Rare is the day when we have the ability to directly rebuke the stupidity of our city council; but that day would be today. Two months ago I pointed out the uselessness of linkage fees in alleviating affordable housing problems, even if that is the stated purpose of the tax. Felipe Monroig of the SD County Taxpayer’s Association showed that …
Faulconer’s first TV ad… “Sanders: Getting Things Done.”
“I worked closely with Kevin Faulconer to reform the city’s pension system — saving a billion dollars that can now be put back into our neighborhoods,” Jerry Sanders says to the camera.” Kevin is running to finish the job. His Neighborhood Fairness Plan uses savings to repave, increase police patrols and keep after school programs open longer. Best, Kevin’s plan starts …
At Least the Fleece Awards Were Cute: SDCTA Hands Out 2012 Goldens
Smart governing decisions saving taxpayer dollars and collaborative initiatives took top honors, while cavalier attitudes and lost opportunities were called out and shamed at the San Diego County Taxpayers Association (SDCTA)’s 17th annual Goldens Awards Dinner, held at the Town and Country Resort & Convention Center in Mission Valley. Remote controls were nowhere in sight as the evening’s theme “Taxpayer …
How Sanders (Mostly) Got His Groove Back … and SD Labor Doesn’t Like It
Remember back in 2010 when the local Municipal Employees Association went crying to its state level big brother, Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), about Mayor Jerry Sanders using the power and prestige of his office to inspire and endorse Prop D, the sales tax increase? No I don’t remember that either, because it did not happen. However, I do recall …
Is a Lynch Mob Coming to the San Diego Union-Tribune?
While the blogosphere and Twitterverse foams at the mouth over the spectre of hotelier Doug Manchester’s reported purchase of the San Diego Union-Tribune today, far more attention should be paid to the other key player on this team: former radio station owner and executive John Lynch. When it comes to newsroom operations, John Lynch is likely to have far more …
Young Guns Take Aim
As cross-posted on FlashReport. Seems the young guns got it going on. In just 25 days of the first reporting period for the 2012 San Diego mayor’s race, two young Republican candidates blew doors on the established competition with more than $300,000 cash on hand. Early predictors felt sure the mayoral primary would be a $1 million race. At this …
Dumanis Steadies the Wheels
News just weeks into San Diego mayoral race from candidate District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis really got folks talking about her race. It wasn’t big donor dollar numbers (which we’ve yet to see), but that she had already fired her campaign manager, Republican consultant Tom Mitchell. The rumor mill ran amok with folks saying she looked vulnerable. Today, her camp released …
Calling San Diego Taxpayers: Oppose the “Jobs Tax”
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 …
Confident, Determined San Diego Pension Reformers hold productive Thursday night meeting in Mission Valley
Kevin Faulconer set the tone last night, telling a crowd of civic leaders, “This is not about Republicans and Democrats. This is about what is good for San Diego neighborhoods.” Faulconer gestured to a chart showing that, if left unchanged, local residents will one day pay $500 million-a-year for a “defined benefit” pension system. “If we act now, we can save $1 …
Pension Reform Measure Would Save San Diego Taxpayers up to $2 Billion
A groundbreaking pension reform ballot measure would save San Diego taxpayers up to $2.1 billion, according to a comprehensive financial analysis released today. “Taxpayers simply can’t afford to keep paying the staggering pension costs of city workers year after year, decade after decade,” Mayor Jerry Sanders said. “This ballot measure will restore us to fiscal sanity, creating a system in …
Comprehensive Pension Reform kicks off
You’re invited… Who: Mayor Jerry Sanders, Council President Pro Tem Kevin Faulconer, Councilmember Carl DeMaio, Lincoln Club of San Diego County and the San Diego County Taxpayers Association What: Comprehensive Pension Reform Campaign Kick-off Reception When: Thursday, June 30 Time: 5 to 7 p.m. Where: Trellises Restaurant at the Town & Country Hotel (500 Hotel Circle, San Diego CA 92108) …
No June Gloom for Leaders in Albondigas Meatball Poll
Albongidas members like their politics spicy. The Mayor’s race in the City of San Diego is tailor made for this bunch and it remains the hot topic of monthly gatherings by members of the San Diego Chapter at Cafe Coyote in Old Town. District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis made the first official visit by a declared mayoral candidate on Friday, June …
The Root of All Money
Ayn Rand once asked: “So you think money is the root of all evil. Have you ever asked what is the root of all money?” Candidates now seek out that answer for the next 12 months in the hopes of being San Diego’s next mayor. Primary races boil down to two very basic survival needs: money and endorsements. In truth, …
Heidi Klum’s Take on the San Diego Mayor’s Race
Do I know what will drive Rostra reader traffic, or what? While Mrs. Seal hasn’t technically made any direct comment, her admonition to contestants on her reality show “Project Runway” applies nicely. As in fashion, in politics one day you’re in, and the next day you’re out. In a few short days on June 5 when fundraising can begin, all …
Would You Vote To Reform Public Employee Compensation?
Election results show city employees wouldn’t I recently told you about a vote employees at City Hall were taking. City workers, including myself, were asked if they wanted to eliminate a controversial and costly employee benefit – the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP). Who in their right mind would vote to eliminate a retirement benefit, especially one that allows participants to …
“Are You Ready to make San Diego the ‘Wisconsin of the West’?” — Pension Reform battle cry at Monday’s SD Republican Party meeting
It was Unity Night at the Republican Party of San Diego on Monday, and “director’ Tony Krvaric gave the spotlight to three major heroes. Carl DeMaio was the firebrand, asking, “Are you ready to make San Diego the Wisconsin of the West?”… Kevin Faulconer was the calm older brother, praising everyone for their hard work. And Jerry Sanders explained himself to the GOP crowd …
Applause for Mayor Sanders
I have been a harsh critic of Mayor Sanders at times. But I need to give credit where it is due; he worked with purveyors of competing reform plans to come up with a single ballot measure. This increases the odds that a measure will pass, because there will be a unified reform effort. Yesterday’s U-T has the news: The …
The San Diego Pension Reform Power Play: Is the Mayor a Lame Duck?
Three weeks ago Mayor Jerry Sanders and his top staff were smug. They were sure they had the financial backing to get their pension reform measure on the ballot. They were sure they had the power to strong arm the Lincoln Club and the San Diego County Taxpayers Association into not backing a more stringent version of pension reform. The …
Faulconer, Sanders propose sweeping pension and payroll changes
The following is from San Diego City Council President Pro Tem Kevin Faulconer: Faulconer on KUSI discussing 401(k) ballot measure Hello: Mayor Jerry Sanders and I announced the details of our groundbreaking pension reform ballot measure today at a news conference. I sincerely hope you will join us in support of these very important and necessary changes. Below are my …
Lead, don’t follow
The San Diego City Council yesterday adopted a resolution in opposition to Governor Jerry Brown’s plan to get rid of local redevelopment agencies. A real shocker of a news story there, that San Diego, or any city would be opposed to such a move by the State. The only surprise is that Councilmember Sherri Lightner opposed the resolution, apparently needing …
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