As FR readers know, KFI’s John and Ken have been extremely vocal in recent weeks, expressing dismay over Governor Schwarzenegger’s decision to do a 180 on his often-repeated no taxes pledge. We’ve been equally as vocal here. We’ve all got something in common — we all supported Governor Schwarzenegger in his elections because he made us a promise, a pledge, a commitment — that the taxpayers, "would not be punished for the mistakes of politicians." Right. We are now official chumps, I suppose.

The Governor "called out" John and Ken, and yours truly earlier in the week (read about that here) for our opposition to a tax hike as any part of dealing with the state’s overspending problem.

Well, John and Ken reached out and now I will be appearing on their show later this afternoon. If you are free during the 3… Read More

Update: The bill passed 42-33.

:With several speakers for and against AB 2747 by Asm. Patty Berg, the Assemblytook upthe Senate’s amended version of what is known as the ‘end-of life care’ bill.It did not pass on the first ballot,by a vote of 38-31. It is on call and will be taken up for another vote later today.… Read More

There are a lot of reasons why legislators should be opposing Senator Don Perata’s SB 1407. This measure which would raise all kinds of fees associated with courts in order to then finance $5 BILLION in bonds (that would take about $10 BILLION in funds to repay over time) in order to build new and modernize old court facilities.

I am quite sure that there is merit in the argument that the infrastructure for our state’s court system is in need of modernization.

But the means to achieve this, as set out in SB 1407, is extremely poor public policy. You can read a cornucopia of reasons to oppose it in a column penned for the FlashReport last week by Assemblyman Joel Anderson. I will reinforce what is clearly the single most important reason. As a matter of principle and sound public policy, legislators should not incur debt for the taxpayers of California without first taking the… Read More

As a Jewish Republican, it’s kind of novel to be singled out by Governor Schwarzenegger in Yiddish, which is what happened a couple of days ago when the Governor participated in a video-conference interview with the editorial board of the San Diego Union Tribune. But I must admit to being honored to have two outstanding called-out ”colleagues" – KFI radio talk show hosts John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou – great Americans. Longtime FR friend Chris Reed is a member of the U-T’s Editorial Board and blogged about a quip made by the Governor:

BONUS TIDBIT: The governor made clear he’s paying close attention to the media in the budget battle, and not just mainstream heavyweights like the Sac Bee and the L.A. Times. He said he hoped his recently aggressive push to sell his compromise budget as a "way out of the problem, solving it once and for all" would make Republican lawmakers more comfortable with his plan. If he gets them aboard, "then maybe there’s only out there John & Ken… Read More

As a Jewish Republican, it’s kind of novel to be singled out by Governor Schwarzenegger in Yiddish, which is what happened a couple of days ago when the Governor participated in a video-conference interview with the editorial board of the San Diego Union Tribune. But I must admit to being honored to have two outstanding called-out ”colleagues" – KFI radio talk show hosts John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou – great Americans. Longtime FR friend Chris Reed is a member of the U-T’s Editorial Board and blogged about a quip made by the Governor:

BONUS TIDBIT: The governor made clear he’s paying close attention to the media in the budget battle, and not just mainstream heavyweights like the Sac Bee and the L.A. Times. He said he hoped his recently aggressive push to sell his compromise budget as a "way out of the problem, solving it once and for all" would make Republican lawmakers more comfortable with his plan. If he gets them aboard, "then maybe there’s only out there John & Ken… Read More

While a number of names are floating around out there as potential GOP candidates for California Governor in 2010, including former HP CEO Carly Fiorina, former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, former Congressman Tom Campbell and Ventura County Supervisor Peter Foy, there has only been one individual who is taking the actions that demonstrate his interest has moved well beyond that of punditry. Not too long ago, we broke the news on this blog that Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner was actively in dialogue with top-flight GOP consultant Mike Murphy to play a lead strategy role in a run for Governor.

Well, this afternoon we have confirmed that Team Poizner has now brought on board the GOP powerhouse firm of Meridian Pacific to aide in these beginning stages of Poizner’s run.… Read More

Grover Norquist the President of Americans for Tax Reform has issued a strong statement against Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed large sales tax increase, which is a center piece to his current budget proposal. This follows up on an a column he penned for the FlashReport which ran last week. Also of note from Norquist — FR readers may recall that we blogged about a group of self-described affluent folks who wrote to the legislature asking to be taxed at a higher rate to help solve the budget problems. Norquist sent a letter to the Governor and legislature in response to this, which is attached below his statement on the tax plan…it is a must… Read More

Grover Norquist the President of Americans for Tax Reform has issued a strong statement against Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed large sales tax increase, which is a center piece to his current budget proposal. This follows up on an a column he penned for the FlashReport which ran last week. Also of note from Norquist — FR readers may recall that we blogged about a group of self-described affluent folks who wrote to the legislature asking to be taxed at a higher rate to help solve the budget problems. Norquist sent a letter to the Governor and legislature in response to this, which is attached below his statement on the tax plan…it is a must… Read More