Thursday, January 11, 2018

Capitol Update Thursday, January 11, 2018

Brown's Last Budget

Earlier this week, Governor Brown released his last tentative budget ever. The budget once again breaks records- at $132 billion, it is the largest spending plan in our state's history. While the Governor is urging his predecessor to be prudent because, "a recession is lurking," Brown still manages to spend more than ever. With bonds and special funds, Governor Brown's spending plan tops $190 billion. Don't be fooled by the proposed $10 billion to be squirrled away in our state's "Rainy Day Fund," because it has to get there first. Now starts the 5 months of Democrat legislative negotiating before the Governor's May Revise Budget. Our state Democrats see a surplus as a spending spree, and with the gas tax increase, make no mistake that revenue promised to fix our roads and infrastructure will go anywhere but. While this is mostly speculation, we do have a lot of history to draw on for examples of mismanaged budgets and general fund shell games. Just click HERE or HERE to refresh your memory. This is just the beginning of the budget battles, so stay tuned!
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Our Republican Representatives

Our California State Assembly has a new Republican Caucus Leadership team. Assembly Republican Leader Brian Dahle (Bieber) has announced his team and we wish them the best of luck! Now is not the time to rest on our laurels... we have to take our state back!

Assistant Republican Leader and Chief Republican Whip: Assemblyman Heath Flora (Ripon)

Republican Whip: Assemblyman James Gallagher (Yuba City)

Republican Whip: Assemblyman Vince Fong (Bakersfield)

Republican Floor Leader: Assemblymember Marie Waldron (Escondido)

Republican Caucus Chair: Assemblyman Jay Obernolte (Hesperia)

We also have some incredible Republican Senators representing us. Both Republican caucuses have hit the ground running this year, with media blitz responses to the Governor's budget, the Gas Tax, and more. Please visit both the Assembly Republican Caucus page HERE and the Senate Republican Caucus page HERE. Be sure to also follow them on Facebook and Twitter. Like, Share, Repeat!
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In Case You Missed It: June Ballot Measures

Believe it or not, the June Primary is just 6 months away! Each Capitol Update we will remind you of the ballot measures, and as soon as our official CFRW positions are released, we hope that you educate your clubs and communities about these often intentionally vague and confusing propositions. Thanks!
There are four ballot measures on our June Primary Election ballot. Remember, only the legislature or the Governor can place measures on our June ballot. Any and all citizen driven initiatives are forced to the November ballot. Here are the June measures- we will go over them more thoroughly in subsequent Capitol Updates as well as release our official CFRW positions on each measure.

ACA 5 (Frazier, D): Motor vehicle fees and taxes: restriction on expenditures: appropriations limit

ACA 1 (Mayes, R): Greenhouse Gas Reduction Reserve Fund

SB 5 (De León, D): California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access For All Act of 2018

ACA 17 (Mullin, D): Ballot measures: effective date
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CFRW Winter BOD

Our Winter Board of Directors Meeting is just around the corner! Join us in sunny Long Beach as we work to take back our state! We have exciting workshops, speakers, and a sisterhood of Republican Women that can't be beat! Our speakers include TV and YouTube personality, Anna Khait, as well as our banquet speaker, Project Veritas Founder, James O'Keefe. Registration is open and there are still rooms available at the beautiful Renaissance Hotel, for February 9-11th, at our 2018 Winter BOD Meeting! CLICK HERE to register and for more information!
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Disclaimer: The Capitol Update is an activity of the CFRW Advocate's Office. The update is for information only. CFRW official positions on legislation are stated immediately preceding the stated legislation or immediately following the stated legislation in this report.