Yesterday much to-do was made of this historic nature of the California Assembly electing its first African American female Speaker. There isn’t an article that appears in a major newspaper today on Bass’ taking the oath of office that does not mention this fact. But there is a very important fact that is not mentioned. A critical factor is left out of the story. A factor so important that without its occurrence, it is extremely unlikely that Speaker Bass would have been elected… Legislative term limits.

If the “ruling class” of the Capitol had been successful in passing Proposition 93, the term-limits weakening measure placed on the ballot by former Speaker Fabian Nunez, this “historic event” never would have taken place. Without the voter-enacted three-term limit for members of the State Assembly, Karen Bass would not have had an opportunity to become Speaker. In fact,… Read More

Yesterday much to-do was made of this historic nature of the California Assembly electing its first African American female Speaker. There isn’t an article that appears in a major newspaper today on Bass’ taking the oath of office that does not mention this fact. But there is a very important fact that is not mentioned. A critical factor is left out of the story. A factor so important that without its occurrence, it is extremely unlikely that Speaker Bass would have been elected…

Legislative term limits.

If the “ruling class” of the Capitol had been successful in passing Proposition 93, the term-limits weakening measure placed on the ballot by former Speaker Fabian Nunez, this “historic event” never would have taken place. Without the voter-enacted three-term limit for members of the State Assembly, Karen Bass would not have had an opportunity to become Speaker. In fact, without Proposition 140’s limits, it is entirely likely that Bass would never have been elected… Read More

From today’s Wall Street Journal Political Diary…

Re-Airing Ronald Reagan

… Read More

My column of yesterday where I urge Republicans in the Assembly to nominate and vote for Mike Villines as Speaker came about as I had some discussions with some well-heeled Capitol types about the upcoming vote (today) for Speaker.

Well, I just got off of the phone with Assemblyman Mike Duvall, who called to whomever you call about such things, and he was told there IS NO VOTE TODAY on Karen Bass’ becoming the next Speaker. Duvall was told that such a vote had taken place already (I remember that Democrats caucused and chose Bass as their Speaker-designate, but I did not recall a floor session with a ratification of that selection by the full Assembly).

So I went back and looked at some articles from late February — and sure enough, on Thursday, February 29, the Sacramento Bee reported that the previous day, Bass had been elected Speaker WITH NO DISSENTERS.

So the good news for some, and the missed opportunity for 32 Assembly Republicans is that apparently there will be no vote today.

So all of my friends in the Assembly Republican Caucus can feel good knowing that they… Read More

Today’s news is a mixed bag of fun, nostalgia and news.

Das German Embassy has launched a good-sized media buy in the DC market commemorating the historic and cooperative relationship between the two nations including some great online video ads. Read more here.

The Ose race gets coverage of the Sac Bee endorsement in The Hill, here, and in Roll Call here (subscription required).

Roll Call tallies the work of hyperactive legislators, Democrat Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) and Republican Ron Paul (same one, R-Texas) top the list for prolific policymakers. More here, and sorry, subscription required. By the way, I am tired of making excuses for Roll Call being the only Hill paper in town that requires a subscription for what their competitors give away freely.

Former House GOP member Bob Barr announces his candidacy for president,… Read More

A huge thanks to Adam Day of Sycuan for sending the attached survey results and memo along. Some excerpts… Survey Shows Duncan D. Hunter with Comfortable Lead In 52nd Congressional District Republican Primary Race El Cajon, CA (May 12, 2008) – In a survey of 400 registered voters in the 52nd Congressional district, Duncan D. Hunter, son of current Congressman Duncan Hunter, enjoys a substantial lead over other candidates in the race with 79% voter support.

Sycuan frequently conducts public opinion polling on a wide range of regional issues and election topics and shares the results with the public. This survey of voters in the 52nd Congressional District, where Sycuan is located, also asked voters about key issues in the race. Winning the War on Terror and illegal immigration were the top priorities for voters in this congressional race.

A summary of the survey results from Dr. Richard Maullin of Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates is attached. — According to our recent survey, Duncan D. Hunter holds a massive lead over the field seeking the Republican… Read More

Today each Republican in the State Assembly will have their opportunity to make it clear that ultra-liberal Karen Bass is not their choice for Speaker. Whether by voting for Mike Villines for Speaker (if his name is placed into nomination) or by insisting that their “NO” vote be RECORDED for posterity, each GOP legislator can make the record clear.

When they do, Speaker Bass should not take it any more personally than if these Republicans were voting against one of her bills to increase taxes.

Anyways, Republican legislators who quietly whisper “no” while an official acclimation (unanimous) vote for Bass s tallied aren’t fooling anyone.

Don’t complain about what this next Speaker does with her office if you don’t have the moxie to record your opposition to her being Speaker.… Read More

FlashReport readers will now have another place to aim their browsers as my friend Joel Fox has launched a new website with what promises to be an interesting blog – Fox and Hounds. Joel is the President of the Small Business Action Committee, and is former President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

The site clearly runs the gamut of political opinion when you see Governor Schwarzenegger’s longtime Democrat advisor Bonnie Reiss topping the blogpen over there — she’ll be a balance to the more right-leaning Fox! Joel’s put together a promising crew of bloggers, and we truly wish him the best of luck with his endeavor. Trust me, ’tis no easy thing!

On the occasion of the launch of Fox and Hounds, I asked Joel if he would pen something about the new blog for FR readers, and here it is…