REPUBLICANS SHOULD PRESS FOR A VOTE, AND VOTE TO SUPPORT THE GOVERNOR’S REVISIONS You’ve heard it from FR contributor and Board of Equalization Member Bill Leonard already, but the first order of business in the State Capitol should be to schedule an immediate up or down vote on the Governor’s proposed budget revisions.

Newly minted Republican legislative leaders Senator Dennis Hollingsworth and Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee should ask for an up or down vote right away.

Let me tell you, there is plenty for everyone to dislike in that package, whether you hail from the left or the right. For my part, some of the cuts to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and borrowing money from local governments really don’t sit well with me. And I know that there are a lot for those on the… Read More

The Assembly is plowing through dozens of Democrat-sponsored bills today, literally “fiddling while Rome burns.” Amongst those bills that have passed today is AB 1048, by Alberto Torrico, legislation that increases from 72-hours to 30 days the amount of time parents have to “surrender” their child to the government. Many Republicans voted for this legislation today and in the past, under the impression that it is a “pro-life” policy that will save lives. Some legislation appears good public policy until it is truly examined. AB 1048 is one of those bills that initially makes lawmakers feel good about themselves, but sends the wrong message to the public.

First, the very concept of “surrendering” one’s child to the government is antithetical to the American principle of limited government. America was founded upon the belief that the church and family are the nucleus of our communities. If a woman finds herself unable to care for a newborn, she should be able to turn to her family, church, or local private charities for assistance. But as the… Read More

REPUBLICANS SHOULD PRESS FOR A VOTE, AND VOTE TO SUPPORT THE GOVERNOR’S REVISIONS You’ve heard it from FR contributor and Board of Equalization Member Bill Leonard already, but the first order of business in the State Capitol should be to schedule an immediate up or down vote on the Governor’s proposed budget revisions.

Newly minted Republican legislative leaders Senator Dennis Hollingsworth and Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee should ask for an up or down vote right away.

Let me tell you, there is plenty for everyone to dislike in that package, whether you hail from the left or the right. For my part, some of the cuts to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and borrowing money from local governments really don’t sit well with me. And I know that there are a lot for those on the… Read More

If you need no greater indicator about how life as a Republican legislator in Sacramento is all about defense, you need look no further than a Facebook status update recently posted by Assembly Republican Caucus Chairman Cameron Smyth, who said — “Can't believe the Assembly is voting on 93 bills today and only 4 are authored by Republicans.”

This happens because not only do Democrats author more bills, but more significantly the Democrats kill Republican bills in the various policy committees, while advancing their own.

Actually, it is probably a good sign that there are so few Republican authored bills making it to the floor — given that in order to get to the floor, they have to substantively pass must with ideological leftists.

Until there is more parody in the legislature between parties, Republicans can look forward to passing meaningless studies, non-controversial resolutions, and commemorative license plate bills.

The key, as newly appoint Assembly GOP Floor Leader Curt Hagman would tell you, is to aggresively embarrass Democrats on the floor of the legislature for “fiddling while Rome… Read More

The following had so many comments on my Facebook page yesterday (who’d of thunk FB would become a blog of it’s own), I thought I’d share it here…

Every time I receive an "Urgent Action Alert" email from someone asking for help in saving their particular entity-program-subsidy from CA budget cuts, I will now respond with, "Thanks. Please let me know what should be cut in place of your program?"

Join me?… Read More

With the announcement that President Obama has tapped Republican Congressman John McHugh of New York, the ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, to be the new Secretary of the Army, this opens up the top GOP spot on this key House Committee.

If you were to go strictly on seniority, longtime Maryland Representative Roscoe Bartlett would assume the Ranking Member position. But these days, it is no longer an automatic assumption that the most senior member takes over.

California Republican Howard P. “Buck” McKeon has the next highest level of seniority and the FlashReport has heard rumors that he is looking at a run.

Perhaps, politically, he saw the recent battle for the Ranking Member slot on the House Ways & Means Committee, where fellow Californian Wally Herger, who was next in line in terms of seniority was beat out for that committee’s top spot by Michigan’s Dave Camp – who was… Read More

The Governor gave about a fifteen minute address to the legislature today. Nothing unexpected. You can watch it here (for now), or read it below (or here). Courtesy of the Sacramento Bee you can see a spreadsheet detailing all of the Governor’s proposed cuts (and borrowing) here.

The Governor’s Speech (As Prepared): Earlier this year, we began consolidating all of our IT departments. My proposal to consolidate all of our energy functions is in legislation before you right now. So is a… Read More

Think that voter fraud is ACORN signing up some poor kid 29 times for smokes? Apparently voter fraud is now for the rich and famous as well. Opponents of a Hilton condo and hotel projectare reporting 569 questionable voters in the election that approved the project by 129 votes.

George Runner should do a press conference there for his Vote Safe Initiative.No smokes needed.… Read More