We have a better informed readership than the average CRA groups or other right-wing organizations. How many of you think we will elect a Republican governor next year? What do you think the odds are?
by AdministratorA bill authored by Assemblywoman Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) to prohibit legislators from serving on the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board immediately after vacating their legislative seat failed passage in the Assembly Insurance Committee today. Assembly Bill 363 would have prohibited former legislators from seeking appointment for two years after leaving their office. Not one Democrat on the committee voted in favor of the bill. The appeals board is one of several boards to which termed-out and defeated state legislators seek appointment in order to maintain their state paycheck. Sometimes an appointment is traded for a crucial vote, such as on the state budget. One of the board’s current members is former Senator Roy Ashburn, who along with former Assemblyman Anthony Adams, voted for the largest tax increase in California history. Adams was appointed to the Parole Board after his vote ended his Assembly career. Three members of the board are appointed by the governor, one by the Senate Rules Committee and one by the speaker of the Assembly. Appeals board members make in excess of $120,000 a year for attending meetings once or twice a month. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorOn Tuesday former California state senator and California Republican Party chairman candidate Jim Brulte presented his vision for the Republican Party at a luncheon hosted by the San Bernardino County Federation of Republican Women. Brulte stressed that Republicans need to work together as a cohesive party, rather than resort to the infighting of recent years such as between the Tea Party and moderate Republicans. “It’s all too easy after a defeat to look around and blame a member of our own family. . . . We all got beat. We all have to work together to win. And we can win.” To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorThe San Bernardino County Republican Central Committee (SBGOP) has been in disarray for some time. In four short years, county party registration has gone from 30,000 in the red to 30,000 in the blue. In other words, the Democrats gained 60,000 voters more than Republicans did. Robert Rego became SBGOP chairman in 2008. He paralyzed any effort at voter gains. Fundraising has also been at an all-time low under his watch. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorFour years ago San Bernardino County was a red county. Today, registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans by almost 31,000 voters. It is that statistic that has even the most ardent ultra-conservative grassroots San Bernardino County Central Committee members ready to vote for a . . . omg . . . sitting politician as the new chairman over the current “we the people” incumbent. Unless one first flinches, a showdown could take place this month between sitting chairman, Robert Rego, and Assemblyman Curt Hagman. Hagman, one of California’s more successful Republican legislators, is challenging Rego for the top county spot. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorIf you have any interest in this story at all, I suggest you read this story by UT San Diego. It goes into a lot of detail that none of the other stories do. Several paragraphs stood out though. Here is the quote: Richards wouldn’t say how much he donated to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to get the commission post, but it’s well-known that commissioners, or their representatives and handlers, must kick in a large sum to get the post. It used to be $50,000, but some believe today it’s as much as $100,000. “I liked Arnold very much,” Richards said. “I supported him and I gave him money to run for Governor.” Asked how much, whether it was five or six figures, Richards would only say, “Let’s say I helped him out.”
by AdministratorThis is one of those stories in which I am tempted to do a commentary for Examiner but for now will just vent here. Anyone who thinks county government is bad needs to deal with the state. I support the part-time state legislature initiative that has or is about to his the streets, but it does not go far enough. We need a part-time state government. For that matter I am okay with eliminating most of the state government.
by AdministratorRedevelopment Agency, Born 1945-Expired 02/01/2012 The Public is invited to view the casket of the Redevelopment Agency, RDA, displayed in repose at various rotundas of local Cities and Towns throughout California. Having lived a long and illustrious life since 1945 the RDA has been unplugged from life support and will return dust to dust and ashes to ashes on February 1st. The expired RDA is leaving behind a long list of co-dependents and co-defendants of connected builders and Eminent Domain attorneys that had been the beneficiaries of loose RDA purse strings in the past. It is expected future projects will continue to thrive the old fashion way…..if the development deal pencils out on its own accord, it will move forward. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by Administrator