Politics, Government and Business in Southern California's Inland Empire
Friday, August 31, 2012 – 04:30 p.m.
The California Assembly approved AB 340, the overblown and over-touted pension reform bill, Friday afternoon.
Friday, August 31, 2012 – 09:30 a.m.
Another sign of a foundering reelection bid by President Barack Obama and the fully-energized campaign of the Mitt Romney/Paul Ryan ticket.
Bets on the November Presidential Election, via Intrade, have executed a dramatic shift over the past 90-days.
Friday, August 31, 2012 – 09:00 a.m.
The final night of the Republican National Convention was a barn burner.
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and legendary Actor Clint Eastwood drove the point clearly home with republican voters, and likely many independents as well.
By John Nolte – 30 Aug 2012
Newsflash: Obama can’t take a joke. But we already knew that.
For four long years we’ve waited, hoped and prayed that some young comic would break free of the politically correct demands of The State and mock Obama the way all presidents and all people in power should be mocked. But for four long years (with a few exceptions) all we’ve seen instead are cowardly toadies of The State: Bill Maher, Jon Stewart, David Letterman, Chris Rock, the cast of “Saturday Night Live”…
By Joe Nelson, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 08/30/2012 12:41:30 PM PDT
The state 4th District Court of Appeal in Riverside has set a date to hear oral arguments from prosecutors and defense attorneys in a far-reaching bribery and conspiracy case in San Bernardino County.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/30/2012 08:39:02 PM PDT
Special Section: San Bernardino
SAN BERNARDINO – The cuts in a budget plan presented Wednesday night may have a staggering effect on the city, with some impacts coming in areas that can’t afford it, residents and employees said Thursday.
Published: 30 August 2012 – 06:46 PM
SACRAMENTO – For the second year in a row, a group of Inland Southern California cities and lawmakers are making a last-minute push to restore millions of dollars in budget cuts.
To read story by Jim Miller in the Press Enterprise, click here.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Friday, Aug. 31, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Ten months ago, Gov. Jerry Brown proclaimed California’s public employee pension system to be “unsustainable” and proposed a very mild, 12-point reform plan.
This week, he embraced a much-weaker version drafted in secrecy by the Legislature’s Democratic leaders, who insisted that it is “a strong proposal” (Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg) and “comprehensive” (Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez).
August 30th, 2012, 4:56 pm
Posted by Teri Sforza, Register staff writer
By Brian Joseph and Teri Sforza
The pension reform bill that the California legislature is expected to approve Friday may save a lot of money for your grandchildren.
For you, not so much.
Thursday, August 30, 2012 – 10:30 a.m.
Here’s news of interest flowing across the transom this morning.
New unemployment claims remain elevated
First-time claims for unemployment benefits remained at elevated levels last week.
By Ryan Hagen, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 08/29/2012 07:39:41 PM PDT
View: San Bernardino Pre-Pendency Plan
View: Pre-Pendency Plan – Replacement Page 27
Special section: San Bernardino
SAN BERNARDINO — More than 100 positions would be eliminated from City Hall in a budget plan presented for the first time Wednesday, a number that City Council members and department heads said was alarming but that still leaves a deficit of more than $7million.
Published: 29 August 2012 – 08:41 PM
A Text Size
SACRAMENTO – There are thousands of local government agencies around the state, employing hundreds of thousands of workers covered by a variety of retirement plans.
By Friday, the Legislature will consider imposing its plan to overhaul public-employee pensions on them.
To read entire story by Jim Miller in the Press-Enterprise, click here.
Published: 29 August 2012 – 06:27 PM
TAMPA, Fla. – Rushing between TV and radio interviews, speaking engagements, campaign events and parties, Inland Rep. Mary Bono Mack has become many things to many people at this year’s Republican National Convention.
To read story by Ben Goad in the Press-Enterprise, click here.
The State Worker
Chronicling civil-service life for California state workers
August 29, 2012
California state and local governments stand to save between $40 billion and $60 billion over 30 years, according to a hasty fiscal analysis of a pension reform measure set for a vote later this week, according to CalPERS.
By Ed Mendel
Thursday, August 31, 2012
A pension reform plan worked out by Gov. Brown and Democratic legislators could save state and local government employers $40 billion to $60 billion over the next 30 years.
The preliminary CalPERS estimate, which will be refined before the Legislature votes on the plan Friday, expects most savings to come from two cost-cutting strategies used in labor negotiations: lower benefits for new hires and higher employee contributions.
SACRAMENTO — What Gov. Jerry Brown said recently about his proposed tax hike was complete balderdash. And I’m betting he was the first to know it.
He is not ordinarily delusional, after all.
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
August 29, 2012 | 4:55 pm
The state Senate on Wednesday approved a measure allowing up to 450,000 illegal immigrants in California to get state driver’s licenses once they are awarded work permits under a new federal program providing a reprieve from deportation.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012 – 10:30 a.m.
It’s true that in politics perception is reality.
In the race for San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor deception to create a perception has been a key factor.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012 – 09:00 a.m.
You gotta hand it to California Governor Jerry Brown.
In an effort to cajole voters into raising taxes on themselves in November, Brown and democrats have reached a deal on reforming pensions in California.
The big question this morning is are they kidding?
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/28/2012 07:14:41 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – The heads of all city departments will make public presentations at tonight’s City Council meeting about how they plan to cut 30 percent of their budgets, a change from an earlier agenda that included an item to approve the plans but not details about them.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 08/28/2012 11:53:56 AM PDT
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a joint-powers agreement with Ontario to guide marketing and development of the distressed L.A./Ontario International Airport should the city acquire it from Los Angeles.
Staff reports
Created: 08/28/2012 05:29:20 PM PDT
Passenger traffic at L.A./Ontario International Airport saw only a slight drop in July, falling 2.74 percent compared to the same month in 2011.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/28/2012 05:41:04 PM PDT
Tuesday’s housing data showing improvement in three key measures of the housing market occasioned some optimism in Southern California.
That optimism may not, however, extend to particularly depressed places like the city of San Bernardino.
By Anthony York and Patrick McGreevy, Los Angeles Times
August 28, 2012, 10:15 p.m.
Gov. Jerry Brown announced a new plan Tuesday to rein in public pension costs that would raise the retirement age, cap benefits for the highest-paid employees and eliminate “spiking” — but lacks key parts of the bolder system overhaul he proposed months ago and would even increase some payouts.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Alate-blooming, business-backed drive to significantly alter the 42-year-old California Environmental Quality Act died late last week when it crashed into a wall of opposition from influential environmental groups.
That wasn’t the official reason, of course. Rather, legislative leaders insisted that putting off CEQA modification was a good government decision not to rush on something so significant.
By Dan Morain, Senior editor
dmorain@sacbee.com
Published: Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 17A
Interest groups have handed out no less than $42.37 million in campaign donations in the final weeks of the legislative session, as lawmakers decide the fate of hundreds of bills.
Coincidence? Not hardly.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012 – 03:00 p.m.
It’s official!
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney clinched the Republican nomination for President of the United States just a little before 6 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday evening.
Romney will officially accept the nomination, at the Republican National Convention, just after 10 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday evening.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012 – 09:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 – 02:15 p.m.
Republican National Convention sources say Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has commenced the formation of his transition team, should he be elected the next President of the United States.
City Attorney defends process, citing bankruptcy issue
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/27/2012 01:26:47 PM PDT
Special Section: San Bernardino
SAN BERNARDINO – The city manager doesn’t plan to release her recommendations on how to cut 30 percent of the city’s budget until at least Wednesday’s scheduled City Council vote, potentially cutting time for public input.
Liset Marquez, Staff Writer
Created: 08/27/2012 05:47:47 PM PDT
San Bernardino County is expected to take the final action in creating an alliance with the city of Ontario to form a local authority for LA/Ontario International Airport.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/27/2012 06:47:51 PM PDT
San Bernardino County Supervisor Janice Rutherford is ramping up her opposition to a controversial proposal that would have the county partner with a private firm and use eminent domain to seize underwater mortgages to stimulate the housing market.
August 27th, 2012, 4:43 pm
Posted by BRIAN JOSEPH, Sacramento Correspondent
Senate Leader Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, told reporters Monday that he’s “optimistic” that a conference committee on pension reform will vote on a plan Tuesday that saves “tens of billions of dollars” over the next 20 to 30 years.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
We in the media occupy an odd place in Capitol politics.
Inescapably, we are part of the process because what we write and broadcast and how we do it affects outcomes of issues inside the Capitol and political campaigns outside.
By David Siders
dsiders@sacbee.com
Published: Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 1A
Last Modified: Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012 – 8:17 am
ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. – New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie ripped into California Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday, calling him an “old retread” and suggesting – to the delight of California Republicans – that his own election in a Democratic state is proof Republicans in California could rebound.
By Dan Zak
August 27, 2012
One of the top 10 films at the weekend box office was a documentary that equates Barack Obama’s reelection with the death and dismemberment of the United States of America — “2016: Obama’s America” grossed about $6.5 million to land at No. 7, nearly $800,000 ahead of Meryl Streep’s latest, the Obamically titled “Hope Springs.”
By Sandra Emerson
Created: 08/27/2012 12:26:25 PM PDT
Upland contractor John Hennes was sentenced today to 12 months — six months in jail and six months of home confinement — for his role in a federal bribery case involving former Upland mayor John Pomierski and a local business.
ELECTION 2012
55 percent support Prop. 30, 40 percent support Prop.
Beau Yarbrough, Staff Writer
Created: 08/26/2012 12:13:47 PM PDT
Special Section: Education
A new poll released shows tepid support for two November ballot propositions intended to fund California’s public schools, even before the ad campaigns opposing the propositions begin. And that has some local educators warning of potential dire consequences for local districts.
Week ahead
Staff Reports
Created: 08/26/2012 12:14:45 PM PDT
Upland contractor John Hennes is scheduled to be sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Riverside.
THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE
Published: 24 August 2012 – 06:18 PM
House Speaker John Boehner took a major detour on his way to the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla.
To read column by Ben Goad, Imran Ghori and Jim Miller in the Press-Enterprise, click here.
By Michael J. Mishak and Patrick McGreevy, Los Angeles Times
August 27, 2012, 3:10 a.m.
SACRAMENTO — Entering the final week of their legislative session, state lawmakers still must grapple with controversial proposals to overhaul California’s overburdened public pension system, revamp its costly workers’ compensation scheme and change the way corporate taxes are assessed.
By Anthony York, Los Angeles Times
August 27, 2012
SACRAMENTO — Some of the largest corporate interests in California have poured millions of dollars into an initiative campaign this year, as they have many times before. But this time, they’re not asking voters to ease industry regulations or limit government power. Instead, they want approval of an $8-billion-a-year tax hike pushed by Gov. Jerry Brown.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, Aug. 27, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
The police officers and firefighters we taxpayers employ to protect us are, sad to say, bullies in the political realm.
Their unions trade on their status as “first responders,” their power to grant campaign endorsements and their ability to raise and disburse campaign contributions to demand extraordinary political favors.
By Ed Mendel
Monday, August 27, 2012
A staff chart given to Los Angeles city council labor negotiators this month shows that city retirement costs nearly doubled in the last seven years, soaring to 18.6 percent of general fund revenue this fiscal year, $848 million.
Sunday, August 26, 2012 – 10:00 a.m.
Neil Armstrong, the first human to set foot on the Moon passed away Saturday due to complications from heart surgery.
He was 82.
Armstrong, a member of the Apollo 11 space mission, stepped foot onto Earth’s only orbiting body on July 20, 1969.
City bets on $52M settlement; eyes more interfund borrowing
August 25, 2012 6:40 PM
Brooke Edwards Staggs, City Editor
VICTORVILLE • The city is $1.8 million short on its debt payments for a power plant that never got built, with a little more than two months to come up with the funds or face another default.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
August 25, 2012
ST. PETE BEACH – A tropical storm heading in the direction of the Florida coast is shaking up the schedule for the roughly 750 California Republicans set to gather in Tampa as delegates, alternates and guests at the Republican National Convention.
Published: Aug. 24, 2012 Updated: Aug. 25, 2012 10:17 p.m.
By BRIAN JOSEPH / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Jerry Brown and the Democrats in the Legislature have made it clear that their No. 1 priority this year is getting voters to approve a tax increase in November.
But many analysts doubt that voters will approve the governor’s tax plan, Proposition 30, unless he and the Legislature enact pension reform – and the clock is ticking.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Sunday, Aug. 26, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Gov. Jerry Brown spent much of last week trying to scare California voters into voting for higher taxes.
Brown, speaking to community college students in San Diego, promised “real suffering by you and really our whole future” if voters reject his sales and income tax measure, Proposition 30.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Created: 08/24/2012 04:28:09 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – The county Democratic party is leaving its longtime headquarters, the Carousel Mall, after a hotly contested vote this week.
By Jim Sanders
jsanders@sacbee.com
Published: Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
California lawmakers would repeal a controversial $150 fire prevention fee on rural homeowners in return for raising taxes on numerous out-of-state corporations under legislation proposed Friday.
By Joe Nelson, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 08/24/2012 10:49:13 AM PDT
The Fourth District Court of Appeal in Riverside has issued a tentative decision on appeals brought by prosecutors and defense attorneys in a sweeping San Bernardino County corruption case involving a legal settlement with a land developer.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/23/2012 06:44:25 PM PDT
The state Democratic party has invalidated the election for chairman of the San Bernardino County party, leaving the first vice chair in charge until a new election is held in September.
Published: 23 August 2012 – 06:04 PM
The back-and-forth over a veto by San Bernardino Mayor Pat Morris is back again.
And this time it could play a part in whether the City Council agrees to go forward with a plan that will serve as the city’s operating budget as it goes through bankruptcy.
To read story by Imran Ghori in the Pres-Enterprise, click here.
Published: 23 August 2012 – 04:19 PM
For the first time in more than a decade, San Bernardino County is seeking bids for a multimillion dollar contract to operate its landfills and trash transfer stations.
To read story by Imran Ghori in the Press-Enterprise, click here.
By Neil Nisperos, Staff Writer
Created: 08/24/2012 02:38:58 AM PDT
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, was in Ontario on Thursday at the Doubletree Hotel stumping for Rep. Gary Miller, R-Brea.
By Kevin Yamamura
kyamamura@sacbee.com
Published: Friday, Aug. 24, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 1A
State workers call it “use it or lose it,” a practice in which departments try to spend every last penny rather than save for the good of the overall California budget.
By Patrick McGreevy and Michael J. Mishak, Los Angeles Times
August 24, 2012
SACRAMENTO — Acting on nearly 200 proposals, state lawmakers Thursday advanced measures that would increase fines for texting while driving, allow voter registration on election day and restrict the ability of law enforcement to track people through their cellphones.
Thursday, August 23, 2012 – 10:00 a.m.
Here’s some news flowing across the transom this week.
New claims for unemployment benefits rise again
First time claims for unemployment benefits rose to 377,000 last week. The figure was 7,000 more than economists expected.
Thursday, August 23, 2012 – 09:30 a.m.
Is San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Tribal Member James Ramos already looking to another elected office in 2014?
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/22/2012 07:10:29 PM PDT
Special Section: San Bernardino
SAN BERNARDINO – A recall campaign against a San Bernardino city councilman has broadened into a push to remove not only him but three other council members.
Published: 22 August 2012 – 07:03 PM
Riverside County’s public employee unions are taking a more passive approach to the District 1 supervisorial race after their favored candidate lost in the June primary.
To read story by Jeff Horseman in the Press-Enterprise, click here.
Remaining members to be appointed in September
Liset Marquez, Staff Writer
Created: 08/22/2012 06:34:17 PM PDT
Special Section: ONT
ONTARIO – In a major step to returning local control of L.A./Ontario International Airport, the City Council has approved a joint powers agreement creating the Ontario International Airport Authority.
Liset Marquez, Staff Writer
Created: 08/22/2012 06:34:19 PM PDT
ONTARIO – A new plan to provide incentives at LA/Ontario International Airport could reduce the rental rates for airlines that increase flights there.
Published: 22 August 2012 – 10:24 AM
WASHINGTON – Inland Rep. Mary Bono Mack is at odds with her party’s formal stance on abortion, and the Palm Springs Republican is speaking out on the issue in the days leading up to next week’s GOP national convention in Tampa.
To read story by Ben Goad in the Press-Enterprise, click here.
Published: 22 August 2012 – 01:01 PM
Real estate professionals are accusing the Federal Housing Finance Administration and Fannie Mae of moving in a “secretive” way to test a bulk-buying house program in the Inland Empire that will squeeze out consumers, shutter viable businesses and harm an already-fragile housing market recovery.
To read story by Debra Gruszecki in the Press-Enterprise, click here.
John Wildermuth
Updated 11:03 p.m., Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Democratic legislators are working with Gov. Jerry Brown and Department of Motor Vehicles officials to provide driver’s licenses to hundreds of thousands of young undocumented immigrants now eligible to work under President Obama’s new “deferred action” policy.
August 22, 2012
By David Lawder
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Massive spending cuts and tax hikes due next year will cause even worse economic damage than previously thought if Washington fails to come up with a solution, Congress’ budget referee said on Wednesday.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/21/2012 02:50:07 PM PDT
A new ordinance approved by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday limits campaign contributions for all candidates for county elected office to $3,900, mirroring campaign-finance limits for state legislators.
Liset Marquez, Staff Writer
Created: 08/21/2012 08:40:04 PM PDT
ONTARIO – In a major step to returning local control of LA/Ontario International Airport, the City council has approved a joint powers agreement creating the Ontario International Airport Authority.
Published: 21 August 2012 – 06:37 PM
The union representing Riverside County’s deputy district attorneys is fighting a ballot measure that would repeal California’s death penalty.
To read story by Jeff Horseman in the Press-Enterprise, click here.
Published: 21 August 2012 – 06:25 PM
San Bernardino County supervisors gave the go-ahead Tuesday, Aug. 21 for a developer to build a 306-unit apartment project in the Donut Hole area of Redlands despite opposition from the city.
To read story by Imran Ghori in the Press-Enterprise, click here.
By Andy Furillo
afurillo@sacbee.com
Published: Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 1A
Stanford legal minds conceived the measure. A prosecutor from Los Angeles vetted it. The godfather of its original design is fighting it.
Come November, California voters will decide if it stands.
By Dan Morain
dmorain@sacbee.com
Published: Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 13A
Gov. Jerry Brown hopes that voters don’t focus on the $68 billion for high-speed rail, or on the debacle in which the state Department of Parks and Recreation hid $54 million.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012 – 11:15 a.m.
It’s been less than a week since Moody’s Ratings published a report highlighting the growing problem of more municipal bankruptcies occurring in the state of California.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/20/2012 05:59:04 PM PDT
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will consider approving an agreement with Caltrans as part of a $200 million project to eliminate a bottleneck at the 215/15 Freeway interchange and improve roads near the junction.
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