I find myself partially agreeing with Mayor Filner on the subject of San Diego’s hotel tax. He has stalled on signing the contract that would allow the hoteliers to start using the proceeds to promote tourism and the hotels of San Diego. In an earlier post, I noted that he wanted to use the revenue for “public safety,” but now …
Wall Street Journal Editorial on National Pension Crisis
I penned an editorial that appeared in the Wall Street Journal today that proposes new ways for Congress to help resolve the massive pension crises that state governments are facing. Read piece here: WSJ DeMaio Opinion
Churches raise concerns about increased parking regulations in County
A proposed amendment to the County of San Diego’s parking regulations is raising concerns due to the significant increases in the number of parking spaces that would be required of churches. A Board of Supervisors’ hearing is scheduled tomorrow (Item 2 on the Agenda), February 6 at 9 a.m., for consideration of an ordinance amendment, “Improving the County’s Off-Street Parking …
Assemblyman Jones Releases Chapter 3: California’s State Agency Scandals
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Brian Jones, R-Santee, today released commentary on yet another chapter in the saga of state agency “money scandals.” The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection stashed $3.6 million from legal settlements in hidden accounts according to recent media investigations. Coming on the heels of last year’s $54 million California Park’s Department debacle, Jones says that “state agencies …
The Future of The Republican Party
If you’re wondering what the future of the conservative movement looks like, Julie Borowski is the face of it. She’s a 20-something, limited government constitutionalist, who works as a policy analyst for FreedomWorks. I met tons of young people like her last year and the Republican party needs to court them. They hold differing personal opinions on gambling, prostitution, gay …
Checkers Won’t Save State GOP
This op-ed originally appeared in the Riverside Press-Enterprise With California election losses still playing out, the argument for Republicans revising who we are and what we stand for falls short. Republicans face a Democrat supermajority of both houses of the Legislature, and Democrats hold every state constitutional office. Without leadership that includes a long term “chess” strategy for integrity of …
Avoiding the Cliff – And Preventing a Collision in 2013
With all the drama focused on DC where the political marketing machine on steroids has us envisioning the horrors of careening off a “financial cliff,” the focus should be in California, as we are actually the pace car for the states racing behind us. In that vein, to begin 2013 there is good and bad news to report regarding “California’s …
Phil Mickelson’s CA NET income tax rate going up 83.6% in 2013!
Here’s the fact that EVERYONE (including me) initially underappreciated concerning Phil Mickelson and CA state income taxes. Starting in 2013, Mickelson’s NET state income tax has jumped 83.6%! And yes, this huge increase hits most Californian making more than $2 million income. Here’s why. Until 2013, state income taxes were deductible for federal income tax purposes. Starting in 2013, for …
Jim Schmidt – Celebration of Life this Thursday
Many in political and government circles in San Diego and throughout California knew Jim Schmidt as a tireless community advocate. He was also one of the nicest gentlemen you could ever hope to meet, even while pointedly telling you the way things should be — or how much more efficient government was when Ronald Reagan was Governor. In case you …
SDCTA: Efforts Already Underway to Roll Back Recently Passed Pension Reform
from the San Diego County Taxpayers Association… Efforts Already Underway to Roll Back Recently Passed Pension Reform TAXPAYER ALERT At the starting line of the 2013 legislative session in Sacramento, lawmakers backed by public employee labor unions are already looking for ways to roll back the modest pension reforms the state legislature passed last year at Governor Brown’s urging. The …
Join Me for the Reform San Diego Kick Off on Tuesday!!
Help support the work of Reform San Diego in 2013 by attending our kickoff fundraiser. Personal or corporate donations are accepted, and there is no limit or cap on the amount that can be donated. Suggested minimum donation for the reception: $75. Please click link below to view the invitation. Reform Kick Off
Chuck Hagel and Israel: Nothing New Under the Sun
Originally published by Communities @ Washington Times SAN DIEGO, January 23, 2013 ― As the dust settles after President Obama’s inaugural victory lap, the stage is set for confirmation hearings of his proposed cabinet appointees. One of the more controversial possibilities being floated around is the nomination of former Senator Chuck Hagel as Defense Secretary. Concern has been articulated from several …
Phil Mickelson took one for the team
Here’s a paid column I wrote for City Journal on the Phil Mickelson brouhaha. Included is a short discussion of the harmful effects of Prop 30 on our California pro sports teams. Already one team is being relocated to a tax-free state. http://www.city-journal.org/2013/cjc0125rr.html RICHARD RIDER Taking One for the Team Phil Mickelson points the way for rich folks: get out of …
Assemblyman Jones Reacts to Governor Brown’s 2013 State of the State Address
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Brian Jones, R-Santee, today reacts to Governor Jerry Brown’s 2013 State of the State Address, saying the Governor painted a rosy picture of the current business climate, and looks forward to the Governor supporting Assembly Republican’s call for higher education tuition freezes, which will produce an affordable education to train California’s future innovators and creators. “I agree …
Report: SD Council District 4 Special Election Is A “Wide Open Contest”
Changing Demographics Increase Competition, Voter Choice SAN DIEGO – Though City Council District 4 has been represented by an African American Councilmember for nearly half a century, new demographic trends suggest the next elected representative is equally likely to be Latino, Asian, or another ethnicity. That is the major finding of a new report published by the National University System …
Assemblyman Jones Supports Legislation to Freeze Tuition
Democrats Used Scare Tactics in Proposition 30 Campaign, “Are You Kidding Me?” SACRAMENTO – While California students and their families are sitting around the dining room table not knowing how much next semester is going to cost, Assemblyman Brian Jones, R-Santee, questions the political scare tactics used by Governor Brown in his Proposition 30 campaign. He says the governor made …
County Pension System Risks vs 401
The U-T has a great article on changes in the portfolio mix of the San Diego County employee pension fund. In 2009, the county fired the fund manager after losses totaling $2 billion in 2008. Assuming that the fund had about $9 billion at the time, that is a loss of 22%, compared withan an S&P loss of 37% for …
Lesa Heebner’s City-Wide Plastic Bag Ban Threatens Solana Beach Residents’ Health
What started as a ceremonial gesture to appease the radicals who influence the Solana Beach City Council, has now turned into a possible health epidemic. Lesa Heebner’s radicals scared the rest of the City Council into passing a ban, using religious groups, anti-progress non-profits, and animal-rights groups, to produce on-line videos. The thrust of Heebner’s message is that plastic bags …
American Enterprise Institute Speech
If you missed my speech last week, you can view it by clicking the link below. http://www.aei.org/events/2013/01/15/san-diego-public-pension-reforms-a-road-map-for-the-nation/
CA vs. the Other States — Revised 1/18/13
Breaking Bad: California vs. the Other States by Richard Rider – Chairman, San Diego Tax Fighters Revised: 18 January, 2013 Updated version online at: http://www.tinyurl.com/CA-vs-other-states Email: RRider92131@GMail.com Phone: 858-530-3027 Rider Blog: www.RiderRants.BlogSpot.com Facebook “blog” page: http://www.facebook.com/Richard.Rider Here’s a depressing but documented comparison of California taxes and economic climate with the rest of the states. The news is breaking bad, and …
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