Category Archive

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 10, 2010 Contact: Gino Folchi – 916-319-2073 Assemblywoman Diane Harkey Adamantly Opposes Tax and Spend Budget Option Sixty-five percent of Californian’s rejected similar tax increases last May SACRAMENTO – The Democrat counter to the Governor’s budget proposal is finally on the table. While people at home continue to trim their budgets and adjust their lifestyles, in …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 20, 2010 Contact: Gino Folchi – 916-319-2073 SACRAMENTO – Legislation by Assemblywoman Diane Harkey, R-Dana Point, that adds scuba diving to a list of other hazardous recreational activities while extending legal immunity to state and local governments, was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger.  The bill is the product of a two year effort with California …

This op-ed originally appeared in the San Diego Union-Tribune  Mildly optimistic about recent progress in negotiations with the state’s 21 unions, but disappointed in what appears to be the “deal,” we now need some answers. Roughly three months before California goes to the polls, why would a lame duck governor be able to bring parties that have heretofore been unwilling …

This op-ed originally appeared in Fox & Hounds Well, true to form, the Democrats’ budget delay tactics continue this year.  The leaders of both the Senate (Steinberg – D Sacramento) and the Assembly (Perez – D Los Angeles), refuse to accept the Governor’s budget, but are offering no real alternatives.  Reportedly, they have agreed on a few budget reductions but are no where near how to …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 2, 2010 Contact: Gino Folchi 916-319-2073 Harkey Calls For Fiscal Responsibility High Speed Rail Authority will be held accountable for taxpayer dollars SACRAMENTO – In a rare moment of clarity, financial accountability and fiscal responsibility received bipartisan support on the Assembly floor today.  AB 2121, joint authored by Assemblywoman Diane Harkey (R-Dana Point) and Cathleen Galgiani …

This op-ed originally appeared in Fox & Hounds Earlier this week, Assembly Democrats unveiled their budget blueprint of liberal spending and higher taxes, which they ironically call their California Jobs Budget. In reality, they proposed the “California Red Ink Budget” because that’s really what it would produce ­ more government spending, increasing debt and higher taxes that would hit working Californians especially hard. Considering our …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 20, 2009 Contact: Gino Folchi (916) 319-2073 Harkey Calls for High Speed Reality Check SACRAMENTO – AB 2121 authored by Assemblywoman Diane Harkey (R-Dana Point) sailed out of the Assembly Transportation Committee with a vote of 13-0.  As amended, the bill would hold the High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) to a higher standard of financial accountability.  …

  Bracing for $20B deficits annually through 2015, it’s time to set priorities. Cuts to education, public safety, underfunded pensions, borrowing and deferring payments to local government should sound an alarm. Those outside California are certainly weighing in; our debt rating is the lowest in the nation, comparable to Mexico and Brazil. Yet we continue to borrow and party as …

California High Speed Rail Project – Time to Eliminate High Speed Rail funding SF Transportation Policy ExaminerKathy Hamilton There is someone in Sacramento that has stood up and said, “the Emperor has no clothes.” Diane Harkey, Assemblywoman from Orange County, has put forward a courageous bill, AB 2121, which would pull the plug on funding the High Speed Rail Project. …

This op-ed originally appeared in the Flashreport With $20 Billion dollar deficits projected for the next 5 years, excessively high unemployment, mountains of debt and declining revenues it’s time to face the reality – our Golden State is not only tarnished, but it is de-facto, bankrupt. Compare our State’s precarious situation to that of a 2 wage-earning, working California family: …

This op-ed originally appeared in the Dana Point Times   The world did not end on June 30! We celebrated the 4th of July, summer is in full-swing and not much has changed with our state’s finances. Or has it? As of midnight, June 30, the end of the state’s fiscal year, we had failed to balance our “unbalanced budget” and …

This op-ed originally appeared in the Flashreport The Federal Economic Stimulus dollars are soon to be rolling out of Washington to our State.  However, what exactly our state will receive, the distribution process, or the full requirements and potential obligations that come with acceptance of such government largesse, is a bit vague. The best estimate is that California stands to …

This op-ed originally appeared in the Dana Point Times   Never anticipating the enormity of financial hailstorm that hit last year, I ran for elected office hoping to use my former career corporate finance skills, and passion for economics to help our state secure a more solid financial footing. Hence, my focus in Sacramento, on all “boring” number crunching committee …

Last week the State legislature passed a budget with the minimum number of votes that pleased no one, especially those of us who will absorb the increasing tax burden in sales, income and vehicle registration fees. The good news is the gas tax was rejected and the counties will be getting their allocation of state dollars without interruption in funding. …

This op-ed originally appeared in the San Diego Union-Tribune Upon being sworn into the California State Assembly in December, I promptly met with staff from the Governor’s office, Department of Finance , Controller’s office and others to assess the State’s fiscal crisis.  Also, I did what I hear is unthinkable for an elected official – I reviewed the State’s last …