[Cross-posted from OC Blog]

Gubernatorial candidate Steve Poizner rightly labeled the tax hike/budget package a "raw deal." Even better than words is some action: Poizner will not go ahead with a scheduled March 5 event he was headlining to raise money for Assemblyman Anthony Adams re-election.

Adams, as readers know, is one of the Quisling Six Republicans without whose votes the rest of us wouldn’t be getting hit with a huge tax increase.

Kudos for Steve Poizner for putting some walk into the talk.

Now maybe those Assembly Republicans who have endorsed Adams’ re-election will yank there endorsements and maybe recruit a challenger.… Read More

If you haven’t done so already, be sure to join my new FaceBook group, "Never Elect Abel Maldonado To Anything, Ever Again," which launched late yesterday morning. We have more than 300 members and counting.

One byproduct is a message I received from Chris Tolles, the CEO of Topix, LLC. You can read it here.

Chris identifies himself as a Republican, but blasts those of us who oppose the massive tax hike as "obstructionists" who need to follow Arnold Schwarzenegger’s example if there”s to be any hope of growing the California Republican Party.

And in a startling example of cognitive dissonance, Tolles also exclaims — while praising the virtues of Arnold’s leadership — that we need to end public employee unioon control of state government.

Tolles is correct about the unions, of course, but how that meshes with devotion to Arnold doesn’t compute. Arnold apologized for his attempt to tame union power in 2005, and the unions have actually… Read More

Today I announced my intention to run for the second district seat on the California Board of Equalization – the seat is currently held by Bill Leonard, who is termed out in 2010.

My goal is to serve as a voice for California taxpayers and business owners who are increasingly faced with hostile environments created by burdensome regulations and laws. California’s hard-working families already pay the highest income and sales taxes in the nation – they deserve a dedicated taxpayer advocate on California’s Tax Board.

I am proud to announce my steering committeewho areelected officials, sheriffs, district attorneys and organizational leaders throughout the BOE second district, including:

•Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield), Chief Deputy Whip •Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) •Senator Bob Dutton (R-San Bernardino) •Senator Tony Strickland (R-Camarillo) •Assemblyman Curt Hagman (R-Chino Hills) •Assemblywoman Audra Strickland (R-Camarillo) •Assemblyman Cameron Smyth (R-Santa Clarita) •Former Assemblywoman Sharon Runner (R-Lancaster) •California… Read More

As the State GOP Convention begins, I wanted to get a late word in for my friend Mike Osborn, Chairman of the Ventura County Republican Party, who is running for the CRP’s Central Coast Vice Chairman position. He’s running unopposed, but yet is worthy of a shout-out. He’s certainly got my support, and I hope he has yours! Here is something he wrote for your perusal…

These three Republican Senators: Roy Ashburn, Dave Cogdill, and Abel Maldonado all just vote to approve over $14 billion in new taxes, along with (of course) every Democrat.

It is a sad, depressing day indeed. Horrible for taxpayers, and terrible for the Republican Party.… Read More

From Capitol Alert:

This morning, Adams joined Assembly GOP leader Mike Villines and Assemblyman Roger Niello, R-Fair Oaks, as the three GOP votes needed, along with every Democrat, to pass the $40 billion budget deficit package in the lower house. The plan includes $15 billion in spending cuts, $12.8 billion in temporary tax increases, and $11.4 billion in borrowing.

By the time of the vote, Adams had gathered signed 2010 endorsements from every single Republican in the Assembly.

"While all the members may not feel the same way that I do about the matter, they are still very supportive of me and know that I’m doing this on principle and not for some giveaway or something like that," Adams said.

Un-fer-reaking-believable.

What does Adams have to do for his colleagues to yank their endorsements: Burn a picture of Ronald Reagan on the Assembly floor?… Read More

This weekend the CA GOP will gather in Sacramento for the Spring Convention and the power of the State Republican Parties and the National Committee men and women is made clear in this article just published in Politics Magazine. State and local party members have a real impact in setting our national agenda.

A cloud of potential ruin hangs Republicans and over the Democrats too. State Senator Maldonado’s sucker punch in the gut of organized political parties could destroy our party structure. The ‘top-two’ Primary System could see two Republicans face-off in a General Election.

Expect strong opposition to the measure this weekend.

http://www.politicsmagazine.com/plan-of-steele/… Read More

In the Assembly —

Republican Assemblymen Mike Villines, Anthony Adams and Roger Niello put up the necessary Republican votes to pass the $14 billion + in new taxes.

Oh — and to make matters even worse, Republican legislators flocked onto measure to place an open primary on next June’s primary ballot. Wonderful "reforms" team — taxes, and then a measure designed to destroy political parties.

I am tired, so you’ll have to wait to get more thoughts on all of this from me.

If you are bored today, you can call the Governor and ask him to veto the taxes that he wants and the open primary that he wants. But it would be a waste of time.… Read More