vs. Jerry

Jennifer Nelson — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Californians got to see the two top candidates for governor–Republican Meg Whitman and Democrat Jerry Brown–debate the issues tonight. Televised statewide, the event gave voters achance to see both candidates in action and learn more about the differences between the two.

It was one of the better debates this state has seen in recent years. I believe that is because both candidates are genuinely decent people who respect the voters and the democratic process. They both clearly have a strong desire to improve the state’s economy and budget situation.But their approaches are vastly different.For those of us who see the economy, budget reform and improved education as our top issues, Whitman clearly is the stronger candidate.

Throughout the debate, Whitman discussed about her plan to rebuild the state’s economy through … Read More