Thanks to this great chart produced by the Senate Republican Caucus, it is really easy to visualize the significant growth in the state budget and in state spending between last year’s budget and the budget proposed by the Democrats for next year (those numbers below are in millions, so add six zeroes to each)…

It appears they have "Potomac Fever" because they once again are using double-speak. It is easy to see that Democrats want to massively increase spending, and are accusing the Republicans of wanting to cut spending. The reality is that the Republicans are simply proposing LESS OF AN INCREASE. Actually, we should have actual cuts, and a lot of them, give the largesse in the budget. But clearly, in this case, the Democrats are whores for any increased spending, and the Republicans are being very modest in their efforts to apply a degree of fiscal discipline to state finaces.… Read More

Much space has already been given on this site to the shifty and smarmy efforts by Don Perata and Fabian Nunez — our esteemed "legative leaders" — to try and avoid having term limits kick them out of their powerful political offices at the end of next year.

We have it on good authority that Gale Kaufman and the political team behind the Perata/Nunez "term-limited incumbent career extending" term limits weakening measure have gathered enough signatures through their paid efforts, and are ready to turn them in…

But they are waiting…. "Why," you ask?

They apparently want to wait until after a budget is passed so that the ‘spin’ from the announcement of turning in signatures isn’t tainted with the whole idea that the legislature cannot pass a budget on time.

Mr. President, Mr. Speaker — the public isn’t going to be fooled by this self-serving measure no matter when you turn in your signatures. It won’t change the fact… Read More

Both major candidates to succeed Assemblyman Bob Huff in the 60th Assembly District have finished up successful fundraising periods.

Chino Hills Councilman Curt Hagman has taken a sizable lead in the money chase, reporting having brought in $309,000 on over 140 contributions ($100,000 of that being from the candidate), including tens of thousands of dollars from Orange County, where conventional wisdom suggested he’d struggle to find support. All told, including money transferred from his Council account, Curt Hagman finishes this period very strong with $334,000 Cash on Hand.

Orange County Water Board member Larry Dick had what would’ve been a good haul in most any other race. He brought in $189,000 from 150 contributors. He finishes with $167,000 Cash on Hand. Coming inches from $200,000 raised a year out from the election is a good amount to show. Unfortunately, it seems for Dick is that Hagman seemscontent on raising the stakes.

Curt Hagman’s campaign is being handled by consultant Jim Nygren and on the ground by Mike Richman. Larry Dick’s campaign is being handled by consultant, and former FlashReport blogger Joe Justin.… Read More

In the Golden Pen column today, our own Mike Der Manouel, Jr., lays out some sobering numbers about how state government spending is increasing at a pace vastly exceeding the growth of California’s population. Here is an excerpt from Mike’s piece: According to the Legislative Analyst, 10 years ago, the budget presented by Gov. Pete Wilson proposed the following spending: general fund, $50.3 billion; special funds, $14.3 billion; total, $64.6 billion; reserves, $553 million. Ten years later, the 2007-08 budget proposes: general fund, $103.1 billion; special funds, $27.7 billion; total, $131 billion. The increase in state spending over 10 years? A whopping 202%. During this same 10-year period, according to the Census Bureau and California’s… Read More

In the Golden Pen column today, our own Mike Der Manouel, Jr., lays out some sobering numbers about how state government spending is increasing at a pace vastly exceeding the growth of California’s population. Here is an excerpt from Mike’s piece: According to the Legislative Analyst, 10 years ago, the budget presented by Gov. Pete Wilson proposed the following spending: general fund, $50.3 billion; special funds, $14.3 billion; total, $64.6 billion; reserves, $553 million. Ten years later, the 2007-08 budget proposes: general fund, $103.1 billion; special funds, $27.7 billion; total, $131 billion. The increase in state spending over 10 years? A whopping 202%. During this same 10-year period, according to the Census Bureau and California’s… Read More

This just in from the Anderson outpost, across the Potomac from the CalPERS Hessians fortressed down in defense of terrorist states….

Key Senate Committee Passes Anderson’s bill to divest California from Iran Unanimous Vote by Senate Judiciary Committee Sacramento, CA – Thursday, the California State Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously passed (5-0) Assemblyman Joel Anderson’s (R-El Cajon) Assembly Bill 221 to divest California’s public retirement funds from billions of dollars invested in key businesses that invest in Iran.

“Once again, I am excited that my colleagues in the State Senate have shown strong bi-partisan support and leadership for this legislation, which will end California taxpayer’s investment in key foreign companies that invest in the Islamic Republic of Iran,” said Anderson. The legislation has 34 bipartisan coauthors.

AB 221, which was unanimously approved by the California State Assembly 75-0 two weeks ago, next goes to the Senate Appropriations committee prior to being voted on by the full Senate.

This historic… Read More

It was a proud moment today when I read the Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed SB566, legislation that would have required rank and file Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) commissioners to be active members of their local union.

Senator Tom Harman was the ONLY Orange County Republican to vote for the Mark Ridley-Thomas bill.

The Governor said in his veto letter:

"To the Members of the California State Senate:

I am returning Senate Bill 566 without my signature. California’s peace officers are tasked with the important job of ensuring public safety. Each day their job requires decisions that can have a lasting impact on the lives of the citizens of this state and their trust in government. Peace officers need to be selected from a pool of high-caliber individuals.

In California, the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training is the state entity responsible for setting the minimum standards for selection and training for California peace officers. Given the incredibly important nature of their work, we should strive to have a broad pool of candidates so this Commission has the best… Read More

According to LBReport, tonight the Long Beach Council will consider a proposal to require sellers of ammo to maintain all kinds of info for the police and "other" appointed officials to have access to. Clearly they want to discourage gun owners from their Second Amendment rights.

So why stop there? Why not demand identification from people that want city services to see if they are here illegally? I know, I know… it is just crazy talk and I’m being absurd. See LBReport post here.… Read More