I have said for a number of years that the purpose of the political process is to persuade people to entrust you with power. Republicans have generated messaging to do just that in the past, and it led to a Republican revival of biblical proportions in the past. We are at such a crossroads now, and the lessons from the past are worth studying to see the future.

The time was 1976. Republicans had just undergone the complete collapse of the party following Watergate, and had substantially less than a two thirds vote in both houses of the Legislature. Jerry Brown has just been elected Governor, and the liberals were in full control of the state. It was a time of darkness for Republicans in California. In those days, members of the Assembly didn’t have to press their buttons for each vote. They could put books down on the button, and each time the bell rang, the vote would be recorded according to whichever button had the books on it. For Republicans, this meant they could put their books on the NO button, leave the Legislature and go fishing. Which is exactly what they did. It didn’t really matter, they lost every single vote there was. Republicans,… Read More

This probably means little to nothing to many readers. However after spending hours with family and friends, and as the resident “politico” of my family I was constantly asked “Who do I vote for?”

I very much respect Governor Huntsman and Speaker Gingrich, and to fight the urge of saying “Anybody but Romney” I had to guide my friends and family to Rick Perry. I know, I know, his debate performances have not been good, however the last person America voted for who had good debates is in the White House and has destroyed jobs. Governor Perry’s record is something that cannot be matched. Numbers speak for themselves, while our great country shed 2 million jobs, Rick Perry’s Texas created 1 million jobs. Through low taxation and sensible regulation.

Mitt Romney has a great presentation in campaign appearances and debates, however in the year that the swing state of Ohio rejects Obamacare by a wide majority, the Republican Party is prepared to nominate a guy who invented Obamacare? Give me a break. (Spoiler alert Romney invented Obamacare) It’s time to nominate a true conservative who knows what it… Read More

Yesterday’s ruling by the California Supreme Court was a victory for private property rights advocate who have long criticized rampant abuse by Redevelopment Agencies in the state. FR friend and attorney Ashlee Titus, with the firm Bell, McAndrews & Hiltachk, has been a column that summarizes the current status of RDA’s in California — it is worth a read…

PROPERTY RIGHTS ADVOCATES REJOICE! BUT BE ON YOUR GUARD. Ashlee Titus, Esq. Exclusive to the FlashReport

It is ironic that a year ago community redevelopment agencies were high-fiving over California voters’ approval of Proposition 22, thought at the time to be the agencies’ saving grace from repeated raids of their funds by the state. Today, the California Supreme Court issued… Read More

How about some good news to close out this year?

If you’re a Californian, your taxes are lower today than they were a year ago. That’s a good thing for you, your community and our state economy.

You may recall that earlier this year many politicians claimed catastrophe would strike if legislators rejected a five year extension of a multi-billion dollar hike in income taxes, sales taxes and car taxes.

Thankfully, Republican legislators held firm. And, believe it or not, the sky did not fall. In fact, if you look closely at the latest numbers from the Department of Finance, you’ll find that billions in unanticipated revenue has materialized this year without any tax hike at all.

Furthermore, according to the latest Board of Equalization numbers, taxable sales are up 8% throughout our state. Sales tax revenue has exceeded budget revenue estimates by more than $100 million so far this fiscal year.

You see, a recovering economy is far more effective at generating revenues than any tax hike. When Californians have jobs, state coffers always have plenty of revenue.

Not every tax victory in 2011 made the front page of the newspaper. Here… Read More

If you are checking in with us during the holidays, I would like to draw your attention today to three worthy columns… The first, right here on the FlashReport, is a commentary from Jon Coupal of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, the second a piece by California Republican Party Chairman Tom Del Beccaro that appears on his Political Vanguard website, and finally Thomas Sowell’s latest “Random Thoughts” column that appears over at Townhall… All of the links are below!

RECAPPING THE YEAR FOR TAXPAYERS Jon Coupal, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association

As our planet completes another trip around the sun, we at the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association join in the tradition of taking stock of what has been accomplished during the year just ending and assess what challenges we face in the coming year.

For a… Read More

With our main page down for the holidays, when I get a chance I will still throw up a few of the most significant links. And I will also include a daily “recommended read” for those hungry for knowledge! A few of toaBillionaire ‘playboy’ has a $20 million vision to save California – San Gabriel Valley Tribune Business interests were top bill-killers in California’s Capitol this year – California Watch in the SacBee ID errors put hundreds in L.A. County jails – Los Angeles Times State community colleges set to ration classes – San Francisco Chronicle California could lose 1,500 inmate … Read More

As has been my custom the last few years on this night….

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the… Read More

Here are a few links to the top California political stories today…