Voters were promised that the California Citizens Redistricting Commission would restore integrity to the redistricting process. No more political games. No more insider shenanigans. No more districts drawn specially for incumbents.

The commission has been a perfect failure on every account. The first maps were universally criticized by Republicans and Democrats and likely couldn’t withstand legal challenges on the basis of the Voting Rights Act. Last week, the commission announced that it wouldn’t release the second draft of maps– this from a commission that promised openness and transparency.

Now, we learn from Friday’s bombshell report from CalWatchdog.com that a commissioner has made multiple campaign contributions to Democratic candidates and has extensive connections to a redistricting special interest group.

From the… Read More

With each passing day, it is becoming more and more clear that the California Redistricting Commission, despite being given strict criteria under Propositions 11 and 20, by which to draw new BOE, House, State Senate and State Assembly lines, is pursuing its own agenda. We have all watched with gross fascination as a few strong liberal members of the Commission have become the dominating factor in virtually every decision, from the critical early decisions such as choosing a consultant to draw maps — to decisions now about the details on the maps themselves.

So it comes as no surprise to learn of the formation of a new group called FAIR, which stands for Fairness & Accountability in Redistricting. This group, with significant ties to both Washington, D.C., and to some major political donors, has been filed to begin the preparations for a referendum campaign on the Commission’s final new districts. This group is an umbrella organization that is looking at all four sets of maps being drawn — the way the initiatives were crafted, it is separate process to referend each set of maps.

From the final date the maps are approved, August 15, FAIR will… Read More

Assemblywoman Diane Harkey penned this insightful column for FlashReport readers. In it, Harkey reveals yet another terrible component of the majority vote budget passed by Capitol Democrats — in this case she details how the Democrats are raiding the coffers of medium and large sized cities big time…

Clarity and Certainty At Last – Another Unbalanced Budget and Taxes on the Way by Assemblywoman Diane Harkey The ink was hardly dry on the Governor’s “balanced” 2011-12 budget, before we learned that the state’s cash receipts were less than expected for the month of May and June of the 2010-11 year we just completed. Also, while claiming to spend only $86 billion, the total was actually $91.5 billion, when one adds the more than $5 billion for “realignment,” or transferring state prisoners and some social services to counties.

The funding for “realignment” was supposedly met by transferring 1% of the… Read More

California taxpayers are celebrating a rare victory. Despite Democrat efforts to extend them, the sweeping “temporary” tax increases of 2009 have gone away. This is an uncommon treat, as many prior tax hikes sold as “temporary” are still with us today.

As Californians enjoy the benefits of this victory, today marks the 20th anniversary of a prior sales tax increase that is still with us. On July 15, 1991 Californians were impaled with a “temporary” sales tax increase of 1.25%. This measure was enacted by the Legislature to address the state budget shortfall during the early 1990s economic downturn.

Fast forward to June of this year. A 2009 sales tax rate increase of 1% was set to expire on July 1, 2011. Despite a vote of the people against extending this and other temporary tax increases, Governor Jerry Brown and Democrat legislators unsuccessfully sought a five year extension of these taxes.

These higher taxes amounted to billions of dollars per year out of the pockets of struggling Californians and into the hands of wasteful government. Combine the 2009 temporary sales tax increase with the 1991 temporary sales tax increase, and… Read More

Democrat lawmakers are protesting a proposed referendum on California’s new “Amazon Tax” law. But keep in mind that this issue isn’t about Amazon. It’s about the thousands of California jobs the “Amazon Tax” places in jeopardy.

The lawmakers who authored the ‘Amazon Tax’ should be ashamed to appear in public. Their law has failed to achieve their goals. Instead it is punishing thousands of California small business affiliates who are losing income and may even be forced to leave the state.

The Legislature should admit its mistake and repeal the Amazon Tax. But short of that, the fastest way to save California jobs is through a referendum rather than years of costly litigation. Let the people engage in the debate and decide the issue for themselves.… Read More

Four and a half years ago I was honored to be invited and attend President Ford’s funeral at the National Cathedral when he passed away. I posted my thoughts of that event at the time and if you’d like you can read it here.

One of the things I most remember is at every memorial event for her husband, Mrs. Ford sat and personally thanked everyone that came. What class. What graciousness. What strength.

Last Friday we lost that wonderful former First Lady. My family will miss her and we honor her service to our country.

The Battin… Read More

I have had a fascination with all things British since I was young. I attribute this interest in part to an English aunt with whom I spent quite a bit of time while young, and then a yearlong class in high school on the subject of British history for which my textbook was Winston Churchill’s History of the English Speaking Peoples. Adding to this, during my business career, a British publicly-held company was a major investor in my company and, as a result, I traveled to England 2-3 times a year for nearly 10 years. At one time, I could rattle off every English monarch from William the Conqueror through Elizabeth II, including the years of their reigns.

I can’t do that anymore. But, I know the place and people pretty well, and I like all things British, except of course, the weather. I even like the food!

Because of this knowledge and interest, I was asked to Co-Chair the US-UK caucus in the House of Representatives. We now have a bipartisan membership of 90 members of Congress. I have always considered the mission of this caucus as one of preserving and expanding the “special relationship” that exists and has existed between our two… Read More

Great news for the Republican Party and Carly Fiorina fans! The accomplished former HP CEO and U.S. Senate candidate has been named a Vice Chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. While California would certainly be better off with Carly serving in the Senate and not just at the NRSC, this is nonetheless excellent news for the Republican Party.

During her campaign to unseat Barbara Boxer, Carly proved herself a dedicated campaigner with a remarkable ability to connect with voters and—most… Read More