Now that my campaign to represent the District 4 residence on the floor of the Assembly has been placed on ‘pause’ for the next few months, or maybe years, I now have some political time on my hands.

For those who missed my four months of campaigning, you can educate yourself on my race by visiting www.erichogueforassembly.com, I’ve decided to keep my content active for the next few weeks.

Thus, (I like sounding parliamentary) I’ve been invited to ‘blog’ for the great folks here at the Placer-CRA. I’m a member of the CRA, and now a member of the ever growing Placer-CRA ‘Blog Page’. I’m a daily reader, now an active blogger – I feel like I just confessed to the “Hair Club for Men”.

I start with a little breaking news today…

Yesterday I was voted to sit on the Board of Directors for “The People’s Advocate” in Sacramento. For those who do not know Ted Costa (The Father of the Recall), this organization has been a wonderful tool in educating the public concerning issues of taxation, government spending and our ‘out-of-control’ financing for California. Not to mention the initiatives that Costa and the People’s Advocate have brought to ballots for the citizens of the Golden State.

As it relates to my campaign, I promised that I would step aside if Ted Gaines decided to ‘not’ run for Congress…and I did. I also promised that I would stay involved politically – and I’m making moves to do just that. Adding this blog page to my political duties is another means to stay connected…both you to me, and me to you…for a future relationship in public service.

What do you say about starting this this relationship with a question?

Considering the effort to ‘reform the legislature’ with the fraudulent and personally pleasing “Proposition 93” (I’m voting No on 93, Willie Brown may come back to Sacto if this thing passes!), I’d like to ask your opinions about future propositions and initiatives that might bring ‘real reform’ to the Capitol in Sacramento.

Of the following ‘three’ initiative ideas, which one do you support for ‘real reform’?

1. Re-Districting with ‘fair’ districts that are apportioned with integrity toward population and not the majority party or politicians in control of the crayon that draws the lines.

2. Part-Time Legislature, reducing the costs of our political representatives, while reducing the size (population) of districts and increasing the number of representatives in Sacramento. In district more, able to communicate with a smaller district and reducing the dependence upon large staffs and full time fiscal costs.

3. Flat Tax, determining a percentage for the State of California that reduces the costs of housing and increases the amount of take home pay for employee and employer alike. Adding to this proposal a budget accountability threshold, if you spend beyond the means you automatically cut portions of the government to meet your fiscal balance, and those who are cut can blame the political spenders.

Give me your thoughts in the comment section below – let’s pick this blog page up and pass it around the state for more input and dialogue.

I believe that “Prop 93” goes down to defeat. We will need some new, sexier proposition, easily understood initiatives for the future of California. Your thoughts here will be offered for fodder in this never ending conversation of reform. I thank you.