Candidates
Posts Tagged ‘Carl DeMaio’
DeMaio Offers Alternative to Proposed Water Rate Increase
Releases White Paper Documenting Wasteful Spending in City Utilities Department and Related Water Agencies
On the same day that the Mayor proposed yet another increase to San Diego’s water rates (for a total increase of 65% since 2007) Councilmember DeMaio released a white paper highlighting numerous examples of increased spending in the city’s Utilities Department and outlined several steps to help curb costs within the City’s Utility department. The average resident’s water bill has gone from $43.13 in 2007 to a projected $71.24 in 2011.
DeMaio Releases Reform Standards on Unsustainable Retiree Healthcare Costs
Councilmember Carl DeMaio released today the following presentation of data and findings revealed in the city’s study on the cost of retiree healthcare benefits granted to city employees over the years. Councilmember DeMaio is proposing that the benefits be immediately reduced to the level currently funded in the city’s budget – and that further reductions be examined in the context of a long-term financial recovery package for the city.
North County Chamber Opposes Prop D
Adding to a laundry list of small business groups formally opposed to Prop D, today the North County Chamber of Commerce announced its opposition to Prop D. (See below for press release)
Prop D is clarifying what groups stand for real reform and prosperity in our region. Want to add your name or your organization to our growing coalition opposed to Prop D? Contact TJ Zane, or visit www.StopTheSalesTax.com
-Carl DeMaio
Editorial Release
San Diego North Chamber Opposes Proposition D
August 25, 2010
By Debra Rosen, President and CEO, San Diego North Chamber of Commerce
DeMaio and Goldsmith to Lead Pension Reform Forum at GOP State Convention
Duo to Outline Ways to Legally Reform State and Local Pension Benefits
| What: | Special Forum for state and local officials at the California Republican Convention. |
| Who: | Councilmember Carl DeMaio
City Attorney Jan Goldsmith |
When: | August 21st, 2010 2:30pm – 4:00pm |
| Where: | Manchester Hyatt
Cunningham Room A/B/C |
No on Prop D Campaign Announces Website Launch and Kickoff Event
The No on Prop D campaign has officially launched its website – and has announced a campaign kickoff event for August 25.
The website is at www.StopTheSalesTax.com. In addition to providing information on why San Diegans should vote against Prop D, the website asks San Diegans to sign a “petition against higher taxes.”
On August 25th, the campaign will formally kickoff with a large event at Coles Fine Flooring. The kickoff event boasts a host committee of over 80 civic leaders – drawing from a broad spectrum of San Diego’s communities. A full copy of the event flier can be accessed here.
DeMaio Releases Plan to Restore Browned Out Fire Stations
Councilmember DeMaio today released a plan to restore browned-out fire stations — using cost savings in the FY11 budget that his office uncovered.
DeMaio issued the following statement along with the release of the plan:
“Public safety does not and should not be a casualty of the city’s financial problems. My office has identified $4.2 million in immediate cost savings that exist in the city’s budget – resulting from pension reform and from reducing the political staff of the Mayor and City Council. I urge the Mayor and City Council to immediately act on this proposal to redirect these funds to restore browned-out fire stations.”
Top 10 Flaws in the San Diego Sales Tax Hike
Not surprisingly, the City Council today advanced the dubious Sales Tax Ballot Measure.
Put simply, San Diego taxpayers deserve better than a tax increase masquerading as “reform.” That’s why we are putting together a broad-based campaign to defeat this deceptive measure – and to articulate a bold and effective reform agenda.
If you are willing to help with the campaign, please email our campaign at info@CleanUpCityHall.com ASAP!
As we are getting started, if you could consider a donation, I’d appreciate it! Here’s an online link:
https://www.completecampaigns.com/FR/contribute.asp?campaignid=SDCAG
In the meantime, here’s a TOP TEN LIST of the FLAWS IN THE SALES TAX HIKE
“Dollar for Dollar” Proposes Match of Cuts and Sales Tax Dollars
Save a dollar, get a dollar. It’s a refreshingly simple approach to solving the City of San Diego’s budget problems proffered this morning by San Diego County Taxpayers Association President & CEO Lani Lutar.
Lutar delivered this memo to Mayor Jerry Sanders and member of the San Diego City Council this morning. So far, Councilmember Carl DeMaio has reacted favorably to the proposal, posting the memo on his Twitter feed (@carldemaio).
When I read something this sensible and fair, my cynical mind thinks, “OK, what’s the catch?” The only catch is that everyone needs to come to their senses, play fair, and try to uphold their end of the deal.
Can it be done? As a taxpayer, would you be willing to reward elected officials for making cuts with the carrot of a few tax dollars? Or should our reps be making these cuts simply because that’s the job we elected them to do in the first place? Your thoughts?
Councilmember DeMaio’s Statement on “Blank Check” Sales Tax Increase
Councilmember DeMaio issued the following statement regarding the proposed sales tax increase:
“Until pension reform is implemented, San Diegans can continue to expect chronic budget deficits and service cuts. This tax hike is not a solution to fix run-away pension costs. It’s a blank check tax increase on working families that will end up delaying reform.”
DeMaio & Faulconer Outline Criteria for Achieving Fiscal Reform Without Raising Taxes
DeMaio & Faulconer Outline Criteria for Achieving Fiscal Reform Without Raising Taxes
Proposed Sales Tax Initiative Does Not Fix Broken City Government
San Diego – Councilmember Carl DeMaio joined Councilmember Kevin Faulconer in identifying “10 Criteria for Real Fiscal Reform in City Government.” The reforms include significant reforms to the city’s debt-ridden pension system, immediate implementation of open and fair competitive bidding on city services, and a comprehensive fiscal analysis.
ZOMBIE SALES TAX RETURNS YET AGAIN
SALES TAX IS NOT DEAD YET!
We enjoyed some brief success yesterday (Monday, 26 July, 2010) when Donna Frye threw a monkey wrench into the San Diego City Council majority’s plan to put a sales tax on the ballot. As you probably all know by now, she joined with Carl DeMaio and Kevin Faulconer to torpedo a sales tax increase that the rest of the union-beholden Councilmembers wanted.
Folks – as they used to say in the old Westerns about the attacking Native Ameicans — “here they come again!”
DeMaio Thanks Grassroots for Helping Defeat City Sales Tax Hike
YOU did it! We received countless emails and calls at the City Council today against the sales tax increase.
I want to thank my colleagues Donna Frye and Kevin Faulconer for voting against the sales tax proposal today — and standing firm for real pension reform. If you have a moment, please shoot both Kevin and Donna an email thanking them for their vote! (emails at www.sandiego.gov/citycouncil)
-Carl
PS: My statement from today’s Council meeting is below…
DeMaio Statement Against Sales Tax Increase — And For Pension Reform
DeMaio: Sales Tax Hike a “Bailout” For City Politicians
Sales Tax Hike a “Bailout” For City Politicians on the Backs of Working Families
Without Pension Reform Funds From Tax Increase Will Be Wasted
San Diego – City Councilmember Carl DeMaio today labeled the proposed city sales tax increase a “bailout” for city politicians that have failed to implement long overdue reforms to the pension system and competitive bidding on city services.
“The majority on the City Council has spent the past several years blocking pension reform and real competition on city services. Instead of implementing reforms, they have cut city services, browned out fire stations, resorted to questionable accounting shifts, and raided reserves. Now they are desperately seeking a bailout from San Diego’s working families in the form of a regressive sales tax hike,” commented DeMaio.
San Diegans AGAINST The Sales Tax Increase Plan Monday News Conference
Concerned business owners and citizens will step forward to voice their opposition to a proposed sales tax increase in the City of San Diego prior to a discussion at the San Diego City Council meeting on Monday afternoon, July 26 at 1 p.m. Speakers will call for the City to address pension reform, managed competition and spending cuts before asking taxpayers for any more of their hard-earned money.
The event will take place at the Concourse next to San Diego City Hall, 202 C Street, San Diego, CA 92101.
DeMaio Proposes Action Plan to Help Small Businesses
Flanked by a number of small business advocates, City Councilmember Carl DeMaio today released an extensive action plan proposing big changes to how the City of San Diego interacts with local small businesses – such as migrating at least 95% of all business transactions online, streamlining regulations, consolidating small business grants, and refocusing the City’s Office of Small Business.
“Too often our city government has been a hindrance rather than a help to our small businesses. With these reforms we seek to fundamentally change the processes and culture at City Hall to help our local small businesses succeed in this tough economy,” commented DeMaio.
Expanding city marketing partnerships
With the city of San Diego facing a significant structural budget deficit, city government’s first priority should be addressing its excessive costs. However there are also creative ways to raise revenues without increasing taxes and fees on San Diego’s working families.
One of these creative methods is expanding marketing partnerships between the city and private entities. Official sponsorship, naming rights, advertising, and exclusive rights are just some of the forms of revenue-generating marketing partnerships available to the city.
To its credit, the city already has some marketing partnerships — which have already generated approximately $16 million cumulatively in revenues. But we can and should do more.
Don’t Tax Me, Bro
Reaction to the suggestion floated by San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders about putting a half-cent sales tax increase on the November ballot has drawn a stunningly swift reaction from numerous fronts. The San Diego County Taxpayers Association, Republican Party of San Diego County, Lincoln Club of San Diego County, San Diego Tax Fighters, Stop Taxing US, and City Councilmembers Kevin Faulconer and Carl DeMaio all issued news releases quickly denouncing the idea. T.J. Zane, CEO of the Lincoln Club, referred to councilmembers as “deadbeat relatives” asking for a handout, then upped the stakes by calling them “drug addicts” needing a money fix.
San Diego 2010 or Mississippi 1964?
Today marks a rare, outrageous, and somber day in the City of San Diego. Managed Competition will not appear on the November ballot. Some might celebrate this as a victory, but labor and business leaders agree, every signature should have been counted.
The Union-Tribune features a detailed story here. In summary, the MC campaign had the legal democratic option of counting every signature cut out from under them by the City Clerk and Registrar of Voters late Wednesday because the bureaucrats were unsure if they’d be able to finish a count in time. DeMaio’s only option would be to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars suing the City of San Diego, forcing them to give over 134,000 voters their voice. But a lawsuit would only perpetuate the timing problem, giving even less time for counting after a likely victory, and cost the City hundreds of thousands in legal fees.
Whether you supported or opposed Managed Competition what happened today should outrage you. As I look around at this I ask is this San Diego in 2010 or Mississippi in 1964?
Legal Barriers and Costs Prohibit Full Count of Competition Ballot Signatures
Carl DeMaio ends effort…for now:
DeMaio Pledges to Continue Campaign to Reform City Finances
SAN DIEGO – The campaign supporting the “Competition and Transparency in City Contracting” Initiative today announced that after seeking extensive legal counsel it will not pursue a full hand count of all signatures submitted for qualification.
DeMaio Requests Full Count
See attachment. Here is the text…
June 30, 2010
Liz Maland, City Clerk
City of San Diego
202 C Street
San Diego, CA 92101-4806
Dear Ms. Maland:
Please accept this letter as a formal request to challenge the determination of the Registrar of Voters regarding the sufficiency of signatures submitted under the Competition & Transparency in City Contracting Initiative.
This ballot initiative was filed because the labor unions and city leaders have not respected the votes cast by the vast majority of San Diegans in 2006 under Proposition C on Managed Competition.
If Managed Comp Stands It Stands Alone
Congratulations to City Councilwoman Marti Emerald who lives to tax another day!
Today the three anti-business initiatives that were going to be placed on the November ballot by the union lackeys on the Council to confuse voters about which proposition to support were withdrawn. The initiatives spokesperson said they will “go to voters directly” if they want the initiatives placed on the ballot. Granted they can be resubmitted, passed through the Rules committee, and voted on by the full Council in the next 45 or so days, but doing that would open the measures and their sponsors up to immense criticism.
Explosions, Sex, and Politics!
Did that headline make you read this? Good, because this is boring yet so exciting!
Unless you don’t neurotically check your twitter, don’t get breaking political news email pushed to your blackberry, or don’t regularly troll the City Clerk’s office (see: you’re normal), you are just now finding out that Carl DeMaio’s Fair and Open Contracting Ballot Measure, henceforth known as Turbo-Managed Competition, is currently in qualification limbo (see VoSD story).
Validity Rate Will Qualify Competition Ballot Measure
ROV Statistics Confirm Full Count of Signatures Will Produce Qualification
Validity Rate of Sample Results in 107,000 Signatures – 10,000 More Than Needed
A random sample of signatures submitted to place the Competition and Transparency in City Contracting initiative on the ballot achieved a 79% validity rate, according to information released today by the County Registrar of Voters. Based on the sample validity rate of 79%, proponents of the measure project that more than 107,000 of the signatures they submitted are valid. This exceeds the 96,834 signatures needed to place the initiative on the ballot.
June 30 Reception for the “Competition Works” Campaign
Wine Reception Fundraiser
With City Councilmember
Carl DeMaio
Supporting the “Competition and Transparency in City Contracting” November 2010 Ballot Measure
Wednesday, June 30th
5:30pm – 7:00pm
Tango Wine Company
2161 India Street – San Diego, CA 92101
Dear Friends:
WE DID IT! After five months, we collected 138,000 signatures from San Diego voters to qualify the “Competition and Transparency in City Contracting” Initiative for the November 2010 city election.
To help fix San Diego’s financial problems and to jumpstart its economy, the ballot measure requires the city use “competitive bidding” on all city services and projects – and explicitly prohibits any “anti-competitive” city rules that would favor labor unions in contract decisions.
Competition Initiative Endorsements: Taxpayers Savings and Pension Reform
We’re pleased to announce two key endorsements for the San Diego Competition Ballot Measure. We will be announcing a new set of endorsements each week over the summer… -Carl
Groups Cite Taxpayer Savings and Pension Reform in Endorsing Competition Ballot Measure
Measure Wins Endorsement of 2 Statewide Taxpayer Groups
SAN DIEGO – The campaign to pass the San Diego “Competition and Transparency in City Contracting” Initiative today announced the endorsement of two important statewide taxpayer advocacy groups: The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the Californians for Fiscal Responsibility.
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