by Bob Brigham [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

As California newspapers go, the Bakersfield Californian is firmly in the conservative column. I'm not talking the nonsense editorials that appear in the Orange County Register or the ones penned by uber-right editorial writer Chris Reed in the San Diego Union-Tribune. But the Bakersfield Californian generally reflects the political views of the Central Valley. In other words, pragmatic conservativism.
 
That's why it's fascinating to see the newspaper juxtaposing the positions of two conservative members of its legislative delegation and their votes on closing the yacht tax loophole. 
 
The paper notes: "When closing the yacht loophole came before a committee earlier this year, Fuller voted to end it. However, she abstained when it came to a full Assembly vote. She told The Californian she saw the issue as another case of taxing businesses and the rich, when state spending should be cut instead.

There's more...

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Even the conservative U.S. Supreme Court has sided -- for now -- with the City of San Francisco's requirement that employers chip in to provide health care. Republicans in the legislature, egged on by uber-right San Diego Union Tribune blogger Chris Reed, had said that any employer requirement was in violation of federal law. GOP Leader Mike Villines even called for hearings on it as part of their attack on the Democratic health care bill, AB 1x.
 
But the Supreme Court has derailed an attempt by San Francisco restaurant owners to stop the program in the tracks. Read the Chronicle story for details.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

I'm not normally a fan of "America's Finest Blog," written by Chris Reed, the Right-of-Atilla-the-Hun editorialist at the San Diego Union Tribune. But Reed had an interesting interview with Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, who apparently is spending time making the rounds at editorial boards promoting his political agenda instead of helping victims of California's wildfires.
 
Here's what the Poiz had to say about the non-disclosure of contributors to his effort against reforming term limits.
 
"I would rather all 501(c)4s disclose" the source of their money, he said. Poizner said he has "no idea" who gave the $1.5 million to U.S. Term Limits.
 
"I would rather"? Come on, Poiz. You're bankrolling the campaign. If you're trying to be Mr. Squeaky Clean here, ask your cohorts to reveal who's matching your big bucks. Since you're rolling around with an organization whose leader was indicted, the least you could do is get them to clean up their act.

There's more...

by atdleft [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Last week, we got some good news regarding the pension fund for our state's teachers. In 2004, the long-term deficit was projected to be $24.2 billion. Today, the long-term deficit is projected to be $19.6 billion. It's not quite as good as we want it, but it's getting better.

So how did our favorite right-wing commentator who always misses the point respond? Oh, Chris Reed just looks for a way to tie this to "the public employee unions' master-puppet relationship with Democratic lawmakers". Huh?

Follow me after the flip for more...

by Lucas O'Connor [courtesy of Calitics: Soapblox California - Front Page]

by atdleft [courtesy of Calitics: Soapblox California - Front Page]