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

In the make-believe world of Sacramento, 6 year veteran of the 59th district, Republican Assemblyman Dennis Mountjoy is presiding over our session…rather effectively, too…no one is defying the presiding officer, and there is much laughter as we finish business. A great gesture by Leland Yee and Mr Speaker Nunez.… 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

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

[The Daily Commentary for Wednesday, August 30, 2006, has been penned by FlashReport San Diego Correspondent Barry Jantz. After I read this piece, I had two thoughts come to mind — the first is that Barry’s daughter, Kayleigh, rocks! The second is that because he signed SB 1441, I don’t know how to deal with the Governor on a go-forward basis. It was such an obviously bad bill that you wonder what was going through his mind – Flash] Today was my daughter’s first day of kindergarten. A great day. It goes without saying that Colleen and I are proud of Kayleigh, but we are also blessed to be able to send her to Christian Elementary near La Mesa, part of the acclaimed Christian Unified Schools of San Diego.

Kayleigh had no separation anxiety or any other problem this first day. She’s about as well-adjusted as a kid can be (I know I’m biased, of course), but it also helps that shewas in the Pre-K program at the school last year with many of the same classmates,makingthis "step up" perhaps… Read More