That was the theme of part of the debate between Larry Dick and Curt Hagman at the SGV Lincoln Club Friday.… Read More

This op-ed appears in today’s Press Enterprise who has been highly critical of the 215/60/91 interchange reconstruction progress.The projectrepresents one of the largest and most complex uses of design sequencing construction ever attempted. There have been problems and delays; however, I believe Mr. Kelley is right on in his following assessment that we throw out this innovation at our community’s peril. But, we must continue to improve upon the application of it.

Don’t drop faster road-work approach because it faltered in Riverside

By NORMAN KELLEY

The Press-Enterprise has been very harsh in its coverage of Caltrans experimenting with design sequencing at the 60/91/215 interchange project in Riverside.

It is undoubtedly correct that design sequencing has delayed this particular project.

On the other hand, we should understand that design sequencing is a successful technique for many products. This is not a new concept, but it is new with respect to Caltrans’ established practices.

There is… Read More

When asked why he robbed banks, the infamous “Slick Willie” Sutton replied, “"because that’s where the money is.” Here in California , the Republican National Committee has put Sutton’s law into full effect. It is clear, based on our analysis, that over the past decade the RNC has engaged in Highway Robbery of the Pacific Coast .

It’s no secret that political candidates and parties routinely rob the Golden State ’s vast resources for political contributions. California acts as an ATM machine where money is taken from here to use elsewhere — campaigns come to California to raise money, but then spend Golden State dollars in other states.

However, the FlashReport’s in-depth analysis of FEC campaign reports reveals a perpetual plundering of California Republicans’ resources for national causes. In 2006, California Republicans returned less than 2¢ for every dollar sent to the Republican National Committee – and that is very unfortunate, and over a period of time, has had a devistating effect here..

**There is more – click the… Read More

When asked why he robbed banks, the infamous “Slick Willie” Sutton replied, “"because that’s where the money is.” Here in California , the Republican National Committee has put Sutton’s law into full effect. It is clear, based on our analysis, that over the past decade the RNC has engaged in Highway Robbery of the Pacific Coast .

It’s no secret that political candidates and parties routinely rob the Golden State ’s vast resources for political contributions. California acts as an ATM machine where money is taken from here to use elsewhere — campaigns come to California to raise money, but then spend Golden State dollars in other states.

However, the FlashReport’s in-depth analysis of FEC campaign reports reveals a perpetual plundering of California Republicans’ resources for national causes. In 2006, California Republicans returned less than 2¢ for every dollar sent to the Republican National Committee – and that is very unfortunate, and over a period of time, has had a devistating effect here..

We set out to dig into this issue because of a lot of numbers being thrown about in our very "colorful"… Read More

Every legislative session there are a few bills that really grab the public’s attention. Of all the high profile bills from last session, perhaps the most controversial for the general public (not policy or political wonks) was Lloyd Levine’s proposal to require every cat and dog in California be spayed or neutered (AB 1634). In fact, some lawmakers stated that they received more letters on this issue then any other issue debated last session. Assemblyman Doug LaMalfa humorously and effectively proved this fact during one assembly appropriations committee hearing by presenting a two-foot high stack of some of the letters his office had received opposing AB 1634.

Ultimately, despite heavy lobbying from the likes of Bob Barker, Pamela Anderson and William Shatner, the bill stalled before session ended. Mr. Levine learned the hard way that people are very protective of their four-legged companions. The bigger issue with this bill is that it—like many of the bills Mr. Levine proposes—seeks to control the lives and freedom of individual citizens. Yes, there is a problem with overcrowding in local animal shelters and we are euthanizing thousands of… Read More

The CCPOA’s coverage of my commentary this morning is pretty funny.… Read More

I have to admit, when it comes to personal relationships with honchos in public employee unions, I really don’t have too many. I worked for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for many years, and so I have a friendship with Wayne Quint, the President of the Deputy’s union there. And my mother-in-law is the Secretary/Treasurer of a union within the California State University system. I think that may be it, actually. So I really didn’t know what to expect yesterday when I sat down for lunch at the Esquire Grill by the State Capitol in Sacramento with the Mike Jimenez, the President of one of California’s largest and most influential public employee unions — the California Correctional Peace Officers Association. I guess you could call this lunch a "victory lap" of sorts as we toasted the defeat of Fabian Nunez’s Proposition 93 scheme. Jimenez came with his "posse" – longtime CCPOA spokesman Ryan Sherman and Juan Vasquez, the "Assistant to the President" — who seemed rather unintimidating, though undoubtedly he can kill people with his little… Read More

This story appears in today’s Roll Call Newspaper on Capitol Hill: