Free Republic

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Taking inspiration from a landmark 1970s tax revolt, a determined group of activists say the moment is right for another voter uprising in California, where recession-battered residents have been hit with the highest income and sales tax rates in the nation. And like Proposition 13, the 1978 ballot measure that transformed the state's political landscape and ignited tax-reform movements nationwide, they see the next backlash coming not from either major political party, but from the people. If the anti-tax crusaders can galvanize voter discontent, they hope to roll back the latest tax hikes, impose permanent, iron-clad...

And if there's any GOP governor who plans to refuse federal aid, he said he'd be happy to take it on behalf of California. BY ARI B. BLOOMEKATZ Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Sunday defended his decision to raise taxes as a necessary step to stem California's staggering economic crisis. During appearances on morning news shows in Washington, D.C., Schwarzenegger said he would gladly accept money from the federal stimulus package approved by Congress last week even though some fellow Republican governors had balked at the program. And he predicted that although California's economy would begin rebounding next year, it would...

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger repeated today on "This Week" that he'd take any state aid money GOP governors like Gov. Mark Sanford, R-S.C. turn down -- a position that has raised the ire of many of his Republican colleagues in Washington, D.C. this weekend. "Governor Sanford says that he does not want to take the money, the federal stimulus package money. And I want to say to him: 'I'll take it.' I'm more than happy to take his money or any other governor in this country that doesn't want to take this money, I take it, because we in California...

Romney playing role in Calif. governor race His support of Whitman could aid ambitions A victory by Meg Whitman in the race for California governor could deliver Mitt Romney a foothold in a Democratic state. (Noah Berger/Associated Press) By Sasha Issenberg February 21, 2009 WASHINGTON - From a Lexington office complex, Mitt Romney's political action committee has ensured the former presidential candidate's omnipresence on cable news shows, Republican rally stages, and antistimulus T-shirts, the last available with a $50 contribution to his Free and Strong America PAC. But for the next year and a half, the center of Romney's political...

His support of Whitman could aid ambitions. BY SASHA ISSENBERG WASHINGTON - From a Lexington office complex, Mitt Romney's political action committee has ensured the former presidential candidate's omnipresence on cable news shows, Republican rally stages, and antistimulus T-shirts, the last available with a $50 contribution to his Free and Strong America PAC. But for the next year and a half, the center of Romney's political universe will shift west to Sacramento, where key parts of his operation have reassembled on behalf of Meg Whitman, a longtime friend and former business colleague who this month entered next year's Republican primary...

Steve Poizner Launches 2010 Gubernatorial Exploratory Committee Former Senate Republican Leader Jim Brulte to Chair Committee 23 Republican Elected Officials Support Potential Candidacy California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner today announced that he has officially launched a 2010 gubernatorial exploratory committee. “This morning I filed the necessary papers with the California Secretary of State to establish an exploratory committee for Governor.” “I am taking the first formal step toward running for Governor in 2010 because I believe in California and I understand that meeting the challenges of the 21st century requires new and innovative ideas.” “Today, we no longer face competition...