11:25 PM PDT on Friday, July 30, 2010
The cost for legal representation on two lawsuits involving San Bernardino Associated Governments has climbed to more than $3.5 million, according to a recent report.
1 Comment
Archive for July, 2010
10:00 PM PDT on Friday, July 30, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies will begin working 12-hour shifts this weekend, a change made to help the department close a budget deficit.
The measures are aimed at spreading around resources and reducing overtime, sheriff’s Sgt. Dave Phelps said.
Filed under: Budget, County of San Bernardino, Economy, Finance, In the News, Law Enforcement, Politics, Unions
11:14 PM PDT on Friday, July 30, 2010
By BEN GOAD
Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON – A plan to legalize online gambling moved forward this week in the U.S. House of Representatives, raising concerns from an Inland lawmaker and area tribes, who say the legislation would cut into California’s casino business and imperil thousands of jobs around the state.
The legislation, which would allow gamers to make certain kinds of bets legally over the Internet, was approved Wednesday by the Financial Services Committee, clearing the way for a vote on the House floor.
Michael J. Sorba, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/30/2010 07:02:43 PM PDT
Local experts say the Inland Empire’s economy is still sluggish and aside from a few minor positives still struggling to climb out of the hole created by 2009’s recession.
Local growth is happening, but not enough to mean employers are ready to hire new workers, said Inland Empire economist John Husing.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/30/2010 07:18:03 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – Police union members have agreed to a concessions deal that will initiate a two-tiered retirement system and continue the givebacks that police officers agreed to last year.
The deal, which will require police officers to forego roughly one-tenth of their wages, negates the threat of police officer furloughs.
Filed under: Budget, Cities, Economy, Finance, In the News, Law Enforcement, Pensions, Politics, San Bernardino, Unions
Melissa Pinion-Whitt, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/30/2010 01:56:14 PM PDT
The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved a bill that would provide $43.8 million in federal funding for Omnitrans, Metrolink and other Inland Empire public transportation projects.
The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill still needs to be approved by the Senate and the President. But Rep. Joe Baca (D-San Bernardino), who secured the Inland Empire funding, called it a positive step toward decreasing traffic congestion and creating new jobs for the area.
Filed under: Budget, Economy, Finance, In the News, Politics, Transportation, U.S. House of Representatives
Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/30/2010 03:28:03 PM PDT
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – The Vineyard Press, a community paper that Councilman Rex Gutierrez has wanted to publish since his employment with San Bernardino County ended last year, is back.
Formerly known as the Grapevine Press and Rancho Cucamonga Today, the free monthly publication had its inaugural issue delivered last month to 30,000 homes in the city. The 24-page broadsheet includes historic Cucamonga photos, local business features and several essays penned by the councilman including a bizarre tale of Gutierrez’s recycling habits.
Meg Whitman
Ken McLaughlin
kmclaughlin@mercurynews.com
Posted: 07/30/2010 03:39:58 PM PDT
Updated: 07/31/2010 06:09:13 AM PDT
NEW YORK — Californians may see Meg Whitman’s campaign for governor as an unprecedented phenomenon sweeping across the Golden State — a billionaire political newcomer spending tens of millions of dollars on a campaign, promising to reshape government the same way she conquered the world of business.
But the former CEO of eBay is closely following the lead of another tech-driven billionaire CEO-turned-politician: New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
July 30, 2010 | 3:32 pm
Republican gubernatorial nominee Meg Whitman on Friday raised the specter of Rose Bird to argue that she would make better judicial appointments than her Democratic rival Jerry Brown.
Brown appointed Bird as chief justice of the state Supreme Court during his first term as governor. Years later, voters tossed Bird and two other Brown appointees to the court who had also opposed capital punishment.
Filed under: Campaigns, Democrats, Elections, In the News, Politics, Republicans, State of California
PoliticsBlog
Posted By: Marisa Lagos | July 30 2010 at 04:17 PM
We’ve been waiting for this.
Less than a month after a Field Poll showed San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris and Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley in a virtual dead heat in the Attorney General’s race — a poll cheered by Harris’ side — the Cooley campaign is touting a different poll with a markedly different result.
Filed under: Campaigns, Democrats, Elections, In the News, Law Enforcement, Politics, Polls, Republicans, State of California
Published: Saturday, Jul. 31, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
The battle for Latino voters is heating up on California’s airwaves.
A coalition of unions called Working Californians has debuted a Spanish-language TV ad accusing Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman of misrepresenting her positions on immigration and other matters in her own TV ad targeting Spanish-speaking voters.
Filed under: Campaigns, Democrats, Elections, Immigration, In the News, Pensions, Republicans, State of California, Unions
L.A. County D.A. examines the city’s $4.6-million purchase tied to a former politician.
By Hector Becerra and Paul Pringle, Los Angeles Times
July 31, 2010
The city of Bell has a pattern of doing business with current and former city officials, including an ex-mayor who served time in federal prison, according to interviews and records obtained by The Times.
In the most recent deal, Bell’s Community Redevelopment Agency last year paid $4.6 million to purchase property from a family trust of longtime politician Peter Werrlein, who was sentenced to three years in prison in the 1980s for holding hidden interests in a poker casino.
Filed under: Bell, Cities, County of Los Angeles, Finance, In the News, Law Enforcement, Legal, Politics
Angela Spaccia resigns from both jobs because of the municipal salary inquiry. She had been on loan to Maywood for five months.
By Abby Sewell and Jeff Gottlieb, Los Angeles Times
July 31, 2010
Bell’s former assistant city manager resigned her post Friday as the interim administrator of neighboring Maywood, another casualty of the salary scandal in Bell.
For Angela Spaccia, it marked the second time in two weeks she has resigned over the salary issue.
By Ed Mendel
In his last year as governor, Jerry Brown’s budget proposal said it was possible for state workers to retire at age 62 and receive more than 100 percent of their final salary from CalPERS and federal Social Security.
He proposed lower pensions for new hires, arguing that 70 percent of final salary is a “common standard” for maintaining a standard of living in retirement that is similar to the one when working.
Filed under: Budget, CalPERS, Campaigns, Democrats, Economy, Elections, Finance, In the News, Pensions, Politics, Republicans, State of California, Unions
The nation’s measure of economic growth shows a modest 2.4% gain in spring, compared to a 3.7% rise earlier in the year, more evidence the fragile recovery is losing steam, a Commerce Department report says.
By Don Lee, Los Angeles Times
July 30, 2010|6:43 a.m.
Reporting from Washington —
A new government report Friday showed that U.S. economic growth slowed sharply in the spring, providing more evidence that the fragile recovery is losing momentum and is unlikely to generate many jobs anytime soon.
The nation’s economy grew at a modest 2.4% annual rate in the April-to-June period, the Commerce Department said in its first estimate of gross domestic product for the second quarter.
The County of San Bernardino this week announced the appointment of Dena Smith to the position of Deputy Administrative Officer.
I can’t think of a better choice.
Filed under: County of San Bernardino, In the News
Greg Devereaux
10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, July 29, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino County supervisors agreed this week to increase County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux’s authority, transferring some of their staff members to him.
As part of its budget last month, the Board of Supervisors approved the creation of a new 10-member unit that will assist the board on special projects and interact with other government agencies.
Larry Sharp
10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, July 29, 2010
By JACK KATZANEK
The Press-Enterprise
Larry Sharp, who was dismissed as CEO of Arrowhead Credit Union in the wake of the federal takeover of that institution only a few weeks ago, has been named vice president for university advancement at Cal State San Bernardino.
Sharp will be in charge of development, public affairs and alumni affairs for the campus, according to a statement Thursday.
Jeannine Aversa, AP Economics Writer,
On Friday July 30, 2010, 12:17 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — The recovery lost momentum in the spring as growth slowed to a 2.4 percent pace, its most sluggish showing in nearly a year and too weak to drive down unemployment.
Consumers spent less, companies slowed their restocking of shelves and the nation’s trade deficit dragged more on the economy in the April-to-June quarter. In a separate report, the Commerce Department said the recession was deeper than previously estimated.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/29/2010 06:05:20 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – The three City Council members who form a minority bloc are often on the losing ends of important votes, but they are poised to prevent a proposed sales tax hike from ending up on the November ballot.
Those council members – Wendy McCammack, Chas Kelley and Jason Desjardins – held a press conference Thursday to pledge opposition to the proposed tax hike.
Michael J. Sorba, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/29/2010 04:00:12 PM PDT
COLTON – After viewing audit presentations of both departments, the City Council has decided against seeking cost proposals from outside agencies to outsource for police and fire services.
Instead, it has elected to direct City Manager Rod Foster to develop a cost-cutting and revenue enhancing plan with the police and fire chiefs.
Filed under: Budget, Cities, Colton, Economy, Finance, In the News, Law Enforcement, Politics, Unions
Michael J. Sorba, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/29/2010 06:09:52 PM PDT
COLTON – Customers of the Colton Electric Utility may soon be delivered cheaper power as the City Council looks to reform electric rates.
An ordinance allowing profits the utility generates to be passed through to help pay for general city services may also become more clearly defined.
Wes Woods II, Staff Writer
Created: 07/29/2010 05:55:39 PM PDT
CLAREMONT – A couple of City Council members are questioning pension costs for police officers.
The city of Claremont and the Claremont Police Management Association this week approved a contract that saves more than $19,300 compared to the adopted budget for the 2010-11 fiscal year.
July 29, 2010 8:51 AM
By Brooke Edwards and Natasha Lindstrom, Staff Writers
As public outrage brews over the city of Bell carrying some of the nation’s most bloated municipal salaries, some Victor Valley elected officials are trying to spread a message: When it comes to compensation, we’re not Bell.
Members on the Apple Valley Town Council took a few minutes during Tuesday’s meeting to state the amount of money the city pays them annually out of taxpayer dollars.
Filed under: Adelanto, Apple Valley, Budget, Cities, Economy, Finance, Hesperia, In the News, Politics, Towns, Victorville
Published: July 29, 2010
Updated: 5:00 p.m.
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
In his capacity as California attorney general, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown announced Monday that his office had subpoenaed salary, employment and contract records from the city of Bell, which had been paying its city manager a $787,637 annual salary and all but one City Council member nearly $100,000 a year for part time duties. Mr. Brown’s move, while a good use of his bully pulpit to decry the activities in Bell, appears to be more a politically motivated maneuver than one with any real basis for legal recourse.
Filed under: Bell, Campaigns, Cities, Democrats, Elections, In the News, Law Enforcement, Legal, Pensions, Politics, State of California
By Timothy R. Homan – Jul 30, 2010 6:41 AM PST Fri Jul 30 13:41:41 UTC 2010
July 30 (Bloomberg) —
Growth in the U.S. slowed to a 2.4 percent annual rate in the second quarter, less than forecast, reflecting a larger trade deficit and an easing in consumer spending.
The increase in gross domestic product compared with a median forecast of 2.6 percent of economists surveyed by Bloomberg News and follows an upwardly revised 3.7 percent pace in the first quarter that showed a jump in inventories, according to figures from the Commerce Department today in Washington. Business investment climbed at the fastest rate since 1997.
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
July 29, 2010 | 7:00 pm
A union coalition backing Democratic Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown will hit the airwaves with a new Spanish-language TV ad beginning Friday, trying to chip away at Latino support for Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman.
The new attack ad accuses the former EBay chief of being “two-faced,” saying one thing in English and another in Spanish. The spot also invokes former Gov. Pete Wilson, who earned the ire of the Latino community in 1994 when he backed Proposition 187, a ballot measure that sought to strip illegal immigrants of state services.
Filed under: Campaigns, Democrats, Elections, Immigration, In the News, Politics, Republicans, State of California, Unions
PoliticsBlog
Posted By: Drew Joseph | July 29 2010 at 06:09 PM
A group of immigrant-rights groups today demanded that state Attorney General Jerry Brown meet with them to discuss his decision to force San Francisco to follow a federal program that they say violates their rights and has similarities to Arizona’s immigration law. Some of the speakers at the San Francisco protest even threatened that they would oppose Brown, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, in November’s election if he did not change his position.
Filed under: Campaigns, Democrats, Elections, Immigration, In the News, Law Enforcement, Legal, Politics, Republicans, State of California
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
July 29, 2010 | 5:02 pm
Republican gubernatorial nominee Meg Whitman has been hitting Democratic rival Jerry Brown hard for offering no plans to deal with the state’s myriad problems. Earlier this week, Brown responded by posting education and environmental proposals on his website.
Although the substance marked a change from the summer’s bickering over who forgot to pay taxes, or who accepted whose challenge to debate, it’s unclear how many voters actually heard about the proposals.
Filed under: Democrats, Elections, Environment, In the News, Politics, Republicans, State of California
Drew Joseph, Chronicle Staff Writer
San Francisco Chronicle
Friday, July 30, 2010
(07-29) 19:26 PDT SAN FRANCISCO — If Robin Leach ever revives “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” he may want to spotlight the candidates in California’s gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races, who have realized their champagne wishes and caviar dreams.
Republican gubernatorial nominee Meg Whitman has two homes in Atherton, together worth more than $15 million, and a $20 million ranch in Telluride, Colo. Her Democratic opponent, state Attorney General Jerry Brown, has a five-story home in the Oakland hills replete with sauna and wine cellar.
Filed under: Campaigns, Democrats, Elections, In the News, Politics, Republicans, State of California, U.S. Senate
By Ken McLaughlin and Paul Rogers Mercury News
Posted: 07/29/2010 03:40:45 PM PDT
Updated: 07/29/2010 10:01:28 PM PDT
Governor’s race
Politics page
Calling the issue the defining difference between himself and Republican Meg Whitman in the governor’s race, Democrat Jerry Brown gave an impassioned defense Thursday of California’s landmark global warming law.
In a wide-ranging interview with the Mercury News editorial board, the attorney general called Assembly Bill 32 — now under attack by conservatives and some business interests as a job killer — “a path forward” for the Golden State. Brown said the new law would create hundreds of thousands of clean-energy jobs, reclaiming from China leadership of the cleantech economy.
Filed under: Budget, Campaigns, Democrats, Economy, Elections, Environment, Finance, In the News, Pensions, Politics, Republicans, State of California
California Watch
A Project of the Center for Investigative Reporting
Money and Politics
California WatchBlog
July 30, 2010 | Chase Davis
An independent-expenditure group backed by California Native American tribes filed a letter with the Federal Election Commission this week announcing its intent to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money supporting candidates in California congressional races.
The group, known as Californians for Fiscally Responsible Leadership, was apparently the first committee in the country to announce its intent to take advantage of FEC rulings last week that effectively lifted fundraising restrictions on soft-money political committees that declare themselves independent from candidates or political parties, if only ostensibly.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com The Sacramento Bee
Published: Friday, Jul. 30, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger insists he won’t sign a new state budget unless the Legislature rolls back a hefty increase in state employee pensions enacted 11 years ago.
It’s the latest wrinkle in Schwarzenegger’s years-long war with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System and state worker unions over what he contends is an unsustainable and “inexcusable” pension system that’s killing the state budget.
Filed under: Budget, CalPERS, Economy, Finance, In the News, Pensions, Politics, State of California, Unions
L.A. NOW
Southern California — this just in
July 29, 2010 | 7:04 pm
Bell’s city attorney, Edward Lee, who served as legal counsel when the City Council approved lavish compensation packages for top administrators, was removed Thursday as city attorney for the neighboring city of Downey.
Lee, a partner with the firm Best, Best & Krieger, also serves as city attorney for several other municipalities. Until Thursday, that included Downey. But officials there were not happy that their lawyer was involved in what Downey Councilman Mario Guerra called one of the “most egregious breaches of fiduciary responsibilities in the history of our state.”
By Ryan Lillis
rlillis@sacbee.com
Published: Friday, Jul. 30, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 1A
Last Modified: Friday, Jul. 30, 2010 – 7:41 am
City administrators from around the state scrambled Thursday to get ahead of the unfolding salary scandal in the Los Angeles suburb of Bell.
The League of California Cities took the unusual step of lambasting one of its own and said it would explore state legislation requiring that the salaries of the highest-paid employees in state and local government be made easily available to the public.
Filed under: Bell, Budget, Cities, Economy, Finance, In the News, Pensions, Politics, State of California
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
July 29, 2010
RB UCD Freshmen 2.JPGCalifornia State University campuses will begin accepting applications for the spring term on Sunday, though whether they enroll any students in the spring depends on the final state budget lawmakers approve.
“Despite the uncertainty regarding state support for the 2010-2011 academic year, we will move forward with the application process for spring 2011,” CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed said in a statement today. “The passing of the budget in a timely manner and the restoration of funding proposed by the governor will allow us to serve those students and provide immediate access for students already in the admissions pipeline.”
It all depends on whether one equates ‘illegal immigrant’ with evil-doers or with laborers.
By Hector Tobar
July 30, 2010
Some people look at an impoverished immigrant laborer and immediately think “illegal,” with all the stigma that word carries.
Others see that same person and think: There goes a worker.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate and attorney general Jerry Brown evaporated from the air waves yesterday after Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley arrived on the scene to set the record straight regarding his office’s investigation into the City of Bell salary and pension scandal.
Brown has went quiet on the Bell episode in the the media circuit since Cooley gave interviews to newspaper and radio stations starting Monday.
Filed under: Bell, Campaigns, Cities, County of Los Angeles, Democrats, Elections, In the News, Law Enforcement, Legal, Politics, Republicans, State of California
City managers will gather in Sacramento on Thursday to discuss damage control. Some say more residents are seeking salary information from city halls. The Legislature considers reforms as well.
By Sam Allen, Abby Sewell and Patrick McGreevy, Los Angeles Times
July 29, 2010
The scandal over high salaries paid to Bell officials has city leaders throughout the state scrambling to limit the political damage.
City halls have seen an uptick in residents calling to find out what their local officials make ever since the story broke two weeks ago and prompted widespread public outrage.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/28/2010 05:30:35 PM PDT
RIALTO – Another woman has come forward in connection with an alleged sex scandal involving police officers and employees of the Spearmint Rhino strip club, authorities confirmed Wednesday.
“Last Friday, we had a woman file a complaint against one of the officers that we’ve identified in the investigation,” Police Chief Mark Kling said.
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, July 28, 2010
The Press-Enterprise
Redlands Planning Commission Chairman Paul Foster has qualified to run for a City Council seat in the November election.
Foster submitted nomination papers with 30 signatures on Monday. Twenty were validated, enough to qualify for the ballot, City Clerk Sam Irwin said Wednesday.
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, July 28, 2010
By JAN SEARS
The Press-Enterprise
The Redlands City Council today will consider asking residents to approve a half-cent sales tax measure on the November ballot.
The council conducted a July 20 public hearing on the tax and agreed afterward, on a 4-1 vote, to put the measure on the ballot. The action requires a second vote, scheduled today because Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Bean will be unavailable for the next regular meeting Tuesday.
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Cassie MacDuff
People are understandably upset at high salaries paid to city officials, while municipal workers are being laid off and the public is being told it will have to settle for reduced services.
But lucrative pay is only half the story. When you add in the benefits public officials receive, the taxpayers are getting hit for even more than many people realize.
Filed under: Budget, Cities, Corona, Economy, Finance, In the News, Politics, Redlands, Riverside, San Bernardino
10:49 PM PDT on Wednesday, July 28, 2010
By DAVID OLSON and BEN GOAD
The Press-Enterprise
The sharply divergent reactions that Inland residents had to a federal judge’s ruling Wednesday blocking full enforcement of Arizona’s tough anti-illegal-immigration law mirrored the outrage and joy expressed nationwide.
Lake Elsinore Mayor Melissa Melendez blasted the decision. “If that’s what they’ve done, and they’ve usurped the authority of the state of Arizona, then I am completely ashamed and appalled at what they are doing,” Melendez said.
Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Created: 07/28/2010 10:28:23 PM PDT
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – The former city manager of Bell, who stepped down last week after news reports unveiled his unusually high salary of more than $787,000, got his start in Rancho Cucamonga, where he rose through the ranks in eight years to become assistant city manager.
Robert Rizzo, 56, possibly the highest-paid city manager in the nation, was hired by Rancho Cucamonga as an administrative aide in 1980 and later became an administrative analyst and an assistant to the city manager before becoming an assistant city manager.
Neil Nisperos, Staff Writer
Created: 07/28/2010 06:21:05 PM PDT
A number of area residents have signaled their intent to run for the region’s school boards as the filing period for the Nov. 2 election has just passed its mid-point.
More than 30 school board seats are being contested at the Inland Valley school districts of Central, Alta Loma, Chaffey Joint Union High School, Chino Valley, Cucamonga, Etiwanda, Fontana, Upland, Mount Baldy, Mountain View, Ontario-Montclair, and the San Bernardino County board of education.
L.A. NOW
Southern California — this just in
July 28, 2010 | 5:31 pm
Three highly paid administrators in Bell will not be permitted to draw their state pensions until the attorney general determines whether the city broke the law in awarding the hefty paychecks, according to an official with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System.
“CalPERS is concerned about the situation, and our intention is to not [to] entertain applications for pensions from any of these people until the investigation is complete,” said Pat Macht, the agency’s external affairs director.
Brown
July 28th, 2010, 3:18 pm · posted by Martin Wisckol, Politics reporter
Gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown today posted an education-reform plan on his website. Among his proposals are an overhaul of higher education, several proposals for improving the quality of teachers, and an increased emphasis on science, technology, engineering, history and humanities.
Filed under: Campaigns, Democrats, Education, Elections, In the News, Politics, Republicans, State of California
The suit, filed against Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown, says the wording describing the measure is ‘false, misleading and unfair.’ The ballots will be printed in mid-August.
By Margot Roosevelt, Los Angeles Times
July 29, 2010
Backers of Proposition 23, a November ballot initiative to suspend California’s 2006 Global Warming Solutions Act, filed suit in Sacramento County Superior Court on Tuesday against Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown for what they called “false, misleading and unfair” language that would describe the measure on voters’ ballots.
The ballots, which must be printed by mid-August, would say that the measure “Suspends Air Pollution Control Laws Requiring Major Polluters to Report and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions That Cause Global Warming Until Unemployment Drops Below Specified Level for Full Year.”
Filed under: Campaigns, Courts, Democrats, Elections, Environment, In the News, Legal, Politics, State of California
The ruling halts implementation of provisions that require police to determine the immigration status of people they stop and suspect of being in the U.S. illegally. An immediate appeal is expected.
By Nicholas Riccardi and Anna Gorman, Los Angeles Times
July 28, 2010 | 5:50 p.m.
Reporting from Phoenix and Tucson —
A federal judge on Wednesday blocked most of a controversial Arizona immigration law just hours before it was to take effect, handing the Obama administration a win in the first stage of a legal battle expected to end up in the U.S. Supreme Court.
U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton in Phoenix issued a temporary injunction against parts of the law that would require police to determine the status of people they lawfully stopped and suspected were in the country illegally.
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
July 28, 2010 | 9:00 pm
With the campaigns in full swing over what are supposed to be lazy summer months, a new survey from the Public Policy Institute of California finds the races for governor and U.S. Senate are both up for grabs.
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jerry Brown is leading his Republican opponent Meg Whitman, 37% to 34%. Meanwhile, Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer is ahead of Republican Carly Fiorina, 39% to 34%.
Filed under: Campaigns, Democrats, Elections, In the News, Politics, Polls, Republicans, State of California, U.S. Senate
PoliticsBlog
Posted By: Carla Marinucci | July 28 2010 at 02:18 PM
California Working Families for Jerry Brown, the independent expenditure group working to help the Democratic State Attorney General’s 2010 gubernatorial campaign, just got a powerhouse ally — the 325,000-member California Teachers Association.
CTA President David Sanchez, in announcing the move, called Brown “the education candidate for governor.”
Filed under: Campaigns, Democrats, Elections, In the News, Politics, Republicans, State of California, Unions
Yes, Attorney General Jerry Brown repeatedly claims he’s all over the City of Bell salary scandal.
Brown’s office has subpoenaed thousands of city records. He’s giving city officials twenty-four hours to turn them over.
Otherwise one can infer search warrants will be the order of the day.
Filed under: Bell, Cities, County of Los Angeles, Democrats, In the News, Law Enforcement, Legal, Politics, Republicans, State of California
Steve Cooley
Investigators are looking into allegations of voter fraud and conflicts of interest, as well as the $100,000 salaries paid to four council members. The D.A. says several elections are targeted.
By Richard Winton, Jeff Gottlieb and Andrew Blankstein, Los Angeles Times
July 28, 2010
Los Angeles County prosecutors have launched a wide-ranging investigation into allegations of voter fraud and conflicts of interest involving municipal business in Bell, Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley said Tuesday.
In an interview with The Times, Cooley described an investigation considerably larger in scope than previously acknowledged by prosecutors, saying that it was “multifaceted, rapidly expanding and full-fledged.” Investigators have been gathering evidence since March, he said.
Filed under: Bell, Cities, County of Los Angeles, Democrats, In the News, Law Enforcement, Legal, Pensions, Politics, State of California
11:11 AM PDT on Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Former Grand Terrace City Councilman Jim Miller pleaded guilty this morning to a misdemeanor charge stemming from payments he voted to approve to his wife’s weekly newspaper.
Miller pleaded guilty to having a financial interest by a state or local official in a government contract. In exchange for the guilty plea, prosecutors dropped a felony conflict of interest charge, which could have included prison time.
Gutierrez
Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Created: 07/27/2010 03:49:10 PM PDT
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – Last Thursday, Councilman Rex Gutierrez mulled a mayoral run, pulling papers just before City Hall closed for a three-day weekend.
On Monday, he changed his mind.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/27/2010 08:04:56 PM PDT
RIALTO – The sex scandal that has rocked the Police Department and attracted widespread attention has not shaken officials’ faith in rank-and-file officers or Chief Mark Kling, based on remarks they made at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.
“My confidence in Mark is high,” said City Administrator Henry Garcia. “This is a small step backward.”
Ed Roski
James Wagner, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/27/2010 07:58:39 PM PDT
Majestic Realty Co. CEO and chairman Ed Roski Jr. said he remains committed to returning professional football to the region and building a state-of-the-art NFL stadium near the junction of the 60 and 57 freeways.
“It will happen,” said Roski, making his first public comments since the emergence of a competing stadium plan in downtown Los Angeles.
RivPE: Beneath the thousands of teacher layoffs are stories of uncertain futures for Inland families
10:15 PM PDT on Tuesday, July 27, 2010
By DAYNA STRAEHLEY
The Press-Enterprise
The Inland area’s laid-off teachers are cutting their household budgets and learning to tell their children no.
They have turned off their air conditioners and no longer can buy the things they used to take for granted.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Created: 07/27/2010 09:25:46 PM PDT
FONTANA – The City Council will continue its version of “Musical Chairs” on Wednesday night.
Council members are set to discuss how to fill a spot on the dais left open when they tapped Frank Scialdone to become mayor earlier this month after former Mayor Mark Nuaimi took a job as city manager in Yucca Valley.
Michael J. Sorba, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/27/2010 07:35:08 PM PDT
COLTON – At least two City Council members say they’d like to see the city send out requests seeking the exact costs to outsource for police and fire services, following the results of recently completed audits of both departments.
They would also like the city to contact surrounding jurisdictions to examine the viability of forming a joint powers agreement for fire services.
Filed under: Budget, Cities, Colton, Economy, Finance, In the News, Law Enforcement, Politics, Unions
Deal includes furlough, cuts
July 27, 2010 5:41 PM
Beau Yarbrough
HESPERIA • The Hesperia Unified School District and Hesperia Teachers Association have apparently resolved their differences and have reached a three-year agreement, officials said Tuesday.
The tentative agreement includes nine furlough days (an effective salary cut of almost 5 percent), 1 percent pay cut and 2 percent savings on other monetary benefits for teachers.
Activists at work
Groups try to raise turnout
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/27/2010 10:21:04 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – Call 13,000 people, and you’ll talk to about 3,900. Of those, about 2,300 will like what you have to say. And of those, about 1,380 will show up to vote in November.
That’s a math lesson in voter outreach taught to about a dozen local activists Monday and Tuesday through a program called Mobilize the Immigrant Vote. It’s a program activists hope will help San Bernardino’s Latino community flex its muscles at the ballot box in November.
10:49 PM PDT on Tuesday, July 27, 2010
By JACK KATZANEK
The Press-Enterprise
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was one of the biggest boosters Tuesday when officials triggered the demolition of the first building to make way for the proposed $3.7 billion March LifeCare campus.
The project could ultimately bring as many as 7,200 permanent jobs to the former March Air Force Base, at a health-care complex that will be anchored by a medical center, the project developer said. The ambitious plans call for a wide range of other medical buildings on the grounds of the former base, including facilities for senior citizens and retirees for ambulatory care patients.
Filed under: Cities, Economy, Finance, In the News, Moreno Valley, Politics, Real Estate, Redevelopment, Republicans, State of California
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, July 27, 2010
By JAN SEARS
The Press-Enterprise
Redlands could face a general fund shortfall of $23 million by 2014-15 if the economy doesn’t improve and no steps are taken to correct the city’s financial course.
The City Council heard the gloomy financial report last week, as City Manager Enrique Martinez urged them to adopt a multiyear approach to budgeting.
By PE News
on July 27, 2010 9:44 AM
Riverside County supervisors this morning voted 4-0 to update the county’s vehicle policy.
The new rules require greater oversight — from detailed mileage reports to stricter controls on employees taking cars home at night.
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, July 27, 2010
By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
Riverside County’s November ballot is getting crowded.
Supervisors on Tuesday voted to place two competing pension measures before voters Nov. 2, as well as a proposal to increase the amount of money the county’s regional transportation commission can borrow.
08:33 PM PDT on Tuesday, July 27, 2010
By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
The Press-Enterprise
Traffic at Ontario International Airport dropped by 5.2 percent in June compared to the same month in 2009 and a 37.4 percent decrease since June 2007.
A total of 408,800 passengers used the airport last month, according to statistics from Los Angeles World Airports, the agency that owns and operates Ontario airport and Los Angeles International Airport.
Meg Whitman
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
July 27, 2010 | 5:58 pm
Facebook users have seen ads soliciting thoughts on everything from their favorite vacation spot to the best engagement ring.
Now Republican gubernatorial nominee Meg Whitman is using so-called polling ads to determine what Facebook users see as the most important issue facing California, hoping to boost her online network in the process.
Carly Fiorina
Senate hopeful meets veterans at Balboa Park
By Michele Clock, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 9:26 p.m.
In a San Diego campaign stop to showcase her support for veterans, Republican Senate candidate Carly Fiorina again criticized Democratic U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer for backing the federal economic stimulus act and questioned her support for the military.
Surrounded by about 60 people, many of them veterans, at the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center in Balboa Park on Tuesday, Fiorina said the stimulus act has actually cost jobs rather than helping create them. Boxer says just the opposite.
Filed under: Campaigns, Democrats, Elections, In the News, Politics, Republicans, State of California, U.S. Senate
L.A. NOW
Southern California — this just in
July 27, 2010 | 2:13 pm
A lawsuit filed Monday by a former Bell police officer makes a variety of serious allegations about city officials and suggests voter fraud in a 2009 election.
According to the lawsuit, filed by James Corcoran, off-duty police officers in Bell distributed absentee ballots in a 2009 municipal election and told would-be voters which candidates to support.
Filed under: Bell, Budget, Cities, County of Los Angeles, Economy, Elections, Finance, In the News, Law Enforcement, Legal, Politics
Posted on 26 July 2010
By Robert Cruickshank
As progressive activists across America organize to fight the looming “cat food commission” proposals to destroy the futures of working Americans by slashing Social Security benefits and raise the retirement age, Jerry Brown is now proposing to do the same here in California – in this case with cuts to public employee pensions:
Filed under: Budget, Campaigns, Economy, Elections, Finance, In the News, Pensions, Politics, Republicans, State of California
By Jim Boren on July 27, 2010 2:16 PM
Remember right after the June primary when Democrat Jerry Brown said he’d debate Republican Meg Whitman any time, any place? Whitman has agreed to a Fresno debate on Oct. 2 at Fresno State. But Brown’s gubernatorial campaign today would only say the debate is under consideration.
The Fresno debate will be sponsored by The Bee, Univision, the Fresno-Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the city of Fresno and Fresno State. (Full disclosure: I have attended many of the planning sessions for the debate as a representative of The Bee). This is the same group that sponsored the July 1 town hall in Fresno with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Filed under: Campaigns, Democrats, Elections, In the News, Politics, Republicans, State of California
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
July 27, 2010
Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman has agreed to participate in a September debate co-sponsored by The Sacramento Bee.
Other sponsors of the event, to be held September 28 on the UC Davis campus, are KCRA, Capitol Public Radio and the University of California, Davis.
Filed under: Campaigns, Democrats, Elections, In the News, Politics, Republicans, State of California
Michael J. Mishak Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
July 27, 2010 | 1:08 p.m.
In politics, it’s all about the spin.
Take, for instance, a news release issued Tuesday by the Meg Whitman campaign that proclaims, “Meg Whitman Challenges Jerry Brown to Three Fall Debates.” It was an interesting take given that Brown, the Democratic attorney general, issued the debate challenge to Whitman and her GOP primary rival, California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, at the state Democratic convention in April. Brown kept up the pressure after the primary, challenging Whitman to a series of 10 debates. In June, she accepted an invitation to an October debate, as did Brown, who then asked to speed up the schedule.
Filed under: Campaigns, Democrats, Elections, In the News, Politics, Republicans, State of California
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
July 27, 2010 | 8:36 am
Appearing on “Good Morning America” on Tuesday, Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman emphasized her tenure as chief executive of EBay, saying her experience at the company gave her insight into the conditions needed for small businesses to thrive. And she said she had no plans to run for higher office if she were elected governor.
Meg Whitman “Hundreds of thousands of individuals made most, if not all, of their living selling on EBay,” Whitman said. “I saw exactly what was required for small business to grow and thrive. If California is going to be led out of this recession, it’s going to have to be led out by small business.”
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown is apparently becoming a little sensitive to criticisms he is using his official capacity of Attorney General as a campaign platform.
In a Los Angeles Times story yesterday, Brown defended his investigation into pay practices in the City of Bell, deflecting allegations by the Meg Whitman campaign, that his actions were a campaign stunt.
Maybe someone should ask Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley. The man with the tire tracks across his back.
Filed under: Bell, Campaigns, Cities, Democrats, Elections, In the News, Law Enforcement, Legal, Politics, Republicans, State of California
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, July 26, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterrise
San Bernardino County is no longer revealing its litigation costs in its civil lawsuit against former county officials accused of corruption.
County officials say they’re doing so to protect their legal strategy and that state law allows them to keep information about litigation records confidential until the matter is resolved.
Hudson
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, July 26, 2010
By ALICIA ROBINSON
The Press-Enterprise
Riverside City Manager Brad Hudson may face tough questions today from his bosses on the City Council when they meet behind closed doors to discuss his performance.
Several council members said they have concerns about the sale of Police Department guns in 2005 to Hudson and Assistant City Manager Tom De Santis and city officials’ use of nearly untraceable license plates reserved for police work.
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, July 26, 2010
The Press-Enterprise
Voters likely will be asked in November whether the city treasurer should be appointed by the city council.
The council will decide whether to put the issue on the November ballot when it meets Aug. 3. The treasurer currently is an elected post.
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/26/2010 05:56:55 PM PDT
One of the Inland Empire’s most outspoken Democratic activists says he is unhappy with the county Democratic Party and is considering promoting Republican candidates for local office.
Gil Navarro, who earlier this month said his new political action committee – the Latino Caucus of the Inland Empire – would support only Democratic candidates, now says he might have had a change of heart after a meeting with Assemblyman Curt Hagman, R-Chino Hills.
Filed under: Campaigns, Democrats, Education, Elections, In the News, Politics, Republicans, State Assembly, State of California
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, July 26, 2010
Cassie MacDuff
With the scandal over exorbitant pay for Bell officials, Inland residents may wonder if their city governments, too, have approved extravagant salaries unbeknownst to them.
A 2007 Press-Enterprise survey showed Inland city manager salaries doubled between 1996 and 2006. Some now top $200,000.
Filed under: Budget, Cities, Corona, Economy, Finance, Grand Terrace, Highland, In the News, Loma Linda, Politics, Redlands, Riverside, San Bernardino
10:23 PM PDT on Monday, July 26, 2010
By BEN GOAD
Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON – As Republicans eye a takeover in the House of Representatives this fall, two Inland congressmen are well positioned to reap the benefits.
Reps. Darrell Issa and Jerry Lewis serve as the top Republican members of the House Oversight and Appropriations committees, respectively. But if the Republicans win back majority status, the two lawmakers could become significantly more powerful as chairmen of the two panels.
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, July 26, 2010
By JIM MILLER
Sacramento Bureau
SACRAMENTO – Several Inland governments, businesses and other groups have rallied behind a recently introduced state bill meant to preserve millions in revenue for the agency in charge of redeveloping the former Norton Air Force Base.
The support comes even though some of the agencies would stand to get more money if current law was left alone.
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, July 26, 2010
The Loma Linda City Council will swear in its two newest members and choose a mayor Tuesday night.
Ron Dailey, the executive associate dean of Loma Linda University’s dental school, and Phillip Dupper, a San Bernardino County sheriff’s sergeant, won election June 8.