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 …
Plescia Supports Governor Brown’s Pension Reform Plan
(San Diego, CA) – George Plescia today announced his support of Governor Brown’s state employee pension reform plan. Governor Brown released a twelve point plan outlining his proposal earlier this year. Mr. Plescia has called on Assemblyman Marty Block to join Governor Brown in pushing the reform through the Legislature. Mr. Plescia is running to represent San Diegans the California …
Steve Baric and the Partisan Democrat
Our conservative-minded friends up north at OCPolitical in Orange County (imagine them as OC’s version of your trusty SDRostra blog) have been writing lately about a term limits conundrum that’s occurred in their most populous city county seat, Santa Ana. Three-term Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Alvarez, a Democrat, is seeking a legal ruling through a third party on whether or not a 2008 ballot …
Vargas Dominos: Been there, done that
Today’s print edition of the U-T San Diego (online yesterday) includes a story about the “domino effect” a Juan Vargas congressional victory would (will) have on those potentially vying for his current Senate seat, the area’s Assembly seat should Ben Hueso win in a Senate contest, and down the line to San Diego City Council. Names like labor leader Lorena …
URGENT: Getting Pension Reform Done
I have an update on my efforts to reform the pensions at City Hall – and want to alert you of a few potential roadblocks we must confront. As you know, pension reform is my top priority because every dollar we save from pension reform can be put back into restoring the neighborhood services we’ve lost in the past decade. …
Cap Alert: George Plescia’s candidacy puts San Diego Senate District in play
Capitol oddsmakers have assumed for months that the 39th Senate District, which covers the urban center of San Diego County, would be easy pickings for Democrats in this year’s election. Maybe not. Read more here
Recent Comments