The name of his replacement has not yet been made public… In fact, it still may be in flux as we blog…… Read More

Early this morning, State Senate Republicans caucused off of the Senate Floor, and decided that they wanted to make a change in their leadership. Replacing Dave Cogdill is Dennis Hollingsworth. I have known Dennis personally for over fifteen years, long before he was elected to the legislature. He is a good man and will be a good leader for his caucus. Dennis was a very early, outspoken opponent of this current Big 5/Big Taxes plan, expressing very clear and realistic concerns about the over $14 billion in new taxes that it contains – which would add roughly $1300 a year in new taxes to the average family in California.

This morning I thought I would pen a brief appeal to Hollingsworth’s colleague and counterpart on the other legislative chamber, Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines. As a legislative caucus leader himself, Villines understands the importance for a new leader being able to take stock of his new position. Understanding that Villines supports this current budget deal (a… Read More

Early this morning, State Senate Republicans caucused off of the Senate Floor, and decided that they wanted to make a change in their leadership. Replacing Dave Cogdill is Dennis Hollingsworth. I have known Dennis personally for over fifteen years, long before he was elected to the legislature. He is a good man and will be a good leader for his caucus. Dennis was a very early, outspoken opponent of this current Big 5/Big Taxes plan, expressing very clear and realistic concerns about the over $14 billion in new taxes that it contains – which would add roughly $1300 a year in new taxes to the average family in California.

This morning I thought I would pen a brief appeal to Hollingsworth’s colleague and counterpart on the other legislative chamber, Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines. As a legislative caucus leader himself, Villines understands the importance for a new leader being able to take stock of his new position. Understanding that Villines supports this… Read More

Given that Senate Republican Leader Darrell Steinberg has lectured his colleagues to "bring their toothbrushes" as a statement of his willingness to "lock down" the State Senate until somehow, out of pure physical exhaustion, he can gather votes for his major tax increase (good luck) —members of the State Assemblyare well prepared if Speaker Karen Bass follows uses the same sort of strong-arm tactics the legislature’s lower chamber.

Assemblyman Bill Emmerson, an orthodontist by profession, has provided his Assembly colleagues with toothpaste and toothbrushes.

In a note with his small gift of hygiene products to his colleagues, Emmerson wrote, “I hope this small tube is enough to get you through these trying budget negotiations.”… Read More

Our esteemed editor Jon Fleischman posted a John Fund commentary on the state budget crisis, in which Fund mentioned speculation that Darrell Steinberg and Karen Bass might pass a tax hike on a majority vote.

I say: please, go right ahead. Not only would it be declared unconstitutional, but California voters would be presented with an enormous, purely Democratic tax hike.

I’m all for clarity, and in this case such a rash action by Bass and Steinberg would make it crystal clear to California voters that the Democrats are the party of higher taxes, the party of raiding working family budgets rather than restraining the state spoending spree.… Read More

This morning we praised Senator Cox as being one of 13 GOP Senators who are keeping every family in California safe from billions in new taxes. Now the word is that he is in heavily, unilateral negotiations to try and “strike a deal” — not good. Republicans united can move forward a no taxes plan, such as the one simply articulated by Steve Poizner today. Senator Cox, please help Republicans reject this plan!… Read More

I appreciate that Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner has come out strongly against the budget deal with its $14 billion tax hike (although I cringed at his "they don’t have the guts to raise taxes on the rich" comment. Can we please not lend any credibility to progressive taxation?).

So why is Poizner headlining an event to raise money for Anthony Adams, one of the three Assembly Republicans who is voting to pile this mass of taxes on the rest of us?:

This tax hike isn’t an ordinary issue on which Republicans of good will can disagree. This is elemental. It goes to the heart of the Republican Party’s reason for being. It is a political Rubicon that shouldn’t be crossed without penalty.

One penalty is party luminaries should shun tax-hikers like Adams and refuse to raise money ffor them. I’d like to see Poizner put some teeth into his rhetoric and say, "Sorry Assemblyman Adams, but I can’t ask republicans to… Read More

EDITORIAL FROM TOMORROW’S PRINT EDITION OF THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

If you thought Washington’s stimulus debate was depressing, take a look at the long-running budget spectacle in California. The Golden State’s deficit has reached $42 billion, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is threatening to furlough 20,000 state workers (go ahead, make our day), and as we went to press yesterday Democrats who control the legislature had blocked lawmakers from leaving until they finally get a deal.

It’s sad to watch. The Golden State — which a decade ago was the booming technology capital of the world — has been done in by two decades of chronic overspending, overregulating and a hyperprogressive tax code that exaggerates the impact on state revenues of economic boom and bust. Total state expenditures have… Read More