Posts Tagged ‘reform’
Pension Reform Panel
SDCTA Breakfast Panel: The Future of Pension Reform: What’s Next?
| Date: | Thursday, March 14, 2013 |
| Time: | 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
Organizer: San Diego County Taxpayers Association
Sponsor: REFORM San Diego
Panelists Include:
Carl DeMaio – Founder and Chairman of Reform San Diego
Hon. Jan Goldsmith – San Diego City Attorney
Tim Davis – Partner at Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP
DeMaio campaign launches first TV ad buy of General Election
Today we launched our latest television ad for the campaign called “Not a Label.”
Check it out here:
San Diego Port Tenants Association Endorses DeMaio for Mayor
Seeking less red tape and new jobs in the Port of San Diego, the San Diego Port Tenants Association endorsed Mayoral candidate Carl DeMaio today.
“Carl DeMaio has a proven track record of results. While he has an ambitious vision for our Port and San Diego’s economy as a whole, he is the only candidate who can actually get these visions done,” said Sharon Bernie-Cloward, President of the San Diego Port Tenants Association. “When Carl DeMaio said we need to reform city pensions, he got it done. When Carl DeMaio said we need to streamline the reimbursement process for Business Improvement Districts in the city, he got it done. We believe that Carl DeMaio is the only candidate who will get the job done of economic growth at our port.”
Pension Reform Ballot Measure Won Every Council District
Will of the Voters Must Be Respected and Prop B Implemented
Prop B, the Pension Reform ballot measure not only passed resoundingly with 66% of the total vote, it also carried each of the nine San Diego Council districts.
The overwhelming victory comes as no surprise to the thousands of volunteers who worked tirelessly in every community collecting signatures to qualify the measure and who volunteered for the campaign.
Volunteers talked to Democrats, Republicans and Independents who are tired of their roads falling apart and closed libraries and were ready for reform.
DeMaio Reveals Over $130 Million in Wasteful Spending at City Hall
Among Items on DeMaio’s List: 359% Mark-Ups on Air Filters, $2 Million in Cash-for-Vacation Payouts, and 113 Largely Unused City Vehicles
You may have heard of the $10,000 toilet seat that the federal government bought, but have you heard about the 359% mark up on an air filter paid by the City of San Diego?
The air filter mark-up is one example of dozens of categories of wasteful spending outlined today in a report issued by City Councilmember Carl DeMaio.
Proving that the financial problems persist at City Hall, DeMaio’s report identifies over $130 million in wasteful and unnecessary spending by city departments.
Bipartisan Supporters Featured in Second DeMaio Ad: “Strong Man, Strong Plan”
We released our second TV ad today called “Strong Man, Strong Plan” which features testimonials from some of our Democrat, Republican and Independent supporters.
My record of bringing San Diegans together to reform city hall is clear. We’ll win the fight against City Hall insiders by bringing the people together in 2012.
More Politics As Usual From Nathan Fletcher
Latest Fletcher Political Game: Rich Downtown Insiders Handpick Their Choice for Mayor
Today State Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher’s masterful gamesmanship continued as he attempted to use his millionaire campaign backers to make the case for his independence. Ironically, the wealthy downtown insiders featured at the press conference are the same people who have contributed tens of thousands of dollars to his Super PAC.
“I think the question is not why are a bunch of millionaire backers joining their hand-picked Mayoral candidate in an election year ploy. Didn’t we all see that coming? But will Democrat voters be fooled by a politician who just last month proudly said he ‘voted for an all-cuts budget, not one that reduced welfare but one that eliminated it,’” said DeMaio.
Taps 5 Members of “Management Transformation Team”
Carl DeMaio today unveiled his 10-point “Managing for Results Plan” detailing reforms DeMaio will accomplish in the first 100 days to restructure city government into a leaner, performance-based organization.
“If we want to improve results for taxpayers, we must fundamentally change how city departments are managed,” DeMaio noted. “Leadership starts at the top and must set the example by setting clear goals, measuring performance, and holding all levels of our Administration accountable for improved results.”
Among the reforms DeMaio proposes:
Faulconer pushes to bring City technology into 21st century
Faulconer calls for approval of Mayor Sanders' IT reform plan
Are you reading this using a computer system from the 1980′s? You’re probably not firing up a Commodore 64 each morning, yet much of the City’s information technology network still uses decades-old systems.
This morning Council President Pro Tem Kevin Faulconer joined Mayor Jerry Sanders and Councilmember Lorie Zapf to unveil the potential savings from two competitively bid IT services contracts. He called on the City Council to approve the agreements, which will help bring City of San Diego operations into the 21st century while creating millions of dollars in efficiencies and savings.
City Still Swimming In Red Ink
Gimmicks aside, the annual budget deficit remains $50 million, with $318 million needed to restore service to 2003 levels
City Councilmember Carl DeMaio today released a fiscal assessment of the Mayor’s proposed FY 2013 budget which reveals that instead of a truly balanced budget, the city will run an operating deficit of at least $50 million. When accounting for lost services, the city is $318 million short.
“Once again the city’s budget is not really balanced this year – and we face at least a $50 million shortfall. Taxpayers deserve a budget that is balanced for real,” DeMaio noted.
Faulconer to Review Over 300 Recommendations to Improve City Operations and Boost Efficiencies
Audit Committee to also consider proposal that could recover up to $500,000 from payment errors
Have an idea to fix City Hall and save taxpayer dollars? The independent City Auditor has over 300.
This morning at 9:00 at City Hall, Council President Pro Tem Kevin Faulconer — chair of the City Audit Committee — will be reviewing 313 recommendations to save tax dollars and improve City of San Diego operations. 176 recommendations from independent City Auditor Eduardo Luna have not been implemented, with some dating back to 2008. Faulconer will be pushing the City to follow through on putting these ideas into effect.
My Jobs Plan: The Pathway to Prosperity
On the heels of my “Roadmap to Recovery” plan to fix the city’s financial problems, today I outlined a “Pathway to Prosperity” plan to jumpstart job creation in San Diego.
I’d love to hear your reaction to the plan — and your additional ideas on how we can get San Diegans back to work!
-Carl
PRESS RELEASE:
DeMaio Kicks Off Major Job Creation Initiative Dubbed “Pathway to Prosperity”
Outlines 7 Policy Proposals, Appoints 15-Person Job Creation Task Force, Unveils Regulatory Relief Hotline, and Convenes Jobs Summits
Council Adopts Key DeMaio Small Business Reform
Streamlined Funding Process for 17 Business Improvement Districts Is Part of DeMaio’s Small Business Action Plan
I would like to commend my fellow Council colleagues today for passing legislation on a much-needed overhaul to the process for funding the city’s 17 “Business Improvement Districts” (BIDs).
This reform is vital to ensuring that San Diego’s BIDs are focused on promoting, serving, and advocating for their small business members – rather than being caught up in a costly bureaucratic process at City Hall.
The City of San Diego has 17 BIDs that exist to provide advice, promotion, and support services to small businesses. Some notable BIDs include the Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, Hillcrest, and others.
DeMaio Urges San Diego Residents to Reject Another Water Rate Hike
65% Increase in Water Bills Since 2007 – Yet City Failed to Deliver on Promised Reforms from 2007 Rate Increase
Councilmember Carl DeMaio expressed disappointment that the City Council voted to forward another water rate hike on hard working San Diego families instead of fixing the wasteful spending within the Water Department. At the urging of the Mayor the City Council voted to support the rate increase and mail out Prop 218 notices required by law to San Diego residents giving them an opportunity to protest a rate increase. DeMaio is urging residents to look for the notices in the mail and reject the increase.
Coalition Announces Commitment to Advance Fiscal Reforms
Business Organizations and Leaders Commit to Taking Budget and Pension Reforms to the Ballot by 2012 if City Leaders Don’t Act Soon
View full “Statement of Unity” on 5 Guiding Principles for Reform
Councilmember Carl DeMaio and representatives from leading local and state-wide business and taxpayer advocacy groups announced the formation of a coalition dedicated to fundamental reform of the finances and pension system in the City of San Diego.
“Our coalition led the effort to defeat Prop D — and now we are ready to help take significant city financial reforms to the ballot box,” noted TJ Zane of the Lincoln Club of San Diego County.
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.
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