During the Davis recall election and Governor Schwarzenegger’s special election, all we heard from the Democrats is how expensive an extra election is, how that money could be better spent for the good of the children, etc, etc. Isn’t it ironic that the Dems seem to be amenable to the idea of having two elections now that the governor is talking about an early presidential primary? … Read More

There is a lot being written about Governor Schwarzenegger’s health care proposal, but one of the most interesting analyses I’ve read lately is Senator Sheila Kuehl’s take on the plan. For free market types, it is a look at how committed the liberals are to having government take over health care (and how little they care about the cost of health care, as long as employees don’t have to pay for anything). For the governor’s staff and legislative Republicans, it tells them exactly what Kuehl and other universal health care advocates will continue to push for as the legislature begins to debate the governor’s proposal (She doesn’t even like the liberal stuff he proposed!).

Here are a few highlights from an essay Kuehl wrote this week critiquing the plan:

** ON THE INDIVIDUAL MANDATE: "The central basis of the Governor’s plan is simply to mandate that every Californian must, by law, carry health insurance. There is no requirement that it be affordable and no minimum… Read More

There is a lot being written about Governor Schwarzenegger’s health care proposal, but one of the most interesting analyses I’ve read lately is Senator Sheila Kuehl’s take on the plan. For free market types, it is a look at how committed the liberals are to having government take over health care (and how little they care about the cost of health care, as long as employees don’t have to pay for anything). For the governor’s staff and legislative Republicans, it tells them exactly what Kuehl and other universal health care advocates will continue to push for as the legislature begins to debate the governor’s proposal (She doesn’t even like the liberal stuff he proposed!).

Here are a few highlights from an essay Kuehl wrote this week critiquing the plan:

** ON THE INDIVIDUAL MANDATE: "The central basis of the Governor’s plan is simply to mandate that every Californian must, by law, carry health insurance. There is no requirement that it be affordable and no minimum… Read More

I decided to take a few minutes this morning and search on the internet for "Crop Insurance" — a search that virtually every FlashReport reader is sure to never have done before. You will see that the there are a ton of headlines in California papers today talking about the negative impact of the really, really cold weather on a lot of California agriculture — especially the citrus crop. There have been local states of emergency declared by cities and counties, and even Governor Schwarzenegger has declared emergencies in many parts of California, opening the doors for President Bush to make similar declarations at the federal level. Of course, these ’emergencies’ are not life or death crisis situations — no American will live or die without their fresh glass of orange juice — these are states of economic emergency. Farmers are losing their crops, their livelihood, and are seeking aid during a very challenging time. Which brings me back to why I… Read More

Many members of the California Republican Party are asking, "What happened to the Party’s expensive 2006 GOTV program?"

Since the CRP’s biennial reorganizational convention is coming up soon (February 9-11 at the Capitol Hyatt in Sacramento), important questions need clear and honest answers. I will try to do so based on the facts I have learned…

The CRP’s Operating Account in 2005 spent a total of $9,100,000. Combining all CRP accounts (19 in all), including Assembly and Senate Republicans and Team California, the total expenses was $18,700,000 in all of 2005. Not bad for a Party out of power.

At the beginning of 2006 the members of the CRP Board of Directors were faced with poor political prospects, which generally became fact, including the Governor’s race. Remember — at that point Arnold was still suffering from the $164 million government-union-sponsored anti-Arnold hesteria.

The CRP has a committee, designated Cal Plan which provides a specifric political budget for each election cycle. It’s a powerful committee. Membership of the Cal Plan Committee is restricted to a few members of… Read More

Am I the only one that finds irony in the fact that the Governor today is praising the introduction of a Senate Resolution for the United States to cozy up to a global table at the United Nations to discuss global warming — when it is so cold here? It was almost hard to find the Governor’s release praising this resolution amidst all of the others declaring emergencies around the state due to the severe frost conditions.

I just found it a bit ironic.… Read More

Board of Equalization Member Bill Leonard in his weekly e-mail newsletter asks this rather obvious question…. Leonard served as a California State Senator for many years. We may never hear Senator Perata publicly claim credit for sinking the CTA boss in his confirmation vote for the State Board of Education. But with Republican Senators Denham and Maldonado giving their ‘aye’ votes for the head of the successful union-led effort to sink the 2005 special election reform measures, the only place that Nunez need look for answers is in the office of the President Pro-Tem:

From the Leonard Letter:

***Missing Senators*** The mainstream press has again missed a political story. Governor Schwarzenegger’s appointee to the State Board of Education, Joe Nunez, was on a deadline to be confirmed to that board by the Senate. The vote was scheduled by the Senate leadership with only days to go. Republican Senators… Read More

Several weeks ago I penned a piece on some areas of focus that members of the state party should ask candidates for statewide office. See it here.I believe there is a great need to reform what we do. These items are not ideological, but mechanical. When liberals took over the state party they claimed that they would be inclusive (didn’t happen) and that they would focus on the basics. Let’s look at one area that needs change. Voter registration this last cycle shifted from a bounty system that paid professionals and local activist groups could participate in to one statewid vendor. This year the party spent over 2.2 million dollars on voter registration. Their program was to hire a vendor to pay people by the hour in only 13 California … Read More