As I’ve previously mentioned several times, Controller Chiang decided to put his public employee union bosses, from whom he has raked in plenty of campaign dough, ahead of taxpayers when he refused to implement the Governor’s Executive Order during the last budget impasse. While the state was facing an huge financial shortfall and the Governor was taking executive action to cut costs by reducing the pay of state employees to minimum wage, Chiang refused to implement the order and cited that his computers weren’t up to speed with what was required from a 5-year old court ruling.

Yesterday, Judge Timothy M. Frawley has tentatively sided with Schwarzenegger based on a 2003 case, White v. Davis, that ruled that state workers aren’t authorized their full pay until the money is appropriated in the state budget. Since tentative rulings are rarely overturned, we can expect that the Judge will take this stance again on Friday in his final ruling. This sets a… Read More

An edited version of this commentary appears today in Capitol Weekly Newspaper, and can be accessed here.

THE “BEST WE COULD GET” WAS THE LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN THE HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA? By Jon Fleischman

Last week, six Republican legislators joined with all of the Democrats in the State Capitol to vote for the single largest state-level tax increase in the history of our nation. I could spend a few paragraphs outlining for you why, on a policy level, this is exactly the opposite of what Californians need right now from their state government. But I wanted to spend a little more time on the political ramifications of that decision, at least as it impacted the delegates at the California… Read More

An edited version of this commentary appears today in Capitol Weekly Newspaper, and can be accessed here. THE “BEST WE COULD GET” WAS THE LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN THE HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA?

By Jon Fleischman

Last week, six Republican legislators joined with all of the Democrats in the State Capitol to vote for the single largest state-level tax increase in the history of our nation. I could spend a few paragraphs outlining for you why, on a policy level, this is exactly the opposite of what Californians need right now from their state government. But I wanted to spend a little more time on the political ramifications of that decision,… Read More

The Flash Report’s “Blog Scan” page is a great resource to track the daily events in Sacramento and I frequently read the articles posted. I couldn’t help but notice that the California Majority Report recently posted an update by Steve Maviglio titled, “De León: Greater Transparency Need in State Spending.” Maviglio details De León’s Assembly Bill 400 which will require state agencies to post their general and federal fund expenditures online. Maviglio speculates that De León got the idea from President Obama’s promise to track stimulus spending. However, this idea is certainly not new nor is it Obama’s creation. My Republican colleagues and I have introduced similar legislation only to have it stalled in committee. In fact, last year I introduced… Read More

You have to ask yourself what kind of a dumb person would literally, and with a lack of literary delicacy, put a cell phone up their butt. Actually, it turns out maybe not so dumb after all. Who would have a good reason to do this? Better yet — why should it be a felony? Senator John Benoit can answer these questions right here.

(And before you prejudge me or Senator Benoit, he is not introducing legislation that would limit the use of a cell phone, in this manner for "recreational" purposes… Individual liberty is, after all, not to be trampled upon lightly… I know… Gross…)

For those of you with long memories, back in the 80’s, Eddie Murphy recorded this tune, which seems an appropriate way to end this most inappropriate blog post…

… Read More

For what it’s worth, I wanted to share some thoughts about the quasi State of the Union last night:

There’s no doubt Obama is an exceptional orator, but much of the content was a mile wide and an inch deep and it will be hard to translate so many policy priorities into first year accomplishments.

First some general audience observations. Rep. Sanchez was falling out of her chair to hug, handshake and buss the president; despite what some say we are a nation at war and Congress could do better to keep the celebrity president hysteria to a minimum. I also noted several familiar GOP and Democratic members seeking autographs toward the end of the ceremony. Speaker Pelosi on more than one occasion seemed uncertain when to applaud–reforming social security, good idea–oh wait. One reporter we heard said members got their as much as 12 hours early to hold their aisle seats for a handshake chance. Fortunately Congress’ results are not matched against billable office hours.

President Obama repeated the phrase or iterations of "we inherited" on three occasions that I counted. We all know what he was saying and for… Read More

The Republicans’ new leader in the Senate, Dennis Hollingsworth, announced his new leadership team today. Congratulations to Senators Walters, Strickland and Wyland. It’s noteworthy that freshmen senators Walters and Strickland hold such important positions:

SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER HOLLINGSWORTH TAPS MEMBERS FOR KEY POSITIONS Sacramento—Senator Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth (R—Murrieta) announced today his new selections for roles within his Senate Republican Leadership Team. Effective today, Senator Mimi Walters (R-Laguna Hills) is assuming the duties of the Assistant Senate Republican Leader. Senator Walters is well known for her commonsense fiscal discipline and commitment to governmental reform.

“Senator Walters is a talented and gifted individual with unwavering principles who is best known for her conservative principles. As our state continues to tackle the serious fiscal issues plaguing California, I am confident that Walters will provide a sound fiscal approach that best represents California working families,” stated Hollingsworth.

Senator Tony Strickland (R-Thousand Oaks) has been… Read More

At the California Republican Convention Ivisited with former Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney. As FR readers probably know, Governor Romney bought a house in La Jolla.

We talked about various things over the 20 minutes or so we spoke. One thing really stood out. He said he was not going to be in California more than six months less one day.

Why? He didn’t want to be declared a resident because there is about a 5% difference in the tax rate for “wealthy” people between Massachusetts and California. And that was before the surtax and increases recently approved by the Legislature and Governor Schwarzenegger.

Massachusetts fondly referred to, as Taxachussets by conservatives is now a tax haven for Mitt Romney.

California doesn’t get it. If you tax the “wealthy” more than those around you they will leave or make sure they pay their taxes in another state. Ask Mitt Romney, Tiger Woods or go door to door in Incline Village.

California needs a new sign on our border.

Welcome to Taxifornia!… Read More