Free Republic

OROVILLE (CBS13) — The boos and shouts of displeasure started during the introduction of Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) at his town hall meeting in Oroville. For nearly two hours, the crowd at the State Theater shouted down responses by the congressman. “I’m appalled,” said Linda Agee, a LaMalfa supporter. “It’s very enlightening and disturbing to experience this first hand,” said Denise Culley, who was attending her first town hall event. The Oroville Dam and spillway was brought up just once. One man asked a question about why nothing was done sooner to the emergency spillway. LaMalfa’s answer was cut short...

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Republican state lawmakers stood in united but futile opposition Thursday to the practice of approving empty bills that contain no real legislation but will be amended later to include budget legislation. Democrats, who control both houses, each approved several so-called "shell" bills—the Senate 40 of them, and the Assembly 38. The bills contain no actual budget details but will be amended later to include specific language needed to enact the budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Passing the bills now makes it quicker and easier to approve a state spending plan before the constitutional deadline in...

Senator also making run for lieutenant governor's seat REDDING Hailing him as the bravest California governor in history, State Sen. Tom McClintock, R-Thousand Oaks, candidate for lieutenant governor, visited here to stump for Schwarzenegger's slate of ballot initiatives. "He has taken on some of the most powerful special interest groups that ever existed that has wrapped its tentacles around our government," said McClintock, referring to the public employee union. The governor's opponent during the 2003 recall election, praised Schwarzenegger for having the courage to take on the big public employee unions and their money. Recently, the unions have stepped up...

Saying he questions a sovereign Indian tribe’s role in a local government process, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger late on Friday vetoed the bill that would have made the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians an official partner in managing Conaway Ranch, if Yolo County officials acquire it through eminent domain. The legislation, AB 1747 by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk, D-Davis, would have made the tribe a member alongside Yolo County officials and others of the joint powers authority created for Conaway Ranch. The tribe has offered to loan the county money for the acquisition. The county and tribe say the veto does not...

The newly established California Alliance to Protect Private Property Rights announced that former state Senator and minority leader Jim Nielsen of Woodland was elected to serve as chairman of the board. Serving as the organization's "honorary" co-chairmen are Senator Tom McClintock of Ventura County and Assemblyman Doug LaMalfa of Butte County. "The Alliance is honored to have Senator McClintock and Assemblyman LaMalfa as part of a citizen led campaign to protect private property from the abuses of eminent domain," said Nielsen. "While today so many elected leaders are quick to join the U.S. Supreme Court in eroding private property rights,...

Eminent Domain Press ConferencePosted on July 15, 2005 Remarks by Senator Tom McClintockThe purpose of this press conference is to announce the introduction of SCA 15 and ACA 22 to restore the original property rights protections of the American Bill of Rights that were ripped out of the Constitution by the Kelo decision of the U.S. Supreme Court two weeks ago. That decision breaks the Social Compact that gives government its legitimacy and opened a new era when the rich and powerful can use government to seize the property of ordinary citizens for private gain. It may now literally take...