Over 218,000 people cast ballots for our campaign because of your hard work – that is enough to become governor in some states! We began our campaign on the last day of filing with high hopes and little money. Yet, we pulled off a major upset in the Primary Election and nearly did it again last night! I hope you are as proud as I am in all that we have accomplished together.

My opponent Shari Freidenrich ran a good campaign and I want to congratulate her on her victory. The Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office has 100 of the finest Civil Servants in California, and I know Shari will be successful in her new position.

Success is not measured by the position one has reached, but by the obstacles overcome while trying to succeed. So, today we lick our wounds, but tomorrow we get back into the fight. What an honor to be a part of such a young and energetic campaign. Victory is on the horizon if we refuse to let this enthusiasm fade. I am putting the final touches on an exciting new vehicle to support young candidates, and I look forward to sharing the details with you soon.

Again, many thanks to all of you, with special gratitude to those who went so far above anything I could ever have imagined.

Your Grateful Friend,
Keith Rodenhuis

My pledge to voters is that I will not take a County pension. The first step in finding a solution is refusing to be part of the problem.

When the Orange County Register asked my opponent if she would also take a “no pension pledge,” she said she still needs to “look at her options.” Considering local Republican Party Chairman Scott Baugh deems “pension and pay” as the “top issues” in this election it is surprising that my opponent has failed to consider this important matter.

Voters can only draw two possible conclusions from her refusal to answer to this Yes/No question directly: (1) my opponent honestly has not thought about this critical issue (2) my opponent intends on growing her existing taxpayer pension, but wants to keep this little secret from voters until after the election. My guess is neither answer is acceptable to Orange County taxpayers.

We all would enjoy million dollar pensions, but having the trust of Orange County taxpayers is most important to me. If this were a MasterCard commercial it might read: Orange County Pension = $4+ million. Securing the Trust of the Taxpayers…priceless.

On November 2 Orange County voters will be able to choose who they trust to handle taxpayer monies. Transparent government and maintaining the trust of the taxpayers will continue to be my guiding principles. If these issues are also important to you, I ask for your vote on Election Day.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-08/lahood-weighs-urging-u-s-ban-on-all-driver-phone-use-in-cars.html

Mr. Gates:

Congrats on using the free markets system to make BILLIONS of dollars. Having more money than 99.99% of the world is quite a feat!

Now, stop trying to break the capitalist system that made you wealthy and leave us little guys trying to climb the economic ladder alone. If YOU want to pay extra taxes…pay OURS!

Your Friend,
Keith

WSJ: Bill Gates Sr. Pushes for Higher Taxes

This will undoubtedly ultimately result in higher insurance rates for YOU, regardless of where you live in OC.  Advocates say the new taxes on non residents involved in accidents will be paid by a motorist’s insurance company – industry experts say these taxes are not covered by a standard auto policy.  Even if the new taxes were covered, everything comes at cost!

This new tax is absolutely ridiculous.  As Huntington Beach’s City Treasurer my opponent should take a public stand against this new tax and refuse to enforce collection. Fiscally conservative leaders should look for ways to cut government, not for new ways to dip into taxpayers’ pocket.

Costs of New Crash Tax: Jaws of Life $1,995; Car Fire $750; Fire Truck $505 per hour; Fire Engine $405 per hour; and “Miscellaneous Equipment” $405 per hour.

Story 1: Bring on the Crash Tax

Story 2: HB Visitors stuck with Accident Fees

As Deputy Treasurer my office voluntarily cut our budget and returned unspent money to the County.  As your treasurer I will use technology and innovation to further reduce taxpayer’s burden.

Bloomberg: Are Gov’t Bond Defaults Inevitable?