The future the California economy will be in limbo for decades should AB 32 be signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger. The effort to save us from global warming (an unfortunate name that conveys images of the holidays and family sitting around a ‘warm’ toasty fireplace) the Democratic-led legislature and Democratic-led Governor’s office will seriously damage California’s chance to be competitive in the global economy.

The goal: reduce green-house gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020

Today’s LA Times article gives some good background of the bill. Often quoted Claremont McKenna College government professor Jack Pitney claims that Schwarzenegger has effectively taken yet another issue away from Angelides with this move. No argument there from me. But at what cost? Think about how many voters have held their nose and supported this Republican Governor solely because he has worked to make CA more hospitable to jobs. They not only have a diminished reason to do so now, but more to the point, they may not… Read More

This release came from Assembly Republican George Plescia, perhaps it is a counterpart to Arnold’s ‘hubris’ release bragging up his deal with the Democrats. AB 32 Will Drive Away Businesses, Create Unaccountable Tax Bureaucracy

SACRAMENTO – Calling it a misguided solution that will severely harm California’s economy, Assembly Republicans today sharply criticized passage of legislation that would place arbitrary limits on greenhouse gas emissions in California and set up a new, unaccountable tax bureaucracy that could impose billions in higher taxes.

“Republicans believe that we must act responsibly to protect the environment, but Assembly Bill 32 is an overreaching approach that will destroy our state’s economy,” said… Read More

Updated final vote 42-29 sorry to steal your thunder, Amigo. [Once again, ‘Speedy’ beats me to it! Here is the post I almost got up before him — Well, the final tally on AB 523, the FlashReport’s 2007 Golden Trash Can Award ricipient, was 42 – . Since it takes 41 votes to pass a bill in the State Assembly, that means that this de facto ‘gift’ of $18 million is now in the hands of the Governor… I guess when you look at Matt Cunningham’s post below, we can try to hope that the Magic 8 Ball comes up – VETO. Oh yes — NOT ONE REPUBLICAN VOTED FOR THIS BILL, IN EITHER HOUSE – Flash]

Passes by a vote of 41-28. Sorry Jon. It is on call now. … Read More

Medical science has given us the body scan — a technology that enables us to scan an individual’s body and detect the presence or absence of diseases.

Political science needs to produce a political body scan — a technology that would enable us to scan a politician’s body and detect the presence or absence of principles. I recommend Gov. Schwarzenegger as the first test subject, because I am reluctantly coming to the belief he lacks any defining, determining set of political principles.

A politician’s party affiliation is generally a pretty good (but not perfect) indicator of his or her stance on an issue. However, If one is trying to figure out whether the Governor will oppose or support a policy, a Magic 8-Ball is probably as reliable an indicator as his political affiliation.

Case in point:… Read More

AB 2948, The Democrats "We’re StillApoplectic ThatGeorge W. Bush Won in 2000" bill passed 48-30.It wouldfurther shift Electoral College power away from what those "pesky" Founders thought would be fair to small states and rural areas, in presidential elections. This proposal even more so marginalizes places like theNorth State and boils the campaign down to the 11 most populated states having the number of Electors to decide the presidential election under this bizarre coalition. What if the 11 biggest states are all "blue" ones?

The bill, SB 1578, requiring dog owners to not tetherdogs for more than 3 hours at a time [the subject of numerous calls from farmers, ranchers, people with dogs and without huge yards] was stopped temporarily 40-33, with reconsideration today.

A bill [SB 927]to tax $30, every container that goes in and out of Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach scraped by 42-35, putting California exports at a further disadvantage and raising the costs of all the imported stuff to consumers.

A "locomotive air impact mitigation fee",SB 459, for the South Coast was… Read More

AB 32, just heard in Assembly Natural Resources Committee, on which I serve as ViceChair, was just sent on it’s merry way to our Floor on aparty line vote. This is the first shot that Republican Assembly members had to be heardon this bill in it’sformative and final stages. It’s been all over the map and has come down to just a very few negotiating these terms without our input nor the true stakeholders.The bill was introduced on the very first day of this 2 yearsession, Dec 6, 2004 [the day before PearlHarbor Day]and here we are at the last possible moment of sessionshoving it through in this manner of process. This could have such far reaching effects on every aspect of our economy, it makes one shudder, as things could get very precarious economically. Most business and industry groups are opposed but a few havegulped the Flavor-Aid.

Oh well, us sheepall get to deal with it…I’ll let you know when it hits our Floor.… Read More

At least three times in the last week I have received what sounded like the same call from a sitting city council member in three different cities. In each case the call went something like this: "Adam, what is CANDIDATE X doing? If he/she is going to win a seat on this council/become mayor he/she needs to start NOW!"

Point well taken. In each case I put a call into the respective candidate who is a friend and gave them a swift kick in the rear.

The calls are illustrative of a big issue in campaigning, especially for local office. Supporters want to see activity, action, movement and progress. They get anxious when they see nothing happening. As well they should. Inaction at this hour in a campaign is inexcusable.

I say be every where and any where. This is the time when reporters and insiders make up there mind and put candidates in a box: winner or loser. Don’t be the latter.

As inefficient a use of your time it might seem to be, walk a few precincts with just a… Read More

Every piece of legislation that comes up for a vote in the legislature is analyzed by consultants on both the Republican and Democrat sides of the isle. This review and summary of a bill help legislators to sort out the good from the bad.

Well, it is no wonder why Republicans are distancing themselves from Assembly Bill 523, by LA Democrat Carol Liu, that would allow the Coast Community College District to sell their television station (KOCE) to KOCE’s Foundation for millions under top market value. Current law prohibits that, but now the district, helped by Liu (who isn’t even from Orange County) are working an end-run around the law, by trying to ‘sneak through’ legislation that, literally, only applies to this one instance, and would specifically allow the station to be sold at less than market value.

Well, the experienced analysts for Senate Republicans looked at this bill and they have some very serious concerns that this bill could in fact allow for a "gift of public funds" by allowing a government asset to specifically be sold at less than market value, and therefore the proposed law if enacted could very well be a… Read More