In a prepared release, Emerald said “My staff and I have been representing many of the neighborhoods in this new district since I assumed office and we have a great relationship with them”, said Emerald responding to the newly approved district map. “I look forward to continuing our partnership with these communities and the other neighborhoods in our new district”.
Read the article here.
Friday, August 26, 2011
KSWB: New City Council district map approved
After months of public hearings and controversies, the city of San Diego's Redistricting Commission Thursday approved a new map for City Council districts.
The final product from the commission represents a radical change from the current boundaries because a ninth district was squeezed in -- the result of San Diego's change in its form of governance several years ago.
Read the article here.
The final product from the commission represents a radical change from the current boundaries because a ninth district was squeezed in -- the result of San Diego's change in its form of governance several years ago.
Read the article here.
SDUT: San Diego mayoral candidates decline to debate
Looking forward to a lively debate between the four major candidates for San Diego mayor? Be prepared for a long wait.
Two of the declared candidates -- City Councilman Carl DeMaio and District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis -- say they have no plans to participate in debates anytime soon.
Read the article here.
Two of the declared candidates -- City Councilman Carl DeMaio and District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis -- say they have no plans to participate in debates anytime soon.
Read the article here.
VOSD: Dumanis' Indecision 2012
Yet it's Dumanis' campaign that has been the most indecisive since the race's official start almost three months ago. Last month she fired her campaign manager just as the campaign was beginning. Thursday, she flipped her position and now supports a Republican-led pension reform initiative.
Read the article here.
Read the article here.
KPBS: Gov. Jerry Brown Rolls Out Jobs Plan
California Governor Jerry Brown is rolling out a new jobs plan that includes changes to corporate taxes as well as expanded tax breaks for business. But its chances for passage in the legislature are slim.
Read the article here.
Read the article here.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
A New Community Movement Kicks off at “A Better San Diego” Economic Summit
MEDIA ADVISORY
Hundreds of Community Activists Will Gather to Discuss Solutions for Jobs, Financial Empowerment, Quality of Life
Saturday, August 27, 2011
9 a.m.* to 2 p.m.
Horace Mann Middle School
4345 54th Street
San Diego, CA 92115
(*Registration begins at 8 a.m.)
9 a.m.* to 2 p.m.
Horace Mann Middle School
4345 54th Street
San Diego, CA 92115
(*Registration begins at 8 a.m.)
A coalition of community, faith, environmental, immigrant rights, labor, LGBT and social justice groups will convene at the “A Better San Diego” Economic Summit on Saturday to kick off a regional community organizing effort to put the economic issues facing the people of our communities in the forefront of the debate over San Diego’s future.
The summit will include hundreds of activists, community leaders and other San Diego residents who are mobilizing to build a vision for our city that supports five main themes: Jobs, Prosperity, Quality of Life, Equality and Fairness.
Attendees will be discussing their ideas, learning about ongoing economic issue campaigns, and hearing from community leaders and experienced organizers about how to build the A Better San Diego movement.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.ABetterSanDiego.org.
Participating Organizations
San Diego Labor Council & affiliated unions * Justice Overcoming Boundaries * Center on Policy Initiatives
Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment * MoveOn Greater San Diego Council * Activist San Diego
San Diego LGBT Pride * Environmental Health Coalition * Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice * OB Rag
Sierra Club, San Diego Chapter * Employee Rights Center (Partial List: Visit www.abettersandiego.org for a full list)
Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment * MoveOn Greater San Diego Council * Activist San Diego
San Diego LGBT Pride * Environmental Health Coalition * Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice * OB Rag
Sierra Club, San Diego Chapter * Employee Rights Center (Partial List: Visit www.abettersandiego.org for a full list)
Capitol Weekly: State Democratic Party targets mail vote to boost L.A. turnout
Local Democrats should take note:
In response, Democrats are putting together a get-out-the-vote effort targeting mail-in voters on an unprecedented scale, according to party officials, that seeks to boost vote-by-mail turnout by at least 10 percent for the 2012 elections. The margin not only could prove decisive in statewide elections, it also could decide races in new, high competitive legislative and congressional districts.
Read the article here.
In response, Democrats are putting together a get-out-the-vote effort targeting mail-in voters on an unprecedented scale, according to party officials, that seeks to boost vote-by-mail turnout by at least 10 percent for the 2012 elections. The margin not only could prove decisive in statewide elections, it also could decide races in new, high competitive legislative and congressional districts.
Read the article here.
LA Times: Former Gov. Pete Wilson joins effort to upset redistricting plan
Wilson and other GOP leaders have sent out a fundraising appeal to help finance a referendum drive that would give the state’s voters a chance to repeal the maps drawn by a Citizens Redistricting Commission. The GOP leaders say in a five-page memo to several thousand potential donors that the new districts could help give Democrats a two-thirds majority in the Senate.
"Democrats are perilously close to gaining the ability to raise our taxes and expanded our already bloated government -- unless we take immediate action," said the mailer from Wilson, California Republican Party Chairman Tom Del Beccaro and Senate Republican Leader Bob Dutton of Rancho Cucamonga.
Read the story here.
"Democrats are perilously close to gaining the ability to raise our taxes and expanded our already bloated government -- unless we take immediate action," said the mailer from Wilson, California Republican Party Chairman Tom Del Beccaro and Senate Republican Leader Bob Dutton of Rancho Cucamonga.
Read the story here.
SF Gate: State GOP reverses course: Fred Karger, openly gay 2012 candidate, invited to speak at Sept. state convention
The state GOP "Big Tent" has lifted a flap.
After initially giving Fred Karger what he called "the cold shoulder'' in his attempts to speak at the upcoming California GOP state convention, the party has now apparently decided to welcome the only openly gay GOP candidate in the 2012 presidential race.
Read the story here.
After initially giving Fred Karger what he called "the cold shoulder'' in his attempts to speak at the upcoming California GOP state convention, the party has now apparently decided to welcome the only openly gay GOP candidate in the 2012 presidential race.
Read the story here.
Thanks Bonnie!
This latest twist in the Dumais for Mayor saga of her flip flopping on the 401(k) initiative shows that when you're about 10 months out she's already reached the ceiling of her campaign. She can't money, she can't get support so why not change the campaign direction and now go to the right and see if that frees up something. However, she's boxed herself in because now she can't go after any more Democrats for money or votes at this point and she has ceded that to Bob. She's also ceded Public Safety as well to Bob if they look around and say "Hey, once they do that, wouldn't they go after me?" which is very possible. As the three Republicans try to fight it out amongst themselves, each being a fading copy of the other. This leaves Bob as the true alternative to all three and has now made clear who would be the real candidate for changing City Hall. So thanks Bonnie! You have just made life a lot easier...
SDUT: Dumanis comes out for 401(k) measure
Chris Crotty, a Democratic political consultant who is not involved in the mayor’s race, said Dumanis is smart to make her position switch now while the election remains 10 months away. He questioned whether she made a mistake by coming out too early against the ballot measure.
“The excuse is pretty flimsy,” Crotty said of the annuity explanation. “She’s not going to escape being called a flip-flopper and the candidates will remind the voters every opportunity that they get, no matter what her explanation is. ... She’s hoping to get it out of the way now and it’s not that much of an issue.”
Read the story here.
“The excuse is pretty flimsy,” Crotty said of the annuity explanation. “She’s not going to escape being called a flip-flopper and the candidates will remind the voters every opportunity that they get, no matter what her explanation is. ... She’s hoping to get it out of the way now and it’s not that much of an issue.”
Read the story here.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
SF Gate: Gay candidate can't get seat at GOP convention
Fred Karger, the only Californian - and the only gay candidate - in the 2012 Republican presidential field, says he knows plenty about closed doors. But shut out by his own party - and in his own state?
Even as Republican leaders say they're eagerly wooing all candidates to the state GOP convention Sept. 16-18 in Los Angeles, Karger says his request to attend and address the party activists has apparently been refused.
Even as Republican leaders say they're eagerly wooing all candidates to the state GOP convention Sept. 16-18 in Los Angeles, Karger says his request to attend and address the party activists has apparently been refused.
Media Advisory: After Strike Vote, Grocery Workers and Supporters Rally Downtown Before Final Negotiations
From the Labor Council:
More than 200 People Expected To Call On Supermarkets For Affordable Medical Coverage For 10,000 Grocery Employees
WHO:
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 135, San Diego Labor Council, faith and community leaders and other supporters.
WHEN:
TODAY! Wednesday, August 24, 2011, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Ralphs (near Horton Plaza)101 G Street, San Diego, CA 92101
WHAT:
More than 62,000 grocery workers in Southern California – including 10,000 in San Diego County – voted overwhelmingly to strike against Vons, Albertsons and Ralphs over the weekend after the employers proposed changing workers' health insurance plan to be less affordable and result in less medical coverage for many working San Diegans. This demonstration will include hundreds of grocery workers and their supporters just days before the United Food and Commercial Workers (which represents the employees) and the supermarkets meet with a federal mediator in final negotiations in hopes of averting a walk-out.
More than 200 People Expected To Call On Supermarkets For Affordable Medical Coverage For 10,000 Grocery Employees
WHO:
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 135, San Diego Labor Council, faith and community leaders and other supporters.
WHEN:
TODAY! Wednesday, August 24, 2011, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Ralphs (near Horton Plaza)101 G Street, San Diego, CA 92101
WHAT:
More than 62,000 grocery workers in Southern California – including 10,000 in San Diego County – voted overwhelmingly to strike against Vons, Albertsons and Ralphs over the weekend after the employers proposed changing workers' health insurance plan to be less affordable and result in less medical coverage for many working San Diegans. This demonstration will include hundreds of grocery workers and their supporters just days before the United Food and Commercial Workers (which represents the employees) and the supermarkets meet with a federal mediator in final negotiations in hopes of averting a walk-out.
####
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
SDUT: Two council hopefuls to seek Emerald’s seat
There will be two new contenders for Marti Emerald’s City Council seat by Tuesday evening.
Insurance broker Scott Sherman has thrown his hat in the ring, and Mat Kostrinsky, a former aide to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said he will officially have his exploratory committee filed with the City Clerk today.
Read the story here.
Monday, August 22, 2011
What in the Sam Hell. . .
To those of you out there who are more closely intertwined with politics than I am these days, I have one question - what in the sam hell is Bonnie Dumanis doing? It looks like Dumanis and DeMaio are both skipping the mayoral debates between now and Oct. 17.
Now traditionally, the old view in politics is that the only activities a candidate should do during a campaign is talking to voters and talking to donors. Any time spent talking to people who won't vote for you, or give you money is wasted time. But that mindset is usually for later stages of the campaign. Right now, voters aren't really going to make up their minds, so the only thing to do is focus on endorsements, donor credibility and pumping up name ID. Debates help all three.
That is, unless you already have all three. For Carl DeMaio, who has strong name ID, a loyal base of contributors and more than enough endorsements, showing up to a debate would be a bad idea. What if Filner humiliates DeMaio? What if DeMaio says or does the wrong thing? In politics, and particularly for front-runners (and DeMaio is the de facto frontrunner at this point), no publicity is better than bad publicity. There is no upside for DeMaio.
But Dumanis is riding in an entirely different kind of boat. She has not raised the $300-500k that DeMaio and Fletcher have; her name ID is good, but not great; and, her centrist position is seriously damaged by having Fletcher and Filner in the race (who hit her from the right and the left). In other words, Dumanis is a "frontrunner" who has a diminishing base, lacks funds, and little name ID. Having the opportunity to spar with Fletcher and Filner, who are the cause of her woes, seems like a no-brainer.
So, with that said, I have three theories:
1) Dumanis deathly afraid of debates: This is the least likely, as Dumanis isn't just an attorney, but she's a litigator. We litigators debate everything, and will debate anywhere. You know where I've had the most debates in my career as a litigator? In my office, with my co-workers. Dumanis maybe the DA, but she's a litigator at heart.
2) Dumanis thinks her position is stronger than it is: Ah, self-delusion, the true mother's milk of politics. It is possible that Dumanis and her political team think that Dumanis is in a DeMaio-like position? The short answer is yes. But Dumanis' people are too smart to think this way. Unless you've been running for mayor for the past four years (DeMaio), they have to know that any polling at this point is very, very soft, and vote and money erosion is likely.
3) Dumanis is thinking of dropping out: There have been reports that Dumanis is thinking of dropping out. While I don't think this is likely, it is possible that Dumanis now realizes that this is going to be a much tougher race than she previously thought, and is planning on dropping out. If that's the case, then it makes sense to not debate because why through good money after bad? Or, she could be laying low to see how the numbers shake out in the next fundraising cycle.
With all that said, I don't have my ears to the ground, so I have no idea what is going to happen.
Now traditionally, the old view in politics is that the only activities a candidate should do during a campaign is talking to voters and talking to donors. Any time spent talking to people who won't vote for you, or give you money is wasted time. But that mindset is usually for later stages of the campaign. Right now, voters aren't really going to make up their minds, so the only thing to do is focus on endorsements, donor credibility and pumping up name ID. Debates help all three.
That is, unless you already have all three. For Carl DeMaio, who has strong name ID, a loyal base of contributors and more than enough endorsements, showing up to a debate would be a bad idea. What if Filner humiliates DeMaio? What if DeMaio says or does the wrong thing? In politics, and particularly for front-runners (and DeMaio is the de facto frontrunner at this point), no publicity is better than bad publicity. There is no upside for DeMaio.
But Dumanis is riding in an entirely different kind of boat. She has not raised the $300-500k that DeMaio and Fletcher have; her name ID is good, but not great; and, her centrist position is seriously damaged by having Fletcher and Filner in the race (who hit her from the right and the left). In other words, Dumanis is a "frontrunner" who has a diminishing base, lacks funds, and little name ID. Having the opportunity to spar with Fletcher and Filner, who are the cause of her woes, seems like a no-brainer.
So, with that said, I have three theories:
1) Dumanis deathly afraid of debates: This is the least likely, as Dumanis isn't just an attorney, but she's a litigator. We litigators debate everything, and will debate anywhere. You know where I've had the most debates in my career as a litigator? In my office, with my co-workers. Dumanis maybe the DA, but she's a litigator at heart.
2) Dumanis thinks her position is stronger than it is: Ah, self-delusion, the true mother's milk of politics. It is possible that Dumanis and her political team think that Dumanis is in a DeMaio-like position? The short answer is yes. But Dumanis' people are too smart to think this way. Unless you've been running for mayor for the past four years (DeMaio), they have to know that any polling at this point is very, very soft, and vote and money erosion is likely.
3) Dumanis is thinking of dropping out: There have been reports that Dumanis is thinking of dropping out. While I don't think this is likely, it is possible that Dumanis now realizes that this is going to be a much tougher race than she previously thought, and is planning on dropping out. If that's the case, then it makes sense to not debate because why through good money after bad? Or, she could be laying low to see how the numbers shake out in the next fundraising cycle.
With all that said, I don't have my ears to the ground, so I have no idea what is going to happen.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Word on the Street: Young for Fletcher?
Rumor has it that the Fletcher campaign has cut a deal with Tony Young: deliver your voters for Nathan and in return Nathan's people will make it easier for Tony's transition to Sacramento or the County Board of Supervisors.
This is not as out there as it appears. Republicans have had a wire into the 4th City Council district for some time now delivering the votes that elected Horton to the Assembly and Roberts to the Board of Supervisors.
With term limits looming Tony needs somewhere to go. He has cast himself as the "reliable middle" of the debates at City Hall ensuring that he will not propose or initiate but will discuss and mediate. This keeps him out of anything controversial and makes him approachable to Republicans. Access to Republican donors and a D behind his name make him an attractive candidate for higher office.
This is not as out there as it appears. Republicans have had a wire into the 4th City Council district for some time now delivering the votes that elected Horton to the Assembly and Roberts to the Board of Supervisors.
With term limits looming Tony needs somewhere to go. He has cast himself as the "reliable middle" of the debates at City Hall ensuring that he will not propose or initiate but will discuss and mediate. This keeps him out of anything controversial and makes him approachable to Republicans. Access to Republican donors and a D behind his name make him an attractive candidate for higher office.
SDUT: Filner: 401(k) proposal is "unfair"
Filner said his forthcoming plan to solve the city’s pension woes will include several changes that won’t place all the sacrifice on public employees and won’t lead to increased taxes for residents.
Read the story here.
Read the story here.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
LA Times: Voting districts finalized and face immediate challenges
A referendum drive to overturn the state Senate lines is being led by state Sen. Mimi Walters (R-Laguna Niguel) and Orange County businesswoman Julie Vandermost through a committee called Fairness and Accountability in Redistricting, according to Republican consultant Dave Gilliard. They may also launch a referendum on the congressional boundaries, according to Gilliard.
Read the story here.
Read the story here.
LGBT Weekly: Did Carl DeMaio not acknowledge his gay relationship?
All the other LGBT candidates and office holders have acknowledged and proudly listed the names of their partners in past Union-Tribune interviews. Those proudly acknowledging their partners are Toni Atkins, Chris Kehoe, Todd Gloria and Kevin Beiser. Why didn’t Carl DeMaio?
Read the commentary here.
Read the commentary here.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Word on the Street: Movement afoot to get Dumanis to drop out
Rumor has it that Fletcher's people are pressuring Kvaric to do what he can to get Bonnie to drop out. With Bonnie's consultant, Jennifer Tierney, out of the country until the end of the month, now would the time for such forces to act.
Should Dumanis drop out of the Mayoral race, Nathan would have a clean shot at the moderate Republicans and easily claim the center with the electorate by painting Filner and DeMaio as darlings of the political fringes.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
SDUT: MoveOn protests at congressional offices
“It's time we stand up to the very rich and large corporations, take our country back from them, re-establish our democracy -- all the while demanding jobs for our country, and not more cut-backs to the safety net,” Frank Gormlie, local council coordinator for MoveOn.org, said in an email.
Read the story here.
Read the story here.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
KPBS: Southern California Grocery Workers Plan Another Strike Vote
"Some of the things that they proposed, if they were willing to put the money up for those proposals, would definitely be a step in the right direction," said Kasparian. "And we'd certainly be interested in that. But again the money has to go with the proposals."
Read the story here.
Read the story here.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
SD CityBeat: County approves retroactive funding for Christian camp improvements
David Blair-Loy, legal director for the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties, says the county’s decision to approve the funding violates the separation of church and state as articulated in the California Constitution.
Read the story here.
Read the story here.
Lorena Gonzalez's home was attacked last night
Petty acts of vandalism against political targets screams cowardice about the perpetrators. Such acts, unfortunately, are not uncommon as they should be they too often succeed in silencing their target.
This is not the case today. The attack on the Gonzalez household was wrong on so many levels. Attempting to intimidate an entire family for political reasons should be condemned by anyone who believes in honest debate in a civilized society.
And this incident will not silence her voice. It will only make it stronger.
The atmosphere surrounding Lorena has heated up considerably thanks to SD Republican Party Secretary (and private investigator) Derrick Roach attempting to post her IRS information on SD Rostra and blogging that she is living a life of luxury at the expense of the workers she represents.
It is a weak and utterly invalid argument. What is not in dispute is this cycle of personal intimidation that the SD Republican Party has engaged in attempting to destroy the political debate towards anything constructive. The stalking of Carlos Marquez and attacks on Midori Wong were vile and pointless in that the goal of restarting redistricting never happened and the public tide turned against the SD Republican Party especially at City Hall.
If the SD Republican Party Central Committee ever got their heads straight, they would do something about their “leadership” which fosters an environment of hatred and makes such events like last night possible.
The attack on the Gonzalez home last night was wrong wrong wrong and such acts should never, ever, be tolerated.
This is not the case today. The attack on the Gonzalez household was wrong on so many levels. Attempting to intimidate an entire family for political reasons should be condemned by anyone who believes in honest debate in a civilized society.
And this incident will not silence her voice. It will only make it stronger.
The atmosphere surrounding Lorena has heated up considerably thanks to SD Republican Party Secretary (and private investigator) Derrick Roach attempting to post her IRS information on SD Rostra and blogging that she is living a life of luxury at the expense of the workers she represents.
It is a weak and utterly invalid argument. What is not in dispute is this cycle of personal intimidation that the SD Republican Party has engaged in attempting to destroy the political debate towards anything constructive. The stalking of Carlos Marquez and attacks on Midori Wong were vile and pointless in that the goal of restarting redistricting never happened and the public tide turned against the SD Republican Party especially at City Hall.
If the SD Republican Party Central Committee ever got their heads straight, they would do something about their “leadership” which fosters an environment of hatred and makes such events like last night possible.
The attack on the Gonzalez home last night was wrong wrong wrong and such acts should never, ever, be tolerated.
Monday, August 8, 2011
SDUT: Redevelopment money bypassing capitol
So all that money’s going to Sacramento then, right?
Well, no.
The state isn’t actually “taking money” from local officials.
Read the story here.
Well, no.
The state isn’t actually “taking money” from local officials.
Read the story here.
VOSD: Confusion Grows Over 9th District Representation
Esterbrooks said Young's office has spoken with Kwiatkowski to understand the spirit and intent of the City Charter. But she said Young would go forward with the plan he outlined Thursday, based on a literal interpretation of the charter's language.
Read the story here.
Read the story here.
VOSD: Fletcher Accepts $ Into 'Closed' Account
Bob Stern, president of the Los Angeles-based Center for Governmental Studies watchdog group, said Fletcher's spending should concern the city's Ethics Commission, which enforces campaign finances rules.
"If I were at the Ethics Commission, I would be raising some questions," Stern said.
Read the story here.
"If I were at the Ethics Commission, I would be raising some questions," Stern said.
Read the story here.
Friday, August 5, 2011
DeMaio’s Real Jobs Plan? You Can Find It In The City’s Print Shop
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Evan McLaughlin, 619-850-2790
SAN DIEGO – Councilmember and mayoral candidate Carl DeMaio held a press conference to announce a plan he insists will create jobs at some point.
Yet the only jobs DeMaio has supported in his time seeking the media spotlight have been at the city’s print shop, where he’s used city-funded resources to increase his name identification in a never-ending campaign for higher officer. It has been a consistent theme of DeMaio’s tenure on the Council.
The Union-Tribune has addressed DeMaio’s regular use of taxpayer funding to feed his appetite for public attention. The paper published an article entitled “Spending on Mailers Cost City Large Sum.” The article states that DeMaio “sent 45 times as many taxpayer-funded invitations last year as all the city’s other elected officials combined, according to records obtained by The San Diego Union-Tribune under the California Public Records Act.
In a Union-Tribune editorial, “Officials’ Clumsy Actions,” the U-T noted that DeMaio spent $32,000 in public money for the mailers, which prominently featured Carl DeMaio. The mailers included headlines such as “Carl DeMaio wants to keep your home and family safe,” and “Carl DeMaio fixing the city’s financial crisis.”
Kyle Haverback, spokesman for the Carl DeMaio’s Too Extreme for San Diego campaign, said, “It is disappointing but not surprising that Carl DeMaio poses as a taxpayer watchdog but has used more public resources that any other city official, all to further his personal political ambitions.”
DeMaio spent $32,000 in taxpayer-funded mailers during his first year in office
In February 2010, the Union-Tribune reported that Carl DeMaio spent $32,000 on taxpayer-funded mailers during his first year in office. DeMaio’s mailers were sent to constituents, inviting them to town-hall meetings.
“As Union-Tribune reporter Craig Gustafson revealed, DeMaio spent that sum in his first year in office on sending mailers to his constituents’ homes inviting them to town hall meetings he held on pressing issues facing the city.”
The Union-Tribune continued, “His name was prominently featured on the mailings in headlines such as ‘Carl DeMaio wants to keep your home and family safe’ and ‘Carl DeMaio fixing the city’s financial crisis.’”
(San Diego Union-Tribune, “Officials’ Clumsy Actions,” February 2, 2010)
DeMaio Sent 45 Times as Many Mailers as All Other Elected Officials Combined; Amount of Mailers Surpassed Regulatory Threshold that Restricted Mailer Content
“He sent 45 times as many taxpayer-funded invitations last year as all the city’s other elected officials combined, according to records obtained by The San Diego Union-Tribune under the California Public Records Act. The newspaper requested information on any mailing paid for by taxpayers that was sent to 200 or more people – the threshold under state law that triggers content restrictions for mailers, such as limiting mailers to one mention of a politician’s name.”
(San Diego Union Tribune, “Spending on Mailers Cost City Large Sum,” January 31, 2010)
Money on Mailers Could Have Paid A Fire Recruit’s Annual Salary
“Frank De Clercq, head of the city’s firefighters union, said the money DeMaio spent could have paid the $31,000 annual salary for a fire recruit.”
(San Diego Union Tribune, “Spending on Mailers Cost City Large Sum,” January 31, 2010)
The “Carl DeMaio’s Too Extreme For San Diego” campaign is a project of the San Diego Labor Council, AFL-CIO, which represents more than 192,000 union workers in the region while advocating for more jobs, better jobs and better lives for all local workers, union and non-union. To learn more, visit www.unionyes.org.
Contact: Evan McLaughlin, 619-850-2790
DeMaio’s Real Jobs Plan? You Can Find It In The City’s Print Shop
SAN DIEGO – Councilmember and mayoral candidate Carl DeMaio held a press conference to announce a plan he insists will create jobs at some point.
Yet the only jobs DeMaio has supported in his time seeking the media spotlight have been at the city’s print shop, where he’s used city-funded resources to increase his name identification in a never-ending campaign for higher officer. It has been a consistent theme of DeMaio’s tenure on the Council.
The Union-Tribune has addressed DeMaio’s regular use of taxpayer funding to feed his appetite for public attention. The paper published an article entitled “Spending on Mailers Cost City Large Sum.” The article states that DeMaio “sent 45 times as many taxpayer-funded invitations last year as all the city’s other elected officials combined, according to records obtained by The San Diego Union-Tribune under the California Public Records Act.
In a Union-Tribune editorial, “Officials’ Clumsy Actions,” the U-T noted that DeMaio spent $32,000 in public money for the mailers, which prominently featured Carl DeMaio. The mailers included headlines such as “Carl DeMaio wants to keep your home and family safe,” and “Carl DeMaio fixing the city’s financial crisis.”
Kyle Haverback, spokesman for the Carl DeMaio’s Too Extreme for San Diego campaign, said, “It is disappointing but not surprising that Carl DeMaio poses as a taxpayer watchdog but has used more public resources that any other city official, all to further his personal political ambitions.”
DeMaio’s Never-Ending Taxpayer-Funded Campaign
DeMaio spent $32,000 in taxpayer-funded mailers during his first year in office
In February 2010, the Union-Tribune reported that Carl DeMaio spent $32,000 on taxpayer-funded mailers during his first year in office. DeMaio’s mailers were sent to constituents, inviting them to town-hall meetings.
“As Union-Tribune reporter Craig Gustafson revealed, DeMaio spent that sum in his first year in office on sending mailers to his constituents’ homes inviting them to town hall meetings he held on pressing issues facing the city.”
The Union-Tribune continued, “His name was prominently featured on the mailings in headlines such as ‘Carl DeMaio wants to keep your home and family safe’ and ‘Carl DeMaio fixing the city’s financial crisis.’”
(San Diego Union-Tribune, “Officials’ Clumsy Actions,” February 2, 2010)
DeMaio Sent 45 Times as Many Mailers as All Other Elected Officials Combined; Amount of Mailers Surpassed Regulatory Threshold that Restricted Mailer Content
“He sent 45 times as many taxpayer-funded invitations last year as all the city’s other elected officials combined, according to records obtained by The San Diego Union-Tribune under the California Public Records Act. The newspaper requested information on any mailing paid for by taxpayers that was sent to 200 or more people – the threshold under state law that triggers content restrictions for mailers, such as limiting mailers to one mention of a politician’s name.”
(San Diego Union Tribune, “Spending on Mailers Cost City Large Sum,” January 31, 2010)
Money on Mailers Could Have Paid A Fire Recruit’s Annual Salary
“Frank De Clercq, head of the city’s firefighters union, said the money DeMaio spent could have paid the $31,000 annual salary for a fire recruit.”
(San Diego Union Tribune, “Spending on Mailers Cost City Large Sum,” January 31, 2010)
The “Carl DeMaio’s Too Extreme For San Diego” campaign is a project of the San Diego Labor Council, AFL-CIO, which represents more than 192,000 union workers in the region while advocating for more jobs, better jobs and better lives for all local workers, union and non-union. To learn more, visit www.unionyes.org.
###
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
FPPC Complaint Filed Against Pension Campaign For “Bait And Switch” Petition Tactics
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAN DIEGO – (August 3, 2011) – The Fair Political Practices Commission was notified of potentially fraudulent activity by the Comprehensive Pension Reform for San Diego campaign committee this afternoon, including the video documentation of paid-signature gatherers using a phony petition to supposedly “lower gas prices” as a bait-and-switch that resulted in voters signing petitions for ballot measures that eliminate a retirement safety net for city employees.
Similarly, video was taken at the San Diego Pride festival, a major LGBT event in San Diego’s Balboa Park, where signature gatherers for the pension initiative pitched festivalgoers to sign petitions to make gay marriage legal when in fact no such petition has been cleared for circulation by the Secretary of State.
“Even after the gas price petition switcheroo was brought to the public’s attention nearly one month ago, the pension campaign has continued to employ that dirty trick and others,” said Evan McLaughlin, treasurer of the Just Say No, San Diego committee. “Apparently a public shaming was not enough. It’s now time we turn to the authorities.”
More details on the use of gay marriage and gas prices by the pension campaign is included in the attached letter, which was sent to the FPPC earlier today.
For more information or for an interview, please contact Evan McLaughlin at 619-850-2790.
###
FPPC Complaint Filed Against Pension Campaign For “Bait And Switch” Petition Tactics
Dishonest Use of Gas Prices and Gay Marriage As Advertisement Should Spur An Investigation
Dishonest Use of Gas Prices and Gay Marriage As Advertisement Should Spur An Investigation
SAN DIEGO – (August 3, 2011) – The Fair Political Practices Commission was notified of potentially fraudulent activity by the Comprehensive Pension Reform for San Diego campaign committee this afternoon, including the video documentation of paid-signature gatherers using a phony petition to supposedly “lower gas prices” as a bait-and-switch that resulted in voters signing petitions for ballot measures that eliminate a retirement safety net for city employees.
Similarly, video was taken at the San Diego Pride festival, a major LGBT event in San Diego’s Balboa Park, where signature gatherers for the pension initiative pitched festivalgoers to sign petitions to make gay marriage legal when in fact no such petition has been cleared for circulation by the Secretary of State.
“Even after the gas price petition switcheroo was brought to the public’s attention nearly one month ago, the pension campaign has continued to employ that dirty trick and others,” said Evan McLaughlin, treasurer of the Just Say No, San Diego committee. “Apparently a public shaming was not enough. It’s now time we turn to the authorities.”
More details on the use of gay marriage and gas prices by the pension campaign is included in the attached letter, which was sent to the FPPC earlier today.
For more information or for an interview, please contact Evan McLaughlin at 619-850-2790.
###
Big Business Campaigns’ Ramped Up Efforts Underscore Petition Drive Struggles
From the Labor Council
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAN DIEGO – The ballot measure campaigns sponsored by big business have increased their per-signature bounty to $5 on a supposed “slam dunk” pension initiative, five times higher than when the campaign started.
This finding and other recent news illustrate a growing sense of desperation from the campaigns.
- Petition gatherers have been caught baiting shoppers to sign their petitions under the false pretense that signing will help “lower gas prices.” No such initiative is on file with the Secretary of State.
- At the San Diego Pride parade and festival last month, petition gatherers for the corporate campaigns asked passersby to sign petitions to make gay marriage legal in California. No such petition is on file with the Secretary of State.
- In addition to the five-fold increase in the bounty for the pension ballot measure, petitions for the ban on project labor agreements have doubled to $1.50 per signature.
- Petition gatherers have made misstatements about exempting firefighters (false), whether city employees receive Social Security (false), whether non-union workers are banned from working on city projects (yet again, false), and other important considerations about these ballot measures.
- Republican Councilmembers and their surrogates have held publicity stunts like “drive-thru” signature gatherings at Wal-Mart and placed robo-calls to voters asking them to sign the petition.
- Media accounts show these City of San Diego ballot measure campaigns have been asking patrons from other cities like La Mesa to sign their petitions in order to drive up their signature count.
The Just Say No campaign has been compiling video and audio footage of examples of where the petition drives have employed the aforementioned desperation tactics.
For more information, or for an interview, please contact Evan McLaughlin at 619-850-2790.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Big Business Campaigns’ Ramped Up Efforts Underscore Petition Drive Struggles
More Expensive Signature Bounties, Robo-Calls, Deceptive Tactics Show Petition Drives Are Struggling To Make Progress
SAN DIEGO – The ballot measure campaigns sponsored by big business have increased their per-signature bounty to $5 on a supposed “slam dunk” pension initiative, five times higher than when the campaign started.
This finding and other recent news illustrate a growing sense of desperation from the campaigns.
- Petition gatherers have been caught baiting shoppers to sign their petitions under the false pretense that signing will help “lower gas prices.” No such initiative is on file with the Secretary of State.
- At the San Diego Pride parade and festival last month, petition gatherers for the corporate campaigns asked passersby to sign petitions to make gay marriage legal in California. No such petition is on file with the Secretary of State.
- In addition to the five-fold increase in the bounty for the pension ballot measure, petitions for the ban on project labor agreements have doubled to $1.50 per signature.
- Petition gatherers have made misstatements about exempting firefighters (false), whether city employees receive Social Security (false), whether non-union workers are banned from working on city projects (yet again, false), and other important considerations about these ballot measures.
- Republican Councilmembers and their surrogates have held publicity stunts like “drive-thru” signature gatherings at Wal-Mart and placed robo-calls to voters asking them to sign the petition.
- Media accounts show these City of San Diego ballot measure campaigns have been asking patrons from other cities like La Mesa to sign their petitions in order to drive up their signature count.
The Just Say No campaign has been compiling video and audio footage of examples of where the petition drives have employed the aforementioned desperation tactics.
For more information, or for an interview, please contact Evan McLaughlin at 619-850-2790.
###
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
SF Gate: Gov. Jerry Brown vetoes bill banning some paid signature gathering
From SF Gate:
Supporters of the measure slammed the veto.
"This is a setback for reform in California," said Justine Sarver, executive director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center. "The measure would have eliminated a powerful incentive for fraud while protecting Californians' ability to participate fully in direct democracy."
Maybe they shouldn't be surprised -- the governor may have given a hint at his position last week when he mused, in response to a question, that the bill could make initiatives such as the one he is planning on taxes, more expensive.
Supporters of the measure slammed the veto.
"This is a setback for reform in California," said Justine Sarver, executive director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center. "The measure would have eliminated a powerful incentive for fraud while protecting Californians' ability to participate fully in direct democracy."
Maybe they shouldn't be surprised -- the governor may have given a hint at his position last week when he mused, in response to a question, that the bill could make initiatives such as the one he is planning on taxes, more expensive.
Monday, August 1, 2011
SJ Mercury: Vote-by-mail service under threat in budget cuts
VBM now at the mercy of the counties. Read the story here.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Martin Garrick Pleads No Contest verse Guilty
Assemblyman Martin Garrick on Friday, July 29th pleaded "No Contest" plea Friday on a drunken driving charge verse guilty on driving over the speed limit, running red lights, not pulling over when ordered by a police officer and having a blood alcohol level of 0.15 percent, almost twice the level limit.
Martin will perform 48 hours of community service, paying fines and assessments of $2,416 and lose his driver's license for four months. However, he will not have an ignition interlock device, as he supported in the 2009-2010 legislative session with AB 9 or attend a 9-month Drinker Driver Treatment Program, which he supported in the 2007-2008 legislative session with AB 1487.
Interestingly, he pleaded no contest verse guilty on the charges. On the website DUIAttorney.com it explains why people plea no contest, then taking full responsibility for their crime. They still need to answer yes when asked if they have been convicted of a crime, but they really aren't taking full responsibility for their crime in court.
Many times there is the quoting in supporting term limits is legislators need to go back to the public to live under the laws they pass. I would be interested in what conservatives think of Garrick's plea of no contest verse guilty, the sentencing and if he should seek higher office in the future?
Martin will perform 48 hours of community service, paying fines and assessments of $2,416 and lose his driver's license for four months. However, he will not have an ignition interlock device, as he supported in the 2009-2010 legislative session with AB 9 or attend a 9-month Drinker Driver Treatment Program, which he supported in the 2007-2008 legislative session with AB 1487.
Interestingly, he pleaded no contest verse guilty on the charges. On the website DUIAttorney.com it explains why people plea no contest, then taking full responsibility for their crime. They still need to answer yes when asked if they have been convicted of a crime, but they really aren't taking full responsibility for their crime in court.
Many times there is the quoting in supporting term limits is legislators need to go back to the public to live under the laws they pass. I would be interested in what conservatives think of Garrick's plea of no contest verse guilty, the sentencing and if he should seek higher office in the future?
Thursday, July 28, 2011
City Attorney's Race
Lost in the shuffle of the mayoral race in San Diego is the race for city attorney. One question that needs to be asked; is there going to be a prominent Democrat to challenge current city attorney Jan Goldsmith?
Assuming that the current city attorney gets re-elected, which is looking more like a done deal everyday. Then the next question that needs to be asked: who becomes the next city attorney if Bonnie Dumanis gets elected as mayor and the county board of supervisors appoints Goldsmith to be her replacement?
I know open ended "what if" questions are just what they are. But in a city where Democrats hold a 10-point registration advantage I cannot see why there isn't at least one prominent Democrat willing to run for city attorney? If for any other reason to position themselves for when the office opens up next. Be that in 2013 or 2016.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Potential Heavyweight Battle for Congress Brews in South Bay.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Garrick's History on DUI Legislation
Our own region's Assembly Member Martin Garrick (R-74th) was arrested this past June 15th for a DUI, which was driving a taxpayer covered state car with a blood alcohol of 0.15 percent, which is almost double the legal limit blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent. He ran several red lights, didn't respond to police officers to pull over and was driving above the speed limit. Reports have come out that Garrick might have received special treatment as an Assembly Member according to KCRATV and questioned about why he was not charged with reckless driving.
Garrick has apologized for his actions, which was the right thing to do and some don't do, we do not yet know his fines and sentencing, but looking over some of his past legislation votes it should give us an idea of what he would do as a judge on his case.
Garrick has apologized for his actions, which was the right thing to do and some don't do, we do not yet know his fines and sentencing, but looking over some of his past legislation votes it should give us an idea of what he would do as a judge on his case.
- In 2007-2008 session he sponsored legislation AB 1385 increasing the penalties for riding a motorized scooter with fines and even 6 months of jail time.
- In 2007-2008 session he sponsored legislation AB 1882, which would seek to notify ICE of an undocumented immigrant. He wrote in his analysis about an incident of an undocumented immigrant driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.016, double the legal level. He reference the danger of those caught with DUI and repeating themselves.
- In 2011-2012 session on June 6th (9-days before he was arrested for a DUI) he opposed AB 520, which would allow possible lesser sentencing for DUI with non-aggravated factors. Garrick didn't support lesser imprisonment sentencing for DUI cases.
- In 2009-2010 session he supported AB 91 a three-county pilot program that requires a person convicted of a DUI installing an ignition interlock device and depending on the person's income they paid for the device. While San Diego is not a test pilot county, but Sacramento is a test pilot county.
- In 2007-2008 session he supported AB 1487 lowing the blood alcohol level of 0.20 percent to 0.015 percent requirement to attend a 9-month Drinker Driver Treatment Program.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Pension Campaign’s Signature Gatherer Assaults Truth Squad
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pension Campaign’s Signature Gatherer Assaults Truth Squad Republican Campaign Operative Caught on Tape, Police Report Filed
SAN DIEGO – (July 19, 2011) – In the latest dirty tactic employed by the Republican ballot measure campaigns, a paid signature gatherer threatened and ultimately inflicted physical harm on a member of the “Just Say No, San Diego” Truth Squad yesterday outside a Best Buy electronics store on Mission Center Road in Mission Valley.
Video of the attack was captured after a Truth Squad member witnessed the Republican signature gatherer threatening to hit his female partner. After making the threat, the signature gatherer tried flee, saw that his likeness was being recorded, lost his temper, and hit the Truth Squad member who was recording his threats. Though the punch was intended for the educator’s face, it landed on his cell phone.
The assailant fled the scene after the incident. No one was seriously hurt, although the act of violence was reported to the San Diego Police Department.
“It’s shameful of the Republican campaign to verbally intimidate and ultimately resort to violence against members of the public,” said Kyle Haverback, spokesman for Just Say No, San Diego, a committee created to correct deception in the ballot measure process. “One reason why America is so great is that we all understand violence has no place in our political system. Just because the Republican campaign can’t win a debate on the issues doesn’t give it the right to raise its fist and retaliate.”
Haverback continued, “This is part of a larger trend. There are numerous reports of signature gatherers physically threatening educators. These signature gatherers are so afraid of open conversation that they resort to physical intimidation and battery, and then run away.”
The Just Say No, San Diego campaign calls on the Republican campaign proposing the measure to turn over information about the assailant to the Police.
“To the politicians that have boasted about making themselves indistinguishable from this campaign, it’s your responsibility to bring this matter to justice,” Haverback said.
View the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
The “Just Say No, San Diego” campaign is a project of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, which strives for more jobs, better jobs and better lives for all of San Diego’s workers, union and non-union. To learn more, visit www.unionyes.org.
Pension Campaign’s Signature Gatherer Assaults Truth Squad Republican Campaign Operative Caught on Tape, Police Report Filed
SAN DIEGO – (July 19, 2011) – In the latest dirty tactic employed by the Republican ballot measure campaigns, a paid signature gatherer threatened and ultimately inflicted physical harm on a member of the “Just Say No, San Diego” Truth Squad yesterday outside a Best Buy electronics store on Mission Center Road in Mission Valley.
Video of the attack was captured after a Truth Squad member witnessed the Republican signature gatherer threatening to hit his female partner. After making the threat, the signature gatherer tried flee, saw that his likeness was being recorded, lost his temper, and hit the Truth Squad member who was recording his threats. Though the punch was intended for the educator’s face, it landed on his cell phone.
The assailant fled the scene after the incident. No one was seriously hurt, although the act of violence was reported to the San Diego Police Department.
“It’s shameful of the Republican campaign to verbally intimidate and ultimately resort to violence against members of the public,” said Kyle Haverback, spokesman for Just Say No, San Diego, a committee created to correct deception in the ballot measure process. “One reason why America is so great is that we all understand violence has no place in our political system. Just because the Republican campaign can’t win a debate on the issues doesn’t give it the right to raise its fist and retaliate.”
Haverback continued, “This is part of a larger trend. There are numerous reports of signature gatherers physically threatening educators. These signature gatherers are so afraid of open conversation that they resort to physical intimidation and battery, and then run away.”
The Just Say No, San Diego campaign calls on the Republican campaign proposing the measure to turn over information about the assailant to the Police.
“To the politicians that have boasted about making themselves indistinguishable from this campaign, it’s your responsibility to bring this matter to justice,” Haverback said.
View the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
The “Just Say No, San Diego” campaign is a project of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, which strives for more jobs, better jobs and better lives for all of San Diego’s workers, union and non-union. To learn more, visit www.unionyes.org.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Thanks Bobby!
If you don't recognize the gentleman above let me introduce him to you. This is Bobby Glaser and he is owner and president of the La Jolla Group. The specialize in gathering signatures to place things on the ballot. Way back in the 1980's and early 1990's it was a political consulting firm but after a series of setbacks and embarrassments it kind of became a de-facto firm that specialized in local ballot initiatives. Recently Mr. Glaser was in charge of the signature gathering for the San Diego for Great Schools Initiative an attempt to "reform" the school board and the Unified school system. However they failed to get enough signatures to make it on the ballot.
Also Mr. Glaser was in charge of gather signatures for Carl DeMaio's "Competition" initiative . Which DeMaio, with great flourish delivered to the city clerk last year. Yet less than a month later the clerk verified that Carl didn't have enough signatures and after threatening to pay for a recount quickly backed down.
I wonder if he's in charge of gathering signatures for the 401 k initiative?
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
SD Rostra
It seems a previous post about San Diego County Supervisor Bill Horn has spun some people up, when I wrote:
"SD ROSTRA won't write about it either, because he is a conserv[ative] now and their site is about looking at the injustices and falsehoods of only the liberals."
I was making a point that SD Rostra would not write a critical article about Horn misleading the public. However, I just wrote about them just writing about it, which they did and I apologize.
I would like to make these last three points:
"SD ROSTRA won't write about it either, because he is a conserv[ative] now and their site is about looking at the injustices and falsehoods of only the liberals."
I was making a point that SD Rostra would not write a critical article about Horn misleading the public. However, I just wrote about them just writing about it, which they did and I apologize.
I would like to make these last three points:
- I would point out the first article to come out of SD Rostra about Horn misleading the public spent a third being negative about me, a third praising Horn and eleven words that said, "Horn is taking his medicine and apologizing for those honest errors." I am not for sure what the apology is, but assume the apology was about misleading the public that he was arrested during the civil rights movement, he meet with Hall Brown and Rosey Grier at some later point to retell this misleading story and that he worked for Ralph Abernathy. Though, I would love to know how the misleading was an honest mistake verse a dishonest mistake.
- I will say thank you Bradley Fikes for expressing to a certain extent my feelings about some comments and articles on SD Rostra when you said, "Timmons is absolutely right. SD Rostra bloggers are zombie-like conformists who always agree with each other and toe the GOP/conservative party line.We don’t tolerate a whiff of dissent on issues like gay marriage, abortion and global warming. Meanwhile, lefty blogs like San Diego Politico not only tolerate but encourage their writers to express robust differences of opinion on those topics. You’ll never catch them mindlessly parroting partisan dogma!"
- I should not assume what others may do, but as the administrator over at SD Rostra recommended about challenges, then the next time I will throw down the gauntlet and see what is done.
News Alert - Horn Really Apologized for Misleading
Exclusive by campaign consultant for Republican candidates Mr. Jim Sills has notified that San Diego County Supervisor Bill Horn has indeed now apologized for misleading the public of his civil rights record with Ralph Abernathy, Rosey Grier and arrest at a civil right event.
After San Diego Politico posted about Horn yesterday, Sills in SD Rostra yesterday then stated, "Horn is taking his medicine and apologizing for those honest errors."
Regardless that Horn has not made a public announcement, talked to anyone he directed his misleading statements at that previous hearing or asked, if possible, to correct his comments of the County meeting minutes we says thank you for doing the right thing and Voice of San Diego for Fact Checking this for the public and letting us and Horn know Hal Brown and Grier are still with us.
I hope the news (UT, Voice of San Diego, North County Times or CityBeat) can report Horn's apology, because that might be the only way the public gets to see he corrected his misleading record. Also, I think it is the first time he has ever corrected his past misleading statements. If I am wrong about Horn correcting his past misleading records, then I ask you to please post his past corrections in this post's comment section to help myself and others learn about them.
After San Diego Politico posted about Horn yesterday, Sills in SD Rostra yesterday then stated, "Horn is taking his medicine and apologizing for those honest errors."
Regardless that Horn has not made a public announcement, talked to anyone he directed his misleading statements at that previous hearing or asked, if possible, to correct his comments of the County meeting minutes we says thank you for doing the right thing and Voice of San Diego for Fact Checking this for the public and letting us and Horn know Hal Brown and Grier are still with us.
I hope the news (UT, Voice of San Diego, North County Times or CityBeat) can report Horn's apology, because that might be the only way the public gets to see he corrected his misleading record. Also, I think it is the first time he has ever corrected his past misleading statements. If I am wrong about Horn correcting his past misleading records, then I ask you to please post his past corrections in this post's comment section to help myself and others learn about them.
Friday, July 15, 2011
LGBT History No Longer Invisible
See the Press Release here.
Statement of Assemblymember Toni Atkins on Enactment of FAIR Education Act
(San Diego) On the eve of San Diego’s huge annual LGBT Pride celebration, I am thrilled that the Governor has signed into law Senator Mark Leno’s FAIR (Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful) Education Act, SB 48, of which I am honored to be a principal co-author. The FAIR Education Act requires that the historical contributions of LGBT people be included in school instructional materials and will rectify the near-invisibility that our community has had in our schools.
The FAIR Education Act will ensure that LGBT students know that people just like them have been an important part of our history, increasing their sense of self-worth. Accurate education also helps reduce stereotypes and negative views, which will lead to a reduction in bullying and harassment of LGBT students.
What a wonderful way to kick off Pride weekend! I am grateful to my colleagues in the state legislature and to the Governor for making this historic moment possible.
State GOP chairman assails redistricting panel, threatens referendum
From the Ventura County Star:
GOP Chairman Tom Del Beccaro said the party will attempt to qualify a referendum for the ballot to overturn the commission's final maps if they "remotely resemble the most recent visualizations."
GOP Chairman Tom Del Beccaro said the party will attempt to qualify a referendum for the ballot to overturn the commission's final maps if they "remotely resemble the most recent visualizations."
Senate passes Kehoe's pertussis vaccine bill
See the Press Release here.
SAN DIEGO – Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) announced today that the Senate unanimously passed her bill to extend the deadline for students to receive their whooping cough vaccine this coming school year. It now heads to the governor for his consideration.
SAN DIEGO – Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) announced today that the Senate unanimously passed her bill to extend the deadline for students to receive their whooping cough vaccine this coming school year. It now heads to the governor for his consideration.
"This bill will help get more young people vaccinated and give school districts time to put together an immunization plan at their campuses,” said Kehoe. “Protecting public health is one of the government’s biggest jobs, and this legislation reflects our obligation to keep Californians healthy and safe.”
SB 614 would allow 7th through 12th grade students up to 30 days after the school year begins to receive their whooping cough, or pertussis, vaccine. Students who fail to comply will not be able to attend school. Existing law requires students to receive the vaccination before the start of the 2011-2012 school year.
According to the California Association of School Business Officials, some school districts had proof of immunization for only 5 percent of their middle and high school students as of late June. San Diego Unified School District reports a 52 percent immunization rate, but rates at some individual schools are as low as 10 percent.
California reported 10 infant deaths and 9,120 cases of whooping cough last year.
# # #
Congresswoman Susan Davis Votes to Protect San Diego’s CleanTech Innovation
See the Press Release here.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) opposed an energy spending bill that would have gutted clean energy, including biomass and solar programs. The bill would hit San Diego hard as it has a large concentration of clean technology companies.
“San Diego has 767 clean technology companies and has become an innovation hub, especially in solar power, energy storage, and advanced biofuels,” said Davis. “If we’re going to remain competitive in the global economy, we must invest in clean energy innovation.”
According to the San Diego Association of Governments, the algae energy section alone provides the region with 410 direct jobs and $108 million in economic activity each year.
The Energy and Water Appropriations bill (H.R. 2354) cuts solar energy research by more than one-third, decreases biomass research by $33 million, and cuts $80 million from funding for breakthrough domestic clean energy innovators.
“We can’t hold back the companies that can come up with the answers to our serious energy problem,” said Davis.
H.R. 2354 passed the House of Representatives on a vote of 219-196.
###
Bill Horn Apoligizes Today for Misrepresenting his Record on Civil Rights
When Bill Horn was running for the County Board of Supervisors he made claims of his military record. Those opposing him called that record into question. Though, the veteran community came together to stand with him that he truly was one of them and that any these questions about his records was wrong.
The Voice of San Diego did a fact check on Supervisor Horn and found the following statement he made last week at a County of San Diego Board of Supervisor Meeting over the county's agenda item on redistricting to be false:
"During the civil rights movement I worked for Ralph Abernathy and went to jail over the rights of the minority," County Supervisor Bill Horn said June 28 at a public board meeting."
Turns out the real story, again according to Horn was he was only questioned by police for a downtown incident, Mr. Abernathy never worked in California, let alone in San Diego and never worked with Horn.
Unfortunately, it seems he and his staff got him into further trouble in trying to explain his falsehood. According to Horn's staff he said the following:
"[Horn] knows that [Hal] Brown and former NFL star Rosey Grier came to his office many years ago to reminisce about the incident. The Supervisor has a football in his office with the faded signature of Grier. Unfortunately, both of those men have passed away, and short of a séance, there's no way to confirm with them the events of a half century ago."
Again, the above is false, because the truth is Brown the former chairman of the local C.O.R.E. chapter at the time and Grier are alive, Brown does not recall Horn being involved, and Grier was playing for the LA Raiders at the time, not involved and doesn't recall the incident.
Each time Horn tells his story he only gets deeper in trouble. So, as a public official he should do the right thing and apologize to his constituents and those that were truly arrested in the civil rights fights.
Both as an elected official and a religiously moral person, he wants to set the example for our next generation that in the end it is better to tell the truth, then to mislead and cover it up.
Horn will state the following in his announcement:
The truth on my part is the false statements made by Horn, his staff, those statements retorted about Horn's claims to have been involved in the civil rights incident, plus the Voice of San Diego article are true. HOWEVER, it would have been nice for the rest of the above story to be true. Horn won't be making an announcement clearing up the real story, he won't be seeking to continue his fight for injustice he started decades ago and lost his way, and he won't be setting an example as a public official or someone claiming to be religiously moral. Horn was upset of being called what he felt a racist and shoot back with the first thing he could think about, which was a story he has been over exaggerating over the past several decades, like the fish I caught.
Horn is Horn, his staff will protect him, and the rest of the community he surrounds himself with will keep quiet, because he votes their way most of the time, he tells a good story, takes on their enemies, and if they don't do it, then he will get angry and be vindictive in every way he possible can be.
If you think Horn should do the right thing, then comment here on the Voice of San Diego article or link to this post on your Facebook or Twitter feed. I would have suggested Horn's Facebook page, but he doesn't want to hear from others in a public arena and calling and emailing his office won't make a difference, because he will claim you are a bunch complainers. SD ROSTRA won't write about it either, because he is a conserve now and their site is about looking at the injustices and falsehoods of only the liberals.
The Voice of San Diego did a fact check on Supervisor Horn and found the following statement he made last week at a County of San Diego Board of Supervisor Meeting over the county's agenda item on redistricting to be false:
"During the civil rights movement I worked for Ralph Abernathy and went to jail over the rights of the minority," County Supervisor Bill Horn said June 28 at a public board meeting."
Turns out the real story, again according to Horn was he was only questioned by police for a downtown incident, Mr. Abernathy never worked in California, let alone in San Diego and never worked with Horn.
Unfortunately, it seems he and his staff got him into further trouble in trying to explain his falsehood. According to Horn's staff he said the following:
"[Horn] knows that [Hal] Brown and former NFL star Rosey Grier came to his office many years ago to reminisce about the incident. The Supervisor has a football in his office with the faded signature of Grier. Unfortunately, both of those men have passed away, and short of a séance, there's no way to confirm with them the events of a half century ago."
Again, the above is false, because the truth is Brown the former chairman of the local C.O.R.E. chapter at the time and Grier are alive, Brown does not recall Horn being involved, and Grier was playing for the LA Raiders at the time, not involved and doesn't recall the incident.
Each time Horn tells his story he only gets deeper in trouble. So, as a public official he should do the right thing and apologize to his constituents and those that were truly arrested in the civil rights fights.
Both as an elected official and a religiously moral person, he wants to set the example for our next generation that in the end it is better to tell the truth, then to mislead and cover it up.
Horn will state the following in his announcement:
- Those that were arrested for civil injustice in the 1950's and 1960's should be honored and no person should misrepresent themselves as one to use them for political reasons;
- He did not work for Mr. Ralph Abernathy;
- He knew of Mr. Hal Brown, but not in the way he has retold the story repeatedly over the years;
- As a truly religious man, then it is important to be truthful at all times, even in difficult times;
- Over the years he has questioned other elected officials about being honest with the voters, he doesn't want them to question him in the future with this incident weighing on him; and
- He will sit down with those in the civil rights community and seek to help in his capacity has an elected official to continuing struggle he had started many decades again against the injustices for those in the African-American and Latino community.
The truth on my part is the false statements made by Horn, his staff, those statements retorted about Horn's claims to have been involved in the civil rights incident, plus the Voice of San Diego article are true. HOWEVER, it would have been nice for the rest of the above story to be true. Horn won't be making an announcement clearing up the real story, he won't be seeking to continue his fight for injustice he started decades ago and lost his way, and he won't be setting an example as a public official or someone claiming to be religiously moral. Horn was upset of being called what he felt a racist and shoot back with the first thing he could think about, which was a story he has been over exaggerating over the past several decades, like the fish I caught.
Horn is Horn, his staff will protect him, and the rest of the community he surrounds himself with will keep quiet, because he votes their way most of the time, he tells a good story, takes on their enemies, and if they don't do it, then he will get angry and be vindictive in every way he possible can be.
If you think Horn should do the right thing, then comment here on the Voice of San Diego article or link to this post on your Facebook or Twitter feed. I would have suggested Horn's Facebook page, but he doesn't want to hear from others in a public arena and calling and emailing his office won't make a difference, because he will claim you are a bunch complainers. SD ROSTRA won't write about it either, because he is a conserve now and their site is about looking at the injustices and falsehoods of only the liberals.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
The Problem with Petitioning. . .
As you may have noticed from the posts below, or from the Voice of San Diego, or lately, Daily Kos, you might have noticed a slight problem we seem to be having with our signature-gathers here in San Diego. It appears that our local petitioners (as they prefer to be called) have been misleading voters throughout San Diego about various initatives. I can't say I'm surprised.
First, a slight confession - in the summer of 1996, I worked as a signature gatherer/petitioner for Voter Revolt, a group that, the more I think about it, was a fairly conservative organization. In my defense, it was the 1990's, and we were all "New Democrats" back then. Also, I was young and didn't know any better. And lastly, the initiatives I worked on were fairly innocuous - term limits for Congress and a limitation on how much money school districts could spend on non-classroom spending. Neither were great, but they weren't bad either.
From that experience, here's what I can tell you about petitioning - its hard work, and most people don't last long. As a petitioner, I would stand in a parking lot or some other designated area, and walk up to people and talk to them. The goal was to get them to sign my petitions, and for each valid signature, I'd get $0.25. As I had two petitions, I could get $0.50 out of most people. The money sucked, but going out there, being with the people, it felt like politics, only it wasn't (oh, and the independent contractor thing the company was running was a total scam, but I digress). Instead, Voter Revolt was paid by some group to gather the signatures, and they were paid to do it.
Now, from later experience, I can tell that most professional petitioners are much more mercenary than I was. They gather signatures for petitions based not on whether they agree with the issue, but how much it pays. A reasonably decent petitioner can get 200 signatures in a day - if the petition is paying out at $1-$2 per signature, working 5 days a week, well, that can be as much as $1000 per week, or $4000 per month. That's more than I made out of law school.* As a result, petitioning, in my experience, attracts interesting people. People with a lot of charm, little job skills, and a desire for a flexible work schedule. Given what we now know, is it surprising that a few (or more than a few) are actively misleading voters? I bet that anti-union petition is paying over $2 per signature.
Ultimately, every initiative campaign needs these professionals to collect signatures because they are really, really good collecting a lot of valid signatures in a short period of time. As a result, the "grassroots" aspect of the initiative process is not grassroots at all - its simply a way for the wealthy to get around legislative bodies.
*Okay, I did work for a non-profit out of law school, but still, $48k per year ain't bad.
First, a slight confession - in the summer of 1996, I worked as a signature gatherer/petitioner for Voter Revolt, a group that, the more I think about it, was a fairly conservative organization. In my defense, it was the 1990's, and we were all "New Democrats" back then. Also, I was young and didn't know any better. And lastly, the initiatives I worked on were fairly innocuous - term limits for Congress and a limitation on how much money school districts could spend on non-classroom spending. Neither were great, but they weren't bad either.
From that experience, here's what I can tell you about petitioning - its hard work, and most people don't last long. As a petitioner, I would stand in a parking lot or some other designated area, and walk up to people and talk to them. The goal was to get them to sign my petitions, and for each valid signature, I'd get $0.25. As I had two petitions, I could get $0.50 out of most people. The money sucked, but going out there, being with the people, it felt like politics, only it wasn't (oh, and the independent contractor thing the company was running was a total scam, but I digress). Instead, Voter Revolt was paid by some group to gather the signatures, and they were paid to do it.
Now, from later experience, I can tell that most professional petitioners are much more mercenary than I was. They gather signatures for petitions based not on whether they agree with the issue, but how much it pays. A reasonably decent petitioner can get 200 signatures in a day - if the petition is paying out at $1-$2 per signature, working 5 days a week, well, that can be as much as $1000 per week, or $4000 per month. That's more than I made out of law school.* As a result, petitioning, in my experience, attracts interesting people. People with a lot of charm, little job skills, and a desire for a flexible work schedule. Given what we now know, is it surprising that a few (or more than a few) are actively misleading voters? I bet that anti-union petition is paying over $2 per signature.
Ultimately, every initiative campaign needs these professionals to collect signatures because they are really, really good collecting a lot of valid signatures in a short period of time. As a result, the "grassroots" aspect of the initiative process is not grassroots at all - its simply a way for the wealthy to get around legislative bodies.
*Okay, I did work for a non-profit out of law school, but still, $48k per year ain't bad.
Governor Brown Signs SB 48 To Recognize Contributions of LGBT Americans, Pacific Islanders and Persons With Disabilities
SACRAMENTO - Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued the following statement regarding SB 48 by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco):
"History should be honest. This bill revises existing laws that prohibit discrimination in education and ensures that the important contributions of Americans from all backgrounds and walks of life are included in our history books. It represents an important step forward for our state, and I thank Senator Leno for his hard work on this historic legislation."
For full text of the bill, visit: http://leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html.
"History should be honest. This bill revises existing laws that prohibit discrimination in education and ensures that the important contributions of Americans from all backgrounds and walks of life are included in our history books. It represents an important step forward for our state, and I thank Senator Leno for his hard work on this historic legislation."
For full text of the bill, visit: http://leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html.
###
Daily Kos: Misleading Signature Gathering Being Used to Push Anti-Union Measure in San Diego
Check out the blog post here.
VOSD: Fact Check: Bill Horn's Bogus Civil Rights Story
Shocking, right? The Voice has the story here.
SDUT: Medical marijuana rules may be repealed
They did better than the school "reformers." Check the story here.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Word on the Street: Peters for Congress
This rumor has been swirling around for over a month, ever since the DCCC sought him out to run against Bilbray.
Word is that he didn't bite but "establishment" Democrats have ben pushing him to run because they can't seem to stomach the possibility of Saldana candidacy.
So, with Lori and Scott verses Brian, who wins?
On the Democratic side, I give the edge to Saldana. She's tenacious, been working the activist base, and has represented most of the draft district before. She will need to work like she has never worked before on raising the money but she has a base of support and a volunteer base as rabid as Frye supporters.
Scott can raise money but can't seem to spend it well. In his run against Aguirre, he ran a full-blown campaign operation with a full complement of staff and volunteers and lost to a less-than-loved incumbent who didn't campaign. Scott doesn't have a base outside of La Jolla and has a tendency to surround himself with yes people who aren't known for their strategic brilliance.
Saldana thinks and acts outside the box which can cut both ways. Against two white, bland, establishment-approved men, she will shine as a fresh face ready to take on DC.
Don't rule Peters out (he has yet to announce). As things stand today, I would give the nod to Lori against Brian in the fall of 2012.
SD CityBeat: District mine
I'm back (thank you Franklin, but you missed a story).
Saldana says she can win against Bilbray. CityBeat has the story here.
Saldana says she can win against Bilbray. CityBeat has the story here.
Calitics: Darrell Issa bails on FCIC hearing after reality "didn't fit the narrative"
Lucas O'Conner of Two Cathedrals exposes Issa's hypocrisy at Calitics here.
SD CityBeat: “Oy!” said the goy
Gracchus is out so I'm posting this.
Bob Filner’s problem with prominent Democrats from SD CityBeat. Story here.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
SDUT: Signatures fall short in bid to shake up SDUSD
From the SDUT:
School board president Richard Barrera said he was not surprised that the signature-gathering effort came up short.
“I think when you stand out in front of supermarkets a lot of times people who sign may not be registered voters or not be registered voters in the district,” he said. “I’m not surprised.”
Read the story here.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Councilmember Gloria Announces Funding for Sunday Library and Gym Hours
PRESS RELEASE
Councilmember Announces Funding for Sunday Library and Gym Hours
City Heights Library, Performance Annex, and Mid-City Gym Now Open Sundays
SAN DIEGO, CA (July 8, 2011) – Councilmember Todd Gloria today announced that several City Heights facilities will once again be open on Sundays thanks to newly secured funding. The community will now benefit from additional hours at the City Heights/Weingart Branch Library and Performance Annex and the Mid-City Gymnasium.
The Price Family Charitable Fund provided a $40,000 grant to open the City Heights/Weingart Branch Library and Performance Annex on Sundays from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. starting this Sunday, July 10, 2011. Sunday hours were eliminated in March 2010 due to the City’s financial hardships.
“Libraries are essential to every community,” said Councilmember Gloria. “By helping bridge the divide between those who have access to information and those who do not, library services are critical, particularly to the community of City Heights where there is a high concentration of lower income households and small businesses.”
In addition to the library grant, the Price Family Charitable Fund contributed $2,430 to the City to fund summer Sunday hours of operation and programming at the Mid-City Gymnasium. The donation will open the gym to the public for three hours each Sunday from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. from June 24 through September 4, 2011.
Councilmember Gloria will extend the hours through June 2012 with a contribution of $8,694 generated through his office budget.
“With budgetary savings produced by my Council office in the previous fiscal year, I am able to direct additional resources to this grossly park-deficient community. This $8,694 contribution will sustain the programming proposed by Price through June 24, 2012,” said Councilmember Gloria.
The Mid-City Gym opened in 1996 as a result of strong community organization and effort. It was part of the first phase of City Heights Urban Village, bringing together in one location a number of opportunities in recreation and education. The additional gym hours and programming will provide individuals of all ages the opportunity to practice good health and fitness in a safe environment.
“Since 1994, the Price Family has contributed to the renaissance of City Heights. I applaud their focus to continually improve housing, shopping options, healthcare, education, social services, public safety, and job opportunities for this diverse neighborhood,” said Councilmember Gloria. “I am thankful and honored to have them as a true partner in the community.”
Councilmember Announces Funding for Sunday Library and Gym Hours
City Heights Library, Performance Annex, and Mid-City Gym Now Open Sundays
SAN DIEGO, CA (July 8, 2011) – Councilmember Todd Gloria today announced that several City Heights facilities will once again be open on Sundays thanks to newly secured funding. The community will now benefit from additional hours at the City Heights/Weingart Branch Library and Performance Annex and the Mid-City Gymnasium.
The Price Family Charitable Fund provided a $40,000 grant to open the City Heights/Weingart Branch Library and Performance Annex on Sundays from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. starting this Sunday, July 10, 2011. Sunday hours were eliminated in March 2010 due to the City’s financial hardships.
“Libraries are essential to every community,” said Councilmember Gloria. “By helping bridge the divide between those who have access to information and those who do not, library services are critical, particularly to the community of City Heights where there is a high concentration of lower income households and small businesses.”
In addition to the library grant, the Price Family Charitable Fund contributed $2,430 to the City to fund summer Sunday hours of operation and programming at the Mid-City Gymnasium. The donation will open the gym to the public for three hours each Sunday from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. from June 24 through September 4, 2011.
Councilmember Gloria will extend the hours through June 2012 with a contribution of $8,694 generated through his office budget.
“With budgetary savings produced by my Council office in the previous fiscal year, I am able to direct additional resources to this grossly park-deficient community. This $8,694 contribution will sustain the programming proposed by Price through June 24, 2012,” said Councilmember Gloria.
The Mid-City Gym opened in 1996 as a result of strong community organization and effort. It was part of the first phase of City Heights Urban Village, bringing together in one location a number of opportunities in recreation and education. The additional gym hours and programming will provide individuals of all ages the opportunity to practice good health and fitness in a safe environment.
“Since 1994, the Price Family has contributed to the renaissance of City Heights. I applaud their focus to continually improve housing, shopping options, healthcare, education, social services, public safety, and job opportunities for this diverse neighborhood,” said Councilmember Gloria. “I am thankful and honored to have them as a true partner in the community.”
###
Reorganizing the San Diego Redevelopment Agency by Marti Emerald
San Diego’s Redevelopment Agency has much to be proud about. We’ve won awards for projects in City Heights and Barrio Logan, and national recognition of the Centre City Development Corporation’s revitalization of downtown. Our Agency staff is professional and committed, and residents are actively involved in project planning.
Yet, we have problems. I have heard from the public that we adopted redevelopment project areas that are not truly blighted; that blight in downtown has been eliminated but we keep collecting redevelopment dollars to enhance City revenue; that we just build shopping center, not projects that truly benefit low-income residents; that we select developers who are connected, rather than most qualified; that redevelopment is not used to create new jobs; that funds have been improperly transferred among project areas; that Agency debts to the City have not been repaid; and that we have not built enough affordable housing. And we all remember the scandals uncovered by the Voice of San Diego at the Southeastern Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and at CCDC.
I don’t agree with all these criticisms. But I do think the public criticisms reflect problems we have with the Agency’s effectiveness, efficiency, accountability, and transparency. To understand these problems, I want to clarify how the San Diego Redevelopment Agency is organized.
Just as a business is the sum of its parts – its buildings, employees, assets, and liabilities, the San Diego Redevelopment Agency is seventeen project areas spread throughout the City, hundreds of revitalization projects, millions of dollars in bond debt, and numerous contracts. Redevelopment agencies are state agencies, not a part of the City, and are governed by state law, not the City Charter. The Board of Directors of the San Diego Agency, by state law, is the City Council. As currently organized, the San Diego Agency carries out redevelopment through a contract with CCDC for two downtown project areas, a contract with SEDC for four project areas, and a third contract with the City for the other eleven project areas. (That’s right, the City is a contractor to the Agency.) CCDC and SEDC are both nonprofit corporations chartered by the City.
Our effectiveness problem is that not all project areas get their proportionate share of resources and expertise. Our efficiency problem is that redevelopment work and expenses are duplicated among the three operating components of the Agency. Our accountability problem is that everyone who does work for the Agency really works for another employer and so has a built-in conflict of interest. The best example of this is last year’s State budget deal that lifted the cap on collecting downtown tax increment. Agency board members – the City Council members with the duty under State law to be responsible for redevelopment – were kept out of the loop on this important decision. Our transparency problem is that our complicated organization structure, coupled with gray areas about what information is public and what is not, make it difficult for the public to understand the redevelopment decision process.
We can fix these problems. My reorganization plan eliminates duplicated functions and leverages our strengths and successes by merging CCDC, SEDC, and the City’s Redevelopment Department into a single San Diego Development Corporation,
and centralizes all affordable housing responsibility and funding in the Housing Commission. My plan gives the Agency Board the resources to be accountable by making the Agency Executive Director, Finance Manager, and Legal Counsel direct employees of the Board. And my plan simplifies the Agency decision process. Take a quick look at the organization charts of our current Agency structure and of my proposed structure – you will see that the difference is striking. I believe that my plan has the elements necessary to be effective.
Governor Brown has proposed that redevelopment agencies should be eliminated. I disagree. Redevelopment is a critical tool to revitalize older neighborhoods, as we have proved in our downtown and in other parts of our city. We must restore public confidence in how San Diego manages redevelopment, and prove to Governor Brown and our state representatives that redevelopment is too important to de-fund. We can do that by building a new redevelopment model in San Diego: lean, smart, effective, transparent, and capable of generating new tax revenues where none previously existed.
Yet, we have problems. I have heard from the public that we adopted redevelopment project areas that are not truly blighted; that blight in downtown has been eliminated but we keep collecting redevelopment dollars to enhance City revenue; that we just build shopping center, not projects that truly benefit low-income residents; that we select developers who are connected, rather than most qualified; that redevelopment is not used to create new jobs; that funds have been improperly transferred among project areas; that Agency debts to the City have not been repaid; and that we have not built enough affordable housing. And we all remember the scandals uncovered by the Voice of San Diego at the Southeastern Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and at CCDC.
I don’t agree with all these criticisms. But I do think the public criticisms reflect problems we have with the Agency’s effectiveness, efficiency, accountability, and transparency. To understand these problems, I want to clarify how the San Diego Redevelopment Agency is organized.
Just as a business is the sum of its parts – its buildings, employees, assets, and liabilities, the San Diego Redevelopment Agency is seventeen project areas spread throughout the City, hundreds of revitalization projects, millions of dollars in bond debt, and numerous contracts. Redevelopment agencies are state agencies, not a part of the City, and are governed by state law, not the City Charter. The Board of Directors of the San Diego Agency, by state law, is the City Council. As currently organized, the San Diego Agency carries out redevelopment through a contract with CCDC for two downtown project areas, a contract with SEDC for four project areas, and a third contract with the City for the other eleven project areas. (That’s right, the City is a contractor to the Agency.) CCDC and SEDC are both nonprofit corporations chartered by the City.
Our effectiveness problem is that not all project areas get their proportionate share of resources and expertise. Our efficiency problem is that redevelopment work and expenses are duplicated among the three operating components of the Agency. Our accountability problem is that everyone who does work for the Agency really works for another employer and so has a built-in conflict of interest. The best example of this is last year’s State budget deal that lifted the cap on collecting downtown tax increment. Agency board members – the City Council members with the duty under State law to be responsible for redevelopment – were kept out of the loop on this important decision. Our transparency problem is that our complicated organization structure, coupled with gray areas about what information is public and what is not, make it difficult for the public to understand the redevelopment decision process.
We can fix these problems. My reorganization plan eliminates duplicated functions and leverages our strengths and successes by merging CCDC, SEDC, and the City’s Redevelopment Department into a single San Diego Development Corporation,
and centralizes all affordable housing responsibility and funding in the Housing Commission. My plan gives the Agency Board the resources to be accountable by making the Agency Executive Director, Finance Manager, and Legal Counsel direct employees of the Board. And my plan simplifies the Agency decision process. Take a quick look at the organization charts of our current Agency structure and of my proposed structure – you will see that the difference is striking. I believe that my plan has the elements necessary to be effective.
Governor Brown has proposed that redevelopment agencies should be eliminated. I disagree. Redevelopment is a critical tool to revitalize older neighborhoods, as we have proved in our downtown and in other parts of our city. We must restore public confidence in how San Diego manages redevelopment, and prove to Governor Brown and our state representatives that redevelopment is too important to de-fund. We can do that by building a new redevelopment model in San Diego: lean, smart, effective, transparent, and capable of generating new tax revenues where none previously existed.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
VoSD: Fletcher Nets $300K
We know Bonnie was burning up the phone lines because of this. And where will Carl end up?
The story here.
The story here.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Note to the Fletcher Campaign re: Lorem Ipsum
Check out this press release from the Fletcher campaign.
Here's the first paragraph:
In an unsurprising turn of events, Activate Direct showed very well in its demonstration with the League of CA Cities on Wednesday. One official was heard to say "we all knew it was coming. It's not surprising in the least when you think about it." Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Fusce iaculis, risus mollis facilisis sodales, sapien risus vulputate odio, eu lobortis nisl erat ut nisi. Nunc sit amet arcu nec dui fringilla rutrum et at nisl. Cras vitae lectus vitae quam rutrum sodales vitae non diam. Ut ut nisi enim. Ut volutpat dolor non enim porta tristique. Curabitur a eleifend mi. Morbi sed nulla id dolor eleifend tincidunt. Nullam pulvinar, massa vel varius facilisis, lorem risus consequat massa, non posuere neque mi et justo. Vivamus lacus magna, facilisis vitae vulputate et, tincidunt quis nibh. Vivamus nec felis nibh, ut scelerisque dui.
Did you get all that? Here's what you need to know about "Lorem Ipsum." Not a big deal but just a note to watch your typesetting.
Here's the first paragraph:
In an unsurprising turn of events, Activate Direct showed very well in its demonstration with the League of CA Cities on Wednesday. One official was heard to say "we all knew it was coming. It's not surprising in the least when you think about it." Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Fusce iaculis, risus mollis facilisis sodales, sapien risus vulputate odio, eu lobortis nisl erat ut nisi. Nunc sit amet arcu nec dui fringilla rutrum et at nisl. Cras vitae lectus vitae quam rutrum sodales vitae non diam. Ut ut nisi enim. Ut volutpat dolor non enim porta tristique. Curabitur a eleifend mi. Morbi sed nulla id dolor eleifend tincidunt. Nullam pulvinar, massa vel varius facilisis, lorem risus consequat massa, non posuere neque mi et justo. Vivamus lacus magna, facilisis vitae vulputate et, tincidunt quis nibh. Vivamus nec felis nibh, ut scelerisque dui.
Did you get all that? Here's what you need to know about "Lorem Ipsum." Not a big deal but just a note to watch your typesetting.
Campaigns For GOP Ballot Measures Lure Voters With Phony Petition To “Lower Gas Prices”
From the Labor Council
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Campaigns For GOP Ballot Measures Lure Voters
With Phony Petition To “Lower Gas Prices”
With Phony Petition To “Lower Gas Prices”
New Video Footage of Bait-and-Switch Illustrates Latest Deceit
by Pension and Government Contractor Campaigns
by Pension and Government Contractor Campaigns
SAN DIEGO – (Wednesday, July 6, 2011) – The “Just Say No, San Diego” Public Education Campaign released video today of Republican-controlled ballot measure campaigns using a phony petition to supposedly “lower gas prices” as a bait-and-switch in order to have voters sign ballot measures that eliminate a retirement safety net for city employees, abolish collective bargaining for construction workers and silence the voices of workers in politics.
A paid operative of the Republican ballot measure campaigns are seen luring voters to a booth with colorful posters stating “Lower Gas Prices” while representing that the ballot measure they are signing will put a question on the ballot that forces Congress to “drill here, drill now.” In fact, there is no such ballot measure registered for circulation at the Secretary of State’s office and no actual federal initiative-by-petition process.
A paid operative of the Republican ballot measure campaigns are seen luring voters to a booth with colorful posters stating “Lower Gas Prices” while representing that the ballot measure they are signing will put a question on the ballot that forces Congress to “drill here, drill now.” In fact, there is no such ballot measure registered for circulation at the Secretary of State’s office and no actual federal initiative-by-petition process.
After talking up the phony gas prices initiative, the signature gatherer asks the voter to sign the petition in order to put it on the ballot.
But, in fact, the paid signature gatherer flips the top page about gas prices over to have the voter sign a petition for one of the Republican ballot measures being circulated by government contractors, developers, corporate lobbyists and other far-right special interests.
“This is a very deceitful tactic, even by the low standards of the underground industry of paid signature gathering,” said Kyle Haverback, spokesman for the “Just Say No, San Diego” Public Education Campaign. “In the video, you can clearly see that the paid signature gatherer is preying on people’s desire to lower gasoline prices. It’s very cynical of these campaigns to employ a bait-and-switch where you tell the public they’re signing one thing when it’s really another.”
Watch the Video here!
Only when the paid signature gatherer is prompted in the video does she then describe that she is collecting signatures for other petitions besides the phony “gas prices” campaign. When describing those ballot measures, the paid signature gatherer makes several misleading and inaccurate statements about what the measures do.
The paid signature gatherer claims the pension ballot measure “better defines what they’re giving the employees” when the measure actually creates more uncertainty about the benefits city employees receive. When describing the government contracting ballot measure to stop collective bargaining agreements on public projects, the paid signature gatherer said the measure allows non-union firms the right to bid on city contracts, when in fact non-union firms already have the right, regardless of whether there’s a project labor agreement or not.
But, in fact, the paid signature gatherer flips the top page about gas prices over to have the voter sign a petition for one of the Republican ballot measures being circulated by government contractors, developers, corporate lobbyists and other far-right special interests.
“This is a very deceitful tactic, even by the low standards of the underground industry of paid signature gathering,” said Kyle Haverback, spokesman for the “Just Say No, San Diego” Public Education Campaign. “In the video, you can clearly see that the paid signature gatherer is preying on people’s desire to lower gasoline prices. It’s very cynical of these campaigns to employ a bait-and-switch where you tell the public they’re signing one thing when it’s really another.”
Watch the Video here!
Only when the paid signature gatherer is prompted in the video does she then describe that she is collecting signatures for other petitions besides the phony “gas prices” campaign. When describing those ballot measures, the paid signature gatherer makes several misleading and inaccurate statements about what the measures do.
The paid signature gatherer claims the pension ballot measure “better defines what they’re giving the employees” when the measure actually creates more uncertainty about the benefits city employees receive. When describing the government contracting ballot measure to stop collective bargaining agreements on public projects, the paid signature gatherer said the measure allows non-union firms the right to bid on city contracts, when in fact non-union firms already have the right, regardless of whether there’s a project labor agreement or not.
# # #
Friday, July 1, 2011
Two Cathedrals: Building a base is not a vice.
Lucas O'Conner nails it.
This boils down to the collision of principle vs pragmatism: Whether aspiring to the supposed ideal of post-partisan governance trumps the pragmatism of trying to actually enact beneficial policy. The trick is, the policy is the principle. It can be easy to lose sight of the actual point of politics, but ultimately the goal is to improve people’s lives. And the mechanism is policy. Everything else is the sausage-making. Aspire to as much righteousness as you want in the process of making that sausage, but at the end of the day all that matters is what gets made.
Here is the post.
This boils down to the collision of principle vs pragmatism: Whether aspiring to the supposed ideal of post-partisan governance trumps the pragmatism of trying to actually enact beneficial policy. The trick is, the policy is the principle. It can be easy to lose sight of the actual point of politics, but ultimately the goal is to improve people’s lives. And the mechanism is policy. Everything else is the sausage-making. Aspire to as much righteousness as you want in the process of making that sausage, but at the end of the day all that matters is what gets made.
Here is the post.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
SD CityBeat: Vargas raising cash for state Senate, but running for Congress
CityBeat has the story here.
GOP Ballot Measure Relies on Illegal Maneuvers, Resulting in Higher Costs, Phantom Savings and No Safety Net for Workers
Press Release from San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO
Mayor’s Proposition Depends on Breaking State Law In Order To Achieve Lion’s Share of Projected Savings
SAN DIEGO – (Thursday, June 30, 2011) – The Republican ballot measure to leave city workers without Social Security or any other retirement safety net includes a maneuver that Mayor Sanders claimed was illegal just a few months ago in order to achieve be
According to the ballot measure’s supporters, the section of the proposition requiring the city to freeze pensionable pay for 5 years accounts for up to 87 % (or $1.1 billion) of the savings heralded by supporters. It is against California state law to impose a pay freeze for that long without bargaining in good faith with employees first.
“They’re counting chicks that will never hatch under state law,” said Lorena Gonzalez, the San Diego Labor Council’s Secretary-Treasurer. “This proposition leave workers without Social Security or any retirement safety net and assures the City will find itself back in expensive courtroom battles like in the Mike Aguirre days. Those are steep prices to pay for what appears to be minimal savings compared to the status quo.”
Other reasons why this ballot measure is BAD for San Diego:
BAD FOR THE LONG TERM: Additionally, it appears to be a better deal for the city to keep the employees in the pension system. In year 27 of the lower scenario, the costs of the 401-K begin to outpace the savings from reduced payments to the pension system. This begs the question of why the Republican campaign cut off the chart at year 27 instead of going further, because it is clear that this measure has the potential to end up costing more in the long run.
BAD FOR THE SHORT TERM: The supporters are admitting that the short-term costs outweigh the savings even if the measure is found to be legal. The San Diego City Employees Retirement System said that moving to a 401-K will cost the City $94 million over the first six years because money for new employees will not regularly be directed to the retirement system. That’s the last thing San Diego needs as police, fire and other city services have been cut during this recession.
BAD MATH: The ballot measure uses an apples-to-oranges comparison in assumptions, assuming that salaries are going to grow 4 percent annually in the current pension plan and only 2 percent annually in the proposed 401-K plan. This is a dishonest comparison.
TAKING CREDIT FOR WHAT’S ALREADY HAPPENED: The Republican campaign is taking credit for the pick-up savings, even though that has already been eliminated through collective bargaining between the City and its employees.
Mayor’s Proposition Depends on Breaking State Law In Order To Achieve Lion’s Share of Projected Savings
SAN DIEGO – (Thursday, June 30, 2011) – The Republican ballot measure to leave city workers without Social Security or any other retirement safety net includes a maneuver that Mayor Sanders claimed was illegal just a few months ago in order to achieve be
According to the ballot measure’s supporters, the section of the proposition requiring the city to freeze pensionable pay for 5 years accounts for up to 87 % (or $1.1 billion) of the savings heralded by supporters. It is against California state law to impose a pay freeze for that long without bargaining in good faith with employees first.
“They’re counting chicks that will never hatch under state law,” said Lorena Gonzalez, the San Diego Labor Council’s Secretary-Treasurer. “This proposition leave workers without Social Security or any retirement safety net and assures the City will find itself back in expensive courtroom battles like in the Mike Aguirre days. Those are steep prices to pay for what appears to be minimal savings compared to the status quo.”
Other reasons why this ballot measure is BAD for San Diego:
BAD FOR THE LONG TERM: Additionally, it appears to be a better deal for the city to keep the employees in the pension system. In year 27 of the lower scenario, the costs of the 401-K begin to outpace the savings from reduced payments to the pension system. This begs the question of why the Republican campaign cut off the chart at year 27 instead of going further, because it is clear that this measure has the potential to end up costing more in the long run.
BAD FOR THE SHORT TERM: The supporters are admitting that the short-term costs outweigh the savings even if the measure is found to be legal. The San Diego City Employees Retirement System said that moving to a 401-K will cost the City $94 million over the first six years because money for new employees will not regularly be directed to the retirement system. That’s the last thing San Diego needs as police, fire and other city services have been cut during this recession.
BAD MATH: The ballot measure uses an apples-to-oranges comparison in assumptions, assuming that salaries are going to grow 4 percent annually in the current pension plan and only 2 percent annually in the proposed 401-K plan. This is a dishonest comparison.
TAKING CREDIT FOR WHAT’S ALREADY HAPPENED: The Republican campaign is taking credit for the pick-up savings, even though that has already been eliminated through collective bargaining between the City and its employees.
###
SDUT: Supervisors’ shameless self-preservation
If a UT editorial can see the problem, why can't the Board of Supervisors? Maybe they can but won't do anything until challenged.
We don’t see these decisions as driven by racism. Instead, they’re fueled by politicians’ desire for self-preservation. That distinction, however, hardly insulates the board from a Voting Rights Act challenge. Such a challenge now seems inevitable – and welcome.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
DeMaio signature gatherers lying!
I, for one, am shocked, shocked at such shenanigans. It is here on this YouTube clip.
SD CityBeat: Murder at the courthouse!
CityBeat rounds out their political hat trick this week reviewing Tony Kvaric's losing streak here.
SD CityBeat: Durfee's a thug
To be fair, Durfee’s Republican counterpart, Tony Krvaric, has the same policy: no support for Republicans who dare to endorse Democrats, whether or not the office is partisan. Durfee and Krvaric both are political hacks who’d fit in nicely as party operatives in some fascist foreign regime. They make things worse, not better. America should aspire to something loftier than these two knuckleheads.
CityBeat editorial here.
CityBeat editorial here.
SDUT: No Mayor Kehoe: State senator decides not to run
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
About Those Democratic Endorsements of Non-Democrats
As I said previously, Bonnie Dumanis (and to a lesser extent, Nathan Fletcher) is the establishment candidate for mayor. So its not at all surprising that members of the San Diego political establishment would give her money and support. Lynne Schenk and Murray Galinson fall into that establishment category, and even with Bonnie Dumanis being a Republican, they're going to support her.
Additionally, there is a bit going on behind the scenes. Specifically, it appears that Kehoe is staying out of the Mayor's race (for now), so the sole remaining Democrat is Bob Filner. The Congressman is a tireless campaigner, a brilliant mind, someone who cares deeply about his constituents, and is actually passionate about his job. If Filner becomes mayor, he's going to work his ass off. As a progressive, I'm pretty pumped at the idea of Filner, also a progressive, being mayor.
That said, Filner has a reputation of being prickly. Or, in less polite terms, Filner has a reputation of being an asshole, particularly by his enemies. One particular enemy is Juan Vargas, who ran against Filner in two epic bloodbaths (and one completely disappointing campaign) that left both men scarred for life.* Galinson and Schenk are current and former Vargas supporters, and so its not at all surprising that they are backing Dumanis.
I have no idea if Sessom comes from the Vargas camp or not, but I wouldn't be surprised if she was. As far as her line about Jess Durfee, I find it somewhat surprising that a mayor who has asked for and received the Democratic Party endorsement time and time again doesn't know who the Democratic Party Chair is. In this respect, Lucas over at Two Cathedrals is right.
Nonetheless, for the Democratic Party insiders who haven't been on the lines of the Filner-Vargas war, Bob Filner is their guy. Note that both Kehoe and Frye both slightly backed away from running for mayor when they heard Bob was in. They didn't do that out of fear, they did it out of respect. And not only will the Dem insiders back up Durfee's statement that the endorsement of non-Dems in this race will be punished, they'll cheer him all the way.
And this is a big, big problem for Dumanis. She's gay, she's pro-union, not fiscally conservative, and completely out of touch with the Republican Party. With the DeMaio in the race, Dumanis' only hope is gather enough support from Democrats and independents. But if Filner is in the race, and is strongly supported by Democrats, Dumanis is toast. She knows that, Bob knows that, and that's why the endorsement thing is a big issue.
*I'm not even remotely joking about this, and no I can't tell you how I know.
Additionally, there is a bit going on behind the scenes. Specifically, it appears that Kehoe is staying out of the Mayor's race (for now), so the sole remaining Democrat is Bob Filner. The Congressman is a tireless campaigner, a brilliant mind, someone who cares deeply about his constituents, and is actually passionate about his job. If Filner becomes mayor, he's going to work his ass off. As a progressive, I'm pretty pumped at the idea of Filner, also a progressive, being mayor.
That said, Filner has a reputation of being prickly. Or, in less polite terms, Filner has a reputation of being an asshole, particularly by his enemies. One particular enemy is Juan Vargas, who ran against Filner in two epic bloodbaths (and one completely disappointing campaign) that left both men scarred for life.* Galinson and Schenk are current and former Vargas supporters, and so its not at all surprising that they are backing Dumanis.
I have no idea if Sessom comes from the Vargas camp or not, but I wouldn't be surprised if she was. As far as her line about Jess Durfee, I find it somewhat surprising that a mayor who has asked for and received the Democratic Party endorsement time and time again doesn't know who the Democratic Party Chair is. In this respect, Lucas over at Two Cathedrals is right.
Nonetheless, for the Democratic Party insiders who haven't been on the lines of the Filner-Vargas war, Bob Filner is their guy. Note that both Kehoe and Frye both slightly backed away from running for mayor when they heard Bob was in. They didn't do that out of fear, they did it out of respect. And not only will the Dem insiders back up Durfee's statement that the endorsement of non-Dems in this race will be punished, they'll cheer him all the way.
And this is a big, big problem for Dumanis. She's gay, she's pro-union, not fiscally conservative, and completely out of touch with the Republican Party. With the DeMaio in the race, Dumanis' only hope is gather enough support from Democrats and independents. But if Filner is in the race, and is strongly supported by Democrats, Dumanis is toast. She knows that, Bob knows that, and that's why the endorsement thing is a big issue.
*I'm not even remotely joking about this, and no I can't tell you how I know.
NewsFlash: The election is 16 months away...
So with the election only 16 months away we already have a winner in the San Diego Mayor's race. Even though there have been no mailers, no commercials, no precient walks, no debates, no anything. The situation is so dire that only Donna can save us! 16 months is an eternity in politics. Especially in this City. I mean in December 2002, this guy was saying he owned city hall and that Dick Murphy and Michael Uberuaga had to go through him to get anything done in Council and what happened more than a year later? Please see link above.
This is going to be a hard long slog and we don't know what will happen and those saying who has a lock and who doesn't all have a short term memory. I mean look at Mark Penn and the national political establishment who 16 months before the election were already talking about who Hillary would put in her Cabinet. Last time I checked, this guy won.
VoSD: Dem Mayor to Dem Leader: Who Are You Again?
Lemon Grove Mayor Mary Sessom calls out SDCDP Chair Durfee. The Voice has the story here.
VoSD: Hell to Pay for Dems Who Endorse GOP
"I will do everything in my power to see that any Democratic elected official or candidate in the county who endorses a Republican for mayor will not receive the endorsement or support of the Democratic Party in the future," Durfee wrote in a letter to local Democratic elected officials.
The Voice of San Diego has the story here.
The Voice of San Diego has the story here.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Pension Mess: Former Mayor Says She's Not to Blame
The Voice of San Diego has the story about Susan Golding refusing to accept responsibility for decisions made under her watch.
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