I just got the following press release from Senator George Runner's office regarding a video that he released regarding the California versus Nevada business climate. I have posted the links to both of the videos right underneath here so that you can see what is being questioned.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTVOSNr1RI8 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqSFGZpgLf8

Republican’s First Amendment rights
quashed by California Liberal Leadership

GOP Senator forbidden to post anti-tax video on state website, even though Democrats release pro-tax video on state dime

SACRAMENTO – Sen. George Runner (R- Antelope Valley) today decried Democrat leaders’ censorship of a Runner-produced video that deals with California’s high taxation and poor business climate. Specifically, the Senate and Assembly Rules Committees, chaired by  Democrats with a majority Democrat membership, forbid Runner from posting a video with an anti-tax message to his state website or emailing it to constituents.

“Clearly, the Democrat-controlled Rules Committee has two standards for senators and assembly members when it comes to corresponding with our constituents,” Runner said. “One standard denies First Amendment rights to GOP elected officials and effectively censors the voice of one party; the other standard grants Democrats the American right to unabashed freedom of speech.”

The Senate and Assembly Rules declared Runner’s video "too political", "looks like a campaign ad,” and "…creates a mood against taxes" and therefore cannot be sent out on state emails or posted on state websites. In the meantime, legislative Democrats post and email video segments that declare the Governor's proposed budget cuts will kill children and other propaganda in an effort to create a mood for tax increases. 

“If we view the world the way Democrats do, and develop video that agrees, we can get approved,” Runner said. “But if we disagree and show a different view of the world we will be denied. 

Runner said the decisions smack of totalitarianism.

“This reminds me of China, the old USSR, and the current Islamic regime in Iran,” Runner continued. “This should not happen in the United States with its First Amendment guarantee in the Constitution.

”Runner said he is reminded of a statement made by former Israel Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion: “The test of democracy is freedom of criticism.”

“The liberal leaders of the California legislature have failed the test of democracy by censoring the opinions of Republican legislators,” Runner said.