Politics, Government & Business in California's Inland Empire
Steve Poizner
The Poizner for Governor Campaign cordially invites you to join Steve Poizner in Upland at the local Republican headquarters for a town hall rally as he sweeps through Southern California.
Space is limited so RSVP is a must. Please see below for contact information.
Biane
The cost of San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane’s legal representation has blown past the $100,00 mark.
Campaign finance records filed by Biane last week reveal payments of $17,820.60 to the Los Angeles-based law firm of Corbin, Athey & Fitzgerald LLP. The additional payments puts the total paid to the firm at approximately $81,000.00.
10:00 PM PDT on Sunday, May 30, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
Fontana Councilwoman Janice Rutherford raised more money during the most recent campaign fundraising period than San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane, whom she is challenging in the June 8 election, according to campaign finance reports filed Thursday.
Rutherford reported $136,196.25 in campaign donations between March 18 and May 27, while Biane reported $101,756 in contributions during the same period.
11:04 PM PDT on Sunday, May 30, 2010
By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
Riverside County faces a $131.5 million budget shortfall, and supervisors are seeking deep cuts — and as many as 1,600 layoffs — to bridge the gap over the next two years.
But as they seek those reductions, the county’s three largest employee unions have made more than $450,000 in campaign donations to supervisors, candidates for the board and other elected officials who wield influence in county politics, campaign finance figures released late last week show.
10:00 PM PDT on Sunday, May 30, 2010
By JIM MILLER
Sacramento Bureau
SACRAMENTO – State legislators representing central Riverside and San Bernardino counties have received tens of thousands of dollars in campaign help from unions representing government workers.
The donations have gone to members of both parties, with labor-friendly Democrats receiving the heaviest support.
Disclosure reduces campaign fund abuse
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/30/2010 09:56:26 PM PDT
To varying degrees, elected officials routinely use their campaign war chests for lavish trips, fancy meals and luxurious stays at posh destinations.
California law prohibits elected officials from using campaign dollars for personal use. But while a new state law enacted in July 2008 tightened reporting requirements for meals, travel and gifts, some say it is still too little and that more can be done to ensure politicians are not using campaign dollars to live high on the hog.
Dutton
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 05/30/2010 10:09:35 PM PDT
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – A group supporting Arizona’s immigration law attracted honks and hecklers Friday during a rally outside state Sen. Bob Dutton’s office.
The group – standing on the corner of Haven Avenue and Foothill Boulevard – held American flags, the Arizona flag and signs.
Canan Tasci, Staff Writer
Created: 05/30/2010 09:43:43 PM PDT
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – Etiwanda School District board members last week approved laying off 16 certificated employees.
The recommendation to terminate the employees – primarily permanent and probationary teachers – was based on hearings conducted by an administrative law judge earlier this month.
By Marjie Lundstrom
mlundstrom@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, May. 31, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 1A
Princess Diana once told an international television audience that her home situation was “a bit crowded.”
“Well,” she said, “there were three of us in this marriage.”
Jim Christie
SAN FRANCISCO
Thu May 27, 2010 4:51pm EDT
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Two years after Vallejo, California, filed for bankruptcy protection, officials in nearby Antioch are also tossing around the ‘B’ word.
Antioch’s leaders earlier this month said bankruptcy could be an option for the cash-strapped city of roughly 100,000 on the eastern fringe of the San Francisco Bay area.
Stocks End Month Down 7.92% as Europe Crisis, Flash Crash Unsettle Investors
By EMMA MOODY
Between the “Flash Crash” and angst over the worsening crisis in Europe, stocks suffered a dismal May, posting their worst decline for the month since Franklin Roosevelt was in the White House.
The month ended with a thud Friday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 122.36 points, or 1.2%, to 10136.63, leaving it in negative territory for the week, the month and the year.
Meg Whitman Steve Poizner
Whitman and Poizner are spending vast sums buying up airtime around the state, but it’s unclear whether the strategy is winning new votes or turning voters off.
By Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times
May 31, 2010
With election day little more than a week away, the two major Republican gubernatorial candidates are blanketing the airwaves with television advertising, each slashing the other as too liberal in an appeal to the party’s conservative primary voters.
Television has always been the path to voters in California, but the twist this year is the ads’ wall-to-wall frequency, a clear demonstration of the vast personal wealth that the candidates have been tapping into as they seek to become the state’s next Republican nominee for governor.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/29/2010 07:07:15 AM PDT
Staff at Arrowhead Regional Medical in Colton failed to properly screen children for abuse, overmedicated patients with antipsychotic drugs and painkillers and failed to follow proper guidelines for restraining patients, according to a recently released federal investigative report.
An inspection by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in November also determined that one physician’s assistant was allowed to work at the county hospital for nearly six months without certification, another ordered medication for a patient without a doctor’s approval, and that a doctor removed the appendix of a patient without her consent.
May 29, 2010 2:30 PM
FROM STAFF REPORTS
SAN BERNARDINO • The Board of Supervisors this week will receive the 2010-11 proposed county budget, which will call for the elimination of 462 positions, including 85 that are currently filled.
The largest cost reduction in the proposed budget would be realized through the restructuring of contracts with general and safety employees, even though voting on the restructuring has not concluded, county officials said in a news release.
Victorville’s VV2 power plant gamble presents massive loss for years to come
May 29, 2010 12:30 PM
Brooke Edwards
VICTORVILLE • The city breathed a sigh of relief to recently get out from under threat of a lawsuit from General Electric for just $50 million, with twice that amount potentially on the line.
However Victorville will be paying for that loss for another 30 to 40 years, bond documents show — at a total cost, under current interest terms, of roughly $193,000.
10:00 PM PDT on Saturday, May 29, 2010
By RICHARD K. DE ATLEY
The Press-Enterprise
Riverside County district attorney candidate Paul Zellerbach’s campaign raised $129,000 in eight weeks, he loaned himself $40,000, and then spent much of it on television ads and mailers, his latest contribution and expenditure form shows.
Zellerbach’s form, filed Wednesday with the Riverside County Registrar of Voters, shows during the March 19-May 22 reporting period that he added the $169,000 to an existing $19,180, then spent nearly $181,000, leaving $7,652.
Meg Whitman Carly Fiorina
.
LOS ANGELES TIMES/USC POLL
Cathleen Decker, Los Angeles Times
May 29, 2010 | 6:35 p.m.
After plummeting in recent polls, Republican Meg Whitman has regained her commanding lead in the race for governor over her primary opponent Steve Poizner, but their contentious assaults have helped reverse the general election edge she once held over Democrat Jerry Brown, a new Los Angeles Times/USC poll has found.
Whitman leads Poizner 53% to 29%, with less than two weeks to go before the June 8 primary, the poll found. But head to head against Brown, she trails 44% to 38%.
Dan Morain
Published: Sunday, May. 30, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 3E
Suddenly, Meg Whitman has found her missing R.
Whitman has spent a record $83 million on her campaign – $500,000 a day – including an astonishing $48 million on radio and television ads. I steeled myself the other day and listened to and watched all the Whitman commercials I could find.
Brown
By Marjie Lundstrom
mlundstrom@sacbee.com
Published: Sunday, May. 30, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 1A
Last Modified: Sunday, May. 30, 2010 – 12:15 am
One cardboard box is labeled, simply, “Crazies.”
Another dusty box holds “Confidential and Significant Material,” while two other cartons are filled with “Proposition 13 briefing material” and “Medfly files.” Yet another box is devoted to “Love Letters.”
By Susan Ferriss
sferriss@sacbee.com
Published: Sunday, May. 30, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
As he stares into the abyss of a $19.1 billion state budget shortfall, Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg is urging Californians to consider an earth-shifting governmental move.
To help social services such as child welfare and elder care avoid massive cuts, he wants to transfer more responsibility for those programs from the state to counties.
I received a few calls today regarding the posts on the various county races. Apparently some of the challengers are oblivious to the fact that even during an anti-incumbent atmosphere as we witness today, challengers still have to put on viable campaigns.
By viable campaigns I mean published ballot statements, literature including positive and negative, and last but not least signage (Yard and 4′ x 8′ placement).
Expect all county-wide officials to be either elected or reelected on June 8th.
Most of San Bernardino County’s elected or appointed incumbents had to run at least a basic campaign this year. Something that is healthy.
Gary Ovitt
I won’t bother getting into campaign finance disclosures or any analysis for this seat.
Why?
After reviewing campaign finance filings, making general observations on the ground and looking at the challengers. There is only once simple conclusion to make.
A review of campaign finance disclosures filed with the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters this week gives some interesting twists in the race involving Second District Supervisor Paul Biane.
Biane is seeking a third term amongst a field of five challengers. A run-off is all but assured.
Guzman
By: Frank H. Guzman
One of the problems with our judicial system is that anyone can file a frivolous lawsuit. Just pay the filing fees and find an attorney who does not take the time to investigate and learn the truth about the facts.
The frivolity of this lawsuit is obvious: typically in these cases, one attaches a written agreement evidencing such agreement. And in all cases when an attorney undertakes representation, such undertaking is evidenced by a written Retainer Agreement. None exists in this case.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 05/28/2010 07:46:46 PM PDT
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will consider a plan to lay off 85 employees and eliminate a total of 462 county positions in an effort to close an $89.4 million deficit in the county’s 2010-2011 budget.
Up to 410 additional employees, including sheriff’s deputies, could also be laid off if the county cannot negotiate new contracts with its general and safety employee unions.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/28/2010 05:39:30 PM PDT
The passage of Arizona’s immigration law has brought California’s immigration policy into the debate.
Similar wording in the laws have caused some experts to question the call to boycott Arizona from California cities and individuals.
By Rob Hotakainen
rhotakainen@mcclatchydc.com
Published: Saturday, May. 29, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 1A
WASHINGTON – Angry at politicians and deeply disillusioned about the future, California’s GOP voters are clearly in an anti-establishment mood. But they will have little chance to express it in the June 8 election, experts say.
“The sentiment is genuine, but it doesn’t have an obvious outlet,” said Jack Pitney, political science professor at Claremont-McKenna College.
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
May 28, 2010 | 1:28 pm
In a strategy call unveiling new ads earlier this month, Republican Senate Candidate Carly Fiorina’s campaign consultants said the omission of any mention of her primary rivals was part of an effort to get voters focused on the contrast between Fiorina and Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer. But apparently, they’ve decided that isn’t enough to close the deal with Republican primary voters before June 8.
Villaraigosa
By Phil Willon, Los Angeles Times
May 29, 2010
Since taking office in 2005, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has sat courtside next to movie mogul Jeffrey Katzenberg at three Lakers games at Staples Center. He has cheered alongside Tommy Lasorda and Dodgers owner Frank McCourt in the owner’s box at Dodger Stadium. Rarely has he missed an awards show: the Academy Awards, the Grammys, the Emmys and the BET Awards —anywhere there was a red carpet in Los Angeles, odds were Villaraigosa was photographed standing on it.
InlandPolitics would like to thank all of our readers for your support and encouragement. The blog currently receives more than 210,000 hits per week from across California, the United States and many countries.
Thank you.
President George W. Bush
I figured I would let a photo of someone you know deliver the message.
Stayed tuned this weekend for an analysis of the Republican Primary in California Governor’s race.
The following e-mail was received from an employee st San Bernardino County-owned and operated Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC). InlandPolitics would like to reiterate to our readers that the the lack of concern for quality of patient care is alarming and of most concern to us here. Tags for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the California Department of Justice have been attached to this story to allow the agencies to flag the post. InlandPolitics has learned Special Agents for the California Department of Justice have been questioning employees connected to the facility.
San Bernardino City Attorney Jim Penman donating $500 to District Attorney Mike Ramos’ reelection campaign?
Yes indeed. What a surprise, especially for these two politicos.
Ramos’ latest campaign finance disclosure filed this week shows Penman coughing up the cash.
Morrell
Two-time political loser and perennial candidate Mike Morrell is once again showing how desperate he is to win an important public office.
While most candidates in the race for the open AD 63 seat (Republican-Emmerson) have kept the race clean from attacks and focused on the issues, perennial candidate and sub-prime mortgage broker Mike Morrell is resorting to misleading and dishonest attacks against not one, not two, but three of his Republican opponents.
Supervisor Josie Gonzales
Written by Administrator
May 28th, 2010 at 12:09 am
As I noted last night, I finally took the time to view Tuesday’s San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors meeting. I had heard the doctors showed up in force and by force. And that they did.
Dr. David Lanum spoke first. Honestly, I was embarrassed for the doctor. His “speech” was mostly memorized and well rehearsed. And that is okay. His presentation, however, reminded me of Mark Anthony’s soliloquy to the Roman people in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. You remember:
InlandPolitics has learned that an illegal bail bond practice may have once again reared it’s ugly head in San Bernardino County.
The last people to be caught doing what is known as bail bond “capping” were the Tidwell brothers. They were prosecuted.
Guzman
By Joe Nelson
Created: 05/27/2010 05:38:32 PM PDT
The former defendant in one of San Bernardino County’s most complex real estate fraud case sued her former attorney today, alleging he breached attorney-client privilege and libeled her by posting false information on his campaign Web site.
Jane Un filed the lawsuit today in San Bernardino Superior Court against Frank H. Guzman, who is running against Michael A. Ramos for District Attorney. She also filed a complaint with the California Bar Association.
10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, May 27, 2010
By JIM MILLER
Sacramento Bureau
SACRAMENTO – Primary losses for legislative incumbents are about as common as meteor strikes in California, but two Inland members find themselves with challenges next month in this most sour of campaign seasons.
Assemblywoman Wilmer Amina Carter, D-Rialto, and Assemblyman Brian Nestande, R-Palm Desert, are among five legislators statewide who face primary opponents in the June 8 election.
Rutherford
Sandra Emerson Staff Writer
Created: 05/27/2010 06:19:42 PM PDT
San Bernardino County’s $102 million settlement with a Rancho Cucamonga developer has been a major influence in the endorsements for supervisor by four elected Upland officials.
Mayor John “JP” Pomierski, Councilman Ray Musser, Councilman Ken Willis and City Treasurer Dan Morgan have announced their support for Fontana Councilwoman Janice Rutherford for county supervisor against 2nd District incumbent Paul Biane.
May 27, 2010 5:18 PM
Natasha Lindstrom
SAN BERNARDINO • Six months after he was suddenly fired without cause, the former top executive of San Bernardino County is suing the county for wrongful termination.
Former County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer on Wednesday filed a lawsuit alleging that county supervisors and their top staffers retaliated against him for his cooperation with the county grand jury and District Attorney’s office.
Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Created: 05/27/2010 06:15:57 PM PDT
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – City leaders this week joined developers of a Foothill Boulevard affordable housing project to celebrate the completion of 166 apartment units geared for low-income families.
Last fall, residents began moving in to the two- and three-bedroom apartments at Villaggio on Route 66.
Stacia Glenn and Andrew Edwards, Staff Writers
Posted: 05/27/2010 06:19:52 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – In a jumpstart to negotiations that turned hostile the last go-round, police union leaders have volunteered to continue their concessions for two more years to help close the city’s $24 million budget deficit.
The San Bernardino Police Officers Association’s made the offer Monday during a meeting with a professional negotiator recently hired by the city.
10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, May 27, 2010
Meg Whitman, a Republican candidate for governor of California, will attend a private fundraiser in Hemet at 5 p.m. today at the home of Dr. Kali Chaudhuri.
A VIP photo reception with Whitman costs $12,500 per person, with proceeds going to Whitman’s campaign. For the general reception, sponsors can pay $7,800, $3,900, $2,000 or $1,000. The cost for an individual is $500 per person, a flier states. That money will go to the campaign of 65th District Assemblyman Paul Cook.
To read entire story, click here.
Daniel Tedford, Staff Writer
Created: 05/27/2010 06:19:44 PM PDT
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will strip 99 reserve officers of their positions after an audit showed they weren’t trained properly, officials said Thursday.
A report from the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training found the department did not use certified locations and didn’t keep proper records when training 99 Level III reserve officers in 2008, according to a statement from Sheriff Lee Baca.
Ryan Carter, Staff Writer
Created: 05/27/2010 08:48:14 PM PDT
Southern California lawmakers Thursday re-introduced an amendment to financial reform that would allow depositors at the failed Pasadena- based IndyMac Bank to recoup about $233 million in lost savings.
The amendment, called the Indy Act, would make a federal deposit insurance cap of $250,000 retroactive to the time IndyMac failed in July 2008.
Meg Whitman
By Jack Chang
jchang@sacbee.com
Published: Friday, May. 28, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Last Modified: Friday, May. 28, 2010 – 6:47 am
Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman continued her record-shattering spending streak this spring, burning through $33.8 million in about two months, according to a campaign finance statement filed Thursday.
That amount brings the billionaire candidate’s spending total to more than $80 million, with $68 million of it coming from her own personal wealth.
Politics Blog
Jerry Brown’s gubernatorial campaign filed its campaign report — early, we note with some degree of surprise — and they’ve got $20 million cash on hand. With Jerry et al working the phones, Team Jerry raised $6.8 million in the reporting period between March 18 and May 22.
Ordinarily that would be a lot of cash — like when there aren’t billionaires and demi-billionaires in the race. But this isn’t one of those years.
Carly Fiorina
By DENA BUNIS
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
WASHINGTON
With 10 days to go before Republicans go to the polls to decide who they want to face Sen. Barbara Boxer this fall Carly Fiorina’s personal contribution of $5.5 million has made the money difference in this campaign.
According to the last financial report the candidates will file before the June 8 primary, Fiorina has spent $4.2 million so far while Tom Campbell has spent $1.1 million and Chuck DeVore has spent $648,010.
Leach
10:44 PM PDT on Thursday, May 27, 2010
By PAUL LAROCCO
The Press-Enterprise
A topless bar dancer and a one-time Riverside councilman were at odds Thursday with their accounts of conversations they had following former Police Chief Russ Leach’s intoxicated drive.
Michelle Wilson said Frank Schiavone tried to dissuade her from cooperating with officers in Leach’s DUI probe, echoing reports that the councilman remains under scrutiny.
High Desert developer John “Dino” DeFazio, charged with two counts of alleged perjury related to testimony he gave before the San Bernardino County Grand Jury last year, appeared before Judge Michael Dest in San Bernardino County Superior Court this morning.
The case was continued and a July court date was set.
A local San Bernardino Certified Public Accountant probably regrets hooking his wagon to District Attorney Michael Ramos.
CPA Marvin Reiter signed on as Ramos’ official campaign treasurer and now suffers the potential consequences of his decision.
Uffer
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, May 26, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino County’s former top administrator filed a wrongful termination lawsuit Wednesday, accusing supervisors of firing him in November because he was cooperating with corruption investigations.
The complaint was filed in San Bernardino County Superior Court a month after the county rejected an April 1 claim by former County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer seeking $15 million in damages.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/26/2010 06:30:04 PM PDT
Former San Bernardino County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer filed a lawsuit against the county on Wednesday alleging whistleblower retaliation for cooperating in an ongoing corruption probe with state and local prosecutors.
Uffer alleges his termination occurred one week after he met with the Grand Jury to discuss questionable use of county-issued credit cards by Mark Kirk, chief of staff for Supervisor Gary Ovitt, and Brian Johsz, Ovitt’s district director.
10:41 PM PDT on Wednesday, May 26, 2010
By RICHARD K. DE ATLEY
The Press-Enterprise
With his opponent Paul Zellerbach in the same room, Riverside County District Attorney Rod Pacheco used a town-hall meeting Wednesday to bring home a centerpiece of his campaign against the judge — that Zellerbach goes easy on sexual predators.
The claims, Zellerbach said, are misleading.
By PE Politics
on May 26, 2010 4:22 PM
Sexual harassment allegations have surrounded San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos in recent months.
Now, a mysterious campaign sign has picked up on the topic. This one appears in Colton near Interstate 215. It’s unclear who is behind the sign, since it does not list a campaign committee.
Ramos has consistently denied the allegations.
To read entire story, click here.
Rep. Ken Calvert
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, May 26, 2010
A resolution that would trigger the seizure of land from a partnership that includes Congressman Ken Calvert, R-Corona, will come before the Jurupa Area Recreation and Park District board of directors Thursday night.
Rep. Gary Miller
Rep. Miller signs on to letter of protest
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/26/2010 09:14:55 PM PDT
Rep. Gary Miller is among 26 members of Congress who have signed a letter taking issue with a top federal official who said Immigration and Customs Enforcement might not process illegal immigrants picked up in Arizona.
Assistant Homeland Security Secretary John Morton made the comments last week in a meeting with the Chicago Tribune’s editorial board, the Tribune reported.
Debbie Pfeiffer Trunnell, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/26/2010 06:17:45 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – Teachers, parents and principals will have a bigger role in running new district charter schools than an executive board comprised of community leaders.
And that’s not sitting well with members of the executive board, who describe the move by district officials as a “lost opportunity.”
Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/26/2010 05:37:17 PM PDT
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – A Yucca Valley mother, whose 9-month-old son was killed by the boy’s father following a controversial visitation ruling, spoke out in front of the West Valley Superior Court Wednesday morning, urging voters not to back a judge on the June ballot.
Katie Tagle was denied a request for an emergency restraining order against her ex-boyfriend by Judge Robert Lemkau, a January ruling that took place 10 days before Tagle’s son was shot dead.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/26/2010 06:36:08 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – An attempt to craft a new “code of conduct” for City Council members is still unfinished, and some proposals have aroused fear of censorship among the council’s minority bloc.
“They’re trying to say we don’t get along, but what it is, is we don’t conform,” 2nd Ward City Councilman Jason Desjardins said Wednesday.
Wes Woods II, Staff Writer
Created: 05/26/2010 09:17:53 PM PDT
CLAREMONT – The Claremont Unified school board on Tuesday night approved issuing 41 layoff notices to ensure the district’s financial security.
More than 30 teachers as well as counselors, nonunion managers and a psychologist will receive the notices.
Developer gets more time
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/26/2010 07:35:12 PM PDT
RIALTO – It took about 60 seconds Wednesday night for the Planning Commission to anger more than 150 residents already upset over plans for a controversial development on the north end.
A public hearing on the Lytle Creek Ranch development was continued to June 2 at the request of Ron Pharris, chairman of the Lytle Development Co., who told the commission in a letter that the company needs more time to prepare the project’s final environmental impact report.
By Dale Kasler
dkasler@sacbee.com
Published: Thursday, May. 27, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 6B
Alfred Villalobos, the former CalPERS board member accused of bribing pension fund officials, has squandered $68 million of his fortune and owes more money to one casino than he has in cash, the state said Wednesday.
In a court filing, the state revealed fresh allegations about Villalobos’ spending habits in an effort to maintain a court-ordered freeze on his assets. It is suing Villalobos for $70 million, saying he lavished gifts on three CalPERS officials to influence investment decisions.
By Dale Kasler
dkasler@sacbee.com
Published: Thursday, May. 27, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 6B
The state’s teacher pension fund is about to reduce its official forecast of investment returns by half a percentage point, a move that could cost state and local taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.
CalSTRS’ staff, which has been wrestling with the issue for months, said Wednesday that the forecast of annual returns should be cut to 7.5 percent. The board of the California State Teachers’ Retirement System will vote on the recommendation next week.
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, May 25, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
A corruption investigation that has led to the arrest of former San Bernardino County officials is dominating the contest for two supervisorial seats in the June 8 election.
Supervisor Paul Biane has represented the 2nd District since 2002. He faces five challengers.
Ron Wall
Posted: 05/25/2010 08:14:08 PM PDT
I attended the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors meeting May 11. Two physicians reported concerns about the quality of care at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC), the political environment and the lack of action to correct problems.
After Dr. John Steinmann and his colleague Dr. Keyvan Safdari presented their concerns, the hospital CEO Patrick Petre defended the practices of the hospital. Members of the board asked questions to clarify what Petre described. A lack of expertise by the members is evident. They do not know the regulations surrounding hospital licensure, Medicare certification or regulatory limits to physician contracting. This allowed Petre to gloss over issues by providing vague responses.
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, May 25, 2010
By SANDRA STOKLEY
The Press-Enterprise
Residents straddling the Riverside-San Bernardino county border are organizing to protest a warehouse/business park project proposed for the defunct El Rivino golf course property.
The Rialto Commerce Center calls for 3.6 million square feet of warehouse space — about 75 football fields — on 164 acres including the 129-acre golf course, surrounded on two sides by residential properties and next door to Green Acres Memorial Park and Mortuary.
11:38 PM PDT on Tuesday, May 25, 2010
By ALICIA ROBINSON
The Press-Enterprise
Riverside’s city budget for 2010-11 is balanced, won’t require layoffs and will continue the Riverside Renaissance public works program.
It also shrinks most departments’ resources, relies on $3.6 million in one-time revenues that aren’t guaranteed, and borrows nearly $4 million from unspecified city funds to cover bond debt for parks and the city’s takeover of the wireless network.
Dutton
Staff and Wire reports
Created: 05/25/2010 04:18:36 PM PDT
SACRAMENTO – Inland Valley state Sen. Bob Dutton this week blasted a Democrat plan to raise taxes by nearly $5 billion, largely by extending temporary taxes and delaying corporate tax breaks for two years.
Democrats in the Senate on Monday countered Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget cuts with a plan to raise taxes by nearly $5 billion.
Fontana’s idea for 1,100 acres hotly contested
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Created: 05/25/2010 03:22:49 PM PDT
FONTANA – The fight between city leaders and some residents over adding 1,100 acres south of the 10 Freeway to the city’s redevelopment plans is scheduled to continue tonight at the City Council meeting.
The council is set to vote on resolutions paving the way for adding the area to the redevelopment plan for the Southwest Industrial Park Project Area, which was adopted in 1977 and has been amended eight times, with five of the eight amendments adding territory.
Jesse B. Gill, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/25/2010 07:31:42 PM PDT
REDLANDS – City Manager Enrique Martinez wants every city department to cut its budget by at least 12 percent in the next fiscal to make up for another sizable budget deficit.
The city will face a shortfall of $8.9 million before the 2010-11 fiscal year begins July 1. Martinez said he plans to address the deficit through cuts before the outset of the fiscal year, but it won’t be easy.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/25/2010 06:53:05 PM PDT
High Desert residents will no longer have to make the trip to downtown San Bernardino to attend Board of Supervisors meetings under a pilot program approved by the board on Tuesday.
The board approved a plan to outfit the board chambers in San Bernardino and a facility in either Victorville or Hesperia with audio and video equipment that will allow residents to address the board with their concerns and opinions via closed-circuit video.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/25/2010 06:21:26 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDIN0 – Adults who host rowdy parties and allow minors to drink alcohol in their homes will be subject to hefty administrative fines under a new law approved by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
The “social hosting ordinance” returns to the board on June 15 for adoption and goes into effect 30 days thereafter.
Debbie Pfeiffer Trunnell, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/25/2010 08:59:05 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – After weeks of meetings downtown and in the community, the school board discussed final plans on what to do about 11 district schools at a special meeting Tuesday evening.
At five of the San Bernardino City Unified schools that recently landed on a list of lowest performing in the state, the principals will be replaced and a new evaluation process will be put in place for teachers.
Employees are starting to give a glimpse at just how cover-ups and vicious politics override patient care priorities at San Bernardino County-owned and operated Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC).
Threatening physicians, profiteering, and strong-arming have become commonplace at the struggling hospital.
Meg Whitman
May 25, 2010 | Lance Williams
Two weeks before the primary, the Republican contest for governor is a blowout again, with former eBay CEO Meg Whitman surging to a 27-point lead, 54-27, over state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner.
That’s according to SurveyUSA, the same pollster that, two weeks ago, reported that the GOP race was a dead heat, with Poizner trailing by two points and Whitman seemingly on her way to squandering what had once been a 50-point lead.
Emmerson
Written by Senor Blogger
May 25th, 2010 at 12:46 am
Is Assemblyman Bill Emmerson (R-Hemet/Upland/Redlands/Wherever) turning against one of his strongest endorsers? For years, DA Mike Ramos and Bill Emmerson have been politically close. DA Mike Ramos has endorsed Emmerson for legislative offices through the years, and Emmerson has backed Ramos for district attorney.
However, is that supposedly close political relationship about to change?
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/24/2010 08:07:22 PM PDT
San Bernardino County’s attempt to negotiate pension concessions from sheriff’s deputies could signal a new trend: a rollback of the generous retirement packages public employees secured during the past decade.
The development is not universal – Rialto’s pension benefits are scheduled to increase in December.
May 24, 2010 4:12 PM
BEATRIZ E. VALENZUELA AND BROOKE EDWARDS Staff Writers
APPLE VALLEY • As concerns over the stability of the Apple Valley Fire Protection District mount — and with the firefighters’ union now apparently on his side — Councilman Rick Roelle said in the “very near future” he plans to ask Town Council to once again study the option of contracting with San Bernardino County for service.
“I brought it up a year ago and it fell on deaf ears,” Roelle said. “I think that the town and the people were led to believe then that there were no issues from the management of the fire district, and it appears that’s not the case.”
Liset Marquez, Staff Writer
Created: 05/24/2010 05:35:38 PM PDT
ONTARIO – L.A./Ontario International Airport will soon suffer another hit.
For the second year in a row, ONT officials are in cost-cutting mode and aim to slash 14.6 percent from the airport’s day-to-day operating budget.
Board to take up issue tonight
Wes Woods II, Staff Writer
Created: 05/24/2010 10:17:30 PM PDT
CLAREMONT – The Claremont Unified school board will recommend laying off 28 full-time certificated employees at a special meeting tonight.
Employees expected to be laid off include teachers, a counselor and a psychologist.
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, May 24, 2010
The Riverside City Council will hold a public hearing and vote today on the 2010-11 budget, which includes $194.7 million in general fund spending and an array of capital projects such as libraries and improvements to the ramps and overpass at Van Buren Avenue and Highway 91.
The new budget spends about 1.5 percent less than what officials planned to spend this year. Revenues from property and sales taxes are projected to continue declining, but officials said some departments already have begun saving money by not filling vacant positions.
By PE News
on May 25, 2010 6:39 AM
A state Senate budget subcommittee Monday approved shifting $15 million in the University of California’s existing budget to help pay for start-up costs at UC Riverside’s medical school.
With millions already raised in federal money and private donations, the school has left the station, said state Sen. Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar. “It’s one of those things that’s pretty hard to retreat from,” Huff said.
