Saturday, January 26, 2008

What do you get for dropping out of the City Attorney's Race?

Well, I guess if you are Republican William Gentry and you bow down to the right wing, you get appointed judge.

Isn't it amazing how the right wing works? They decided the wanted the field clear for Goldsmith, so they bribe Gentry out of the race with a judicial appointment.

I just wonder if Chula Vista City Councilman John Mcann feels a little cheated. When he was asked to bow out of the 78th for David Bejarano, he was just sent packing with his tail between his legs. Then, when Bejarano took a pass, the Republican establishment asked him to come back in as sloppy seconds. Maybe McCann should take a negotiating lesson from Gentry.

Friday, January 25, 2008

More Great State Budget Ideas

Our state grapples with a growing budget deficit this year that has reached the tens of billions of dollars. It will require serious attention and a true budget review. However, some members just don't get it.

It seems freshman Assemblymember Joel Anderson has proposed savings $34 million a year by eliminating 117 state boards, committees and commissions. Boards and commissions like:

  • Contractors State License Board
  • Medical Board of California
  • Board of Pharmacy
  • Board of Podiatric Medicine
  • Board of Psychology
  • Registered Nursing Board
  • Veterinary Medical Board
  • Board of Forestry and Fire Protection
  • Building Standards Commission
  • California Inspection and Maintenance Review Committee
Who thinks there should be no oversight for medicine or fire and building safety? Instead he wants to cut revenue by eliminating fees collected from park passes and offering more tax breaks during a state deficit. These might be great ideas, but during a budget crisis the legislature needs to cut the program that would lose the revenue, before cutting the revenue.

I don't think these are the first steps, but the last ones. Instead let's call for a real review of each dollar the state spends and each dollar of revenue it has coming into its coffers.

Friday - Quick Hits

Mingei Museum in Balboa Park one of five museums in California targeted by FBI regarding stolen artifacts. UT

Chula Vista and PUC clash over bay front power plant. UT

Nanny State at work, Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges to ban smoking on campuses. UT

The UT give too much space to crazy anti-tax activist in Rancho Penasquitos. UT

Next month's Coastal Commission meeting on toll road move to Del Mar Fairgrounds to accommodate anticipated high attendance for meeting. NCTimes

San Diego Dem Club Takes a Pass

I hear that the powerful San Diego Democratic Club chose to not endorse in the City Attorney's Race as of yet. Lee Burdick, Dan Coffey and Mike Aguirre were all on hand, but the club voted overwhelmingly to wait on taking a position. Word has it that the decision was highly influenced by the possibility that Scott Peters may enter the race before the filing deadline.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Marti Emerald Leads April Boling in Poll


Last week there was mention here as San Diego Politico of a recent poll taken in District 7 race for city council. This evening I received a copy of the poll conducted January 7-9 by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates showing some stunning results.

Marti Emerald begins the campaign for the 7th District City Council seat with an overwhelming lead, demonstrating initial support and favorable ratings that exceed anything we have seen in an open-seat race. Emerald has 84 percent name recognition and 64 percent of voters give her a personal rating of “very” or “somewhat favorable” (compared to 9% unfavorable). Marti Emerald receives nearly 60 percent of the vote, while April Boling is at just 16 percent in an initial ballot test preceding any information about the candidates. . . .
The support Marti Emerald garners in the districts also cuts across partisan lines. She has a 54% to 22% support among Republicans, 56% support among DTS voters and an overwhelming 63% support among Democrats.

It is plainly obvious that Marti Emerald's years as the "Troubleshooter" is viewed very positively among district voters and that she doesn't suffer from some of the same baggage that other candidates running for office have to address.

Thursday - Quick Hits

Police Officers Union joins the long list of "any one but Mike" crowd. UT

Women's Health Clinic open in Mission beach to serve women who are struggling with the high cost of health care. UT

Attempt to limit eminent domain in city charter fails City Council committee vote. UT

The GJ indicts an Encinitas man for UCSD bomb hoax. UT

Mortgage default in Riverside county up 119% in 2007 over 2006. UT

Peters may be our only hope

As the City Attorney's race heats up, those of us on the left should be VERY worried about the shape of the race.

As of now, we have a far-right nut job with Jan Goldsmith, an empty-suit conservative with Brian Maienschein, an all-over-the-map, union hating democrat with Mike Aguirre and two candidates who can't seem to get traction.

Lee Burdick is actually quite sensible and would be a great candidate if anyone knew her, but conventional wisdom says she will need a lot of money to compete in this field. And I hear, she can't pull the fundraising.

So who does that leave for us? Anti-worker former school-tyrant Alan Bersin is threatening (and I do mean threatening) to enter the field. His likelihood of getting a dem party or labor endorsement is on par with Republican Maienschein.

So what do we do? Encourage Scott Peters to run for City Attorney. Sure, he over-waters his lawn and hasn't been a favorite of labor or the party in the past, but he is a lot better than the alternatives. His "big" negative of the pension mess is going to get lost with another Councilmember in the race. I have never been one to advocate for the moderate, but he does seem to be the only Democrat that could garner enough support from labor, elected officials, enviromentalists, maybe even the Party and present a united front against the nightmare match-up of Goldsmith / Aguirre. He has proven himself on a number of key issues this year, including marriage equality and wal-mart, and holds a decent record with coastal environmentalists. Let's not forget this guy was an Environmental Attorney and is a former Coastal Commissioner. He even took a courageous stand on toilet to tap. Best of all, he has the money to self fund. Sources close to the Councilmember say he is considering it.

It may be an unconventional choice, but Peters may be our only hope.

A Progressive City Attorney

Warning: Super-nerdy wonkishness ahead

Last night I attended the inaugural event by the San Diego chapter of the American Constitution Society; a panel exploring What Is a Progressive View of the City Attorney's Office? Since I don't know enough about the inner workings, hopes and fears of the current city attorney's race (just that it's likely to be an 18-way slapfight), it seemed like a good place to start getting geared up. If the streets are going to run with the blood of the nonbelievers, I should be prepared. And prepared I am now approaching.

It got pretty deep into the wonky legal weeds of theory, so occasionally I was out of my depth on jargon or tangents, but I think the fundamental discussion can be broken down pretty simply. Essentially the question is whether, by nature, the "public interest" can be served by a city attorney. Given that the public interest means different things to different people, does the pursuit of such service inherently lead to the office being overtly and entirely political as the city attorney picks which version of "public interest" will be served? The argument put forth by one of the panelists- Professor David McGowan- that a city attorney should "aim low" for a role cleaning up messes but not being proactive about policy seemed to be the most ripe as a jumping off point as it seems to lay bare all the apparent contradictions in how the city attorney position has been conceived in the first place.

The construct of the city attorney's office in San Diego names the City of San Diego as the "client." That is, in inelegant corporate terms (and I suppose at least partly in my opinion), the city attorney protects the brand name- not necessarily the employees of the company (government officials) or necessarily the customers (citizens). Given that the role of the city attorney is not directly to serve the general public (and sometimes to work directly against them presumably), this would seem to make the city attorney unique among other elected offices. From President to State Assembly to Judge and Sheriff, every other elected official is put into the job directly in service to the people. Keep them safe from crime or injustice in the non-political aspects, direct policy that protects life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness on the legislative and executive side. But the city attorney does not exist to serve the public as an inherent or necessary function of the job.

So how should voters be utilizing the city attorney when weighing candidates? It seems to me that the notion of aiming low and cleaning up the messes as they come can be extrapolated into a notion that the city attorney should strive to be as apolitical as possible. A proactive, politicized city attorney, the argument goes, puts policy discretion in inappropriate hands. But the inappropriate-ness seems to be a semantic issue. The simple title of "mayor" or "councilmember" or "city attorney" carry no inherent value- it is what people make it out to be. And certainly one thing we've seen at the national, state and local levels over the past decade is that the balance of power is fluid. The relative power of executive, legislative and judicial branches within any political unit is in a constant state of motion and relative ascendancy/decendency. Some units might have a strong mayor now after a strong legislature four years ago, some might be going the other direction. So as long as the city attorney is an elected position serving an autonomous role in the city government, it seems to me that the office is an element of the power structure that voters must use to maintain the desired balance of power.

None of this really gets to the question of what is a progressive view of the City Attorney's office? The underpinning of the notion of a City Attorney seems to be that a healthy civic brand is the unifying public interest of a community. That is, by protecting the integrity of the city as an entity all the competing political views within are enabled to healthily and properly work themselves out. And the progressive in me certainly likes that notion. So how does a city attorney actually do that in practice? I'm wary of the notion that being apolitical is progressive, although I don't think that progressivism is inherently ideological in itself. I have a difficult time with the notion that removing onesself from the political process can help to bring about a particular sort of political end. Minimizing influence as a way of maximizing influence the notion would be, and I'm just not ready to buy onto that theoretical train.

So that leaves me with a progressive role that's about as close to clearly defined and uncontrovertial as any political role can be. Not just clean, but open government. This isn't meant to be the only role of the City Attorney. Rather the only political role of the City Attorney. Ensuring no closed doors, no unreasonably restricted public commentary, no string of last-minute location changes for charter review committee meetings (cough), and when feasible, working to ensure a healthy adversarial relationship between the executive and legislative branches of government. The City Attorney ought not have a direct role in determining the conception or the application of policy, but in certain respects the public most certainly should.

Part of protecting the "brand" of the city is ensuring a vital and functional government, and it just so happens to also serve the collective public interest (by keeping their government in front of their noses) and progressive interests (hamstringing attempts at runaway concentration of power).

Cross posted at Calitics

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Wednesday - Quick Hits

Housing crisis continues, home foreclosers in county increase by 353% last over year before. UT

More on housing crisis, county property tax delinquencies are up 20%. UT

City of El Cajon faces a $6 million budget shortfall. UT

Federal wastewater officials weigh two options to treat Tijuana's sewage. UT

City council approves $320 million worth of clean-water programs, but has no idea where the money will come from to pay for them. UT

City of San Marcos delays mini-dorm decision. UT

Even though Chula Vista is more interested in potential Gaylord Entertainment project, city agrees to go ahead with a study about proposed Chargers Stadium project. UT

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Last Day to Register to Vote for Feb 5th Primary

Today is the last day to register to vote, if you want to cast a ballot in the February 5th Presidential primary. Registration can be dropped off at the Country Registrar of Voters by 5:00p.m. or they can be postmarked today and mail to Registrar of Voters, P.O. Box 85656, San Diego, CA 92186-5656.

Tuesday - Quick Hits

San Diego Unified new superintendent hitting the ground running. UT

Lt. Governor Garamendi is urging students to protest propsed university budget cuts. UT

Regional Airport Authority to hold community meeting Thursday on proposed changes to Lindbergh Field. UT

Judge rules that UCANN can solicit fund from San Diego water and sewers customers in order to perform an independent audit. UT

California Energy Commission will conduct two public workshops regarding proposed changes to Encina Powerplant in Carlsbad. UT

City of San Marocs to address mini-dorm issue. NCTimes

Palomar College to weigh increasing out-of-state tuition rate. NCTimes

Miracosta College will be only slightly be affected by proposed budget cuts to state community colleges. NCTimes

Monday, January 21, 2008

Monday - Quick Hits

Citizens qualify a building height initiative in Chula Vista for the June election. UT

Coronado settles suit to woman, accidentally run over by lifeguard truck on beach. UT

La Mesa considers the option of raising sales tax to offset declining revenues. UT

LA Times fires editor after dispute with publisher over newsroom cuts. UT

Emergency water plan moves closer to becoming a reality. NC Times

Hate crimes in San Diego for the last year increase. VOSD

Saturday, January 19, 2008

What's Going on in the 78th?


For the past couple of weeks there have been rumors swirling around that former 78th Democratic Assembly candidate from 2006, Maxine Sherard was considering another run for the seat. It seems these rumors are true.

Yesterday, I received an email from a friend who checked at the ROV and confirmed that Maxine Sherard has pulled papers to run. My friend also heard from a local printer that she had recently had printed personal cards listing her as a candidate for assembly.

Late this afternoon, I received an email from a South Bay Democratic activist confirming that Sherard has indeed pulled papers and is intent on running again. According to this person, she believes that since she has already been the Democratic nominee, her name recognition is good enough for her to win the primary.

On a final note, Arlie Ricasa has yet to pulled papers. She still has plenty of time to file to run, but one has to consider if she is having second thoughts about running.

Marti Emerald for Mayor?

I have had a number of people tell me that the polling on the District 7 April Boling / Marti Emerald Race was incredible. Apparently, Marti's name ID and favorables are higher than Mayor Sanders in this right-leaning district. Head-to-head April doesn't have a chance, unless Marti commits murder between now and election day. I hear that there are even some even considering asking her to abandon the 7th and run for Mayor instead. Wouldn't that shake up the Mayor's race?

Friday, January 18, 2008

City Atty. Race: WTF?

With Councilmember Brian Maienschein throwing his hat into the ring for City Attorney I can only ask the obvious; “Why?” Does he really think he stands a chance in this field?

Here are my thoughts on why he’s doing this:

1) Mike supporters are mostly Republican.
I base this bit of conjecture on the fact that if the Republicans were anti-Mike, their instinctive attraction to order would link them to a single candidate to carry the day. That doesn’t seem to be the case otherwise they wouldn’t have so much trouble fielding a candidate. Look, if you have unified party behind you in San Diego, you win, especially on the Republican side because at least they vote. The fact that people are shying away from this tells me there is more going on below the surface and the most obvious “candidate” is that Mike pulls from the Republicans in such a high number that, short of the Democrats endorsing him, they can’t make a partisan appeal.

So a more moderate influence is needed. Enter Brian betting, correctly I think, that his name recognition is higher in the City than Jan’s and, even if Mike pounds him into the sand, he can say he fought the good fight and stood up when none else did

2) Brian needs a job.
Our termed out councilman needs something to hang his hat on because the last thing legislators want to be is termed out. You lose the taxpayer paid staff, you’re not treated “special” and you don’t have access to the money chambers you once did. And the last thing anybody who was (they think) somebody wants to become is a nobody.

At minimum, by being a pain in Goldsmith’s hide he can burnish his credentials in being the anti-Goldsmith, whatever that becomes, as the race progresses. Any press is good press.

3) This is what happens when you’re in a city filled with big mouths and no guts.
A constant refrain from this race is the Aguirre needs to go, but those who would publicly say so or act towards this refuse to because they’re afraid of him. Last time I checked, I thought we lived in America where you could say what you wanted. Oops! I’m in San Diego where speaking your mind is a no-no unless approved from the oligarchs that run the city.

I’m overstating the case here but the point is that this race, like many others, will attract the second stringers and has-beens unless those who can make difference dare speak out for what they believe. Short of that, San Diegans deserve what they’ll get: four more years of Sanders and Aguirre.

Because if this race were to be taken seriously, Brain wouldn’t have dreamed of entering.

Friday - Quick Hits

Three hour long fire fight between law enforcement and drug cartels in Tijuana leaves six dead. UT

Misconduct at San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant has led to five employees fired and two others disciplined. UT

Governor visits town yesterday to explain, how his mismanagement of state budget now needs to be slashed. UT

Local GOP not too happy with Maienschein's entry into city attorney race. UT

Continuing to investigate City Attorney Aguirre, State bar has issued subpoenas in its investigation. UT

City on Encinitas has decided to purchase iconic boat houses. UT

If it passes a safety check, Sprinter rail service could start on Jan 27. UT

State Sen. Kehoe has requested that the Public Utilities Commission hold a public hearing regarding Sunrise Powerlink in the City of San Diego. NC Times

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Debra Bowen 1 : County of San Diego 0

This afternoon a Superior Court judge tentatively ruled on behalf of Secretary of State Debra Bowen rejecting the lawsuit brought by the County of San Diego. The county brought suit against the Secretary of State, claiming that the office didn't have the authority to require a 10% hand count of ballot in elections were the winner wins by 1/2 percent or less. The judge in expected to announce the final ruling early next week.[Link]

Thursday - Quick Hits

NIMBYism at is finest, proposed Rose Canyon bridge continues to generate controversy. UT

The process to find a permanent homeless shelter downtown, begins this afternoon with city council committee hearing. UT

Chula Vista residents to decided in November on whether city attorney should become an elected office. UT

City of Oceanside advances plans for luxury beach front hotel. UT

Mayors from 10 Southrern California cities meet to discuss water problems, but fail to come to a consensus. NC Times

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Now Maienschein for City Attorney!

The VOSD is reporting tonight that district-5 councilman Brian Maienschein is going to run for city attorney.[Link] This comes the same week that William Gentry dropped out of the race.

Duncan Hunter to Soldier on to Republican Convention

With his quixotic campaign for the Republican nomination only receiving on 1.3% of Republican primary voters to date, Duncan Hunter continues to fight on.[Link] So far Hunter has collected just one delegate, far short of the 1191 needed to obtain the nomination.[Link] He might want to step up the campaign if he wants to win the nomination.