Today I am pleased to offer this guest editorial from longtime FR friend State Senator Jeff Denham…

So California can’t sell its bonds because the outside world has no confidence in our leadership’s ability to manage the state’s finances. And now public works projects are shutting down—projects that the public approved at the governor’s urging. If only he had shown as much leadership throughout his tenure in fighting for budget reform. Instead, when that issue wasn’t an easy win and didn’t come with accolades from the Democrats and the media, he shifted his attention to global warming. For once, a politician’s chickens are coming to roost when he is still in office. I’m glad that the Schwarzenegger is having to deal with this mess. He could have avoided it—or at least the deficit wouldn’t be this big and his options would be better—if he had stayed true to his word when he first ran for office and shepherded through real budget reform early on.

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Today I am pleased to offer this guest editorial from longtime FR friend State Senator Jeff Denham…

One important step in solving the state’s budget crisis is to eliminate wasteful resources and look for potential opportunities to create new revenue without raising taxes.

One significant opportunity is to sell the 432 acres of pristine California land that houses San Quentin State Prison. This state property sits on a prime bay front section of Marin County and has the potential to provide the state with substantial revenue.

**There is more –… Read More

Last week, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass threatened that shemay very well "lock down" the California State Assembly next week, for the Christmas Holiday. In legislative parlance, a lock down is when the members of the Assembly are literally forced to stay in the Legislative Chamber and not allowed to leave. I know, it sounds very immature, but it is true. I guess Bass’ theory is that Republican resolve to not punish California taxpayers in response to the chronic overspending of the Speaker’s party is so fragile that the threat of missing church for Christmas mass, or missing a chance to sip eggnog, or not being able to watch their kids open presents under the family tree will cause some GOPers to suddenly embrace billions of dollars in devastating tax increase.

Below is a marquis that one of our loyal readers put together that really captures the essence of Speaker Bass and this very stupid idea.

You’re a mean one, Speaker Bass!!

Care to read comments, or make your own about today’s… Read More

Last week, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass threatened that shemay very well "lock down" the California State Assembly next week, for the Christmas Holiday. In legislative parlance, a lock down is when the members of the Assembly are literally forced to stay in the Legislative Chamber and not allowed to leave. I know, it sounds very immature, but it is true. I guess Bass’ theory is that Republican resolve to not punish California taxpayers in response to the chronic overspending of the Speaker’s party is so fragile that the threat of missing church for Christmas mass, or missing a chance to sip eggnog, or not being able to watch their kids open presents under the family tree will cause some GOPers to suddenly embrace billions of dollars in devastating tax increase.

Below is a marquis that one of our loyal readers put together that really captures the essence of Speaker Bass and this very stupid idea.

You’re a mean one, Speaker Bass!!

… Read More

This afternoon the liberal Democrats who have overspent California's budget into the deficit-mired creature that we have before us today are queuing up their latest attempt to stick-in to taxpayers. Speaker Karen Bass is telling all that this afternoon the lower chamber will have a vote on BILLIONS of dollars in higher taxes — and to that, Republicans should and must send a resounding message –NO WAY.

It doesn't take much of a look in the rear view mirror to know that as of today, we have had NO real cuts in state spending. In fact, the budget adopted after much agony a few months ago still managed to INCREASE (not decrease) state spending by a half a percent. Yes, all of the screaming by liberals and posturing by the unions was all over a “decrease in the increase” that they wanted.

Today's votes are critical in demonstrating that Republican resolve is strong — that without a permanent spending cap tied to growth in population and inflation, passed by the voters — tax increases are not even on the table for a discussion. Frankly, even then, they are a stupid idea in a bad economy.

I have… Read More

After his election I asked Glen Forch for his background and vision for Los Angeles County. I’ve know Glen along time and supported his bid for BOE. Yes, there was a GOP Primary. I know most people don’t know him. I will be discussing the challenges for the Los Angeles County GOP at a latter time.This is what he sent:

Glen Forsch Biography/Republican

Member: Ex-Officio 43rd A.D. Central Committee Ex-Officio L.A. County Central Committee Ex-Officio California State Party (Delegate) Beach Cities Republican Club Buck and Ballot Brigade Republican Women’s Federated Speakers Bureau

Political Activity: Ran for School Board in Burbank Three Times Ran for State Board of Equalization, District #4 two times as party nominee GOTV for 43rd A.D. in 2002, 2004, and Arnold’s special election in 2005 GOTV 2008 for Buck and Ballot Brigade in the 43rd A.D. Volunteer for the Charles Hahn for U.S. Congress campaign Volunteer for the Gary Bric for Burbank City Council campaign

Vision for L.A. County:

We have to have a presence in all areas of… Read More

Corruption: As the Senate continues to debate the fate of the Auto rescue plan, much of the news when I was in Washington this week centered on the corruption allegations concerning Illinois Governor Blagojevich. Those allegations are pretty astounding, and disgusting. Combine them with the news of Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK), Congressman William Jefferson (D-LA), former Governor Eliot Spitzer (D-NY), former Congressman Duke Cunningham (R-CA), and former Congressman Bob Ney (R-OH); one can get pretty cynical. And that’s just some of the recent convictions or indictments. There are others and a whole bunch more under investigation. What’s going on? Is everybody on the take somehow? No they’re not. But as the saying goes, evil triumphs when good men do nothing. And we have done lots of nothing lately. But the depth and severity of this scandal, along with what appears to be a lack of remorse on the part of those involved, just might change that. I applaud President-elect Obama and some other prominent Democrats in Illinois for calling for the resignation of Governor Blagojevich. I also applaud those in the Illinois State legislature… Read More