Los Angeles may ban outdoor smoking. Republican sponsor of the bill noticed that people had to smoke outside because of the indoor ban and that created problems for others. Then let them smoke inside.

Los Angeles to ban selling the cars on streets. Can't smoke, can't sell cars, what can you do?

Coastal Commission approves high school. Not a joke. The all powerful Coastal Commission controls and delays everything.

Profile of new Labor Secretary Hilda Solis.

El Sereno Developer wins lawsuit against Los Angeles City Council. Even the Los Angeles City Council needs to follow their own rules.

Tony Fellow removed from MWD board.

Rowland Heights tries to become a city. Will the get the signatures?

Five measures on L.A. ballot. Solar energy boondoogle the most controversial.

L.A.'s billboard ban upheld in Federal court. The ruling furthers the city's control over advertising.

Azusa city council confiscates property. More eminent doman for private gain.

Villaraigosa wants transit projects done faster. Then get government out of the way.

L.A. City Council taking heat over parking meter changes.

Torrance cleared in racial profiling suit. So the decades long talk is a myth?

The California Channel is a statewide network that covers gavel-to-gavel proceedings of the State Assembly and State Senate.  It also broadcast programs on variety of policy matters affecting the state of California. 

In other words, the California Channel is C-SPAN for state government, but it does not receive any state funding and relies on support from major cable systems throughout the state.

In 2001, then-Assemblyman Robert Pacheco (R-Walnut) introduced AB 772, which was known as "Legislative Captioning Act of 2001".

Again in 2005, then-Assemblyman Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar) introduced , AB 181, which was similar legislation, but it was narrow in scope by providing closed-captioning for floor sessions of the Assembly and Senate.

Unfortunately, in both instances the bills was not able to get out of the Assembly Rules Committee due to lack of funding.  Also, the California Channel did not want to receive any state funding.

However, both the legislature and the California Channel is underestimating the need of the closed-captioning for the deaf viewers.  In some estimates, there are over One million Deaf Californians, which they deserve to be apart of the democratic process and not to be left behind.

Ironically, as the California Channel was describing the purpose of the network at their homepage, their one sentence strike a nerve for this hard-of-hearing Californian:

"The California Channel is the people's television"

Well, quite frankly:  Which people? 

Something for everyone to think about, including leaders in the state legislature and the California Channel. 

How long can we leave out the deaf from the democratic process? 

Deaf Californians do pay taxes, work hard, play the rules, but we just can't hear, though we do not want to be left behind.

Los Angeles Mayor sparks controversy by publicly supporting Israel and denouncing Hamas. Democrats hve a terrorist problem. Too many activists agree with them. Villaraigosa does stand up on this one.

Long Beach to discuss privatization or airport in well private. Issue of who knows how to run an airport better the city or state is muddied by secret negotions. LBReport.com wants records on possible deals.

Villaraigosa vows not to cut cops as crime falls. More cops equals less crime. Duh!

LAUSD to send 3,000 teacher layoff notices. You know the eonomy is bad when government laysoff folks.

To elect by distict or at large and how to draw districts to ones advantage is the question in West Covina. I live in proposed district #4.

City of Industry and Walnut talk about proposed NFL stadium. I doubt it's in a luxury box.

Montebello wants to punish sellers of tobacco for the actions of their minimum wage employees.

New parking rules in Theater District create uproar. As always government is brilliant. Money purs in to help develop an area and then they change the parking so no one can see a show without getting a ticket.

Beverly Hills firm at center of Pay to Play scandal that forced Bill Richarson from the Commerce Secretary post. Everything is for sale. Senate seats, contracts in New Mexico, everything.

Walnut Mayor tries to stop NFL stadium. Everbody else supports the project. You can have the traffic on some Sundays or throughout the year with another type of development. Take your pick.

Long Beach City Council fundraising is in. Special election forced by Novembers election results.

Fry's Electronics is a widely known electronics retailer throughout the Southern California region with 9 stores and 4 are located within Los Angeles County.

It is appalling that one executive Vice President would scheme for thousands and millions of dollars in a kickback scheme according to complaint filed in the U.S. District court in the Northern California District by the IRS and federal prosecutors.

Fry's Electronics VP face criminal charges and lawsuit

Fry's VP arrested for Embezzling over $65 Million

It makes one wonder what was the response from Fry's Electronics regarding the matter.  Well, no need to go further:

Fry's Electronics comments on former executive's arrest

My friend asked me a very simple naviete question on the matter:  "Is anyone honest anymore?"

Well, it is high time we demand honesty in all aspects of life:  work, justice, business, labor and definitely in politics.  Unfortunately, in some cases the society as whole bears the pain for someone else's misdeeds for the stake of greed.

Let's hope that we can call upon each of us to demand honesty and integrity of the human soul, then surely wouldn't society as a whole would be a better place?

I suggest let the debate begin on the issue of :  HONESTY and INTEGRITY on all levels.

LAPD gives in to ACLU demands on searches on Skid Row. Skid Row is now the safest place for criminals.

Congresswoman Hilda Solis named as new Labor Secreatry. Let the political musical chairs begin.

Eli Broad may be winning "bid" of art museum. It is the best deal.

Pomona in turmoil. DUI checkpoints are the issue.

Did the Redondo Beach Police Union President sole money from the union? And they have a great pension plan too.

Measure R sales tax increase being used to keep projects going while state fiddles. How about a good budget.

Los Angeles solar panel scheme (Measure B) hid cost opinions. It's more expensive than they are telling people. That's never happened before.

About 8 hours ago, I reported on Rep. Hilda Solis (D-El-Monte) nomination as Secretary of Labor.  

Now we hear State Senator Gloria Romero (D-Monterey Park), State Assemblyman Ed Hernandez (D-Baldwin Park) and Board of Equalization Member (District 4) Judy Chu all want to get ahead start at the gate in this seat currently being held by Rep. Solis.

Sen. Romero to run for Solis seat Hernandez, Chu leave door open

President-Elect Obama hasn't made this nomination official, U.S. Senate has not been given an opportunity to question the nominee through the confirmation process, but three career California legislative politicans are anxious to be Member of the 111th Congress.

Perhaps the voters of the 32nd Congressional District should have the final say as to who should represent them:  career politician or private citizen.

So, here is my advice to Romero, Hernandez and Chu:  relax, enjoy the holidays and take a timeout, because Rep. Solis has not resign from her seat YET.

This news story caught my eye:  Rep. Hilda Solis (D-El Monte) is being named as the next Secretary of Labor to succeed Elaine Chao.

Hilda Solis named U.S. Labor Secretary

If Rep. Solis accepts this appointment, which is subject to Senate confirmation, then it will create a vacancy for her seat and the field will be wide open for numerous of candidates vying to be a Member of Congress from the 32nd Congressional District (Azusa, Baldwin Park, Covina, El Monte and West Covina).

Los Angeles City Council passes "gun control" laws. The gun grabbers think these will stop crime while they do nothing against illegal alien gang members. One allows landlords to evict people that have gund illegally. Why not put them in jail instead? They also don't like billboards either.

South El Monte's Mayor use of city hall at all hours bring international attention.  You can't beat city hall but you might just be able to move in. The weather and the economy are also adding to the numbers at homeless shelters.

Los Angeles cuts $74 million from budget. The say it won't impact city services. Great. Why were they spending it in the first place?

Eli Broad challenges Museum merger. Non-profit doesn't mean no money.

MTA chief retires. Sales tax hike, subway boondoogle, lax safety. Job well done.

Forget Wal-Mart or car dealerships, Rosemead has a corner of poultry slaughter houses. The neighbors complain about the area smelling like dead chickens. Dead ducks too.

There is an old saying that those who fail to learn the proper lessons from history are doomed to repeat them.  So in this time of economic uncertainty what lessons can we learn from history as to how to escape from this current economic turmoil?

During the early part of the Great Depression, FDR's administration kept coming up with public works projects designed to keep Americans busy. It was not until after the United States was drawn into World War II, that the United States and much of the rest of the world experienced the prosperity that came afterwards.  So what are the lessons waiting for us to learn that we should have learned?

In the early 1980's, Ronald Reagan inherited a stagflation that had crippled many businesses, saw high unemployment and had people waiting in long lines for rationed gasoline.  However, by the end of his administration Ronald Reagan could rightfully boast about how strong the economy of the United States had become under his tenure as President.  What happened on his watch to change the economic circumstances of the United States?

In both cases, the new President inherited an economic mess from his predecessor, but their initial reactions in how to get out of it were different.  While FDR's inherited mess lasted for over a decade, Reagan was able to get the economy running efficiently again within 3 years, why?

To answer these questions we have to take a look at what actions each of these Presidential Administrations took and what impact they had on the American economy of their time.

LAUSD names Cortines as new chief. He has failed in L.A before aswell as Pasadena and New York. Sounds like the right guy.

L.A. County to send 112 deputies to Obama inaguration. They were going to send 500. So in government terms this would be a budget cut. At the same time the Sheriff has almost 5,000 rape kits that need DNA testing. Priorities people.

Museum Merger Mania! Los Angeles Museum of Art up the ante for the Los Angeles Museum of Contempory Art. 

What is LA Airport going to do with their undeveloped land in Palmdale. The county wants to know.

Long Beach Mayor Foster wants Obama's help on urban issues. Maybe they can become like the urban paradise Chicago.

City of Industry gets ready for NFL stadium. Vote scheduled on $500 infrastructure bond, taxes on tickets, contracting options and restrictions on voting. 82 registered voters will vote Jan. 20.

Los Angeles Court system most "unjust". The study by a tort reform group is dead on. L.A. has too much lawsuit abuse.

Famed P.I. Anthony Pellicano get 15 years. One victim went after the L.A. Times for helping him???

Long Beach Redevelopment Agency wants to help business. I guess this is better than condemning them and giving the land to someone else.

Metrolink enters the 21st century with electronic cards.  About time.

Massive Los Lomas housing development dead. Enviros not the market killed this deal.

Los Angeles worst place to do business. Santa Monica is bad too. Oc ourse leaders of these cities are big Obama backers. How iwll the U.S. rank? 

Buyer Beware! Lancaster development never got the water they needed. Something smells rotten there.

Web site will monitor Lakewood politics. Let a thousand blogs blossom.

Will West Covina get to vote on council districts? The question is a special election vs. a November one.

UCLA cleared in liver transplant probe. Nothing wrong with giving livers to Japenese crime bosses. Nothing.

Open letter to Members of the Los Angeles County Republican Central Committee

Since last Saturday I have been deluged with phone calls and emails about 'what happened' and especially asking me why I withdrew from running for the RPLAC First Vice Chair position.

As a volunteer (as well as sometimes paid staff) working in the trenches for every Republican presidential campaign since 1968, I have witnessed and been a part of the politics of our California Republican Party.  I am proud to say that most of those years we - the conservatives - were successful in winning leadership positions.

Because of my work I was appointed a delegate to the national convention in 1976 for Ronald Reagan.

That experience I still count today as one of the highlights of my life.

Over those 40 years, I also worked for Jim Rogan's campaign, ran Governor George Deukmejian's most successful/largest phone bank in his upset election for governor, and raised money for Ollie North to give college scholarships to kids who lost a parent in combat.  I am proud of the time and money I donated to conservative and Republican causes.

It may surprise you, especially those of you who are new to the party or politics, that struggles like we witnessed last Saturday have always taken place - for the chance to lead the heart and soul of the party; to be in positions to recruit, train and elect candidates who share our love for the principles of Ronald Reagan and to build his "shining city on a hill".

But seldom have they been so deceitful and so dishonest.

When the sun came up on Saturday there was a struggle for the leadership of L.A. County.  Those seeking to replace the nominated slate of officers crawled out of hiding to run a campaign of ANTI-PERSONALITIES - not one of who can best run the party in these critical times.  Not one biography of their 'slate' was anywhere to be found.

Several of their officers are brand new to the Party as well as new to fundraising, campaign strategy and candidate training. How then can they lead others? Three of them are Ron Paul people. Did they work in the past months to elect our Republican nominee? Several of their officers are so brand new to the party that they didn't know much about each other.  They met in secret and then avoided eye contact on Saturday to throw off the scent of an impending deal. Some Ron Paul supporters were illegally allowed to vote although the temporary chair, Al Han probably knew better. When they put out their first press release, they even misspelled the name of their elected Secretary.

Ronald Reagan was always careful to put people who shared his philosophy in positions of importance in the Party.  He was also careful to ensure that they had the skills to raise money and win campaigns.

While I know and appreciate a couple of their team and realize they worked hard in the election I also know that both the Chairman and First Vice Chair should not come from the same Assembly District.  (Glen Forsch knew I was running for First Vice Chairman, and did not have the courtesy to inform me that he was running even though we had just met with our new Central Committee members that week.)

But to quote Jeffers Dodge, who shouted so rudely during the thank you remarks by Chairman Boyd Saturday, "We must get to the task at hand."

Suffice it to say leading a county like Los Angeles takes more than 'just showing up', which is Glen's catch phrase and one he used on me repeatedly over the past 7 months.  His idea, and that of his political director, was to "tell them you are Republican; don't get into any philosophical discussions; and just show up".

Well the candidates who took his advice in this area literally did not even win the Republican Party's percentage of the vote.  My campaign took a different approach.    My campaign never shied away from the issues - especially social conservative issues.

Glen says that we have lost volunteers and party members because we are too conservative and our pro-life stance alienates voters.

I believe he is flat wrong.

My campaign walked and phoned Decline to State voters who had left our Party because our leaders did not live up to the conservative principles they preached.   I endorsed Prop. 8 and spoke in churches on the crucial need for this constitutional amendment.  I also made contact with Mormon Prop 8 supporters, (thank God for them) worked side by side with them, and was proud to do so.  And I told over 10,000 church goers that I am pro-life. I know Democrats and Decline to State voters supported me because I  took a strong stand against tax hikes and criticized the incumbent for his support of tax increases.

I answered EVERY survey sent to me - unlike the advice Glen gave others to not take a stand.  And I was endorsed by conservative groups across the nation; the National Tax Limitation Committee, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, and our conservative leader Congressman Tom McClintock who endorsed me and financially supported my campaign.

Glen's Buck and Ballot Brigade (a once strong and well funded volunteer organization in Glendale) post election report says we made great strides in the 43rd because of him and his Board's plan as implemented by his political director.

Again he is flat wrong.

Buck and Ballot is a key part of the 43rd AD and the historical fundraising arm of the Party in the 43rd.  Glen was the Chairman during this last election cycle. (Many old and new friends in Buck and Ballot ably assisted me in my campaign.)  In 2008, Buck and Ballot sought to become the Republican Party in the 43rd.

Ask him to send you his report and you will notice he never mentions the numbers of the candidates who took his advice (Charles Hahn and Teddy Choi). He only mentions my campaign numbers and the gains I made. My campaign won 32.1% of the vote which is 7% over registration, and we did it by ignoring their advice. His report is full of bloated numbers, especially in the section about the 'meet and greet' events.  I was there and I know the truth.

But the real story is that Glen spent $30,000 on staff, supplies and mailings to tell Republicans who their Republican candidates are but never did ANY voter registration. The Democrats in the 43rd Assembly District registered over 12,000 new voters in the last 6 weeks of the campaign. The Republican Party here lost over 1,000 voters in that same period of time.

Based on my agreement with Buck and Ballot, all the volunteers I recruited were turned over to Buck and Ballot to implement their work.  I gave Buck and Ballot several new volunteers who had agreed to help register voters, get out the vote or call voters and distribute literature.

My campaign raised and spent just under $15,000 with no debt.  I know first hand how difficult running in a non-targeted district can be - how hard it is to get anyone to look at you or give donations.  But our former RPLAC leaders were always there for me; help with the filing fee, voter vault assistance, personal donations and Get-Out-The-Vote materials.

I had planned to join Linda's team to take our county to the next level and be ready for 2010 to elect a conservative governor.  I hope and pray for the success of Republicans in Los Angeles County. I pledge to work hard in my own Assembly District and help grow the Lincoln Clubs to fund our volunteer efforts.

Without leadership and the fundraising skills necessary to run this county, RPLAC will go through some rough times in the near future.  Maybe they will realize the great job Linda Boyd and her team actually did.

Jane Barnett
Barnett8080@yahoo.com
818-848-1557

Jamiel's Law fails to qualify for ballot. Whoever is helping this family is a disgrace. It wasn't even close. Despite their claims. If passed, it would have made the LAPD arrest illegals.

Freeways to become toll roads. Carpool lanes will be converted under the plan to force us of our roads.

No more check-cashing businesses in Pico Rivera. The city council wants to keep businesses out. The residents must want to use them or they wouldn't be there.

L.A. County finds things to cut. They have more to go.

As the next election cycle begins, we already have some early front-runners who seem to be securing most of the early endorsements in the process.  Here is a quick review of them.

L.A. school board faces choices for new superintendent. They focus on proven unsuccesful insider or an outsider. How about focusing on reform?

L.A. City council defunds Laura Chick vs. Rock Degadillo. Controller suing City Attorney. Only in L.A.

Profile of Metrolink Chief. The press should profile how much money they waste on so few.

The California Coastal Commission was created in 1972 due to approval by the voters through an state-wide initative known as Proposition 20, which gives the Commission broad powers through planning and regulation on the use of land and water up and down the California Coast.

Bill Burke, currently Chairman of the Southern California Air Quality Management District and also founder of the Los Angeles Marathon loses race to Chair of the California Coastal Commission to Humboldt County Supervisor Bonnie Neely.

Bill Burke has to settle no 2 spot on California Coastal Commission

Scramble nears climax to lead Coastal Commission

Bill Burke is spouse of former Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke.

Pomona Police Chief Joe Romero was removed from his position by Pomona City Manager Linda Lowry.

Romero out as Pomona police chief

According to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, City Manager Linda Lowry wanted to "see the department go in a different direction."  Is she doing this on her own or at the direction of the City Council and the Mayor?

It is somewhat surprising that the City Manager would unilaterally make such decisions regarding staff, especially with this person being high up in the city bureaucracy. 

If the Police Chief is "at-will employee of the City of Pomona", then why does he have 28 months left on his contract?  How much will this cost the taxpayers to buy out his contract?

Will this personnel issue come up at the next City Council meeting under "closed session"?

So many questions that deserves answers for the residents of Pomona.  

In LAUSD the cost of getting rid of a bad superintendent. $517,000. I'll screw it up for half that. The vote was 5-2. This cleary was about color. The color green

LAUSD reform candidate short signatures. Blames consultant. They always blame the consultant.

Sheriff Baca want $1 million to send Deputies to the Inaguration. Wish I was kidding.

Maywood recall fails, but ethics measure passes. Will voters make up their mind.

Port of L.A. to cut spending. Will Sacramento?

Los Cerritos wetland deal is facing credit problems. How is this deal good for taxpayers?

.

It was a huge surprise to the residents of Diamond Bar, Walnut and surrounding communities on the proposed NFL Stadium in the City of Industry, which will delayed by one year.

Construction delayed on proposed NFL Stadium

Walnut Mayor Joaquin Lim thinks residents from surrounding communities put pressure on the project to be delayed.

We will hear more about this delay in the days to come and what impact this will have:  economically and politically. 

Sorry football fans, you need to wait until 2012 for a team in Los Angeles. 

Los Angeles Times bankrupt!!! Read all about it.

David Brewer can be bought...out.

Signal Hill politician targeted for supporting Prop. 8. Majority of City Council is gay.

Top shelf LAUSD candidate fails to qualify. Sounds qualified to me.

L.A. City Council panel approves gun control measure. One allows tennants to be evicted by landlords if the illegaly use guns. Maybe the should be arrested instead?

The following is important information that relates to the Republican Party of Los Angeles County.

New Executive Board I am taking this opportunity to inform all Republicans in Los Angeles County about the results of the election for officers of the Republican Party of Los Angeles County for 2009-2010 that took place last Saturday.   The County Central Committee elected the following new officers to serve for the next two years:   EXECUTIVE BOARD:   Chairman                                 Glen Forsch First Vice-Chairman                  Lydia Gutierrez Second Vice-Chairman              Robert W, Vaughn Treasurer                                  Gary Aminoff Secretary                                   Roger Eshelman Asst. Treasurer                          Gwen Patrick Asst. Secretary                          Connie Ruffley   Your new slate of officers are organizing and preparing to move forward in the new year with a program designed to grow the Republican Party in Los Angeles County and to win elections. The Party Needs You   As you know, the Republican Party, nationally, as well as locally, is at a low point, both in registration and in popularity.  It is up to us to generate a new way of being for the Republican Party of Los Angeles County that will inspire those who left the Party, and those who have not been in the Party to want to be part of a Party whose core beliefs are protecting individual liberty, limited government, lower taxes, promoting personal freedom and responsibility and a strong national defense.  We believe those are also the principles that most Americans feel are important in their lives.   The Executive Board is going to need your help and support.  Finances are going to be an issue.  Most of the larger donors who contributed to RPLAC, including the Lincoln Clubs of Los Angeles County, did so because Doug and Linda Boyd had established relationships with those contributors.  The new board is going to have to reestablish those relationships and demonstrate its credibility to justify donors having faith that our plan will succeed.  We Need to Unify   I also feel it is important to add the following.  There were several people who supported the retention of Linda Boyd as Chairman, and her slate, and were very disappointed that she withdrew from the election.  Some of those have indicated they do not want to participate in RPLAC activities going forward because they didn't approve of the attempt to replace Linda as Chairman.   To those who fall into that category, and to others who have been reluctant to participate, for any reason, you should be clear on something very important.  The success of the Republican Party of Los Angeles County is more important, to us, to the State of California and to the country than any individual.  We need to recognize that we are at a crucial crossroad in the history of America.  The question that will be resolved in the next two years is, "Will the Republican Party of Ronald Reagan be a force to be reckoned with in 2010, or will it forever be relegated to a minority status in this country?"    If you make the choice to not participate in creating a successful county party because your feelings were hurt, or because you were offended when your person did not get elected, you are placing your personal feelings ahead of the success of conservative values in America.   For me, I choose to do whatever it takes to make RPLAC a success, for the sake of the Republican Party.  I hope you will, as well.    We, the Republicans of Los Angeles County, all of us - social conservatives, defense conservatives, fiscal conservatives, Log Cabin members, RLC members, CRA members, Republican Congress members, Women Federated members, disgruntled Boyd supporters, Ron Paul supporters, Mike Huckabee supporters, Mitt Romney supporters - everyone who believes in the core principles of the Republican Party needs to come together to create a successful, vibrant, resurgent party in Los Angeles County.  We have much more in common than we have differences, and only by working together to support RPLAC can we succeed. Al Han   I want to make a comment about my friend, Al Han, who I think is getting a bum rap.  Al Han is unfairly being blamed by some for organizing a coup to take over the Party, or various riffs on that theme.  That did not happen.  I can tell you that Al Han was approached a couple of days before the RPLAC organizational meeting and asked if he would act as temporary chairman during the election proceedings.  Those who asked him felt that the proceedings would have more of an appearance of fairness if Al presided since State Sen. Bob Huff is thought of as a personal friend of Linda Boyd.   Al agreed that he would take that on.  An election was held between Al Han and Bob Huff for temporary chairman and Al Han won.  All Al did was preside at the meeting.  He was not running for any County Party office, he didn't organize anything, he had nothing to do with the election other than to preside at the meeting.  He does not deserve some of the criticism he is getting. Your Support   We need your support.  The County Party is quickly running short of funds.  If you are interested in supporting the Party with a contribution of $10, $25, $50, $100, $1,000 or $10,000, you can do so by going to our donation page and making your contribution online.  Or, you can send a check made payable to RPLAC, c/o Gary Aminoff, Treasurer, 1800 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1420, Los Angeles, CA 90067. Closing   Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to Linda Boyd for all the effort she has put into running the County Party during the past six years.  I know that she made many sacrifices, including being away from her young children, to serve the Republican Party of Los Angeles County.  Her dedication to the cause was sincere and tireless.

Chairman Glen Forsch and the entire Executive Board look forward to working with you in the coming days and months to create a new, exciting Republican Party of Los Angeles County.   Sincerely,   Gary Aminoff Treasurer, Member Executive Board Republican Party of Los Angeles County

Is the L.A. Times Bankrupt? Not just journalistically.

The LAUSD soap opera conitinues. Will they fire Brewer? Will test scores go up? Never mind the last one.

Episcopal Diocese blesses gay unions.