It’s time to SOS – Save Our State

Welcome to my first 2010 Campaign Newsletter, focusing on California issues! This is the year for all Californian’s to come to the aid of their state, and cast a vote to support those who will carry a strong message to Sacramento – we are over-taxed, underserved and we’re not going to take it anymore!

With dwindling funds and high unemployment promoting Jobs First is the only way to get our state back on track. Anything less will only delay our healing process and drive the productive elements from our Golden State.  Regulation and high taxation continue to result in less revenue than anticipated to our State’s General Fund coffers.  Those of us with real world experience are not surprised – If you tax or regulate an item, you get less of it, including employment!

The 29 members of our Assembly Republican Caucus have been taking active steps to help alleviate the future regulatory burden proposed in AB 32 – the Greenhouse Gas legislation that gives California Air Resources Board a free reign to implement “reduction solutions” without consideration of economic impacts on our existing businesses, or deterrents to those who might want to expand or locate in California. The legislation passed in 2006, when unemployment was at 4.8% vs. the nearly 13% we are experiencing now, does allow the Governor to suspend AB 32 in times of economic hardship – NOW seems appropriate!

Barring a Governor change of heart, due to the leadership of Assemblyman Dan Logue (R) and business groups throughout the state, the California Jobs Initiative will appear on the November ballot.  This is a great success for working people in California, but we would hope the Governor gets on board with us and decides to exercise the suspension clause before the November election.  We need Jobs First now!  Please visit their website at SuspendAB32.org.

June will be a busy month with Primary elections and 2010-11 California State budget negotiations underway.  I have encouraged the Democrat leadership in the House to begin to look at “dynamic” budget modeling to assess the impacts of taxation and regulation on our jobs market and overall economy. In government speak – when you get a tax “credit” it is a tax “expense,” which seems to imply that everything we earn and get to keep belongs to big brother.  It’s past time to comprehend the real-world consequences of taxation, debt and regulation, and get California back on track.

So stay tuned, and please sign up at: www.DianeHarkey.com to help me spread the word.  Due to scheduling and the fact that the Capitol is 400 miles away, I spend 4 days a week in Sacramento.  Therefore, I need your help at home to stave off increasing regulation, higher taxation, and burdensome debt.

Primary June 2010 Ballot Initiatives:
As well as personally asking for your vote, if you are uncertain, I have the following recommendations:

Prop 13 – Yes              Limits Property Tax Increases
Prop 14 – No              Changes and Confuses the Primary Election Process
Prop 15 – No              Creates Government Funding for Elections
Prop 16 – Yes             Gives Taxpayers the Right to Vote before Government takes over a Power Company
Prop 17 – Yes              Lowers Auto Insurance Rates for Good Drivers

For more information, please check the Issues section of my website: www.DianeHarkey.com


73rd Assembly District Republican Central Committee:
This year we have 14 candidates for 6 offices and to be sure there are some fine new faces! I welcome the enthusiasm, and hope that when the June 8th primary is over, they can all unite behind whoever wins to help us SOS in local and statewide elections.

Continuing with the SOS theme – this little known office is key to getting out the vote in November. The Central Committee is tasked with registering voters and organizing volunteers to turn out voters on Election Day.  Do to the nature of the position, where team work, experience and a volunteer network really matters, I will be supporting the incumbents, for I know that each one has volunteered, walked and/or organized precincts, manned telephone banks and knows their cities.

My recommendations are:  Norm Dickenson, Craig Alexander, Anna Bryson, Paul Glaab, Nancy Padberg and Alice Anderson. As stated these 6 are tried and true, but I welcome any new additions, and look forward to working together in our District to turn out the vote in November.

SOS Wrap Up:
Thanks for your time and please visit my website: www.DianeHarkey.com to volunteer, donate, add to the mailing list, or e-mail me with election questions. We also have some excellent opportunities to win more seats in the Assembly this year.  We need more balance in Sacramento.  So if you are willing to volunteer outside of the 73rd District to SOS, e-mail me through the website.

I’m working hard for you and have earned a 100% rating from Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, Cal-Chamber and am endorsed by other business and conservative groups. Thanks for your support!

Diane