In 2007, the modern tea party movement took shape, in a vastly different form than it now presents itself.  Spurred by an impending recession, a government overrun by deception and corruption, and an unprecedented expansion of government under eight years of “conservative” leadership, the first modern day tea partiers had positive causes of action: honesty, respect for the rule of law, and protection of the rights of the smallest minority; the individual.

On November 27, the New York Times <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/28/us/28brfs-GOVERNOROWES_BRF.html">reported</a> that Governor Schwarzenegger may owe nearly $80,000 in taxes to the state. If true, this is not a good position to be in for the chief executive of a state that is assuredly bankrupt.

Many thoughtful assessments of the Top Two Open Primary proposal raise many of the issues considered by the California Independent Voter Project when researching election reform options over the past three years.

However, critics who rely upon a statistical analysis of Washington’s first year under their system (which is similar to the California proposal) reveal an honestly held bias that we believe results in missing the point.

Governor Schwarzenegger applauded the passage of a statewide cap and trade tax Tuesday, lauding the state’s Air Resources Board for drafting “the nation’s first cap and trade program,” according to a statement from the Governor’s Office. This is nothing that the governor should be proud of.

California has never been afraid to recall its political leaders.  The latest effort to recall GOP assemblyman, Anthony Adams, failed, but disgruntled citizens are targeting state senator, Bob Huff, next.  In an editorial, the LA Times scolds California Republicans for pursuing a counterproductive strategy that will hurt both the party and the state in upcoming budget talks.

In the ring of partisan politics, the California Democratic Party received a blow from one of its most faithful financial supporters.

The LA Times reports that Bill Lloyd, president of the Service Employees Union (SEIU) of California, warned that his union will cease funding the party for its support of a group no longer associated with the union.

Since word came down from high during the last school year that the University of California and California State University systems would be especially hard-hit with the ailing state budget, leaders in the state and within the CSU and UC systems have been scrambling for answers. Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico proposed AB 656, which will significantly tax oil company profits, to raise money for institutions of higher education in California.

Earlier this month, California lawmakers and Governor Schwarzenegger agreed to a five-pronged “solution” to the statewide water crisis.

As California suffers under 12.5% unemployment and is projected to run an astounding $83 billion worth of deficits over the next four years, billionaire GOP candidates, Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner, are playing the same old political games.  Now, this is not meant to be a partisan hit piece.  Both offer thought-provoking economic models, with Whitman focusing on job creation and spending cuts, and Poizner advocating his 10-10-10 plan of tax cuts, spending cuts, and a rainy day fund.