Blakeslee: Respect, yes -- taxes, no

SacBee: Capitol Alert ^ | 5/7/9 | Jim Sanders

[SmithL]

When Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee speaks, everyone listens -- that was the message sent last year in one playful verbal volley.

During contentious floor debate, Republicans complained that their policy views routinely are ignored.

One Democrat, disputing the complaint, noted that a hush comes over the floor whenever Blakeslee talks.

For the next few days, as a joke, legislators would demand silence throughout the Assembly chambers -- loudly murmuring "shhh!" -- whenever Blakeslee grabbed a microphone.

The lighthearted wordplay was a symbol, perhaps, of the respect that the San Luis Obispo Republican has within both parties.

A lame-duck lawmaker termed out of the Assembly next year, Blakeslee is best known, perhaps, for pushing for a constitutional convention to alter state government.

Blakeslee has been the Assembly GOP floor manager and one of the top lieutenants of Mike Villines, R-Clovis, who will step aside June 1.

Shortly after his selection to the top job Thursday, Blakeslee pledged not to raise taxes to bridge the state's budget gap.

[SmithL]

What do we know about this guy?

We don't have any R-type politicians in my neighborhood, but here's the latest from Sacramento.

[calcowgirl]

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.

[calcowgirl]

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.