Free Republic

Former California Gov. Pete Wilson did not dismiss the possibility that he might challenge U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer in 2004 when asked about it this week at a fund-raising event in Lake Sherwood. Wilson said he "learned a while ago never to say never" when asked Wednesday night for a reaction to speculation that he might pursue the seat. He smiled as he recalled the results of a statewide poll taken earlier this year that showed Republicans prefer him to any other party contender. Nonetheless, Wilson said he has not formed any type of a committee to look into the...

I'm posting this for a friend who has been called away due to the sudden death of a close friend and neighbor.

<p>With gasoline prices topping $2 a gallon, it’s probably not the best time to propose a gas-tax increase, but Sen. Tom Torlakson is pushing ahead with a bill that would tie California’s per-gallon tax on motor vehicle fuels to inflation.</p>

January 23, 2003 • Statement by Senator Tom McClintock Thank you for coming. The purpose of this press conference is very simply to put the legislature and the governor on notice that they should not expect to see a penny from increased car taxes if they adopt AB 4X. If the Democrats want the biggest statewide tax revolt in 24 years, this is the quickest way to get it. Within minutes of that measure being chaptered, the paperwork will be filed with the Secretary of State to referend it. This will automatically suspend the act for 90 days. We have...

California’s budget crisis is not complicated and it is not intractable and it is not mysterious. Over the last four years, population and inflation have grown at a combined rate of 21 percent. Revenue has grown 28 percent. Spending has grown 36 percent. Our distress is not for lack of revenue but for lack of discipline. And to restore that discipline, three simple acts are all that is needed to put California’s financial crisis behind us. First, the immediate budget shortfall requires policy makers to abide by the first law of holes: when you’re in one, stop digging. Most of...

Simon Rally Reports 11/02/02 - Santa Barbara, Monterey, San Jose, Modesto, Fresno Feel free to post your comments on today's rallies for our California statewide candidates... SAN JOSE Freepers NormsRevenge, Mediaqueen, and yours truly, along with many more, welcomed the GOP statewide ticket to the San Jose area headed by (hopefully) our next governor, Bill Simon. Many camps were at the San Jose Hyatt north of downtown for their candidates as well as many local races such as Linda Rae Hermann (to unseat Congresscritter Mike Honda) and Douglas McNea (to unseat Congresscritter Zoe Lofgren). Signs, stickers, and buttons were in...

<p>SACRAMENTO - In the race for the state's chief financial officer, California voters have a clear choice between a tight-fisted career politician and a Silicon Valley businessman and multimillionaire.</p> <p>Both candidates -- GOP state Sen. Tom McClintock of Thousand Oaks and Democrat Steve Westly, a former eBay executive from Atherton -- promise to be independent watchdogs of state spending. But each would bring a distinct experience and style to the job that is little known among voters, but critical at a time when California is facing a double-digit budget deficit.</p>