Blakeslee elected new Assembly GOP leader

Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee was elected Thursday as Assembly Republican leader, effective June 1.

"Our team is looking forward to working with everyone in the Legislature to find responsible solutions that balance California's budget and returns prosperity to our communties," the San Luis Obispo Republican said in a written statement.

Blakeslee vowed to fight for high-performing schools, safe streets, a healthy business climate, and for reform and streamlining of state government.

Blakeslee will replace Assemblyman Mike Villines, R-Clovis, who held a news conference earlier Thursday morning to announce that he will step down at the end of this month.

Villines, attacked by conservatives for supporting tax increases in budget negotiations, said resigning will resolve lingering questions within Republican ranks statewide.

"The truth is, there will always be this lingering fear, 'Well, would Mike do taxes again?' I won't, but I think it's important for a new start and a new fresh face."

We've got two threads on this. I'll repeat from the other thread:

Blakeslee was one of the guys who voted brought us new taxes. Below, from FlashReport/Fleishman
Which GOPers Supported The Largest Tax Increase In California's History?
Again, putting aside the six legislators who voted for the taxes directly (and who in this bizarre context may actually get strange brownie points for having the courage to be up front about it, instead of hiding behind mirrors), the legislators who supported the Big 5/Big Taxes plan are: Senators Dave Cox and Jeff Denham, and Assemblymembers Bill Berryhill, Tom Berryhill, Sam Blakeslee, Muke Duvall, Paul Cook, Connie Conway, Bill Emmerson, Nathan Fletcher, Jean Fuller, Danny Gilmore, Brian Nestande, Jim Nielson, and Cameron Smyth.

Gov. Schwarzenegger Signs Bills to Take Additional Steps to Reduce State’s Carbon Emissions
Governor's Office ^ | 09/26/2006 | Press Release
In advance of signing California’s landmark greenhouse gas reduction measure, Gov. Schwarzenegger announced today that he signed a package of bills that will help reduce California’s greenhouse gas emissions.
“The science is clear. The global warming debate is over," said Gov. Schwarzenegger “We have a responsibility to act now. These bills, along with my signing of California’s landmark greenhouse gas bill later this week, will help California reduce greenhouse gas emissions and continue our leadership on protecting the environment.”
Specifically, Gov. Schwarzenegger signed the following three bills:
(snip)
AB 1925 by Assemblymember Sam Blakeslee (R-San Luis Obispo) requires the California Energy Commission to study and make recommendations for capturing and storing industrial carbon dioxide.

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