SCOTT PEOTTER PICKS

PEOTTER PICKS

January 2008

Address: 41 Post, Irvine, CA 92618

Scott’s Telephone: 949/250-7118 Fax: 949/250-7116

Bruce’s Telephone (714)418-7565

REMEMBER TO VOTE on TUESDAY February 5, 2008

www.taxfighter.com

TO: Friends

FROM: Scott and Bruce Peotter

RE: February 5, 2008 Elections

Many people ask for recommendations for voting because of our involvement in politics. We aren't trying to tell people how to vote we are merely sharing our opinions which are generally based on first hand knowledge of the candidates or the issues and we invite you to use this as one of your resources for your own research before voting.

So, here are the PEOTTER PICKS:

MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE

None of the initiatives are critical.

MOST IMPORTANT RACE

Presidential Primary. For the first time in years, the primary in California will mean something in determining both Parties’ presidential nominees. The Republican primary is a closed primary and only registered Republicans can vote. The Democrat primary is open and “Decline to State” voters may vote. It is a 2-man race between Romney and McCain. We recommend a vote for Mitt Romney, although Bruce is fine with McCain, too. Romney is the most conservative candidate with a chance to win. Romney is solid (but not perfect) on all three legs of the Republican stool (Social, Economic and National Defense). Neither Huckabee nor Thompson has a chance for the nomination. Therefore, a vote for Huckabee or Thompson instead of Romney is a vote for McCain.

FederaL
Office	Candidate	Remarks
President Republican	MITT ROMNEY	He is the most conservative candidate with a chance to win. Romney is solid (but not perfect) on all three legs of the Republican stool (Social, Economic and National Defense). Neither Huckabee nor Thompson has a chance for the nomination. Therefore, a vote for Huckabee or Thompson instead of Romney is a vote for McCain. Bruce is fine with McCain and believes he has the best chance to beat Hillary in November. Scott is leery of McCain on the economic and social issues (He opposed the Bush tax cuts and he undercut Bush on pro-life judges via the Gang of 14).
President Democrat	You Decide	We believe that Obama will be more difficult to beat in the General Election, but that Clinton would be more dangerous as President.
Propositions
Office	Position	Remarks
Proposition 91 Transportation Funding. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute	YES	Even though Prop 1A is the last election closed most of the loopholes. Prop 91 closes the remaining loopholes and will prevent the raiding of transportation funds by the State. Moreover, it will make it easier to use the funds for roads and harder for mass transit.
Proposition 92 Community Colleges. Funding. Governance. Fees. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.	NO	Creates an inflexible method for funding education. .
Proposition 93 Limits on Legislators’ Terms in Office. Initiative Constitutional Amendment	NO	We don’t support any changes to term limits without tying it to fair redistricting. If every legislator can stay longer, competitive districts need to be in place to get out the deadwood, Arnold backed off this position to the detriment of the Party. In the short term, it is a back door method by Democrat leaders to be able to stay in office beyond current term limits. For the long term we believe it is a better form of term limits for the legislature than the current structure. In our view, the current term limits give lobbyists and existing staff more say in legislation.
Propositions 94-97 Referendum Petitions to Overturn Amendment to Indian Gaming Compact	NO	We are opposed to increasing gaming. We consider gaming a regressive, voluntary tax. The pacts will provide more revenue to the State from the Indian Casinos but will also allow significantly more slot machines. We believe that the State will squander the added revenue and we will get more slots.
NEWPORT BEACH MEASURE B City Hall in the Park This is a citizens' qualified initiative that will require that the city locate the proposed new city hall on undeveloped park land that the city already owns between Newport Center and MacArthur Blvd next to the existing public Library	YES	This initiative only makes sense. The city already owns the land, so compared to other alternative sites you save the nearly $10 million plus that the land purchase requires. This initiative was sponsored by Architect Bill Ficker and many proponents, including former State Senator Marian Bergeson, are advocating this centrally located, less expensive alternate.