Politics, Government & Business in California's Inland Empire
Adams
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, August 30, 2010
By ALICIA ROBINSON and PAUL LAROCCO
The Press-Enterprise
Riverside Councilman Steve Adams held up the promotion of a police officer for not supporting him politically, according to an ethics complaint filed Monday and court depositions from a lawsuit by two other officers.
The city charter forbids council members from interfering in personnel matters.
09:16 PM PDT on Monday, August 30, 2010
By RICHARD K. DE ATLEY
The Press-Enteprise
Two Inland area death row inmates may be among the first to be executed if California authorities succeed in re-establishing the lethal injection death penalty in the state after a four-year hiatus.
A Riverside County judge on Monday set Sept. 29 as the execution date for Albert Greenwood Brown for the 1980 rape and murder of a Riverside girl.
Supervisor Paul Biane
Created: 08/30/2010 07:18:00 PM PDT
It’s time to come to the bargaining table so we can stop spending taxpayer dollars on litigation costs.
The City of Upland, Caltrans, San Bernardino Associated Governments (Sanbag), and the County of San Bernardino have spent far too much money and time litigating the lawsuit related to the 20th Street storm drain and the Colonies project rather than sitting down and attempting to mediate our differences.
Michael J. Sorba, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/30/2010 06:29:48 PM PDT
COLTON – Colton First, a well-known citizen’s group and political action committee, has filed a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission alleging City Councilman Vincent Yzaguirre failed to report a major in-kind contribution he received during his 2008 re- election campaign.
The complaint says a message encouraging residents to vote for Yzaguirre ran on an electronic reader board sign adjacent to the 10 Freeway for three weeks in October and in the days leading up to the Nov. 4, 2008, election.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/30/2010 05:08:58 PM PDT
RIALTO – Two incumbents are defending their seats on the school board against four challengers, one of whom is a self-described white nationalist.
Joanne Gilbert and John Kazalunas said Monday that Rialto Unified School District needs continuity in its leadership.
Brown
Brown withdraws claim of retaliation in county probe
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 08/30/2010 05:20:07 PM PDT
The former chief of staff to San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane has withdrawn a complaint that alleged he was repeatedly harassed for cooperating with prosecutors probing alleged government corruption.
Matt Brown, who now works as the assistant county recorder, approached County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux last week to say he wanted to drop his May 3 written complaint, which had been addressed to Biane and copied to the other four members of the county Board of Supervisors. The county Human Resources Department then launched an investigation.
Fired CAO hopes to help Needles
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 08/30/2010 04:27:55 PM PDT
Former San Bernardino County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer has taken a position as the interim chief executive officer of the Colorado River Medical Center in Needles.
Uffer said he received a telephone call last Thursday from hospital board member Linda Kidd, informing him the job at the 25-bed acute care hospital was his if he wanted it.
07:37 AM PDT on Tuesday, August 31, 2010
By LAURIE LUCAS
The Press-Enterprise
Moreno Valley scrapped its six-month hunt for a city manager after Interim City Manager William Bopf announced that he wanted to be considered for the job and would work cheaper than most of the candidates he already had helped screen.
The Aug. 24 vote to terminate the search frustrated two councilmen and several members of the search committee who have questioned Bopf’s motives, timing and ethics.
August 30, 2010 6:12 PM
Tomoya Shimura
SAN BERNARDINO • Attorneys delivered opening statements Monday morning in a multi-million dollar libel lawsuit filed by former San Bernardino County Sheriff Gary Penrod’s wife against a controversial local publisher.
Nancy Bohl accused Raymond Pryke of publishing articles in the Hesperia Resorter, Apple Valley News and Adelanto Bulletin that were “obviously false and grossly libelous.” Bohl’s attorney, John Rowell, said the articles hurt Bohl’s reputation and she suffered mental and monetary damages.
August 30, 2010 4:13 PM
Natasha Lindstrom
VICTORVILLE • Five months after officials placed two Victor Valley High School employees on paid leave amid an alleged sex scandal, one of those employees has voluntarily resigned and the second remains on paid leave, according to school officials.
The Victor Valley Union High School District placed the two high school employees on paid leave in late March, after rumors the employees were caught by students having sex in an empty classroom. The Daily Press had learned about the allegations that triggered the investigation through multiple anonymous phone calls and e-mails, as well as students who said the campus was buzzing about the alleged scandal.
California Watch
A Project of the Center for Investigative Reporting
Money and Politics
August 31, 2010 | Chase Davis
Sitting members of the California Legislature have raised more than $380,000 during the last five days, as lobbyists and special interest groups scramble to push their bills through the Assembly and Senate before this year’s legislative session draws to a close.
Before we dig in deeper later this week, we thought we’d show you how things are stacking up.
By Mike Zapler
mzapler@mercurynews.com
Posted: 08/30/2010 04:11:48 PM PDT
Updated: 08/30/2010 09:55:42 PM PDT
WASHINGTON — A looming debate in Congress over whether to continue income tax cuts for the wealthy is already unfolding in California’s Senate race, highlighting a stark ideological contrast between Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer and the Republican trying to unseat her, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina.
Fiorina, who signed a no-new-tax pledge earlier this year, has argued on the campaign trail this month that allowing any taxes to rise would inject additional uncertainty into the fragile economy just as businesses are deciding whether to hire or expand.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com The Sacramento Bee
Published: Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Arnold Schwarzenegger has been beating the drums for public pension reform for months, and the governor insists he won’t sign a budget package that doesn’t include it.
Schwarzenegger argues that a major boost in state worker pensions 11 years ago – largely adopted by local governments as well – and sharp declines in retirement fund earnings have created massive unfunded liabilities that will gobble up an ever-increasing share of revenue.
A panel recommends increasing contributions by employees, raising the retirement age for new hires and reducing some benefits.
President
By Larry Gordon, Los Angeles Times
August 31, 2010
The University of California retirement system faces a shortfall of more than $20 billion, according to a new report, and a task force of administrators and employees is recommending changes to help fix the problem.
The panel, which released its report publicly Monday, proposed such changes as increasing contributions made by the university and employees, raising the minimum retirement age for new hires and reducing some benefits.
Post Politics
By Jon Cohen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, August 30, 2010; 11:27 PM
Pollsters offered some more glum news for Democrats on Monday night: Republicans have their biggest lead ever on the question of which party voters would support for Congress. Gallup’s “generic ballot” – a staple of election prognostication – shows Republicans with a double-digit advantage.
By Joel Fox
Editor of Fox & Hounds and President of the Small Business Action Committee
Mon, August 30th, 2010
The scheduled votes Tuesday on two disparate budget plans for California — one put forth by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the other by legislative Democrats — are fine as far as they go but they do not go far enough. There should be votes on many possible budget plans.
Tuesday’s exercise is designed to consider two different ways to look at spending plans for the state government and to take a measure of where those plans stand with legislators. The outcomes of the votes are obvious.
By Dale Kasler
dkasler@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, Aug. 30, 2010 – 4:26 pm
Questioned in connection with a bribery scandal at CalPERS, a former board member of the giant pension fund invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination 126 times earlier this month, according to court records filed today.
Charles Valdes repeatedly refused to answer questions from a state lawyer about his relationship with Alfred Villalobos.
Monday, August 30, 2010 – 4:50 pm
I just read a story published this afternoon on The Sun newspaper website that I’m sure will appear in Tuesday’s edition.
The story is regarding a settlement with recently appointed Assistant Auditor-Controller-Recorder Matt Brown, former chief of staff to San Bernardino County supervisor Paul Biane. Brown filed a complaint with county officials that he was subject to a hostile work environment due to his cooperation with a county corruption probe.
By Joe Nelson
Posted: 08/30/2010 12:46:34 PM PDT
The former chief of staff for San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane has withdrawn a complaint alleging he was repeatedly harassed for cooperating in corruption probe as part of a settlement deal with the county.
Matt Brown, who now works as the assistant county recorder, approached County Administrative Officer Greg Deveraux last week to say he wanted to drop his May 3 written complaint addressed to Biane and carbon copied to the other four board members. A human resources investigation was subsequently launched.
Sunday, August 29, 2010 – 08:30 pm
Pollster Scott Rasmussen of Rasmussen Reports told Fox News channel in an interview this afternoon that Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman is maintaining a firm lead over California Attorney General Jerry Brown.
Last week Rasmussen released a poll conducted on August 24th showing Whitman with a firm 48% to 40% lead over Brown. When taking into account leaning voters Whitman captures a majority of likely voters at 51% to Brown’s 43%. Leaning voter’s become increasingly more important after Labor Day.
Ramos with Attorney General Jerry Brown
Sunday, August 29, 2010 – 11:50 pm
San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos, the architect of a corruption probe against various current and former San Bernardino County officials, has now become the recipient of criticism from senior republicans.
One elected official is even is asserting that prosecutions brought by Ramos may in fact be politically motivated.
.
Sunday, August 29, 2010 – 2:40 pm
It’s finally crunch time in the multi-year corruption probe launched by San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos.
And one has to wonder what Ramos told Attorney General Jerry Brown in regards to his evidence?
There’s a bigger question starting to be asked by some close to the investigation.
Was Brown lied to?
Sunday, August 29, 2010 – 12:30 pm
Updated: August 29, 2010 – 08:50 pm
It’s baffling to hear the rhetoric, chatter, and the denials regarding the condition of the state and local economy.
Yes, it’s going to get worse. A situation that’s bad for everyone. Politicians, businesses, and everyday folk. Denial is still in full swing.
11:19 PM PDT on Sunday, August 29, 2010
By CHRISTINA JEWETT
California Watch
The office of Attorney General Jerry Brown has dismissed an increasing number of criminal cases against defendants suspected of elder abuse, while cutting back on surprise inspections to investigate violence and neglect in nursing homes.
A California Watch review of elder abuse prosecutions found Brown’s office in sharp contrast with his predecessor, Bill Lockyer, who made similar cases a top priority during his two terms. In addition to dismissing abuse prosecutions already in motion, Brown’s office has filed fewer new cases per year than Lockyer’s office.
10:54 PM PDT on Sunday, August 29, 2010
By JIM MILLER
Sacramento Bureau
SACRAMENTO – A bill that would set new rules for the foreclosure process is the focus of a fierce end-of-session fight between the lending industry and consumer groups.
Loan delinquency and foreclosure rates are down from the worst of the housing downturn but Riverside and San Bernardino counties remain among the hardest-hit parts of the state.
10:00 PM PDT on Sunday, August 29, 2010
The Press-Enterprise
Just when does Senate Republican leader-elect Bob Dutton get to drop the “elect?”
The transition had long been set for Wednesday. Earlier this month, Senate GOP head honcho Dennis Hollingsworth said Dutton would be taking over then, “rain or shine, budget or no budget.”
Streets surrounding courthouse would get the timers
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/29/2010 09:51:43 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – City leaders’ quest for new revenue may result in parking meters being installed on the streets surrounding the Central Courthouse.
“You can’t find a place to park around the courthouse, and we should be getting a parking fee from the people who are over there to do business or take care of legal matters,” said Rich Lawhead, president of the San Bernardino Police Officers Association.
City had only $1.7M in reserve on June 30
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/29/2010 09:49:33 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – Budget reserves are so low that City Treasurer David Kennedy says there was no real alternative to the latest round of budget cuts.
San Bernardino officials have yet to complete their accounting of the past fiscal year, but they expect to find the ending fund balance as of June 30 was a mere $1.7 million.
Are they near casino for safety or money?
Michael J. Sorba, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/29/2010 09:49:31 PM PDT
It’s the letter no one wants: One informing a hapless driver that he or she was photographed running a red light at an intersection equipped with enforcement cameras.
The violation comes with a hefty fine of around $400 and more in traffic school fees if the driver wants to avoid a record that could auto insurance costs to rise.
Sen. Bob Dutton
Created: 08/29/2010 08:06:40 PM PDT
For the past year, the state budget process has dragged along at a markedly slow pace with precious little in the way of progress to talk about. It may have come as a pleasant surprise to some then that a budget vote is scheduled for this Tuesday. But despite the assurances you might hear from Democrat leaders, make no mistake, this is only a drill.
GOP big guns back newcomer
Rebecca Kimitch, Staff Writer
Created: 08/29/2010 09:53:49 PM PDT
In June, a few hundred votes separated them. Now Tim Donnelly and Chris Lancaster are fighting on the same team.
Donnelly, a self-described grass-roots Tea Party Republican and former Minuteman, narrowly beat Lancaster in the Republican primary for the 59th Assembly District, which stretches between Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.
Spitzer
Posted: Sunday, August 29, 2010 12:22 am | Updated: 12:55 am, Sun Aug 29, 2010.
NORBERTO SANTANA, JR.
Saturday, August 28, 2010 | Former state Assemblyman and county Supervisor Todd Spitzer spoke out Saturday, saying he was improperly fired from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office over a routine phone call to the Public Guardian’s Office to check into the status of a case.
Spitzer made the call on behalf of Huntington Beach resident Teddie Alves, who had called Spitzer at the Harbor Justice Center and asked him to look into allegations of domestic violence and elder abuse at the Public Guardian’s Office.
Political analysts who wanted the Democrat to press Meg Whitman hard now express admiration for his ability to stay even in the polls.
By Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times
August 30, 2010
Democrat Jerry Brown is running for governor, but voters in California might not know it. Since winning the primary in June, he has spent almost nothing, has rarely appeared on the campaign trail and has yet to air a single ad against Republican rival Meg Whitman.
But as Labor Day, the traditional start of the general election season, approaches, polls show that Brown and Whitman are locked in a tight race, despite Whitman’s putting $104 million of her personal wealth into her campaign and spending $20 million on television ads over the summer.
Voters need to be told why a political old-timer like him would be better than neophyte Meg Whitman
By George Skelton, Capitol Journal
August 30, 2010
From Sacramento-
There was a blonde sitting at a Lake Tahoe waterfront bar recently who had Jerry Brown’s problem nailed.
“Millions of Democrats are waiting for a reason to vote for Jerry Brown and he isn’t giving them one,” she said, interrupting the tortured analyses spewing from me and some other political junkies.
Barbara Boxer Carly Fiorina
.
August 30, 2010
As the U.S. Senate candidates prepare to debate Wednesday evening, Republican Carly Fiorina and Democrat Barbara Boxer face two, very different challenges:
Fiorina, the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, wants to make the case that Boxer is a left-wing extremist who should be tossed out of Congress and that she would make a solid replacement for her rival.
By David Siders
dsiders@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, Aug. 30, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 1A
Former Gov. Pete Wilson provided Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman a valuable endorsement in the GOP primary, when he declared she would be “tough as nails” on illegal immigration.
But what made that recommendation resonate for many conservatives – Wilson championed Proposition 187, the 1994 initiative that sought to deny public services to illegal immigrants – has become a liability now that Whitman is trying to win over Latino and independent voters.
As lawmakers rush to pass bills before the deadline, lobbyists and others are busy making deals.
By Shane Goldmacher and Evan Halper, Los Angeles Times
August 30, 2010
Reporting from Sacramento —
It happens every year at this time. Overtired legislators are only days from the deadline to pass new laws, and there is so much bustle in the Capitol that keeping track of all the drafts of bills is almost impossible. That’s when special interests can capitalize on the chaos.
By Ed Mendel
CalSTRS is paying two public affairs firms up to $600,00 this fiscal year to help tell system members and legislators about the need to begin closing a huge funding shortfall.
The contract with Edelman and Lucas Public Affairs allows two top executives to bill at the rate of $250 an hour, three others at $225 an hour, two at $210 an hour, and three at $150 to $125 an hour. The firms also can bill CalSTRS for travel expenses.
Published: Aug. 29, 2010
Updated: Aug. 30, 2010 6:49 a.m.
By FRANK MICKADEIT
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Did anybody really think D.A. Tony Rackauckas ‘s anointment of Todd Spitzer to replace him in four years was going to go smoothly?
Well, naïve little me thought it might. But under either of the two prevailing theories as to why T-Rack fired Spitzer on Friday, this was a marriage that was doomed.
Wyatt Buchanan, Chronicle Sacramento Bureau
San Francisco Chronicle
Monday, August 30, 2010
(08-30) 04:00 PDT Sacramento – —
As California’s budget impasse moves into record-breaking territory, and as the consequences of inaction multiply, people around the state and at the Capitol say it’s anyone’s guess as to when a spending plan will be passed.
The Legislature and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger are facing increasing criticism from the public and each other that they lack a sense of urgency to pass a budget that solves the state’s $19 billion deficit.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com The Sacramento Bee
Published: Monday, Aug. 30, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
One can find broad agreement in the Capitol – and probably in the public – that California’s tax systems, which collect upwards of $200 billion a year, are a mess.
But that’s where accord on taxes ends. Everyone, it seems, has a different take on how taxes should be made fairer, more relevant and easier to administer – usually reflecting an old adage: “Don’t tax you, don’t tax me, tax the fellow behind the tree.”
By Jon Ortiz
jortiz@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, Aug. 30, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 1A
California state government’s “Help Wanted” sign drew nearly 23,000 new employees in the past year and a half, although the overall size of the state work force remained relatively flat.
Seasonal firefighters, highway patrol cadets and unemployment insurance workers were among the largest groups in the 22,781 workers who were new to state service. The numbers, from January 2009 through June of this year, were produced by the state controller’s office.
By Robin Harding in Jackson Hole and Helen Thomas in New York
Published: August 29 2010 19:57 | Last updated: August 29 2010 19:57
Investors are braced for a week of crucial economic data that could decide the Federal Reserve’s next move after chairman Ben Bernanke said it would ease policy if the outlook deteriorated “significantly”.
RIVERSIDE: Some residents want rule changes after revelations of some questionable conduct.
11:21 PM PDT on Saturday, August 28, 2010
By ALICIA ROBINSON
The Press-Enterprise
The political turmoil that has roiled Riverside for much of 2010 has some residents calling for a stronger city ethics code.
In the six years since voters made the code part of the city charter, a total of nine ethics complaints have been filed. Four of them were filed in the past year.
Rialto Unified schools
Repairs due, officials say
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/28/2010 07:33:56 AM PDT
RIALTO – Temperatures hitting the 100-degree mark greeted students returning to physical education classes last week inside Eisenhower High School’s gym.
And those usually start by 10:30 a.m.
Latino drive stirs concerns
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/28/2010 09:32:36 PM PDT
As Latino leaders and the Catholic Church ramp up efforts to register more Latino voters, immigration activists and some conservatives say they are afraid such efforts are aimed at getting illegal immigrants to vote.
While it appears some loopholes could allow illegal immigrants to vote, there’s little evidence of illegal immigrants voting, and those behind the registration efforts say they have no need to reach out to illegal immigrants. San Bernardino County, they say, has so many legal Latino citizens who don’t vote that just reaching out to them is enough.
***Editor’s Note: Assembly Member Wilmer Amina Carter (D-Rialto) doesn’t come off well in this story as the #2 offender. Carter was absent 23 sessions for medical reasons and never once waived accepting her per diem.
Carter
By Jim Sanders
jsanders@sacbee.com
Published: Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 1A
California legislators collected tens of thousands of dollars in taxpayer-funded per diem payments for floor sessions they did not attend this year, records show.
Failing to show up for work typically did not hurt lawmakers’ pocketbooks: Only about one of every four absences included the loss of the tax-free $142 per day in living expenses.
Joe Garofoli, Chronicle Staff Writer
San Francisco Chronicle
Sunday, August 29, 2010
As she fired up volunteers who were going door to door in search of votes Saturday in Oakland, Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer previewed the tack she may take against Republican Carly Fiorina in their first U.S. Senate debate Wednesday at St. Mary’s College in Moraga.
And it has something to do with her hair.
Marisa Lagos, Chronicle Sacramento Bureau
San Francisco Chronicle
Sunday, August 29, 2010
(08-29) 04:00 PDT Sacramento – —
The campaign for state attorney general is heating up as the candidates – prosecutors from opposite ends of the state and political aisle – launch scathing attacks on one another over their character and integrity.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com The Sacramento Bee
Published: Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger summoned the four legislative leaders to his office the other day for a “Big Five” meeting on the long-stalled state budget, the first such meeting in more than two months.
Did that signal that the stalemate over how to close the budget’s whopping deficit is beginning to crack?
Published: Aug. 28, 2010
Updated: 9:18 p.m.
By RACHANEE SRISAVASDI and DEEPA BHARATH
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Todd Spitzer, who aspires to be Orange County’s next top prosecutor and was viewed as the likely successor of District Attorney Tony Rackauckas, said he was fired from the law-enforcement agency.
Susan Kang Schroeder, chief of staff for Rackauckas, had confirmed earlier Saturday that Spitzer was no longer an assistant district attorney. “We are legally prohibited from commenting on the separation of Todd Spitzer’s employment status due to confidentiality laws,” she said.
Before a vast crowd on the National Mall, the media commentator and Sarah Palin stress religious themes but hit political notes too. The Rev. Al Sharpton follows with a smaller counter-rally.
Organizers said the rally drew 500,000 people to the National Mall. Though there was no independent confirmation of the estimate, the crowd was densely packed and stretched for blocks, approximating events that have been estimated at 200,000 or more. (Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press / August 27, 2010)
By Michael A. Memoli and Kim Geiger, Tribune Washington Bureau
August 29, 2010
Reporting from Washington —
Conservative radio and television commentator Glenn Beck urged thousands of supporters gathered Saturday on the National Mall to renew their faith both in God and in the nation because the country faces a choice of whether to “advance or perish.”
By Charlie Gasparino
Published August 25, 2010
An all-out war has broken out between Citigroup CEO Vikram Pandit and a prominent securities analyst who is saying that the big bank may be cooking the books by inflating its earnings through an accounting gimmick, FOX Business Network has learned.
The analyst, Mike Mayo, of the securities firm CLSA, has been telling investors that Citigroup (C: 3.75 ,0.00 ,0.00%) should take a writedown, or a loss on some $50 billion of “deferred-tax assets,” or DTAs. That is a tax credit the firm has on its financial statement that Mayo says is inflating profits at the big bank by as much as $10 billion.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/27/2010 06:01:26 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – City Attorney James F. Penman is a co-plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging the written argument in favor of Measure C, which is a proposal to amend the City Charter.
The lawsuit was filed Thursday in San Bernardino Superior Court. Penman, who did not file in his official capacity, contends that Measure C proponents’ argument submitted for voters’ sample ballots contains numerous errors.
Michael J. Sorba, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/27/2010 06:05:49 PM PDT
About two dozen troops from a San Bernardino-based unit will be among the roughly 260 California National Guardsmen helping secure the border with Mexico.
National Guard forces at the border are expected to be at full strength by Wednesday, said Major Kim Holman, public affairs officer for the border mission.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 08/27/2010 06:26:52 PM PDT
UPLAND – City officials said they will have to make additional cuts to the city’s 2010-11 budget due to a prolonged economic recovery period and substantial legal fees.
The Finance Department will recommend between $1.8 million to $2 million in cuts to the City Council in October.
05:26 PM PDT on Friday, August 27, 2010
By RICHARD K. De ATLEY
The Press-Enterprise
Special Section: San Jacinto Corruption Probe
A preliminary hearing to decide whether six relatives of the defendants in a San Jacinto political corruption indictment should be tried in a perjury and campaign money-laundering case will resume next month.
During a day of testimony, only one of the six defendants’ attorneys had a chance to argue that the prosecution’s case is not worthy of trial.
Ryan Carter, Staff Writer
Created: 08/27/2010 06:38:05 PM PDT
The financial hits just kept coming over the last week.
When the reports started coming seven days ago, you might have figured that things could only get better.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
August 27, 2010
Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman’s ground operation has merged with that of the state Republican Party’s and will be focusing not just on the governor’s race this fall but also on targeted legislative races, said Whitman strategist Jeff Randle this morning in a conference call with reporters.
Executive got $243,898 through a consulting firm headed by his wife plus an annual salary of more than $380,000. He claimed to have worked six months straight, including 13 hours on New Year’s Day.
By Kim Christensen and Sam Allen, Los Angeles Times
August 27, 2010|7:10 p.m.
One of California’s highest-paid public employees has been relieved of his duties while Vernon officials conduct a “comprehensive review” of his and his wife’s financial dealings with the well-heeled industrial city.
Published: Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 6B
The state Board of Equalization said Friday that August sales tax allocations to local governments statewide will remain flat due to economic conditions.
Earlier this year, a 5.7 percent increase in allocations was projected by the state, but cash receipt totals counted since then have proved that projection wrong.
Uffer
Yes it’s true.
Sources tell InlandPolitics.com that former San Bernardino County administrative officer Mark H. Uffer is now the incoming CEO of Colorado River Medical Center in Needles.
Darius Anderson
Money & Company
August 27, 2010 | 4:24 pm
Darius Anderson is a well-known player in the high-powered and often-overlapping worlds of California business, lobbying and politics.
No stranger to campaign finance, he’s raised millions of dollars for candidates over the years, mostly for Democrats. Citing that expertise, state Fair Political Practices Commission Chairman Dan Schnur appointed Anderson this week to a prestigious panel that will examine overhauling state campaign finance disclosure laws.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
August 27, 2010
There’s no budget agreement in sight, but lawmakers next Tuesday will vote on dueling spending plans by Democrats and Republicans.
The Senate and Assembly will vote on a Democratic spending plan unveiled weeks ago and on a Republican budget proposal that is under construction, said Shannon Murphy, spokeswoman for Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
August 27, 2010
Senate Republican leader Dennis Hollingsworth was adamant earlier this month about leaving his post next Wednesday no matter what, but he and his successor now say the date depends on the state of budget negotiations.
Before a meeting Thursday of legislative leaders and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hollingsworth said he’d delay the leadership handoff if a budget deal is imminent. But if Democrats and Republicans remain far apart, Hollingsworth said he would hand over the reins to Senate Republican Leader-elect Bob Dutton.
By Malcolm Maclachlan | 08/27/10 12:00 AM PST
A last-minute attempt to license and tax medical marijuana is drawing fire from a leading pot legalization group, California NORML, which says the bill wouldn’t do anything to improve legal protections for dispensaries.
Bernanke
By Jim Puzzanghera
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
August 27, 2010|7:45 a.m.
Reporting from Washington —
The Commerce Department on Friday downgraded the nation’s economic growth in the second quarter, providing the most important evidence yet that the recovery has stalled.
The anemic annualized growth rate of 1.6% was down from last month’s estimate of 2.4%. The drop was slightly less than many economists had predicted, but the report still put an exclamation point on a week of bad economic news that has raised fears the nation could plunge into another recession.
Glenn Beck
By Amy Gardner
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, August 27, 2010; 3:09 PM
Glenn Beck has billed his “Restoring Honor” rally at the Lincoln Memorial on Saturday in part as an opportunity to focus attention on those who have served in the military.
Specifically, Beck has joined forces with a small, Tampa-based nonprofit called the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, which he said will benefit from all proceeds of the event. He is encouraging his supporters to donate to the foundation.
By OptionMonster 08/26/10 – 01:11 PM EDT
By David Russell, reporter at OptionMonster
CVB Financial(CVBF) gapped lower two weeks ago after getting subpoenaed by federal investigators, and one investor is positioning for further downside.
optionMONSTER’s Depth Charge tracking system detected the purchase of more than 34,000 October 5 puts on the California lender for $0.40. The activity pushed total options volume in the stock to 22 times greater than average.
07:17 AM PDT on Friday, August 27, 2010
By DARRELL R. SANTSCHI
The Press-Enterprise
Grand Terrace has not paid federal payroll taxes on City Council and planning commissioners’ monthly stipends since the city was incorporated 32 years ago.
The city’s failure to pay was disclosed this week when the council approved $14,000 in payments to the United States Treasury to cover three years of the unpaid payroll taxes in hopes the Internal Revenue Service will not demand more.
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Moreno Valley Mayor Bonnie Flickinger will reflect on the city’s accomplishments and expectations at the State of the City address Sept. 9.
The event will be at the Moreno Valley Conference and Recreation Center, 14075 Frederick St. The mayor and City Council members will greet guests at 11:30 a.m., followed at noon by a luncheon and Flickinger’s address.
Next week’s Bay Area debate between Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Republican challenger Carly Fiorina will be broadcast live on the local public radio station KVCR 91.9 FM, allowing Inland residents to tune in.
In rare simultaneous campaigning, each faults the other on past experience or the lack of it.
By Seema Mehta and Maeve Reston, Los Angeles Times
August 27, 2010
Reporting from San Diego and City of Industry —
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jerry Brown argued Thursday that his experience makes him the only candidate who can right California, and he slashed at Republican rival Meg Whitman by calling her a neophyte who has run an ugly and inaccurate campaign against him.
OCWatchDog
August 26th, 2010, 7:03 pm · posted by BRIAN JOSEPH, Sacramento Correspondent
Updated with additional calculations by the Watchdog
In response to reporting by the Watchdog, Jerry Brown’s campaign released this afternoon an official state document showing that he’ll earn an annual pension of $79,536 if he retires at the end of his term as attorney general early next year.
By Jack Dolan and Patrick McGreevy, Los Angeles Times
August 27, 2010
Reporting from Sacramento —
As legislators rush to bring more transparency to the salaries of city officials — like the eye-popping compensation enjoyed until recently by administrators in Bell — they’re balking at passing a law that would make it easier for the public to find out their own pay.
Business
By Dale Kasler
dkasler@sacbee.com
Published: Friday, Aug. 27, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 6B
A top CalPERS official, suspended after being linked to the bribery scandal involving former board member Alfred Villalobos, quit the pension fund Thursday.
Senior investment officer Leon Shahinian, who oversaw CalPERS’ $40 billion pool of private equity money, is joining the private sector.
California Watch
A Project of the Center for Investigative Reporting
Health and Welfare
August 27, 2010 | Christina Jewett
Scores of medical providers that rely on the Medi-Cal program for funding are now getting “value of claims” statements in lieu of payments.
The Medi-Cal agency ran out of funding for providers that typically see $300 million per month from the state, said Anthony Cava, a spokesman with the Department of Health Care Services, which runs Medi-Cal.
Election 2010: California Governor
Thursday, August 26, 2010
The tie is broken for now, with Republican Meg Whitman, coming off last weekend’s state GOP Convention, moving out to her best showing yet in the race to be the next governor of California.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in California finds Whitman earning 48% support, while Democrat Jerry Brown picks up 40% of the vote. Six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate in the race, and six percent (6%) are undecided.
Election 2010: California Senate
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Democratic incumbent Barbara Boxer and her Republican challenger Carly Fiorina are now essentially tied in California’s U.S. Senate race, moving the state from Leans Democratic to a Toss-Up in the Rasmussen Reports Election 2010 Senate Balance of Power rankings.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in California shows Boxer with 44% support, while Fiorina picks up 43% of the vote. Five percent (5%) like another candidate in the race, and eight percent (8%) are undecided.
09:37 PM PDT on Wednesday, August 25, 2010
By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
The Press-Enterprise
Among reasons for seizing Arrowhead Credit Union when it did, federal regulators for the first time pointed to an impending deal by the San Bernardino institution to sell multiple branches to Alaska USA at a “steep discount.”
The National Credit Union Administration placed Arrowhead under conservatorship on June 25.
215 Freeway widening
Labor talks reach impasse
Michael J. Sorba, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/25/2010 06:53:58 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – Officials with the county’s transportation agency fear work could stop on the 215 Freeway widening project in as little as two weeks if a dispute between a labor union and a contractors association isn’t resolved.
Heavy-equipment workers of the International Brotherhood of Operating Engineers Local 12 are on strike, leaving about 15 percent of the normal work force available to continue with the project.
Purchase orders, home buying in slump
Staff and Wire Reports
Posted: 08/25/2010 07:46:33 PM PDT
The economic recovery appears to be stalling as companies cut back last month on their investments in equipment and machines and Americans bought new homes at the weakest pace in decades.
The local economy displayed little growth as employment declined and new orders remained flat in July, according to an Inland Empire report on business prepared by the Institute of Applied Research at Cal State San Bernardino.
Preparations made to outlast state’s budget problems
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Created: 08/25/2010 10:02:18 PM PDT
San Bernardino County officials anticipated Monday’s decision by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the state controller and treasurer to delay a monthly payment of $2.9 billion to school districts and counties sooner than expected so the state can meet debt and pension obligations.
The leaders issued a joint letter notifying state lawmakers of their decision to begin withholding the payments in September instead of October.
Lawmakers offer bleak view of talks
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Created: 08/25/2010 09:43:35 PM PDT
Nearly eight weeks into the new fiscal year, California lawmakers aren’t even pretending they’re close to approving a state budget.
Asked if the Legislature would pass a spending plan before the November election, state Sen. Bob Huff, R-Walnut, quipped: “That’s possible.”
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, August 25, 2010
By RICHARD K. DE ATLEY
The Press-Enterprise
Riverside County Superior Court Judge Carol D. Codrington’s nomination as associate justice for the 4th District Court of Appeal, Division 2, based in Riverside, was confirmed Wednesday.
The action was a unanimous vote by the state Commission on Judicial Appointments and took place after a public hearing at the Supreme Court in San Francisco.
