Thursday, April 26, 2012

Filner: I have decided not to attend today's mayoral debate...

From Filner's Facebook page:




I have decided not to attend today's mayoral debate because there is a no more fitting image of what is wrong with San Diego than Bridgepoint hosting a private mayoral forum. You need to look no further to see the power of special interests in dictating the actions of City Hall. 


Read my full statement here: Filner Spurns Forum, Denounces Bridgepoint’s Veterans Exploitation

San Diego, CA – Hours before the start of the Chamber of Commerce and Bridgepoint Education Mayoral Forum at the “Sunroad” Building, U.S. Congressman and Mayoral candidate Bob Filner issued a statement denouncing the predatory practices of Bridgepoint and their taxpayer-funded targeting of veterans and their G.I. Bill funds. 


Below is Filner’s statement regarding Bridgepoint and the undue power of special interests in City Hall:

“I have decided not to attend today's forum because there is a no more fitting image of what is wrong with San Diego then Bridgepoint Education hosting a private Mayoral Forum. You need to look no further to see the power of special interests in dictating the actions of City Hall.”


“Bridgepoint Education, which is currently under investigation by the Department of Education, receives over 80% of its funding from public dollars, and explicitly targets veterans for their G.I. Bill benefits. The company spends more on recruitment than instruction at an almost 3-to-1 margin, and bears the distinction of a 63% dropout rate, well above the national average. As the past Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I find these actions deplorable and a blatant abuse of public dollars.”


“My opponent, Nathan Fletcher, has publicly lauded Bridgepoint Education as a “success story,” and the company has responded in kind by donating close to 40,000 dollars to his campaign, including maximum donations from every member of Bridgepoint’s executive leadership. I find it hard to believe that as a veteran himself, Nathan can support an organization that is exploiting the benefits of our nation’s brave men and women.”


As Mayor, I will ensure that there are no more special interests, and that the focus of city government remains committed to protecting our veterans and the honest working men and women of San Diego.”

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