Politics, Government and Business in Southern California's Inland Empire
This article is the second in a series of in-depth stories related to the controversy surrounding the settlement of Quiet-Title litigation between the County of San Bernardino Flood Control District, County of San Bernardino, and Colonies Partners, L.P.
In this segment we look at the onset of the controversial dispute.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/20/2010 07:12:34 AM PDT
Allegations of malpractice and shoddy patient care at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center have prompted investigations at the federal and local levels.
The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS), an arm of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, launched an investigation at the hospital in late February based on a complaint it received from a patient.
Mar 21, 11:28 AM EDT
By CHARLES BABINGTON
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — A pair of House Democratic leaders predicted Sunday the final tally on President Barack Obama’s historic health care bill will meet or exceed the 216 votes required for passage. But they acknowledged having yet to nail down commitments from a handful of members, some of whom remained concerned about the abortion issue.
10:00 PM PDT on Saturday, March 20, 2010
By ALICIA ROBINSON
The Press-Enterprise
Barry Nestande, chief of staff to Riverside County Supervisor John J. Benoit, died Friday afternoon, according to a statement from Benoit’s office.
Nestande had worked for Benoit, a former assemblyman, since 2002, and had worked in finance and insurance as well as politics, the statement said.
Matt Wrye, Staff Writer
Created: 03/20/2010 09:49:50 PM PDT
Amid stories of sinking and underfunded pension funds, the San Bernardino County Employees Retirement Association stands apart.
In fact, the fund is one of the healthiest in California.
“You take money from your winners and put it into the ones that’ve done poorly,” said Tim Barrett, chief investment officer for SBCERA.
State public pensions
Liability surge raises concerns
Matt Wrye, Staff Writer
Created: 03/20/2010 09:46:46 PM PDT
As local lawmakers brace for yet another round of budget cuts to make up for chronic shortfalls trickling down from Sacramento, some are pointing to burgeoning public pension liabilities as a looming financial disaster.
Over the past decade, California’s unfunded public pension and health care liability has soared from zero to nearly $60 billion, and experts warn that unless costs are cut and policies change, that number could increase dramatically in coming years.
Policy shift targets public pension pots
Matt Wrye, Staff Writer
Created: 03/20/2010 09:48:54 PM PDT
A policy shift by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board to use mark-to-market accounting procedures is being considered, which could make the funding status of several public pensions plunge.
Tim Barrett, chief investment officer for the San Bernardino County Employees Retirement Association, says it’s a good thing GASB’s standards – the gold standard for the industry – critique losses by realizing them over decades instead of days.
Budget woes averted
Liset Marquez, Staff Writer
Created: 03/20/2010 09:48:52 PM PDT
ONTARIO – In 2006, this city took steps to set aside $24.6 million to protect itself against a turbulent and uncertain economy that was approaching.
Now, as other California cities reduce services to balance their ailing budgets, Ontario has a “well-balanced” budget and has not been forced to make significant cuts to city services, said Grant Yee, city administrative services and finance director.
The $24.6 million from the economic uncertainty and development reserves is available to help address finances through the downturn, said Yee.
Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer
Sunday, March 21, 2010
(03-20) 15:00 PDT Oakland –
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown ramped up his attacks on former eBay CEO Meg Whitman on Saturday, saying she has proposed policies to put California “in the loving embrace of Wall Street” while trying to “scapegoat” immigrants and silence working people with what he called an unprecedented effort to “buy the election.”
“When things get tough … do we crush the poor even more, do we scapegoat the immigrants, do we make the enemy the public servants who serve us in all manner of capacity?” he said. “That’s the temptation we have to fight. Now, more than ever, a sense of morality … and the true spirit of democracy has to be the spirit going forward.”
Brown
Capitol and California – Governor 2010
By Jack Chang
jchang@sacbee.com
Published: Sunday, Mar. 21, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
OAKLAND – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown unveiled a new, populist line of attack Saturday by portraying himself as the defender of working Californians against Wall Street business titans profiting off the woes of ordinary people.
In his speech to Service Employees International Union members, Brown repeatedly linked his Republican rivals, and in particular front-runner Meg Whitman, to corporate interests, who he said had sent the nation’s economy into recession.
THE WEEK
Republican candidates, especially Whitman, can lavish money on their campaigns. Democratic candidates, especially Boxer, must deal with voters’ anger.
By Cathleen Decker
March 21, 2010
It is not surprising but it is confirmed: Money and frustration are driving California’s elections this year.
A Field Poll released last week demonstrated the dramatic edge that Republican Meg Whitman has given her campaign for governor by spending millions on a prodigious number of television ads: She was pummeling her Republican primary opponent, Steve Poizner, and was newly in a statistical tie with presumptive Democratic nominee Jerry Brown.
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