Little doubt that education is one of today’s hottest political topics. Candidates for mayor of America’s Finest City even managed to weave the buzz-worthy issue into their platforms. Tomorrow, a forum promises to delve head-first into the matter and answer the one question which seems to come up time and again: What’s the mayor got to do with education? For …
The long-awaited Filner pension reform plan — still awaits
Excellent Voice of San Diego article, with a Filner pension reform timeline worth reviewing. Filner’s Pension Plan Is a Non-Existent Panacea by Liam Dillon 14 March, 2012 San Diego mayoral candidate Bob Filner’s pension plan is his panacea. It allows him to claim he’ll fix the city’s longest standing financial crisis, its debt-ridden pension system. It puts $550 million into …
San Diego Republican Primary Voters Could Overcome Registration Gap
Is it the solar flare? Nope, but could be the makings of the perfect storm for San Diego Republicans come June. Recent polling from Competitive Edge Research & Communication** shows registered Republicans more enthusiastic to vote in June than Democrats. Well, big whoop. We all expected that, right? But according to the survey, the enthusiasm factor might be enough to …
Faulconer talks pension reform on national television
In case you missed it, Kevin Faulconer appeared on Fox News Channel this week to talk about San Diego’s Comprehensive Pension Reform citizen’s initiative, the fight to put it on the ballot and the millions of dollars in savings it can bring to taxpayers. The reform measure, which will appear on the June ballot, comes at a time when cities …
San Diego mayor takes pension battle to Washington
From The Los Angeles Times: San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders took his campaign for pension reform to Washington on Monday, suggesting a June ballot measure in his city will influence governments nationwide struggling with spiraling pension costs. The measure would put newly hired San Diego city employees, except for police, into a 401(k)-type plan rather than a traditional pension. It also …
City Taking Steps to Raise Water Rates Without Accounting for Existing Funds
The City of San Diego is moving down a path which could once AGAIN result in increased water rates for San Diego’s working families. I have adamantly opposed water rate increases since taking office and will continue to fight against further rate hikes in the future. The water department is beginning to move forward on a cost-of-service study which will …
Rider on XETV-6 discussing SD city politicians’ pay and pensions — especially pensions
Here’s my latest weekly TV Q&A commentary I did today (2/9/12) on XETV-6 morning news. We discussed our San Diego city politicians’ salaries AND their truly unique pensions — pensions for a handful of people that are arguably the sweetest defined benefit plans in the known universe. About 3 minutes long. http://www.sandiego6.com/news/sd6-in-the-morning/Salary-Increase-Proposal-139017359.html
In Case You Missed It: DeMaio Releases his Comprehensive Jobs Plan
http://youtu.be/FtDeJoOjT9M
DeMaio Outlines Major Job Creation Strategies in His “Pathway to Prosperity” Plan
After months of holding Job Creation Summits, examining best practices from cities across the nation, and soliciting advice from local business leaders, City Councilmember Carl DeMaio today released an 86-page Pathway to Prosperity Job Creation Plan which spells out 112 ideas to streamline city regulations and launch a number of initiatives to create and keep jobs in San Diego. …
DeMaio Releases “Welcome Home Plan” To Help Veterans Transition to Jobs
As a proud military town with a large population of service members and veterans, San Diego must be a city committed to ensuring our veterans are successfully employed upon leaving the military and entering the civilian workforce. There were roughly 200,000 more veterans in the labor force this June than there were a year earlier, according to the Bureau of …
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 …
Redevelopment Ruling is Worst Possible Outcome
Today’s ruling by the California Supreme Court was the worst possible outcome – as it completely eliminates redevelopment agencies and undermines our ability to invest in economically distressed neighborhoods. Today’s decision may also impact the city’s General Fund by more than $15 million a year – requiring additional cuts in our day-to-day budget. This decision goes against the will of …
Court Kills Redevelopment: Stories from across the state
The California Supreme Court ruled Thursday morning that the state can eliminate local redevelopment agencies that subsidize construction projects in cities across California. The ruling is a huge win for Gov. Jerry Brown and Sacramento lawmakers who axed redevelopment in June as part of an effort to close a multi-billion dollar state budget deficit. On the other end of …
DeMaio Forms Retirement Security Task Force to Guide Transition From City’s Old Pension System
Says City Officials Must Be Ready to “Hit the Ground Running” on Pension Reforms in 2012 Carl DeMaio today announced the creation of a “Retirement Security Task Force” to provide ideas to city officials on how to “expeditiously and properly” implement sweeping changes in city employee pension programs. “This task force of outside experts will provide valuable advice on how …
DeMaio Requests to Hear Water Department Billing & Customer Service Problems
I released the following memo yesterday requesting the NR&C committee to hear about customer service problems at the water department. As elected leaders, it is our responsibility to ensure that taxpayers and ratepayers receive the level of customer service that they deserve, and we are currently not measuring up. MEMORANDUM DATE: December 13, 2011 TO: Councilmember David Alvarez — Chair, Natural Resources …
San Diego Navy Lights and USS Benfold Tour
I took a break from politics this evening and took family and friends to the Naval Base in San Diego for the Holiday Lights and a tour of the USS Benfold (DDG-65). It was great that the Navy opened up the base to the public and let them tour some of our ships. I was struck by the professionalism and …
DeMaio to be Keynote Speaker at Conference on Using Public-Private Partnerships to Deliver City Services
DeMaio’s Years of Experience in Public-Private Partnerships Highlighted at Conference What: Councilmember DeMaio will be the keynote speaker at the “Public-Private Partnership Masters Training Institute Conference.” This conference brings together highly trained professionals with billions of dollars in project experience in public-private partnerships.DeMaio has long been the most vocal proponent of public-private partnerships at City Hall and recently released a …
Help Support San Diegans in Need During the Holiday Season
For Third Year in a Row, DeMaio’s Office Helps Organize Clothing Drive for Local Charity “Second Chance.” Urges Support From San Diego Residents As the holiday season begins this week Councilmember DeMaio’s office will be turning in several bags of business clothing to the charity organization “Second Chance” to help local residents working to get back on their feet. Second …
Carl DeMaio and Chris Reed in video on city pensions
Here’s an informative professional video starring San Diego’s Chris Reed and Carl DeMaio — discussing the “CPR” initiative that recently qualified for the ballot. It’s a groundbreaking pension reform effort, moving most workers to 401k plans. The stories of the unions’ blocking efforts and advertising dishonesty are remarkable. I’ve made some comments on the REASON video website. I don’t know …
DeMaio to Deliver Major Jobs Speech Outlining Breakthrough Economic Reforms
Will Call for 50% of all Permits to be Ministerial Within 5 years, Greater Leadership on Regulatory Reform and Enaction of “Regulatory Amnesty” at Entrepreneurs’ Organization Event What: Councilmember Carl DeMaio will deliver a major speech on his jobs plan to help spur job creation at a meeting with the San Diego business group “The Entrepreneurs’ Organization.” After …
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