It’s been more than a year since lawmakers have proposed and approved an operational budget. Instead under Democratic leadership the budget process has been continued six times and still Congress in no closer to passing a spending plan. However, freshman lawmakers decidedly made a decision to stop the nonsense and threw a wrench in the House vote by saying no …
Is Tom Shepard Blocking Complete Pension Reform?
As everyone in San Diego (and probably the nation) knows, the big issue coming down the political pipeline is pension reform. Locally, everyone is talking about the prospect of two ballot measures simultaneously on the street collecting signatures to “fix the pension system.” On one side are the Lincoln Club, Councilmember Carl DeMaio and others looking to manage pension levels …
Recalls, Corruption, Bribes, Drugs, a Grand Jury, and Arlie Ricasa
Quite an interesting headline for a blog post, right? Well, as I was blog trolling this morning, I found a new post over on the Recall Ricasa blog regarding the recall of Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez, but also some interesting tidbits on Sweetwater Union High School District’s superintendent Jesus Gandara and his family’s involvement in crooked politics in Texas. According …
Welcome The New Poliwonk in Town
A fresh face among San Diego’s political wonks is always a welcome sight. So it’s a pleasure to post word that Peter Amaro has been named the new Policy Analyst at the San Diego County Taxpayers Association. Amaro’s brief bio: A native San Diegan (hooray!), Amaro received his Juris Doctor from the Georgetown University Law Center. During his time at …
Internet sales giant Overstock.com to cut ties with California
California’s evolving budget crisis continues to meet headwinds with major Internet companies that are lining up to flee the state if Democratic Governor Jerry Brown signs new tax increase legislation into law. Overstock.com will join Amazon.com in pulling all affiliate sellers from the state if lawmakers insist on additional taxes. A letter from Overstock.com to Board of Equalization Member Senator …
FlashReport: McCarthy Plan Would Implement Agenda of Schwarzenegger and Maldonado – And Moderate The Republican Party
From today’s FlashReport… by Jon Fleischman At this weekend’s California Republican Party Convention, there will be some lively debate over the issue of how the party reacts to the passage of Proposition 14, the so-called “open primary” measure promoted by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Abel Maldonado, the express purpose of which was to moderate the party. Let’s be very, very clear …
Mike Slater Speaks At Tea Party Meeting
Mike Slater, the new 6-9 morning talk show host for KFMB-760 AM, spoke Tuesday evening at the Tri-City Tea Party meeting in Oceanside. About 70 people showed up, filling to SRO the room at Q Restaurant & Sports Bar. Click the photo below to watch a 13-minute video of Slater speaking. Slater talked about conservative principles and urged the audience …
California Needs Courageous Leadership — Like Wisconsin
Guest Commentary by Rick Winet The Governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker, is a courageous leader and representative of The People. I believe that the law he crafted and signed on March 11 will be duplicated by numerous States in the coming months. The vast majority of “news reporting” on this important issue – the fiscal solvency of our government – …
Immigration think tank sees birthright citizenship as threat to U.S. security
A new Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) report examined the consequences of America’s liberal birthright (anchor baby) policy and found that the program may have national security implications. The study Entitled “’Birthright Citizenship for the Children of Visitors: A National Security Problem in the Making?,’ provides original estimates on the number of annual births to temporary visitors, whether birth tourists, …
On Fiscal Issues, Where Art Thou Mayoral Candidate Bonnie Dumanis?
Maybe mayoral candidates should approach the 2012 election as if they were running for Homecoming King or Queen of San Diego. This seems to be Bonnie Dumanis’ tactic so far. She is willing to put herself out there… in the sense that she is willing to have folks voice their opinion about her at the ballot box. Of course, nominees …
How to best donate to Japan disaster
The problem with giving money to charities is that you usually don’t know if they do a good job — how much bang for the buck you’ll be getting for your gift. This quandary grows big-time when a rapid emergency relief effort is required — such as the Japan disaster. ANYTIME such a disaster occurs, charlatans pop up everywhere, seeking …
Fort Hood Revisited: What’s In A Name?
Originally published by The Washington Times. Used by permission. SAN DIEGO, March 11, 2011 —Central Texas Congressman John Carter (R-TX), is one of several pushing for a bill in Congress that would award the 43 victims of the Fort Hoot shooting by Maj. Nidal Hasan the Purple Heart, along with all benefits associated with such an honor. Said Carter last …
Denise Ducheny’s ‘Triple Crown Year’ may Haunt possible 2012 bid vs. Supervisor Greg Cox — She topped 40-member state Senate in Office Budget, Staff Salaries & Benefits … and Per Diem income
Major League baseball has not had a Triple Crown winner since 1967, but latest State figures show State Senator Denise Ducheny reached a similar feat while Senate Budget Committee Chair. Ducheny was #1 in total office budget ($1,274,117), … #1 in total Staff salaries & benefits ($1,108,429) …. and tied for first in the famous Per Diem payments ($38,042). All those #1 scores …
Libertarians Say Press Falsely Credits Republicans With ‘Deep Cuts’
I just got this press release from the Libertarian party, and am reproducing nearly all of it verbatim. Money quote: “It’s a spending bill that will result in discretionary spending of $1.356 trillion this year. That’s higher than last year’s $1.349 trillion. When did higher spending become a cut?” Calling a budget a spending cut when it’s lower than an …
Ranch hand murdered near San Diego U.S./Mexico border
Sheriff Deputies and paramedics were called to a ranch located in Jamul over the weekend when the owner of the property discovered his employee was non-responsive. According to a Sheriff Department press release, “Deputies, paramedics and Cal Fire personnel were immediately called to the scene. The condition of the body, coupled with observations of the area in close proximity to …
Bias By Omission At The Washington Post
A Washington Post story on the Japanese nuclear disaster perfectly illustrates how bias can be inserted into a story, simply by not disclosing pertinent information. Reporter Jia Lynn Yang quoted someone she presents as an expert on nuclear power, who opined that the industry is “on the rocks” in the United States. The expert, Peter Bradford, is only identified as …
2 National “Pollie” awards last night for Chula Vista’s Prop. G, banning P.L.A.s …. Lacee Beaulieu of ‘The San Diego Group’ cops the top Hardware
Last night the “Oscars”of American politics were handed out in Washington D.C. by the American Association of Political Consultants. The 2010 campaign to pass Chula Vista’s Proposition G, [anti-Project Labor Agreement ] picked up Statues in Two categories: (1) Best Direct Mail Campaign and… (2) Best Newspaper Ad. The Yes-on-G effort was directed in part by Lacee Beaulieu of ‘The …
EXCLUSIVE TO ROSTRA: Meatball Poll Results on Money and Moonbeams
By popular demand, the Albondigas Straw Poll (AKA the Meatball Poll) will continue as a regular feature exclusive to Rostra. This month’s edition turned to statewide issues. Albondigas San Diego members were asked to weigh in on five questions, yes or no. The results: 1. Will Governor Brown be successful in eliminating redevelopment? Yes: 41% No 59% 2. Will we …
They Shoot Deserters, Don’t They?
Not satisfied with holding the Legislature hostage, union leaders in Wisconsin now seem bent on calling for a general strike. I’d point out the history of striking against the public, which is illegal, and how it never bodes well for the union. But this article from The New American does the heavy lifting for me. Writing in Liberation, the official …
Media Union Urges Protest Against Republicans
Supposedly objective journalists are being encouraged by the Pacific Media Workers Guild to protest against Wisconsin Republicans for acting against “fundamental labor and human rights,” a.k.a. collective bargaining rights by public employee unions. PMWG outlets include the San Francisco Chronicle; Contra Costa Times; San Jose Mercury News; Valley Times; Oakland Tribune; Sacramento Bee; Fresno Bee; Modesto Bee; Monterey County Herald …
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