After 3 1/2 days with no Assembly in place, we were sworn in today a little after noon. The ceremony was orderly and timely, including the attendence by Governor Schwarzenegger, a very rare thing for a governor to visit the Assembly chamber for its swearing-in ceremony…for sure the firstduring the3 swearing-in ceremonies I’ve been around. I thought it was a great gesture and a signal of his interest in working with the Legislature. A bi-partisan chord was what was trying to be struck by those that spoke…and it lasted until the rules of the house were brought forth for adoption as we do atthe beginning of each 2 year session. The kicker: As usual, Republicans only received the rules draft that we were to vote on at about 9:30 AM, with no time for us to really consider them, membersgot copies much later. So that put a damper on the bi-partisan love fest but that’s how the majority issues the rules each year. One colleague remarked to one of the freshmen members, "There, you’ve experienced your first [vote] loss already!" Also, about 80 bills were introduced on day one, a number which will grow to about 1900 by the end… Read More

There is nothing more underwhelming than when the main stream media tries to get cute, and speedily pen an article that attacks the integrity of a conservative (under the ‘guise’ of objective reporting), conveniently timed to try and impact an election. Today’s award winner for gutter-journalism: the Sacramento Bee. They ran a front-page story today making it sound like State Senator Jim Battin has questionable ethical standards because of his policy beliefs. Someone forgot to tell the Bee that ideologues like Jim Battin have a lot of passionate beliefs, and that instead of looking to ‘personal gain’ as reasoning for someone’s positions on issues, how about looking to their core-beliefs?

Jim Battin is an advocate for rights for Indian Gaming tribes. Not too shocking — he is not alone, there are many who share his position. But for the Sacramento Bee to run a front-page smear job the morning that Battin is trying to put together votes to become the leader of Senate Republicans is shameful. While Battin lost his bid by one swing vote, I am pretty sure than none of his colleagues let that article impact their… Read More

Back when the Clinton Administration was in it’s infancy…[I know, that was the entire 8 years, up to the last-day vandalism of the White House computer "W" keyboard keys and stealing all the china they could], the then new Sec of Interior, Bruce Babbitt vowed that he wanted to be the first secretary to "tear down a dam." That mentality ismoving here in California, the latest concerning the ongoing fight up here at the top of the state and south Oregon over the Klamath River and the allocation of its water. It came to a head in 2001 when Klamath Basin farmers found their tap shut off mid summer because of fish concerns.

The latest is a proposal that has been kicking around for some time of tearing out a series of dams for fish passage. Owned by PacifiCorp,they have been in place on the Klamathfor over 50 years, generating electricityfor, primarily, Californians use. At least 4 dams are in the target sights, They aren’t huge generators like Shasta Lake or Lake Oroville,… Read More

When Jon asked me to consider joining the FlashReport to further highlight the Central Valley’s unique and volatile political culture I was honored. As the premier battleground in California between the parties, the Central Valley has been and will continue to be the place where the conservative movement can make gains in the legislature and congress. I am looking forward to helping the FlashReport deliver up to date information from the region and contributing to the growth of conservatism in the blogosphere. I see the FlashReport as the front line in the battle against the extreme leftist bloggers that pollute the internet political landscape today.

Some people have a feeling that I will be writing extensively about developments in the 11th congressional district. Of course I will. After Jerry McNerney’s slander campaign against Richard Pombo I look forward to critiquing his actual performance in office. I anticipate some fun moments as he will have to make decisions that will be between representing his district or standing with his political soulmates George Miller, Pete Stark and Nancy Pelosi in what is, despite democrat spin to the contrary,… Read More

Mayor Sanders Not Into Camping… The SDUT story was linked from the FR yesterday, but it’s worth repeating. Jerry Sanders had about 30 protesters outside City Hall on Friday, knickers all in a twist over his appearance on KFMB’s Rick Roberts radio show a couple of weeks back. Rick was talking with the Mayor about the illegal encampments in McGonigle Canyon, and asked if Sanders would attendthe legal resident protest campout the next day. Jerry’s tongue-in-cheek answer: “I’m not into camping.”

Those upset with such an outrageous comment had this to share in the SDUT story:

“Shame on you, Mayor Sanders. You bring disgrace to San Diego by your racist remarks and calling down shame upon us,” said the Rev. Patricia Andrews Callori, a member of Justice Overcoming Boundaries. Puh-leaze. Manhattan… Read More

Back when the Clinton Administration was in it’s infancy…[I know, that was the entire 8 years, up to the last-day vandalism of the White House computer "W" keyboard keys and stealing all the china they could], the then new Sec of Interior, Bruce Babbitt vowed that he wanted to be the first secretary to "tear down a dam." That mentality ismoving here in California, the latest concerning the ongoing fight up here at the top of the state and south Oregon over the Klamath River and the allocation of its water. It came to a head in 2001 when Klamath Basin farmers found their tap shut off mid summer because of fish concerns.

The latest is a proposal that has been kicking around for some time of tearing out a series of dams for fish passage. Owned by PacifiCorp,they have been in place on the Klamathfor over 50 years, generating electricityfor, primarily, Californians use. At least 4 dams are in the target sights, They aren’t huge generators like Shasta Lake or Lake… Read More

For many FR readers, the eleven incoming GOP Freshmen members of the State Assembly are already a known quantity, especially for those who are active in or around one of their districts. Many of them have a long history of involvement in politics here in the Golden State. The Assembly Republican Caucus has prepared a handy guide that has the photos and a paragraph or two on each of the eleven, and it is attached below. Congratulations to the Freshman Class: Anthony Adams, Joal Anderson, Tom Berryhill, Paul Cook, Mike Duvall, Jean Fuller, Ted Gaines, Martin Garrick, Kevin Jeffries, Jim Silva and Cameron Smyth!

Of course, FR readers will get to experience a little of life as a "member of the Freshman class" through the eyes of Anthony Adams, who now writing for this website… Thanks, Anthony!… Read More

Today is a great day in California. For years now, the Golden State has been plagued by Trojan fans with out-of-control egos. Today victory by UCLA was an amazing moment, reminding me of how the peaceful denizens of Munchkinland invariably felt when Dorothy Gale’s home landed on the Wicked Witch of the West!

USC is still a great team, and earned their place in the Rose Bowl. But there is glory in knowing that the gold paint on the trophy bell will be covered in blue, and that we ruined Pete Carroll’s Christmas.

(Keith… Finally!)… Read More