The debate is now a question of pension reform light versus pension reform right. The Mayor said just a year ago that the pension system was already fixed. Now he’s admitting that there is still a problem and asking us to put another cosmetic band-aide on it. Enough is enough. We need a system that provides city employees with benefits …
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 …
San Diego Watchdogging
Dave Maass, at CityBeat, gets in on the local watchdog action with his report of how County Supervisor Ron Roberts and Carlsbad City Councilwoman Ann Kulchin treat the San Diego Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies (SAFE) like their own personal slush fund. (My words, not Dave’s). The fund was established in the 1990s to build out and maintain the system …
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 …
Bonnie Dumanis is running… for Mayor Jerry Sanders’ third term
San Diego has a longstanding tradition of electing establishment Republicans, often with either military or law enforcement roots as its mayor. Before becoming U.S. Senator and California governor, former Marine Corps officer and Republican Pete Wilson was mayor of San Diego from 1971-1982. Wilson, a moderate to liberal on social issues, did limit the growth of the city’s budget, cut …
You’re Not Worthy (Of Darren Pudgil)
UPDATE: The inevitable apology. “In my attempt to defend someone I greatly admire – a former police chief who knows something about courage – I said something I shouldn’t have. I’ve called Vince and apologized. We all feel strongly about making our city better, and we will continue to work together.” __________ Darren Pudgil (pictured), the ever-helpful spokesman for San …
Taxpayer Association Analysis Backs DeMaio “Roadmap to Recovery”
Plan Aligns with over two-thirds of SDCTA Budget Reform Principles The San Diego County Taxpayers’ Association released a 27-page report evaluating Councilmember Carl DeMaio’s “Roadmap to Recovery.” The report found DeMaio’s proposal to be substantially in alignment with SDCTA’s 38 Budget Reform Principles. “We applaud the ideas of managed competition and outsourcing, as well as the details provided for streamlining …
DeMaio Unveils Major Policy Proposals in 2011 State of the District Speech
In case you missed it here is a full copy of my State of the District speech. Below, we laid out the speech in broad form for your review. Each initiative will be laid out in greater detail in the coming months. — Carl Pension Reform, Solar Energy, and Water Rate Reductions Top List of Priorities Councilmember Carl DeMaio …
Issa Introduces the Public Employee Pension Transparency Effort
Vista Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA) has joined with Congressman Devin Nunes (CA-21), Congressman Paul Ryan (R-OH), Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) and Senator John Thune (R-MT) to introduce the Public Employee Pension Transparency Act.
Hillcrest Town Council hosts DeMaio, Labor Guy, a sideshow and a professor
Tuesday night the Hillcrest Town Council hosted Councilmember Carl DeMaio, Municipal Employees Association General Manager Michael Zucchet, former San Diego City Attorney Michael Agguire and University of San Diego economics professor Alan Gin (pictured at left) in a townhall about pension reform. It was ably moderated by Voice of San Diego’s Scott Lewis. Only DeMaio and Zucchet showed up to …
DeMaio Pension Reform Proposal Becomes Centerpiece of Mayor-Council Offer to Unions
It has been a very good week for fiscal reform! The public pressure is paying off and the Mayor and City Council have agreed to offer our pension reform package as part of a settlement offer to the labor unions. Now the ball is in the labor unions’ court. If they do not want to join us in this …
City Attorney Validates DeMaio Pension Reform Proposal
Mayor and Council Can Legally Freeze “Pensionable Pay” and Prevent Pension Spiking Councilmember Carl DeMaio heralded a memorandum released by City Attorney Jan Goldsmith that confirms the City’s legal ability to implement a major pension reform proposal outlined in DeMaio’s Roadmap to Recovery Plan. One of the major elements of DeMaio’s comprehensive pension reform package is to freeze city employees’ “pensionable …
City Council Fails to Reform Their Own Pensions
Yesterday the City Council passed a symbolic resolution that they represented as their commitment to reform. Less than 24 hours later, the same City Council not only refused to advance comprehensive reform of their own pensions, they refused to even allow the reform to be discussed. The Union Tribune addressed the needed reform on Sunday with a question. You can …
Councilmember DeMaio’s Statement on “Blank Check” Sales Tax Increase
Councilmember DeMaio issued the following statement regarding the proposed sales tax increase: “Until pension reform is implemented, San Diegans can continue to expect chronic budget deficits and service cuts. This tax hike is not a solution to fix run-away pension costs. It’s a blank check tax increase on working families that will end up delaying reform.”
DeMaio Opposition to Mayor/Council Pay Hike
Councilmember Carl DeMaio issued the following statement in reaction to the recommendation to raise Mayor and City Councilmember salaries from the City’s Salary Setting Commission: “I urge the Mayor and City Council to reject these salary increases. The city faces a severe fiscal crisis – and our taxpayers are feeling the pinch of a rough economy. ” “Furthermore, I …
City Official: San Diego Fee Hikes Needed to Cover Salary and Pension Costs; Mayor: “It’s a Part of Life”
Yesterday, the Union-Tribune published a story about the City of San Diego recently increasing it’s solar permit fees by a multiple of six. You may recall the across-the-board fee increases implemented by the City of San Diego in 2009. From the April 2, 2009 Union-Tribune story about that fee increase: Mary Lewis, the city’s chief financial officer, said the mayor’s …
DeMaio Applauds Key Ruling on City Pension Benefits
A late-breaking court ruling on San Diego city pension benefits has earned the applause of Councilmember Carl DeMaio, who has steadfastly challenged the status quo on our policy options to reform our long-term financial obligations. A detailed press release from his office is below. I’ve watched some recent media interviews where other leaders at San Diego City Hall have been …
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