Someday, people will eventually figure out that all that campaign contribution limits do is make it harder for the public to figure out the flow of money to candidates and causes.

There is no better example than the list published on the Fair Political Practices Commission website today that lists, The Top Ten Beneficiaries of Independent Expenditures In Legislative Elections. Massive amounts of money are moving around from interests that would probably have just donated straight to the candidates, were in not for our lame system of free-speech restrictions.

There are two main losers of campaign contribution limits. The first is the public who now has to try and figure out the contorted money trail as the "flow of free speech" will find its way… The other are well meaning candidates who maybe have family and friends who would donate larger chunks of money to their campaigns, but because of the limits, they don’t. These candidates either don’t run, or are at a decided disadvantage to those candidates who know, or have friends who know how to work the… Read More

Budget time is coming again, and we are hearing more ominous reports about how bad the problem is. Some of my conservative friends in the Legislature are worrying again that a tax increase is in the cards for this budget, and they believe Schwarzenegger is going to propose one again in the May revise. To do so would be a disaster politically in a year that could be very good for Republicans, but more important, the economic damage that will occur from a tax increase in the midst of one of the worst recessions in recent memory is significant. If Schwarzenegger did propose such an increase, or if enough Legislative Republicans went along with the proposal, the misery index in California would rise dramatically. The harm to working Californians from such a proposal could be irreparable. I hope the Republicans in the Governor’s office, and in the Legislature are smart enough to see that, and to resist the temptation of a tax increase proposal. Yes, $20 billion in additional spending reductions would be difficult, to be sure. The alternative, however, would be devastating economically and politically.

But since this is a political year,… Read More

Over the past few weeks many of us have been involved in the process of writing ballot statements and submitting them to the Secretary of State and county election officials. After each cycle I always shake my head at this process.

Here are a couple things that need to changed.

The date that statewide ballot statements are due needs to be the same or later than the deadline to file for office. Some of you may not be aware that under Prop 34 candidates that accept expenditure limits are able to but a place in the statewide ballot pamphlet for $25 per word. It is a great opportunity to communicate with voters for campaigns that may not get much of an opportunity.

So the deadline for this is? February 17th. No problem right? Wrong. The deadline for filing to run for office is March 12th. So if you decided you want to run for Governor on February 18th this year then you did not have this option available to you.

That is not a real opportunity to compete for the position. This is especially true for down ticket races.

As I understand it, Senator Tony Strickland did not decide to… Read More

For years in the legislature now in private practice I’ve been disgusted by the legislative rankings of the "Small Business Association". Every year this organization give the most anti-small business Democrats in the legislature high rankings for their great pro-small business votes. So what popped over my email again today? This year’s asinine list.

It should be an embarrassment for any reasonable business or business organization to be affiliated with this group. Take a minute and visit the "Small Business Association" website, and you’ll recognize some of their corporate donors and other affiliations, who may or may not recognize what they are supporting.

Give them a call and ask them why they possible lend their name and/or money to a group that rewards liberal Democrats, and provides them cover. As for Republican legislators and their staffs, I’d do what most of the San Diegans have already done – refuse to participate in their yearly award ceremony where they hand out kudos to the same liberals who are crushing small businesses.… Read More

HJTA Invites Taxpayers to “March on Sacramento” To End Tyranny Against the Taxpayer New Radio spot hits the airwaves

Sacramento — The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association announced today it has issued an invitation to taxpayers across the state for a virtual “March on Sacramento” to end tyranny against the taxpayer.

The march invites taxpayers to sign the “Declaration of Taxpayer Rights.” The declaration states that Californians have a right to limited taxation, the right to vote on tax increases, and the right to economical, equitable and efficient use of the taxpayer dollars.

The declarations from around the state will be delivered to the Legislature and the Governor during the Tax Day Tea Party on the Capitol steps on April 15th.

To get involved in the effort to stop tyranny against the taxpayer, visit www.HJTA.org. You can listen to the new radio spot on the player… Read More

I’m playing a little catch-up… Earlier in the week Meg Whitman launched (yet) another television spot. This one, entitled "Doing" emphasizes the need to run state government more like a business..

… Read More

Occasionally the news release is received that deserves to be published verbatim…

AB’32’s Costs Are No Joke – Even On April Fool’s Day With a Million Jobs and Billions of Dollars at Stake, AB 32 is No Laughing Matter Sacramento – Beleaguered families and small businesses will be happy to learn that their troubles are over – California can scrap its existing energy infrastructure and technologies, put new futuristic vehicles in everyone’s driveway, new appliances in everyone’s home, eliminate the use of fossil fuels, and save the planet from global warming. And we can do it all with no noticeable economic impact whatsoever! … Read More

According to an update on the Sacramento Bee’s Capitol Alert Blog, Republican Attorney General candidate John Eastman will have listed as his ballot designation Constitutional Law Attorney.

Eastman had filed a designation of Assistant Attorney General as he is currently holding that title from the state of South Dakota as he represents that state in a matter before the Supremes. The judge apparently felt that this title was misleading.

Eastman tried unsuccessfully to get Taxpayer Advocate/Attorney as his designation, citing among other things his work on behalf of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. The judge also rejected that designation.

You can get more detail from the Bee’s post here.

Needless to say, this decision is a poor one for Eastman — and benefits Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley’s candidacy. Conventional wisdom says that there is an advantage to being the only candidate running in a Republican… Read More