From Michelle P. Connor, Legislative Advocate

The supermajority that the Democrats required to take over the Assembly and the Senate did not happen! The efforts of the California Federation of Republican Women and the California Republican Party kept the Democrats from taking the needed seats. The Democrats still need Republican votes to pass the state budget! On the good side, we picked up Assembly District 30 with the win of Danny Gilmore. Our many great Republican leaders and the strong Caucus leadership in the Senate and the Assembly will now be the key to keeping the state on the right track.

Below is the list of Republicans who won seats in the California State Legislature:

Statewide Senate Seats Won by Republicans!
District 1: Dave Cox (Incumbent)
District 15: Able Maldonado (Incumbent)
District 17: George Runner (Incumbent)
District 29: Bob Huff
District 31: Robert D. Dutton (Incumbent)
District 33: Mimi Walters
District 35: Tom Harman (Incumbent)
District 37: John J. Benoit
District 19: (Tony Strickland is too close to call)

Statewide Assembly Seats Won by Republicans!
District 2: Jim Nielsen
District 3: Dan Logue
District 4: Ted Gaines (Incumbent)
District 5: Roger Niello (Incumbent)
District 25: Tom Berryhill (Incumbent)
District 26: Bill Berryhill
District 29: Mike Villines (Incumbent and Assembly Republican Caucus Leader)
District 30: Danny D. Gilmore
District 32: Jean Fuller (Incumbent)
District 33: Sam Blakeslee (Incumbent)
District 34: Connie Conway
District 36: Steve Knight
District 37: Audra Strickland (Incumbent)
District 38: Cameron Smyth (Incumbent)
District 59: Anthony Adams (Incumbent)
District 60: Curt Hagman
District 63: Bill Emmerson (Incumbent)
District 64: Brian Nestande
District 65: Paul Cook (Incumbent)
District 66: Kevin D. Jeffries (Incumbent)
District 67: Jim Silva (Incumbent)
District 68: Van Tran (Incumbent)
District 70: Chuck DeVore (Incumbent)
District 71: Jeff Miller
District 72: Mike Duvall (Incumbent)
District 73: Diane L. Harkey (Incumbent)
District 74: Martin Garrick (Incumbent)
District 75: Nathan Fletcher
District 77: Joel Anderson
District 10: (Jack Sieglock is too close to call)

Republican Legislative Leaders Call for Job Creation and Spending Accountability to Close Budget Shortfall

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a special legislative session to address an $11.2 billion budget shortfall. In his announcement, he called for a 1.5% sales tax increase. Democrats have also called for tax and fee increases. Legislative Republicans quickly pointed out any type of tax increase would be devastating to a crumbling economy.

Statement by Republican Leaders Cogdill and Villines on Governor Calling Special Session on Budget Crisis and Economic Meltdown

Senate Republican Leader Dave Cogdill of Modesto and Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines of Fresno today issued the following statement in response to Governor Schwarzenegger’s proclamation calling a special session of the Legislature to address California’s budget crisis and economic woes:

“Governor Schwarzenegger acted prudently in calling the Legislature back into session to focus on solving California’s budget crisis and turning our lagging economy around. However, Republicans are very disappointed to see that his budget plan includes higher taxes. We need to open up state government ledgers to ensure tax dollars are being spent as effectively as possible, on necessary programs and projects that truly benefit Californians. Raising taxes is the worst thing we could do right now. It will devastate an economy that is hanging on by a thread, threaten jobs and hurt working families.

“Instead of raising taxes, so the Legislature can spend even more on bigger government, Republicans believe that our priority in the special session should be putting California jobs first and encouraging more companies to invest in our state and create jobs here. Rather than punish Californians, we should work together to make tough choices about budget savings, while renewing our commitment to passing budget reform to help our state live within its means again.”

For more information about Republican budget solutions, please visit: SenateRepublicanBudget.com.

Score Card:

CFRW supported or opposed 7 out of 12 proposition winners.

CFRW Activities & Events

Mark your 2008 calendars
Important Legislative Dates
November 10, 2008: Veterans Day observed
November 30, 2008: Adjournment Sine Die at midnight
November 27-28, 2008: Thanksgiving Holiday
December 1, 2008: The start of the new legislative cycle.

Northern Division
Northern Division Fall Conference, November 21-23, 2008, "Race to the Crown...the Crowne Plaza in Foster City, that is!” Hotel room rate $107, free parking, indoor pool, and fitness center. The Saturday banquet speaker is Larry Greenfield, CA Director of the Jewish Republican Coalition. Region X (San Francisco and San Mateo Counties) hosts the Fall Conference. Contact: Regional Director Marilyn Canon at mmgcanon45@aol.com

Central Division
Central Division is thrilled with the number of our members who were elected to state and local office. Way to go ladies. We are planning and looking into the future. Republican Women are strong and valiant women. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU!

Southern Division
2008 Fundraiser and Awards Luncheon Tuesday, November 11, 2008, Doubletree Hotel/Ontario: 222 North Vineyard Avenue, Ontario. Enjoy Conservative Comedian EVAN SAYET and a St. John Knits Fashion Show.

Mark your calendars for 2009

Legislative Dates
January 1-2, 2009: New Year’s Holiday
January 1, 2009: Statutes take effect

State: CFRW Winter Conference: San Luis Obispo, February 6-8
CFRW 34th Advocacy Workshop and Spring 2009 Board of Directors' Meeting: Hyatt Regency at Capitol Park, Sacramento, May 3-5, 2009

Northern Division: January 17 – Leadership Seminar: Courtyard at Marriott, Fairfield
March 13-14 –Northern Division Spring Conference: Red Lion, Redding

Republican Web Links

National Federation of Republican Women
With Sarah Palin on the cover.www.nfrw.org

Recent Legislative Updates

2008-11-10
2008-11-03
2008-10-28
2008-10-14
2008-10-07
2008-09-30
2008-09-23
2008-09-16
2008-09-02
2008-08-25

Disclaimer: The Weekly Update is an activity of the CFRW Advocate's Office. The update is for information only. Nothing is to be construed as a position of CFRW or any of its entities