Before I ran for California state assembly in 2006, I was what you might call a “political fan.” I wore my team’s colors, cheered in the stands, and never missed a game/debate on TV. I knew the stats on all my team’s players, and the stats of the players on the opposing team. Every Election Day was a Superbowl.

When I ran for office, I got to get down on the field a little bit. I got to know some of the players up close, heard them talking away from the press and the fans, and in some cases, became disillusioned and disappointed by what I saw behind the scenes.

Since that experience, it’s been much more difficult for me to feel that same heady rush when I see something good happen in politics, because I am suspicious that there is some selfish motivation behind what I see. However, today, I let myself be thoroughly inspired again. I let myself believe that our country still has people in politics that care more about our nation than themselves. I let myself see real leadership in politics,… Read More

AB 1X [technically known as AB 1 X1] passes right on time to the floor for our scheduled 1PM session on a party line vote from Assembly Appropriations Committee, all Reps voting "no" on this 239 page document, still warm off the press.… Read More

Last week was a bit crazy, so I am playing a little bit of catch up.

We linked to a story by Nancy Vogel in the Los Angeles Times where, after much controversy swirled about Fabian Nunez buying thousands of dollars in french wines on a European junket, it turns out that Nunez foisted the wine on the California Democratic Party.

Well, last Friday the fine folks at the No on 93 campaign gave a gift to Speaker Nunez. They had delivered to his office a bottle of Charles Shaw Chardonnay. Those in the know refer to Shaw as "Two Buck Chuck" because that’s all it costs. It’s thrifty, its American, and I am sure it ended up in the Speaker’s sterling silver trash can.

The No on 93 folks say that, "Admittedly, the bottle of Two Buck Chuck was purchased at a Trader… Read More

With California facing a $14 billion budget deficit and an expected vote in the Assembly today to create a new $14 billion government-run health care scheme, I hope my Democrat colleagues will watch this video. Saturday Night Live has officially become the voice of reason on spending control…

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Members of the California State Assembly are traveling today to the State Capitol. 47 of them will arrive to cast what must be the dumbest vote in the history of California politics and policy — political theater at its worst. That would be the Assembly Democrats who apparently will follow the unwise bidding of Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and the group of left-wing ideologues at the center of his leadership team. For Nunez, passing a massive government-growth health care proposal is a feather in his Loius Vuitton cap. For the others in his cabal, it is about their fervor to expand the size and scope of government — a need to expand the "social contract" between government and the people through and ever expanding redistribution of wealth. Whether blinded by pride like Nunez, or by ideology, like his Lieutenants, Democrats are prepared to pass legislation that would be the framework for a massive $14 billion ++ entitlement program. This when… Read More

Members of the California State Assembly are traveling today to the State Capitol. 47 of them will arrive to cast what must be the dumbest vote in the history of California politics and policy — political theater at its worst. That would be the Assembly Democrats who apparently will follow the unwise bidding of Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and the group of left-wing ideologues at the center of his leadership team. For Nunez, passing a massive government-growth health care proposal is a feather in his Loius Vuitton cap. For the others in his cabal, it is about their fervor to expand the size and scope of government — a need to expand the "social contract" between government and the people through and ever expanding redistribution of wealth. Whether blinded by pride, like Nunez, or by ideology like his Lieutenants, Democrats are prepared to pass legislation that would be the framework for a massive $14 billion ++ entitlement program. This when… Read More

I’ll wager this is the first time in history that the Gay & Lesbian Times’ Person of the Year has also been a current Republican Party of San Diego County-endorsed candidate. Tell me if I’m wrong.

I’ll let other pundits weigh in as to whether Mayor Sanders or Steve Francis views the pick as the greater holiday gift.… Read More

Just over a week ago, I penned a commentary that included some analysis of FR friend Jim Brulte’s endorsement of Proposition 93, authored by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, which if passed would loosen California’s current term-limit restrictions for state legislators. Today I am pleased to offer this perspective from Senator Brulte about his support for 93.

People try to personalize initiatives rather than looking at the whole picture. I am not supporting the initiative simply to keep Fabian Nunez or Don Perata in power anymore than my fellow conservatives are opposing it to keep Senator… Read More