When Pension Reform Goes Bipartisan

B-DaddyB-Daddy 26 Comments

Eventually the mathematical results of under-funding ever more generous pension benefits for state and local employees becomes a problem for Democrats too.  Illinois legislators are expected to vote this week on pension reform that would pare back pension benefits in three important ways. Reducing cost of living increases. Increases retirement age. Capping the salary amount available for pension calculations. There …

Nathan Fletcher campaign committees not so transparent

Greg LarkinGreg Larkin 6 Comments

Nathan Fletcher and his supportive committees have some ‘splaining to do. On Sunday, center-left blog San Diego Politico alleged a potential ethics violation committed by Nathan Fletcher for Mayor and his supportive “Restoring Trust in San Diego – A Committee to Support Nathan Fletcher for Mayor 2013… with major funding by Dr. Irwin Jacobs and Joan Jacobs” over a TV …

Linkage Fees Do Nothing for Affordable Housing

B-DaddyB-Daddy 3 Comments

The need for a Republican mayor to veto leftist nonsense was on display Monday, when the San Diego city council passed whopping increases in the “linkage fees” on new development that ranges from 377% to 744%.  The fees are supposed to help provide affordable housing when new development results in low paying jobs.  Don’t ask me how creating jobs makes …

Labor Council jumps in against Fletcher

Thor's AssistantRostra Administrator (Thor's Assistant) 1 Comment

The Labor Council joins the fray with a three-panel walk piece, in support of David Alvarez and criticizing Nathan Fletcher for what is inferred as a Qualcomm pay-to-play scheme: “After serving in the Marines, Fletcher served in the State Assembly. He then got a six figure salary ‘no-show job’ with Qualcomm after using his position in the Legislature to help …

Citizen Ann Romney Makes Surprise SD City Council Appearance

The Libertarian Lass, Gayle FalkenthalThe Libertarian Lass, Gayle Falkenthal 18 Comments

The unassuming blonde woman with her hair pulled back filled out the required form to address the San Diego City Council during the non-agenda public comment period on Tuesday. She stepped to the microphone for her four minutes of time to address members about an issue not on the docket. She was slotted in right after the gadfly going on …

Alvarez: No Access to Information

South Bay SunnycrestSouth Bay Sunnycrest Leave a Comment

Yesterday, Voice of San Diego’s Liam Dillon covered a very interesting Q&A with San Diego City Councilman David Alvarez, who represents the city’s South Bay neighborhoods. During the Q&A, Alvarez, a Democrat, spoke about being on the opposing/wrong side of a couple of issues. Not because of money or influence, but because of his personal experiences growing up in some of San …

Reducing the Size of Government $1 Fee at a Time

Councilwoman Lorie ZapfCouncilwoman Lorie Zapf Leave a Comment

Yesterday, before the Great Power Outage of 2011 wreaked havoc throughout the County and dominated the Twitterverse , the San Diego Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies (SAFE) held their September Board meeting. After watching board members shamefully lash out at San Diego Fire Chief Javier Mainar for announcing that, while the Fire Department will still fully comply with the obligations …

Calling San Diego Taxpayers: Oppose the “Jobs Tax”

The Libertarian Lass, Gayle FalkenthalThe Libertarian Lass, Gayle Falkenthal 4 Comments

The San Diego County Taxpayers calls upon San Diegans to voice their opposition to a proposal by the San Diego City Council to double the so called “linkage fee” charged to construction projects in the City of San Diego. This fee is yet another short-sighted job killer and SDCTA is strongly opposed to this increase. The Council will also consider …

Faucett out. Hansen in.

SunshineSunshine 1 Comment

San Diego City Hall will soon welcome Katie Hansen, of Restaurant Association fame, as City Councilman Kevin Faulconer’s new Chief of Staff. Hansen, who earns a best actress for her role in the overwhelming defeat of Proposition D as well as best supporting actress for her parts in the David Alvarez and Lorie Zapf victories, will be replacing Faulconer’s outgoing …

The Greatest Story Ever Told, Almost

SunshineSunshine Leave a Comment

This is a bit lengthy, but worth it… Let’s start with the biggest, and perhaps least exciting, races for the county (state races to follow tomorrow). In the 50th Dem Primary Francine Busby was selected as the Democrat nominee to lose to Brian Bilbray once more. I don’t think Busby was celebrating her victory, I searched for police reports and …