OK, the main page was up late this morning.

Blame the captivating Anthony York over at Capitol Weekly. He called me and we got absorbed into a conversation and then… well… late… sorry…

Jon… Read More

Today the proponents of the California Property Owners and Farmland Protection Act announced that their initiative has been officially qualified for the June 2008 ballot! This is OUTSTANDING news as this measure, if passed, would provide REAL and MEANINGFUL protections for the rights of property owners against egregious "takings" by government agencies through the use of eminent domain proceedings.

If you are keeping crib notes, this measure is the GOOD Kelo reform measure, sponsored by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, the California Farm Bureau Federation, and the California Alliance to Protect Private Property Rights.

This would be as opposed to the EVIL faux-reform measure, being promoted by the very people who current use eminent domain to the detriment of private property owners — local governments at the state redevelopment lobby. They are pushing their own measure, which actually strengthens their ability to subordinate the rights of property owners to the "master planning" of government.

694,354 valid signatures were needed to qualify for the ballot.… Read More

Cross posted at Red County San Diego….

San Diego City Councilmember Brian Maienschein just confirmed with me he will run for SD city attorney. This after a rumor that he was introduced as a candidate at a Rancho Bernardo Chamber of Commerce mixer last night.

"I have been encouraged for awhile to run and I will be doing so," Maienschein said, "The important thing is to beat Mike Aguirre. I think I have a good chance."

He further indicated that a formal announcement is planned in the next two weeks.

I’ll leave any analysis for later. As a recap, however, Deputy D.A. Bill Gentry dropped out of the race earlier in the week, opting to endorse Judge (and former Assemblyman) Jan Goldsmith. Goldsmith has been endorsed by the County Republican Party. Former SD Unified Schools Superintendent Alan Bersin is still analyzing his chances.

Maienschein, as well as Goldsmith are Republicans.… Read More

Despite California’s prominent role in this year’s Presidential nominating process for the GOP, I have yet to receive any mail from a Presidential contender. But my good friend Paul Hegyi, who is a candidate for Assembly, and Chief of Staff for Assemblyman Van Tran, did. It wasn’t from Rudy Giuliani, nor Mitt Romney. It wasn’t from John McCain nor was it from Fred Thomspon.

Check out the links below to see the front and back of the mailing from… Aww, we’re not going to spoil the surprise. Look yourself!… Read More

This morning FR friends and anti-tax stalwarts Lew Uhler and Jon Coupal spoke to a crowded sidewalk full of reporters in front of the belly of the beast (the YES on Prop 93 headquarters!) about their opposition to Prop. 93, the Nunez-Perata power grab.

Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Tax Association, spoke about the sham of Prop. 93. He let reporters know that although Nunez and Perata are telling voters that this measure shortens term-limits, the fact of the matter is that it will really lengthen them for the majority of officeholders in Sacramento. He also pointed out that Núñez and Perata broke their promise to the people of California by not including redistricting in this proposal, which makes it an incomplete attempt at reform.

Following that, Uhler laid into the real reasons behind this measure. As the author of the original bill that created term-limits in California, I can think of no one more qualified to speak on the issue.

FR’s very own… Read More

I have to admit that it gets depressing to cover the Bay Area for the Flashreport. Sure, there are funny stories to pass along, mostly political antics from San Francisco, where the inmates run the asylum.

But is also terribly frustrating to live here, where ever ballot initiative includes multiple local tax increases (February’s proposes three tax increases for Oakland homeowners and I can assure you that they will all pass. These people have never met a tax they didn’t like.)

I knew it was bad when Jerry Brown was the most conservative mayoral candidate on the ballot. But I never imagined that they replace Mayor Moonbean with Ron Dellums! I’ve been waiting for him to open a district office in Cuba ever since he took office.

But then again, as much as I can’t stand him or his politics, the man won the election. Clearly the people of Oakland wanted him.

And now they are enjoying the fruits of his liberal labors.

Late last week, a 10-year-old boy was shot during his… Read More

One of the most compelling letters that has come into my County office arrived last week. It was from a nurse at Sutter Davis Hospital. I have copied the letter below with permission of the author but removed her name.

Former Assemblyman Knox authored this bill that was signed by Governor Davis in 1999.

This bill took effect on January 1, 2000 and heavily regulated the work day. The proponents argued that this was necessary to "protect" workers. The opponents (most every business group in the state) felt that these restrictions would do away with the flexibility needed to run a business.

This letter makes exactly the point that was made during the 1999-2000 legislative session. Nurses and others are in a position that this law is hurting more than it is helping.

Little is done to evaluate major policy changes in California. There is no doubt in my mind that if AB 60 (Knox) is one of the worst job killers in California’s history.

Unfortunately for this nurse her professional association — the California Nurses Association supported the bill. Maybe they would consider sponsoring the effort to revoke this… Read More

David Freddoso from the "The Corner" on National Review Online posted this today. I had to share it, because California is so incredibly impacted by the immigration debate, and this letter makes an important point about McCain’s stance on immigration:

From a reader in the active-duty military:

Put me in the camp of those who have reluctantly come to believe that McCain is the candidate to support in the Republican primary. If I could annoint a candidate, it would be The Fred. I actually care passionately about immigration and free speech, and I really didn’t think I could forgive McCain for his positions on those issues, but here is my reasoning:

1) McCain-Feingold: while it seems like it should be unconstitutional, in practice, it has proven to be pretty easy to work around. Even a poorly financed candidate like Huckabee has been able to get his message out.

2) Immigration: for all his faults, I think McCain will be a man of his word in this respect: he has agreed to… Read More