Governor Jerry Brown’s budget promises to cut public education by $4.8 billion if his tax increases aren’t passed next November. Promises, promises. That we could get some cuts in the bloated state educracy would be welcome indeed. The California school system is not performing that well, despite spending about $8,452 per pupil per year, although I think that number is …
Rider on Fox Business News network
Today I did segment on the national Fox Business News network. We dealt with the new California budget, and the planned tax increases. I think it went well. Governor Brown likely would not concur with this assertion — he took a bit of a beating in the interview. Well deserved, of course. It airs TONIGHT after 6 PM Pacific time. …
Faulconer: “People talk about creating new jobs. We must also protect the jobs we have”
San Diegans rightly expect all levels of local government to be focused on creating and maintaining jobs, especially in this period of economic uncertainty. Today in front of the international headquarters of San Diego-based manufacturer Solar Turbines, City Council President Pro Tem Kevin Faulconer joined County Supervisor Greg Cox, Port Chairman Scott Peters and many more local leaders to unite …
Recall Ricasa: We Told You So
Interesting little post from the Recall Ricasa site after months of inactivity. After the events of this week, perhaps they did tell us.
Mayor Sanders and Crony Capitalism – Snapdragon
The U-T and San Diego Reader are reporting that the mayor signed off the temporary name change of Jack Murphy Qualcomm Stadium to Snapdragon, despite a memo from City Attorney Jan Goldsmith that the name change was not authorized unless approved by the City Council. The city loses money every year on the stadium, undermining public support for everything else …
Dumanis Proposes Bold Reform of San Diego Unified School District
SAN DIEGO – Citing the need for decisive leadership to reform San Diego’s financially troubled school system, District Attorney and candidate for Mayor Bonnie Dumanis today proposed an ambitious and comprehensive plan to put the district on a new course. The “Framework for America’s Finest City Schools” consists of eight critical points, including: increasing the size of the district’s Board …
CEOs and Business Leaders Agree Nathan Fletcher is the Right Choice to Lead San Diego
More than 150 CEOs and business leaders, the true job-creators of our region, today anounced their support for Nathan Fletcher’s campaign for mayor, citing his detailed plan to for job creation and ability to bring people together to make it a reality. The business leaders come from every major business sector and represent a diverse cross-section of San Diego’s business …
Indian Gambling Tribal Leaders Fund Effort To Hike Taxes They Don’t Pay
From today’s FlashReport… As all following California politics know, Governor Jerry Brown, unsuccessful at getting Republican votes to either raise taxes by a vote of the legislature or get GOP votes to place tax increases on the ballot, is now spearheading an effort to place a massive tax increase measure on ballot for this November — seeking to get voters …
Looking Forward
This op-ed originally appeared in the Dana Point Times We greet the New Year with anticipation and hope, setting goals in spite of the unknowns beyond our control. With almost complete one-party Democrat control of the levels of power in Sacramento, there should be fewer unknowns; setting goals and moving forward should be easy. But voter sentiment, open primaries, new …
Name change at Sweetwater Union High School District
Sweetwater Union officials announced plans today to change the name of the school district to the Randy “Duke” Cunningham Union High School District, in honor of the former congressman. (If you have been sleeping, here’s some background.)
Water not so sweet
From the UT… “Calling it perhaps the worst case of public corruption uncovered on her watch, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis on Wednesday announced 26 felony charges against four current and former South Bay schools officials…” http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jan/04/da-sweetwater-officials-they-simply-lied/ See all the Rostra entries on Sweetwater here.
When it comes to conventions, conventional wisdom is not wisdom at all
RICHARD RIDER COMMENT: The nationwide expansion of convention centers at taxpayer expense continues, undeterred by the dearth of demand growth. Cities such as San Diego are helpless — apparently they must keep building such monuments — otherwise I guess bad things will happen. Kind of like the bad luck one is guaranteed for “breaking the chain” in a chain letter. …
Top 10 IMPLICIT fallacies justifying opulent government pensions
There are many, many fallacies in the sometimes explicit but often IMPLICIT reasons given for paying out great government pensions. Here’s my selection for the top ten excuses: 1. “Public employees deserve high pensions because they work for low wages.” FALSE. Perhaps true at one time, but not any more. In many instances, today’s government employee is earning 10%-30% more …
GOP Ready for Prime Time in SD Council Races — Ray Ellis and Scott Sherman report solid early Fundraising
2012 shapes up as the most-important SD Council election year since the 1990s, and GOP hopefuls Scott Sherman and Ray Ellis are out of the starting gate at a gallup. Scott Sherman is the favorite in District 7 (from which Marti Emerald has fled) and tallied over $55,000 in support by the Dec. 31st cutoff date. Fellow businessman Ray Ellis (opposing …
The Case for the Pendleton Crosses
The Union-Tribune reported last week that atheist groups are complaining about a pair of crosses in Camp Pendleton serving as a memorial to fallen soldiers. The Pentagon will decide whether the memorial may remain, and litigation is highly likely if it does. Such a lawsuit would misconstrue the meaning of the Establishment Clause, which provides that government “shall make no …
Rick Santorum’s stirring Iowa Victory Speech — One to Remember and Enjoy
Rick Santorum spent a year on the dusty roads of Iowa, and when his Moment in the Sun arrived last night, he was Ready. Here are my recollections of his words….. Rick’s immigrant Grandfather, a foe of Mussolini’s fascism, whose big hands dug a new life out of Pennsylvania’s coal mines for his family, the dignity and worth of hard work, the primacy of …
Eight Votes! Romney Wins Wild Night
If you like politics and social media you loved Tuesday night’s Iowa caucus. Here are some of the tweets and stories that surfaced as the final votes were counted, and a few from Wednesday morning: View the story “New Story” on Storify] ________________________________________________________________________________________________ You can hear Tony Manolatos talk politics and media with KOGO’s LaDona Harvey every Friday …
Iowa Primary – 55.47% REPORTING
A Caucus is a very different animal than a Primary Election, but Bachmann and Huntsman are not feeling the love right now! Caucus is Jan 3, 2012 CANDIDATES VOTES % OF VOTE. Rick Santorum (R)15,218 25% Mitt Romney (R) 14,625 24% Ron Paul (R) 13,365 22% Newt Gingrich (R) 8,268 13% Rick Perry (R) 6,513 10% Michele Bachmann (R)3,351 5% …
Is Rick Roberts gone? Do a Google search to find out, land on Rostra
As evidenced by a recent random sampling of web search terms used that directed folks to Rostra this afternoon, it’s apparent many radio listeners are somewhat stumped by the local changes, especially the apparent quiet departure of Rick Roberts from KFMB. Check it out… 23 Visits 20.18% rick roberts leaving kfmb 6 Visits 5.26% rick roberts kfmb 3 Visits 2.63% …
The Danon Steamroller has some competition
The local San Diego great politico John Dadian is quoted as calling the Steve Danon campaign for the 3rd District Supervisorial seat “the steamroller,” but thus far there hasn’t been much to roll over since he had drawn no opponents and the incumbent has bowed out of the race. Well folks, we’re in a new year and things have changed! …
Recent Comments