Free Republic

Two Orange County candidates – facing off in a key state Senate race – pushed their platforms to win votes and encourage voter turnout in November during a forum Wednesday. County Supervisor Janet Nguyen, a Garden Grove Republican, and former state Assemblyman Jose Solorio, a Santa Ana Democrat, took part in a 34th Senate District candidate forum moderated by former television news anchor Ed Arnold at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach. A political who’s who from the county, cities and special-interest groups attended. The event was sponsored by the Orange County Public Affairs Association. Both candidates emphasized the importance...

Many big-name Democratic politicians used the services of a top campaign treasurer even though she had a history of fines and investigation into how she used the funds of elected officials. Kinde Durkee was arrested on federal fraud charges this month, accused of taking thousands of dollars from the campaigns of various elected officials. Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove), a Durkee client, said her campaign fund was nearly cleaned out, and the Los Angeles County Democratic Party reported that more than $200,000 had been taken from its fund. Although many Democratic insiders said they were shocked by Durkee's arrest, it...

A prominent Democratic campaign treasurer who works for federal, state and O.C. lawmakers including U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Rep. Loretta Sanchez and state Assemblymen Lou Correa and Jose Solorio has been arrested by the FBI on suspicion of mail fraud, The Orange County Register has learned. U.S. Attorney's Office spokesman Thom Mrozek confirmed Saturday afternoon that Kinde Durkee of Burbank-based Durkee and Associates, was arrested by the FBI on a criminal complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sacramento. Special Agent Steve Dupre of the bureau’s Sacramento office said she was arrested in connection with her position as a...

California employers would pay as much as $210 million more for workers’ compensation benefits for temporary disabilities if the legislature passes a bill by Orange County Assemblyman Jose Solorio, D-Santa Ana. That’s according to an analysis is from the state Senate Appropriations Committee.

Our View: AB350: Unreasonable and unfair - Legislation would dictate to employers which workers would make up their labor force.If you read Santa Ana Democratic Assemblyman Jose Solorio's explanation of his legislation, the controversial Assembly Bill 350, it's about helping low-wage workers keep their jobs in a tough economy. Don't be fooled. It's really about helping the sponsor of the bill, the Service Employees International Union, retain union membership and improve its bargaining position. The bill requires employers who win new contracts for building services — including janitorial, maintenance, security, window-cleaning and cafeteria services — to hire and retain the...