Free Republic

Voters along California's Central Coast on Tuesday turned back a Democratic attempt to gain more power in the state Legislature, electing a Republican to fill a vacant state Senate seat. The win by state Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee denies Democrats the opportunity to consolidate their power in the Senate and come within one vote of claiming the two-thirds majority needed to pass budget plans and tax increases. The special election drew interest from around the state, both in endorsements and campaign donations. Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman campaigned for Blakeslee, while President Barack Obama endorsed the Democratic candidate, former Assemblyman John...

Republican Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee was holding the lead Tuesday in a special election for a state Senate seat that Democrats have long wanted to claim along California's Central Coast. With more than 70 percent of returns counted from the district's five counties, Blakeslee had nearly 50 percent of the vote to 43 percent for former Assemblyman John Laird. The special election has drawn interest from around the state, both in endorsements and campaign donations. Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman stumped for Blakeslee over the weekend, while President Obama endorsed Laird.

Laird vs. Blakeslee-California 15th Senate District Special Election I couldn't find a thread for this race so I decided to create one. I feel so empowered.The race is tight so far at 0% to 0%

It's the economy stupid. And Laird..aka Lard is NOT the guy who will hold the line on spending in the State Senate Race (Maldonado's old seat) in District 15. While previously in office Laird voted for: $23 BILLION in tax increases - Like the gas tax? $53 BILLION in Payroll tax increases Why did Obama take the unusual step and ENDORSE Laird? Because they want the spending to continue, because they want to continue the ownership of the UNIONS of our great State. It takes more than blogging folks....get out there and physically do something for your freedom. http://montereycoteaparty.blogspot.com/

SACRAMENTO — The stakes are high and contrasts stark in Tuesday's special election to fill a vacant state Senate seat for a district that stretches from San Jose to Santa Maria, in Santa Barbara County. Democrats can inch closer to a two-thirds majority in the Senate with a victory, a prospect that has pitted powerful interests against each other in a bruising and costly battle over who controls the Capitol. The race features two candidates who represent the opposite ends of the partisan spectrum: former Assemblyman John Laird, an openly gay and liberal Democrat who is backed by labor unions...

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has called an Aug. 17 special election to fill the 15th Senate District seat vacated by Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado's appointment to that post. Schwarzenegger's move bucks both legislative Democrats and county election officials, who urged the governor to consolidate the contest with the November general election to save costs. Democrats, of course, also wanted a consolidation because they believe the higher turnout in a general election will boost their shots at picking up the seat.

The long tradition of political appointees landing high-paid slots on California's waste board continued Tuesday. Two termed-out Democratic state lawmakers – Assemblyman John Laird of Santa Cruz and Sen. Sheila Kuehl of Santa Monica – were appointed to posts on the Integrated Waste Management Board, courtesy of the Democratic legislative leaders. The jobs pay $132,178 a year. Both new recycling board commissioners will replace other well-connected members. Laird will replace Cheryl Peace, the wife of a former state legislator. Kuehl will replace former Democratic Sen. Wes Chesbro. Government watchdogs have criticized the board for its high proportion of highly paid...

One of the benefits of being a lame-duck legislator with half a month left is the freedom to speak your mind. After being routinely diplomatic during the regular session, termed-out Democratic Assemblyman John Laird got downright snarky in a reference to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in an op-ed that ran Thursday in the Monterey County Herald: "I don't think it is fully understood how severe this crisis is. Everyone is going to have to move out of their comfort zone to fix this problem. Democrats will have to accept cuts. Republicans will have to accept taxes. The governor will have to...

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has until the end of the month to decide on legislation aimed at further conserving water. SACRAMENTO — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will soon decide if he wants to save millions of gallons of water annually by using even lower-flush home and public toilets, and a new military favorite that's reminiscent of portable potties — waterless, no-flush urinals in public buildings. Legislation — which involved an 11th-hour deal between labor and manufacturers to clear the way for nonwater urinals — slipped around the public spotlight during lawmakers' end-of-session rush. Even so, the measure praised as "making California a...

Late last week, while the media focused on his veto of the same-sex marriage proposal, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill intended to protect gay men and lesbians against discriminatory business practices. Apparently, not too many people noticed. Assembly Bill 1400, the Civil Rights Act of 2005, authored by Central Coast lawmaker John Laird, will expand anti-discrimination codes by including sexual orientation in the law. It builds upon the Unruh Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, or medical condition. Laird’s bill forbids all businesses that provide services, goods or accommodations...

SACRAMENTO -- Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, has tapped a Northern California lawmaker to be the next chairman of the powerful Assembly Budget Committee, Democratic sources said Wednesday. Assemblyman John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, who represents Monterey and Santa Clara counties, has been active among Assembly Democrats in shaping environmental policy and is also one of a handful of openly gay members of the Legislature. Nunez, D-Los Angeles, declined through a spokesman to confirm or deny Laird's selection as chairman to succeed Assemblyman Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, who is leaving the lower house due to term limits. The speaker's office is...

State Sen. Sam Aanestad, R-Grass Valley, said he fears water rights in the Sierra could be jeopardized by a conservancy aimed at protecting the mountain range's resources, such as the South Yuba River, shown here off of North Bloomfield Road. State Sen. Sam Aanestad on Monday attacked the idea of a Sierra Nevada Conservancy, fearing it will infringe on property and water rights. Despite Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's endorsement of the plan, the Republican legislator last week voted against a compromised version of the bill, which would create an organization aimed at gathering grants and other funds to protect and improve...

Two bills making their way through the California Assembly would create a Sierra Nevada Conservancy. If passed, the conservancy would direct money to help manage the public lands in the mountain range. The Union photo/Pico van Houtryve It spans nearly 500 miles, supplies the water that nourishes California’s economy and has provided vocations and vacations for generations, but the Sierra Nevada has no benefactor like the conservancies that care for Lake Tahoe or the state’s vast coastline. That could change this year, however, if one of the two bills now winding through the Legislature is approved - or if...