The annual convention of the California Republican Assembly is scheduled for next month, where a new leadership election is scheduled. CRA is and always has been, since the 1930s when it was founded by among others former Governor Earl Warren, the most important Republican volunteer organization in the state. Almost all the leadership of the California Republican Party have had a run threw the chairs of CRA. But while the recent election of leadership in the CRP was quite harmonious, the situation in CRA is hardly the case. Just after the "record date" closed this last week for selection and disclosure of delegates to next month’s convention, the current leadership group, lead by President Celeste Greig, former Barbara Alby aide Tom Hudson, and Orange County volunteer Craig Alexander, apparently determined that they were destined to be turned out of office; so in what would have been their limited time left on the CRA board, they have concocted an emergency "bylaw" amendment that will disenfranchise scores of delegates to the convention and thereby, they hope, perpetuate what has become a very pathetic term of office for all three. An unusual, and… Read More

Yesterday we saw the most recent and highest profile “cessation of negotiations” between Governor Brown, legislative Democrats, and the GOP “Rogue 5” as we call them. There is plenty of analysis available on the web for those who want to dig into the specific policy issues that were being horse traded in return for jamming taxpayers with yet another election held for the purpose of reaching into their pockets. Suffice it to say that my position, which is the position shared by a whole group of taxpayer protection groups in a letter published on the FlashReport today, and the position of 30 Senate and Assembly Republicans – there is NO public policy trade off that makes it okay to then vote to place taxes onto a special election ballot.

It is my sincerest hope that this latest “break” in negotiations is not just more posturing, as some budget kabuki dances take longer than others, but that it really means that the idea of Republicans putting up at least two votes in each chamber to put taxes on the ballot is extinguished.

As I have written before, if the very large tax increases passed as part of… Read More

The following letter from major taxpayer advocacy organizations was distributed yesterday in the State Capitol to the offices of Republican legislators… (The link below opens a .pdf of the formatted letter complete with logos of the various organizations and signatures of their representatives.)

March 29, 2011 Dear Republican Legislators: Re: Expiration of the 2009 Tax Increases; Restoring California The undersigned taxpayer leaders are writing to reiterate our position that the 2009 tax increases hurt California; why they should be allowed to… Read More

AFP California Airs Radio Ads Opposing Governor’s Tax Increases Grassroots group begins campaign to educate citizens about attempts to increase taxes

Sacramento—Grassroots taxpayer advocacy organization Americans for Prosperity California kicks off the "Hold Them Accountable" campaign today airing radio ads calling on taxpayers to urge their legislators to oppose Governor Jerry Brown’s tax increases. Specifically, the ads will focus on Senators Tom Berryhill and Anthony Cannella, both Republicans who seem open to supporting the tax hikes. The ads are part of a media and ground campaign to educate and mobilize citizens in opposition to tax increases.

Listen to the ad – below the ad is the script…

… Read More

There is no more significant organizational endorsement for a Republican candidates for office, partisan or non, than this one — congratulations to Chuck DeVore… – Flash

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association PAC Endorses Chuck DeVore for Orange County Board of Supervisors

March 29, 2011, Irvine, CA – The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association PAC, California’s foremost defender of taxpayers’ rights, today announced its endorsement of former State Assemblyman Chuck DeVore in his campaign for Orange County Board of Supervisors, 3rd District. Jon Coupal, the President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, the largest taxpayers association in… Read More

Five years ago, when the proposal for a redistricting commission came up before the Legislature, I balked. I said then that the Democrats would figure out a way to turn the commission their way. Redistricting is the most political thing that occurs in politics. Careers and jobs are on the line, and since government is the "be all and end all" for Democrats, they would make sure they would take over the process. The only problem? We would lose all accountability. We couldn’t argue that the lines were unfair. We asked for, and got, a "balanced, unbiased" commission. In the mine of politics, the Democrats would get the gold, and we would get the shaft.

I was told to mind my own business. My colleagues said I didn’t know what I was talking about. I pointed out that there was no such thing as an unbiased commission. In the world of politics, Democrats go out of their way to be partisan, and they prove it every day by attacking Republicans. Republicans, on the other hand, go out of their way to be nonpartisan, and they prove it every day by attacking… Read More

With a h/t and shoutout FR friend Paul Mitchell who went through great efforts to organize it online, venerable political analyst Charlie Cook’s first real analysis of how California Congressional Redistricting is available here. It’s worth looking at — it even has maps! Of course this is all one person’s take, and the Commission has yet to release any preliminary plans… But it’s worth a peek.

Cook predicts the following incumbents may have some trouble due to new lines…

Republicans

Dan Lungren (CA-03) Elton Gallegly (CA-24) David Dreier (CA-26) Gary Miller (CA-42) Ken Calvert (CA-44)

Democrats

Jerry McNerney (CA-11) Sam Farr (CA-17) Dennis Cardoza (CA-18) Jim Costa (CA-20) Brad Sherman (CA-27) Howard Berman (CA-28) Laura Richardson … Read More

On Sunday and Monday, United States Congressman Mike Pence made a brief swing through Los Angeles and Orange County. Pence, the former Chairman of the House Republican Conference (the number three slot in leadership) stepped down from his leadership post recently — leading to much speculation that the well-respected conservative Representative might be looking at a run for the White House, or for Governor. As things have evolved, it is all but certain that Pence will run for Governor of his home state of Indiana (all eyes are on current Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, who himself is eying a run at the Presidency).

Pence’s visit started with a speech to the Republican Jewish Coalition in Los Angeles, followed by a day of gatherings in Orange County. At lunchtime yesterday he spoke to a luncheon hosted by the Pacific Research Institute, followed by an intimate roundtable with members of the Family Action PAC (I participated in this and was really impressed the the Congressman’s depth and commitment to faith and principles). Pence then went onto an event for the Orange County Lincoln… Read More