District Attorney Mike Ramos
Sunday, December 5, 2010 – 01:30 p.m.
Last week another round of perjury for San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos.
Last week another list of excuses and deflections by his biggest defender.
Politics, Government & Business in California's Inland Empire
District Attorney Mike Ramos
Sunday, December 5, 2010 – 01:30 p.m.
Last week another round of perjury for San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos.
Last week another list of excuses and deflections by his biggest defender.
Janice Rutherford
Sunday, December 5, 2010 – 09:30 a.m.
Last Updated: Deceember 5, 2010 – 01:00 p.m.
Incoming county supervisor Janice Rutherford, who will be sworn into office Monday at noon, has an early test coming her way next month.
The test being whether or not she will support former colleague Josie Gonzales for chairperson of the board. A two-year irrevocable term.
Sunday, December 5, 2010 – 09:15 a.m.
The actions of San Bernardino County’s outgoing county counsel, who’s last official day was this past Friday, seems to be conveying feelings about her departure that are somewhat different than her public statements.
It seems Ruth Stringer threw a little bash at the Time in a Bottle wine bar in Redlands last Thursday night.
Paul Biane
Supervisor Paul Biane
Posted: 12/04/2010 05:18:52 PM PST
It has been an honor and pleasure representing San Bernardino County’s 2nd District for eight years on the Board of Supervisors, and I thank residents for granting me the privilege of serving them.
When I look back, I recall a guiding principle my father, Pierre, instilled in me throughout my life: “Leave it better than you found it.” I followed this fundamental rule throughout my tenure as supervisor, and I believe the amenities and projects I delivered reflect that.
10:44 PM PST on Saturday, December 4, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
In his last meeting as a San Bernardino County supervisor, Paul Biane spoke about the guiding principle he learned from his father.
“Leave it better than you found it,” he said.
As Biane’s eight years on the Board of Supervisors come to an end Monday, he leaves a mixed legacy. Constituents praised him for helping to fund libraries and parks in his district, but many were troubled by allegations linking him to a criminal investigation.
Utility tax loss to hit city hard
Michael J. Sorba, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/04/2010 10:03:27 PM PST
COLTON – The impending loss of a utility users tax that provided a significant chunk of the city’s operating income could result in a halt of popular youth recreation programs, the closure of the Luque Branch Library and reduced maintenance of streets and parks.
But employee layoffs could have the greatest impact on the city as 16 police, nine firefighters and eight workers from other departments could be let go to help close a $5 million to $6 million budget gap expected next year.
The outgoing governor takes one more stab at the state’s budget deficit, but Brown has already begun taking charge of fiscal policy.
By Cathleen Decker, Los Angeles Times
December 5, 2010
Sometimes the page turns quietly, without the clang and confetti of a New Year’s celebration. So it appeared last week, as the display of power visibly shifted in Sacramento a month ahead of Jerry Brown’s formal assumption of the governorship from Arnold Schwarzenegger.
By Tony Quinn and Garry South
Special to The Bee
Published: Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 1E
When Jerry Brown takes the oath of office as governor for the third time in January, he will have a Legislature – to be sworn in Monday – controlled overwhelmingly by his own party, just as he did 36 years ago. But that may be about the only thing he’ll recognize about the legislative branch, which bears no resemblance to the stable chambers filled with bipartisan veterans and strong leaders that Brown dealt with during his first go-around.
Leading lawmakers hope to reorganize state services and assign many duties to county governments. Meanwhile, clout in the Senate shifts to business-friendly moderate Democrats.
By Patrick McGreevy and Michael J. Mishak, Los Angeles Times
December 5, 2010
Reporting from Sacramento —
The California Legislature will gavel in a new two-year session Monday mired in a financial mess that is likely to hamper ambitious lawmaking.
Leading lawmakers are turning introspective, saying the $25.4-billion budget deficit expected over the next year and a half forces them to focus on how the Golden State is governed. They hope to reorganize the government by shifting many of its responsibilities to counties and applying greater scrutiny to other state services, with an eye toward doing more with less.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com The Sacramento Bee
Published: Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
The loudest voices in California’s budget crisis belong to those on the political right who contend that raising taxes to cover the deficit would doom the state to perpetual recession and those on the left who argue that reducing spending would likewise devastate the economy.
The volume of those shrill arguments is rising as the Legislature reconvenes, as outgoing Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger calls a symbolic special session on the budget, and as Gov.-elect Jerry Brown prepares to confront the state’s most vexing political issue.