HJTA Officially Endorses McGill -- And Loses Credibility

This came over the transom this morning from the Mike McGill for Assembly campaign:

Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association Endorses McGill

McGill only candidate who will protect taxpayers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Joe Giardiello

February 28, 2006 (310) 455-1282

CYPRESS, CA – The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association PAC, the largest and one of the most respected taxpayer organizations in the nation, has announced its endorsement of conservative Assembly candidate Mike McGill for the 67th AD.

"Mike McGill will be a staunch defender of Proposition 13 and will oppose any attempt to raise taxes or fees. He is the candidate we can trust to stand up for the taxpayers and keep a watchful eye on how public dollars are being spent."

-Jon Coupal
President, HJTA

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association has been on the frontlines in defending Prop. 13 and is dedicated to the advancement of taxpayers' rights including the right to limited taxation, the right to vote on tax increases and the right of efficient use of taxpayer dollars.

"Staunch defender of Proposition 13"? 

"...will oppose any attempt to raise taxes or fees"?

What a joke.

McGill's support for two state constitutional amendments that would gut Prop. 13's taxpayer protections make those statements absolute lies. This press release is utterly laughable.

Certainly the HJTA endorsement is a boost for McGill that will certainly help him among 67th AD voters.

As for me, the HJTA is making a mockery of itself with this endorsement. When Jon Coupal came on board at HJTA, it was viewed by many in GOP circles as an organization whose endorsement could be bought. I think Coupal had succeeded in restoring HJTA's standing as California's pre-eminent anti-tax organization.

It's too bad HJTA has undone much of that work by endorsing a candidate who supports making it easier to local governments to raise our taxes. Complaints about Jim Silva's record on the PLA and pension spiking are dodges -- ancillary to the matter of safeguarding one of the few protections Californians have from the predations of government's appetite for revenue. It's disheartening to know that a politician can work to dismantle Prop. 13 protections and still get the endorsement of an organization that styles itself as being "on the frontlines in defending Prop. 13 and is dedicated to the advancement of taxpayers' rights."

Now, whenever we see an HJTA candidate endorsement, it can no longer be taken for granted that candidate supports Prop. 13. And that's a shame for a great political organization.

As for Mike McGill, I had been willing to give him the benefit of the doubt regarding the Cottonwood Church debacle. Now, not only has he refused to repudiate that example of eminent domain abuse, but wants local government to have an easier time raising taxes. The "Mike McGill is the true conservative candidate" is becoming impossible to buy.

Comments

[Daaaaamn]

Daaaaaamn, Silva was taked to the cleaners. Let this be a lesson to anyone taking on the Marines. Always look out for the diversionary attack before the real one comes. Silva should have seen this coming from a mile away but got caught flatfooted.

Seems the 2 big issues he had against McGill have been neutralized. Now he has to worry about the pension crisis and his own absurd tax increases.

[Art Pedroza]

Jubal,

Are you really that enamoured of Jim Silva? How is that possible? He is such a proven squish! You are so busy picking McGill apart when Silva has huge issues, and he may yet end up bankrupting our county - again. I am aghast.

[Jubal]

Art:

This has NOTHING to do with Jim Silva. Separate your mind from Silva/PLA/pension issues for a moment. What is HJTA's purpose?: to protect Prop. 13. Given that McGill has voted to support gutting Prop. 13 protections, don't you think endorsing McGill is at odds with HJTA's state purpose?

That is what you should be aghast at.

[Prop 13 Homeowner]

This is NOTHING more important than protecting Prop. 13. McGill must have lied to the Jarvis people or he bought them off like Arnold did last year.

[Not Suprised]

As I'm sitting here trying to read these comments and blog posts, I keep getting distracted by these flashing ads on the side of this blog. Why would anyone be suprised Jubal is bashing Silva's conservative opponent, when he is lining Jubal's pocketbook?

And, Prop 13 Homeowner, I think the Howard Jarvis folks do their research before endorsing one conservative over another...they probably saw Silva's tax raising votes on the Board of Supervisors before siding against him.

[Allan Bartlett]

Both McGill and Silva are flawed candidates, but Jim Silva's sins are worse IMO than McGills but not by much. I think a summit needs to take place between the two and one guy needs to withdrawl. I don't think Diane Harmon is much of a factor in this race.

Powder Blue Report

[stupid]

the hjta pac is basically a for hire slate mailer....whoever hands coupal the check first gets the endorsement.....

[Jubal]

As I'm sitting here trying to read these comments and blog posts, I keep getting distracted by these flashing ads on the side of this blog. Why would anyone be suprised Jubal is bashing Silva's conservative opponent, when he is lining Jubal's pocketbook?

Ha, ha, ha -- you are so clever!

Did you also I'm endorsing Jim Righeimer (who hasn't purchased an ad)and have been critical of Janet Nguyen (who has purchased an ad)?

I have offered candidates of whom OC Blogpenner have been very critical -- Cassie DeYoung, Dianne Harman and Tom Harman -- the opportunity to advertise. They haven't.

Mike McGill's campaign is more than welcome to purchase a blogad. Maybe you can buy one as an IE, "Not Surprised" -- I'd be happy to accept your money and continue criticizing McGill on areas of disagreement.

[HB GOP]

HJTA was used. This endorsement is nothing more than payback by Jim Lacy against Jim Silva for Silva's active opposition to Measure D.

[Jubal]

HJTA was used. This endorsement is nothing more than payback by Jim Lacy against Jim Silva for Silva's active opposition to Measure D.

Now, I don't buy that one either.

[HB GOP]

What else would explain this? Lacy is on the HJTA Board and is associated with the HJTA slate. There is no doubt that he was the driving force. HJTA rarely goes against every Republican officeholder in the area and never endorses candidates who are squishy on Prop. 13.

[Allan Bartlett]

When you act like Silva has in office, this kind of thing is bound to happen. Instead of being pissed at HJTA, maybe you Silva kool aid drinkers should direct your fire at your candidate's bad voting record as a supe.

Powder Blue Report

[HB GOP]

Allan - McGill's record is much worse because Prop. 13 and eminent domain are bigger and more fundamental issues than the airport PLA and the Bill Campbell pension vote.

[Allan Bartlett]

I think sending our county on the path to BK again is pretty serious stuff there HB GOP. As I said earlier, I think both candidates are flawed in different ways, but I disagree with you on which is worse.

Powder Blue Report

[Blog Watcher]

I'm still voting for McGill.

ABS

"HJTA rarely goes against every Republican officeholder in the area and never endorses candidates who are squishy on Prop. 13."

Exactly, Maybe HJTA has more information than you, enough to feel that McGill won't be squishy on prop 13 in the future.

[Dwight Robinson]

If you think HJTA is "for sale" (I for one do not believe they are) why didn't Silva buy them first?

I don't buy the Lacy comment either.

HJTA would get their slate money, and whatever else, from either candidate. I think it just came down to who they could trust more. Only time will tell if they were right or not.

[stupid]

they sold out to the cta on the school voucher initiative in 2000.....

[Art Pedroza]

Do any of you really think that Silva will be a better Assemblyman than Mike McGill? No way!

RE PLAs vs. property rights, let me just say that not all of us own property, but most of us work. As such, the right to work is vitally important. We ought to have the right to decide for oursevles if we want to work for a union or not. PLAs take away that right. What Silva did was, in that light, just awful. It cannot be excused.

[Eldad Taylor]

Art- There is no "right" to work in the constitution, but the right to own private property and not have it taken away by government is ingrained in both the constitution and our political tradition, or maybe you and Mike McGill don't know that.

[Jon Coupal]

Hi folks. Coupal here. Don't normally visit these blogs but someone said to check out the chatter today on OCblog. Wow. I guess we caused a stir.

First, we were not aware of Mike's ACA 7 vote but immediately after it was disclosed he called me and explained that he wasn't even aware at the time that it was a Prop 13 issue. Believe it or not, that's common. Especially in the area of transporation (which many of us conservatives prefer over welfare)if someone is simply told that the proposal would (without directly raising taxes) allow a county to put the issue to voters, I can understand how this kind of mistake can happen. I don't like it, but Mike would not be the first city council person not to connect the dots between ACA 7 and Prop 13.

When Mike called, all I can tell you is that he was genuinely apologetic and seemed less concerned about the impact on him and more concerned with us. "I hope I didn't embarrass you." That was a classy thing to say.

I am not going to criticize Jim Silva. I beleive either man would be a good vote on our issues. But this organization's ONLY concern is how are these candidates going to vote when they get here.

For those of you who know me, you know how important it is for me that we have quality taxpayer advocates in the Legislature. Some candidates talk a good game, but then we really have to work to keep them on the reservation. Other times, someone may have the reputation as a squish, but then we are pleasantly surprised how good they are when they get here. (I will name no names).

When legislators fail us (and leadership) we take appropriate action. Ask Briggs, Pescetti, MoJo, Kelly, etc.

Finally, since I don't visit this blog very often, maybe someone can answer a question for me. Why doesn't anyone use their real name?

[Anonymous and proud]

Great comments Jon. As far as not disclosing names - in my opinion, anonymous political discourse has been a longtime accepted practice and recognized freedom in American culture. Fortunately, we have gone from having to using anonymous pseudonyms in order to protect our lives, to having to use them in order to protect our livelihoods.

[Skeptic]

Mike McGill did not know in 2003 that a vote to reduce the 2/3rds thresehold for tax increases to 50% was a Prop. 13 issue? That is really, really hard to believe.

[Jeff Flint]

Hey all, I have no dog in this fight. If I lived in the district and was forced to vote, I would probably go for Jim because I personally know him better.

You can be upset about some of Jim votes on pensions or PLA, or Mike's votes on Costco and ACA 7, but there is NO elected official with a perfect voting record. And the fact is that if either is elected, they will vote reliably conservative 90+% of the time. The dynamics in Sacramento when you Caucus with a party are different than when you are in local government. Elected officials like Jim and Mike that WANT to be conservative will get the right reinforcement in Sacramento, and will vote the right way almost all the time.

Jon Coupal was man enough to come here and give his reasons, and that's good enough for me. And with all due respect to "skeptical," again, if Jon says the local elected who are conservative at heart get the local tax issue wrong pretty often, I will take his word over yours.

[Allan Bartlett]

You just heard it from the horse's mouth team Silva. Now go back and continue to swig that yummy kool aid you're drinking. The CRA and HJTA are the gold standard of GOP political endorsements. I guess you guys could try for the AFL-CIO,CTA, and all those other union endorsements though. Jim has really been carrying their water so they owe him big time.

Powder Blue Report