With much fanfare, the governor last week may have sealed California’s fate as the Greece of the nation. The official signing of high-speed rail funding legislation empowers the California High-Speed Rail Authority with $8 billion for five years, with no additional legislative oversight. Promising a billion north and a billion south — with no guarantee of funding for either — …
New Majority San Diego Endorses George Plescia
George Plescia has received the endorsement of the New Majority San Diego. Plescia is running to represent San Diegans in the California State Senate, 39th district. “I am honored to receive the endorsement of the New Majority,” said Plescia. “I’m appreciative that they support my economic plans to jump start our economy. We must focus on new job creation and …
Numbed by unemployment problem? 10 points to ponder
RIDER COMMENT: I think we Americans all are suffering from “unemployment fatigue.” We are sick and tired of discussing, pondering and complaining about this ongoing problem. But this reality is still a huge depressant on our economy – both economically and psychologically. Logically unemployment should still be the #1 issue in the November election – which is why Obama …
Wonsley retires as Horn’s chief of staff; Steiner takes helm
From County Supervisor Bill Horn… July 23, 2012– It is with mixed emotion that I announce the retirement of my Chief of Staff, Joan Wonsley. Joan has been on my staff for almost 17 years. She started as a Policy Advisor on health issues and for the last 13 years, she has been my top advisor, consultant and confidant. During …
The Ultimate Takedown of Obama’s ‘You Didn’t Build That’ Speech
Below is an odd post that quite impressed me — a comprehensive takedown of Obama’s “you didn’t build that” speech. All of my allies know that Obama is oh SO wrong, but dissecting his populist argument for others to understand doesn’t come easy. What is odd about this solid refutation is that it’s an anonymous piece. But the lack …
Instead of real reform, a sham budget
Guest Commentary by Tom Del Beccaro Another California budget cycle has come and gone. As with each of the budgets from the past decade or so, questions abound. Is it really balanced? Are the revenue estimates real? Will there need to be revisions in the months ahead? The short answers to those questions are that it is not really balanced …
How many other government agencies have “hidden” surpluses?
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/california-politics/2012/07/parks-director-says-in-resignation-letter-she-is-appalled-by-hoarding-of-money.html Sacramento doesn’t have the leadership to solve the deficit without a tax increase. Gov. Jerry Brown wants to raise taxes without showing any way to make sure past mistakes aren’t repeated. I love the comment that California State Senator Noreen Evans (D) made in reference to the State Parks hidden surplus: “If one department can hoard $54 million for …
California tea party Conundrum
As a tea partyer in deep blue California, it may seem that we have limited ability to influence elections. Gerrymandering keeps almost all House, Assembly and State Senate races non-competitive. However, ballot measures and local races still provide an opportunity to make our voices heard and to beat the entrenched labor/big-government establishment. Temple of Mut has provided a public service …
Let’s just blame the shooter’s politics
In the last several hours, I’ve seen just as many web “accusations” that the movie theatre shooter is a Tea Partier as I’ve seen “claims” he is part of the Occupy movement. On Twitter, I referred to those pushing such irrelevance as idiots. Although my now relative calmness may not change the reality of that description, I’ll attempt a bit …
Movie Theater Shooting
Spontaneous free flow is not my usual style of writing but I found my self wanting to write this Friday morning, when I, along with the rest of the country, awakened to the horrible news of a gun man murdering (12 so far) and wounding many others in an Aurora, Colorado movie theater. The man is in custody. At the …
Assemblyman Brian Jones Releases Sixth Installment of: ‘Are You Kidding Me?’
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Brian Jones, R-Santee, releases his sixth commentary in the “Are You Kidding Me?” series. Assemblyman Jones discusses how the fire tax actually fills a budget hole rather than protect areas prone to wildfires. The “Are You Kidding Me?” series consists of brief radio and television recordings on current state issues. Video: http://arc.asm.ca.gov/member/77/?p=media&sid=431&id=12306
New addition makes group largest and most influential rental housing association in California
New addition makes group largest and most influential rental housing association in California
Bertha Lopez and the Character Assassination of John McCann
By now, I’m sure we’ve all heard about the troubles at Sweetwater Union High School District: corruption, scandals, and even a “naked chick” joke. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize the political opportunity to be seized amid the drama — but, what if the supposed “fall guy” for much of the trouble at Sweetwater was the one being targeted? I’m …
Is the San Bernardino city BK the fault of Prop 13? Nope!
In the article below on city bankruptcies, the LA TIMES gives the impression that San Bernardino’s BK is largely due to Prop 13. Not so. I don’t have the city historical property tax figures, but doubtless they closely reflect San Bernardino COUNTY property tax. Consider: In 2005, the county property tax assessment roll (on which the property tax is levied) …
UCLA study guts the claim that HSR fosters economic growth
Yet another reputable study — this one reported in the LOS ANGELES TIMES — guts an underlying assumption of HSR believers. See the article below. Japan’s experience with HSR over 30 years demonstrates that “. . . as an engine of economic growth, [HSR] ‘will have only a marginal impact at best.’ ” Moreover, HSR would likely PROMOTE suburban sprawl, the …
Mike Slater Interviews Asm. Brian Jones on His “Made in America” Legislation
Link to the Interview: http://www.760kfmb.com/story/19019170/assemblyman-brian-jones-talks-about-what-makes-something-made-in-the-usa-according-to-ca Anna Good, Mike Slater Show Producer… If you heard the Tony Maglica interview yesterday, you heard that the state of California won’t let him call his flashlights “Made in America”, because the light bulbs in them aren’t made in America, which he can’t even get in America! Assemblyman Brian Jones joined us this morning to …
Assemblyman Brian Jones Releases Fifth Installment of: ‘Are You Kidding Me?’
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Laurie Paredes (916) 319-2077 SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Brian Jones, R-Santee, releases his fifth commentary in the “Are You Kidding Me?” series. In this broadcast, Assemblyman Jones points out how voters were misled about high speed rail and where the state should be putting its money. The “Are You Kidding Me?” series consists of brief radio and …
CA vs. the Other States Fact Sheet — Updated
Breaking Bad: California vs. the Other States by Richard Rider, Chairman, San Diego Tax Fighters Version 1.815 Revised: 5 July, 2012 Updated version online at: http://open.salon.com/blog/Richard_Rider Phone: 858-530-3027 Facebook blog page: 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 …
California Gamesmanship
Once again, we have seen the Legislature engage in what can only be called its particularly unique form of California gamesmanship – a word defined as “the use of methods that are dubious or seemingly improper but not strictly illegal.” Last week the Senate narrowly passed, and the Governor is expected to approve, the bonds that will underwrite California’s High …
La Mesa: New watchdog group formed
by Kevin George I would like to announce the formation of a new watchdog organization, La Mesa Citizen Oversight Group. We announced yesterday at the La Mesa City Council meeting to make it official. This started as a very loosely knit group of long time La Mesa residents and business owners, concerned about the political landscape in La Mesa. It …
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