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Donald Lathbury
CMR Exclusive: Assembly GOP Leadership Change Could Be ImminentRepublican Assemblyman Mike Villines of Fresno is circulating a letter among Assembly Republicans seeking to dump GOP Assembly Republican Leader George Plescia and claims to already have 15 votes to replace him, the California Majority Report has learned through Capitol staff sources. Villines, former chief of staff to Senator/AG candidate Chuck Poochigian, is focusing his attention on courting the more conservative incoming class of Republicans and lining up votes of Caucus conservatives. In an effort to curry favor, Villines has given more than $75,600 to Republicans in swing Assembly districts, and he's given the maximum allowable donation ($6,600 each) to Shirley Horton (78th District), Bonnie Garcia (80th District), and Guy Houston (50th District). He's also provided heavy contributions to other challengers said to have a shot at unseating Democratic control, including Gerry Machado (17th District), Mary Jo Ford (53rd District), and Jill Buck (18th District). While it is not uncommon for well-financed Assemblypersons in safe districts to give cash to swing district contenders, Villines has also sent bundles to candidates in non-competitive districts, including a $6,600 giveaway to Audra Strickland (37th District). Plescia emerged as the GOP Assembly head last year after then-Republican leader Kevin McCarthy stepped down to focus on his run for Congress. At the time, his main rivals for the post were Assemblypersons Rick Keene, Mimi Walters, and Sharon Runner. Plesica had a shaky run after taking over the reins, often at odds with his own caucus on the budget as well as the infrastructure bonds. With Schwarzenegger pulling to the center, Plescia barely was able to get the votes to support the Governor's more moderate positions. Plescia's fundraising efforts this cycle have been dismal. With the exception of southern California tribal interests, Plescia has raised little from traditional GOP allies. In addition, both targeted Republicans -- Assemblypersons Bonnie Garcia and Shirley Horton -- are in the fights of their lives. Democrats also have solid edges in the two races Republicans have targeted (Assemblyperson Nicole Parra in District 30 and the open seat pitting Democrat Cathleen Gulgiani against Republican Gerry Machado). Given the Villines insurgency, the stakes are higher than ever for Plescia next Tuesday, who probably needs to at least hold par, if not pick up a seat, to retain any hope of keeping his name on the leader’s door. Print this report | Send to a friend About Donald Lathbury | All Reports by Donald Lathbury State Assembly
Note: Comments are owned by the poster. We are not responsible for their content. You must be logged in to comment. You may log in or create an account. What kind of argument is that? I understand that regular road maintenance should be paid for as a recurring budget item, but aside from that isn't highway-building a long-term capital good for the state? Then why doesn't it make sense to finance that expenditure so that those who use it (for example the future residents of the State that aren't currently paying taxes) pay for their fair share? Paying for infrastructure via public bond offerings is perfectly appropriate - it's the sort of expense we ought to be putting down as long-term debt. And if he wants to defray the cost of the bond interest (at least the cost of the rate above inflation), why not collect the taxes a year early for each period and invest in 1-year T-bills through a transportation trust fund or something like that? Ratings |
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Villines
Posted by: david_t on November 01, 2006I wonder how the governor feels about that.
Villines is the sole signatory of the ballot argument against Proposition 1B (the Schwarzenegger-backed transportation bond), in which he argues that instead of paying for infrastructure improvements over time, we should build highways on a pay-as-you-go basis, apparently by cutting other expenditures.
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