Politics, Government & Business in California's Inland Empire
Monday, December 31, 2012- 01:00 p.m.
Enough already.
Go off the Fiscal Cliff. Please hurry and press the gas pedal, because all the droning on is becoming pretty nausiating.
Monday, December 31, 2012 – 12:15 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, January 1, 2013 – 12:20 p.m.
The highly-publicized Colonies case continues to grind its way through a series of prosecutorial roadblocks this new year.
The final brief in a last minute appeal by prosecutors to the California Supreme Court was filed just before the Christmas holiday.
December 30, 2012; 07:20 PM
San Bernardino County’s two newly elected supervisors have begun forming their staffs.
To read column by Jim Miller, Imran Ghori and Ben Goad in The Press Enterprise, click here.
FROM STAFF REPORTS
December 28, 2012; 05:25 PM
MEDICAL SCHOOL NEARS
UC Riverside’s medical school is scheduled to open in fall 2013 with an entering class of 50 students.
To read entire column, click here.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
The advent of Democratic supermajorities in both houses of the California Legislature has spawned much speculation, especially in the media, about what the majority party might do with its newly minted power.
By George Skelton
Capitol Journal
December 31, 2012
SACRAMENTO — From my skimpy research on New Year’s resolutions, I’ve learned that 40% of us make them, and about 90% end in failure.
A dismal record of weak will.
FROM STAFF REPORTS
December 28, 2012; 03:41 PM
COUNTY CORRUPTION
A San Bernardino County corruption case that prosecutors call the most far-reaching in county history will keep making its way through the courts in 2013, though it is not known when it will go to trial.
To read story in The Press Enterprise, click here.
By Steven Harmon
sharmon@bayareanewsgroup.com
Posted: 12/29/2012 04:07:10 PM PST
Updated: 12/29/2012 05:43:02 PM PST
SACRAMENTO — The third rail of California politics may not be as deadly as once thought.
Three and a half decades after the passage of Proposition 13 shook the political landscape in California and sparked a taxpayer revolt across America, voters appear to be warming up to the idea of reforming the initiative as long as protections for homeowners stay intact.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
When California’s political historians look back on 2012, they might well conclude that it was one of those years that mark the end of one era and the beginning of another.
By JULIET WILLIAMS, Associated Press
Updated 1:06 pm, Saturday, December 29, 2012
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Gov. Jerry Brown checked off most of the items from his 2012 to-do list. He persuaded a majority of voters to pass his tax initiative in November, pushed changes to the public pension system through the Legislature and put California on stronger financial footing.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/29/2012 12:38:07 PM PST
RIALTO – It was late February in 2010 when former City Administrator Henry Garcia issued a warning about the city’s finances.
Rialto, he said, had a “36-month window” before it faced a financial crisis brought on by a gasping economy and skyrocketing public employee costs.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/28/2012 10:11:32 PM PST
Updated: 12/29/2012 12:50:38 AM PST
The Inland Empire and High Desert will have new representatives in Congress next week after Democrat Gloria Negrete-McLeod and Republican Paul Cook take the oath of office.
Beau Yarbrough, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/28/2012 05:13:10 PM PST
Updated: 12/28/2012 06:55:15 PM PST
CHINO – It was quiet at the Chino Superior Court on Friday afternoon, with only a trickle of people coming in and out, paying traffic tickets and other fines.
By David Siders
dsiders@sacbee.com
Published: Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Ann Ravel recalled recently what many people thought of her last year, when Gov. Jerry Brown appointed her chairwoman of the commission overseeing campaign finance and ethics rules in California.
By Phillip Reese
preese@sacbee.com
Published: Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 1A
Last Modified: Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012 – 11:01 am
Enough to make a year’s worth of payments on a small car. Enough to take a weeklong vacation for two in Hawaii. Enough to feed a family of three for almost six months.
Posted by Greg Sargent on December 28, 2012 at 6:38 pm
President Obama, during a brief statement to the press just now, said Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell are in the process of working out a deal to avert the “fiscal cliff” tax hikes, and pronounced himself optimistic about the talks. The key to Obama’s statement, though, is that he spelled out the political reality Republican leaders will be left facing if a deal is not reached:
By Kevin Yamamura
kyamamura@sacbee.com
Published: Friday, Dec. 28, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 1A
Last Modified: Friday, Dec. 28, 2012 – 5:00 pm
Gov. Jerry Brown and California lawmakers struck an upbeat tone in recent weeks as they enjoyed their most positive budget outlook since the economic downturn.
Whether that mood survives the winter depends on Washington.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
December 27, 2012
John Quimby, a former state legislator who went on to spend three decades as a lobbyist, has died of complications related to pneumonia.
By MARTIN WISCKOL
COLUMNIST
ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
mwisckol@ocregister.com
The buzz is growing about the prospects of former state Senate GOP leader Jim Brulte becoming the next chairman of the struggling California Republican Party.
December 27th, 2012, 12:15 pm
Posted by Andrew Galvin
The County of Orange has persuaded the state’s Department of Finance to lower its demand for unused housing funds from the county’s former redevelopment agency, reducing by $29.6 million the amount the county must pay.
By Dale Kasler
dkasler@sacbee.com
Published: Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012 – 9:15 am
In a case involving California municipal bonds, five Wall Street investment banks were fined today for using proceeds of bond sales to pay their California lobbyist.
December 26th, 2012, 11:57 am
Posted by Jeff Collins
The value of homes in the Los Angeles-Orange County area jumped $122 billion in 2012, the biggest cumulative gain of any major metro area in the nation, the online real estate site Zillow.com reports.
By Jim Puzzanghera
December 26, 2012, 2:22 p.m.
WASHINGTON — The federal government will begin taking special steps this week to continue paying its bills as the nation prepares to hit its debt limit next week, Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner said Wednesday.
By Kevin Yamamura
kyamamura@sacbee.com
Published: Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 1A
Last Modified: Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012 – 4:13 pm
After California schools eliminated art programs and increased class sizes to survive budget cuts, they are finally on the verge of getting more money thanks to voter-approved taxes and economic recovery.
But K-12 districts may not share equally in the expanding budget pie.
Joe Garofoli
Published 11:09 pm, Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Leaders of the California unions that spent $75 million to defeat Proposition 32’s union-busting campaign in November discovered something during the bruising battle: 40 percent of likely voters were not watching any Prop. 32-related TV commercials, even though the spots droned on nonstop throughout the fall.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012 – 12:01 a.m.
InlandPolitics.com would like to wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/24/2012 06:06:49 PM PST
Prosecutors and defense attorneys are awaiting a decision by the state Supreme Court that will ultimately determine the trajectory of a San Bernardino County corruption case authorities have called the biggest in county history.
By Ed Mendel
Monday, December 25, 2012
RIVERSIDE — A federal judge last week rejected a CalPERS request to sue bankrupt San Bernardino for a growing unpaid bill, but gave preliminary support to the argument that the bill must be paid in full before the city can leave bankruptcy.
December 23, 2012; 08:00 PM
It didn’t get a single hearing last time around, but no matter: Assemblyman Brian Nestande is back with legislation that would prohibit the state from postponing required payments to schools from one fiscal year to the next.
To read column, by Ben Goad, Imran Ghori and Jim Miller in The Press Enterprise, click here.
By Christina Villacorte Staff Writer
Posted: 12/23/2012 04:22:04 PM PST
Updated: 12/23/2012 04:52:07 PM PST
The first wave of felons sent to county jails instead of state prisons under Gov. Jerry Brown’s public safety realignment plan are back on the streets after serving their sentences, and local law enforcement officials are worried they will trigger a spike in crime.
Liset Marquez, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/22/2012 06:09:12 AM PST
Updated: 12/22/2012 07:08:55 PM PST
ONTARIO – For most of this year, air cargo at L.A./Ontario International Airport has been on the rise from previous years.
And all signs indicate traffic figures this holiday season also will be up.
NEWS ANALYSIS
Splits among House Republicans mean more gridlock — and more roadblocks for President Obama’s agenda.
By Paul West and David Lauter, Washington Bureau
December 22, 2012, 3:16 p.m.
WASHINGTON — In the days immediately after President Obama’s reelection victory, White House officials hoped that in a second term he might have better relations with congressional Republicans. The “fever will break,” more than one Obama aide forecast.
Sunday, December 22, 2012 – 11:30 a.m.
The U.S. Treasury has announced it will begin to liquidate its stake in General Motors at a huge loss. A loss so significant it will likely wipe out any profit from the bank bailout.
Saturday, December 22, 2012 – 08:30 a.m.
San Bernardino received a reprieve in U.S. Bankruptcy proceedings yesterday. Even though a temporary one.
A U.S. Bankruptcy Judge ruled the city, for the time being, can’t be sued for past due and ongoing obligations it owes its pension fund, the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS).
Saturday, December 22, 2012 – 08:00 a.m.
The bankruptcy saga of San Bernardino, California continues to have an unusual twist.
That being the city’s woe-is-me excuse for not paying its post-bankruptcy creditor and pension obligations.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/21/2012 12:08:19 PM PST
RIVERSIDE – San Bernardino scored a victory in bankruptcy court Friday, as Judge Meredith Jury refused a motion by CalPERS that would have allowed the pension giant to sue in state court for millions of dollars in payments the city has stopped making.
By Abby Sewell and Nicole Santa Cruz, Los Angeles Times
December 21, 2012, 10:18 p.m.
Cities and counties across California faced a Friday deadline for handing over millions of dollars — tens of millions in some cases — as the state winds down more than 400 redevelopment agencies.
By Ricardo Lopez, Los Angeles Times
December 21, 2012, 5:52 p.m.
California’s unemployment fell below 10% in November for the first time in almost four years, thanks in part to a holiday hiring surge by retailers.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/20/2012 09:36:57 PM PST
After months of trading increasingly sharp legal filings, a pitched battle between San Bernardino and the nation’s largest pension system will take place in bankruptcy court on Friday – with each warning that the other’s victory could mean defeat for the little guy all across the state.
December 20, 2012; 05:18 PM
The city of San Bernardino will face a crucial test in its request for bankruptcy protection Friday, Dec. 21, as it battles with its largest creditor over whether it qualifies for relief.
To read story by Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Posted: 12/20/2012 06:01:36 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO – Friends and colleagues of the late Timothy J. Sabo, who helped lead the charge in the redevelopment of the former Norton Air Force Base, gathered Thursday for a memorial service at St. Bernardine Catholic Church.
By Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/20/2012 11:14:17 AM PST
Updated: 12/20/2012 07:57:07 PM PST
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – Former Upland City Manager Robb Quincey pleaded not guilty Thursday to felony corruption charges in West Valley Superior Court.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
December 20, 2012
Following the controversy in California’s initiative campaigns over an $11 million donation from a secretive, out-of-state group, Democratic lawmakers have begun introducing legislation to increase disclosure requirements and the power of the Fair Political Practices Commission to enforce them.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Friday, Dec. 21, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
California’s unemployment rate has been declining fractionally as its recession-battered economy slowly improves.
By BRIAN JOSEPH / ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Published: Dec. 20, 2012
Updated: Dec. 21, 2012 7:02 a.m.
The state Department of Finance has demanded in recent weeks that 19 Orange County cities and the county itself turn over a combined $263 million in unused funds previously earmarked for low- and moderate-income housing.
Thursday, December 20, 2012 – 09:00 a.m.
Another inference directed at past events in San Bernardino County courtesy of a comment coming out of the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC).
The second of its kind.
By Ed Mendel
Thursday, December 20, 2012
CalPERS accuses San Bernardino of halting payments to the big pension fund in a plan to use bankruptcy to cut pensions owed workers. But the city says it’s simply unable to pay now and wants to work out a way to repay CalPERS over time.
By Jon Ortiz
jortiz@sacbee.com
Published: Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
We expect government transparency. Wall Street loves the backroom deal.
On ever-shifting ground between them you’ll find public pension funds, unique government organs that pump hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars into private investments.
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
December 19, 2012 | 7:00 am
California tax revenue has slipped further below goals set by Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration, according to a state report released Tuesday.
By Zachary A. Goldfarb
Thursday, December 20, 2012
The much-debated bailout of Detroit is finally nearing an end after four years — and it looks like the ultimate cost to taxpayers will be between $10 billion and $20 billion.
December 19, 2012 – 08:25 a.m.
A little morning humor courtesy of the Mayan calendar.
For those readers who haven’t kept up, Friday is December 21, the day the world is suppose to end according to the Mayan calendar.
What’s still unknown is whether the earth’s demise will be the result of an asteroid impact, planetary collision or shifting of the magnetic poles.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012 – 08:15 a.m.
To read the Answer to Supreme Court Petition filed in the highly-publicized Colonies case, click here: Answer to Petition for Review
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/18/2012 06:58:22 PM PST
Prosecutors’ attempt to have the California Supreme Court review a decision in a sweeping San Bernardino County corruption case is baseless and should be rejected for several reasons, the attorney for a Rancho Cucamonga land developer charged in that case said in court papers filed Tuesday.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/18/2012 07:24:19 PM PST
Citing glowing recommendations from his colleagues at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and the surrounding local law enforcement community, the Board of Supervisors Tuesday appointed Assistant Sheriff John McMahon to replace Sheriff Rod Hoops who retires Dec. 31.
Posted on | December 18, 2012
Riverside County Supervisor Bob Buster’s colleagues used his last meeting in office to praise him as an accomplished, thoughtful lawmaker who disagreed without being disagreeable.
To read post by Jeff Horseman on The PE.com, click here.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/18/2012 12:06:36 PM PST
Updated: 12/18/2012 08:18:07 PM PST
San Bernardino County on Tuesday became the first county in California to contract with the state Fair Political Practices to enforce the county’s new campaign finance ordinance.
Melissa Pinion-Whitt, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/18/2012 03:18:46 PM PST
Updated: 12/18/2012 06:42:19 PM PST
FONTANA – Registered nurses and other employees crowded street corners near Kaiser Permanente Medical Center on Tuesday, fighting against what union officials call unfair cuts in medical staffing.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
December 18, 2012
California’s civil war of the judges apparently will continue, even though a rebel organization scored a major victory this year.
By Michael Hiltzik
December 19, 2012
You may be unaware of the local ramifications of one of the proposals currently at play in the danse macabre that passes for fiscal negotiations in Washington.
CONGRESS
By Nancy Cook
Updated: December 18, 2012 | 5:53 p.m.
December 18, 2012 | 2:22 p.m.
If you stop listening to the political noise on Capitol Hill, you’ll realize the dirty secret about the current state of play of the fiscal-cliff negotiations: The Democrats and Republicans aren’t very far apart in their proposals to one another.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 – 01:35 p.m.
As expected, San Bernardino County Supervisors appointed Assistant Sheriff John McMahon to replace retiring Sheriff-Coroner Rod Hoops Tuesday afternoon.
By Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/17/2012 07:36:35 PM PST
Special Section: San Bernardino
SAN BERNARDINO — The city is prepared for a major hearing in bankruptcy court Friday and strongly rejects claims by its top creditor that its bankruptcy is a “sham,” City Attorney James F. Penman said at Monday’s City Council meeting.
December 17, 2012; 09:02 PM
The San Bernardino City Council agreed Monday, Dec. 17, to have two waste companies start disposing of city trash while setting the stage for a possible rate increase for residents.
To read story by Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/17/2012 08:34:58 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO – Police are taking longer to respond to emergency calls, Police Chief Robert Handy said at Monday’s City Council meeting.
December 17, 2012; 04:41 PM
Thousands of jobs in Riverside County government are unfilled. And if they stay that way for more than a year, they could be eliminated under a possible policy change.
To read story by Jeff Horseman in The Press Enterprise, click here.
December 17, 2012; 01:43 PM
SACRAMENTO — For anyone who might have viewed former Inland lawmaker Bob Dutton’s 16,709-vote defeat last month as a political swan song, not so fast.
To read story by Jim Miller in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Liset Marquez, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/17/2012 10:05:34 AM PST
Updated: 12/18/2012 01:15:37 AM PST
View: Reports
Los Angeles World Airports’ governing board has approved a resolution establishing the guidelines for the potential sale of L.A./Ontario International Airport to the city of Ontario.
Carla Marinucci
Updated 11:06 pm, Monday, December 17, 2012
U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who led the charge for a federal assault weapons ban after a San Francisco massacre left nine people dead two decades ago, is again at the forefront of the battle over guns with her call for new legislation in the wake of the mass shooting that killed 20 schoolchildren in Connecticut.
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
December 17, 2012 | 4:58 pm
BushmasterAn investment made by the California teachers pension fund is coming under scrutiny because of its link to the manufacturer of the assault rifle used in the Connecticut elementary school massacre.
By Josh Richman
Monday, December 17th, 2012 at 5:42 pm in Bill Lockyer, Public safety.
California Treasurer Bill Lockyer wants the state’s gigantic public pension funds to divest themselves of investments in any firearm manufacturer that makes guns banned in California.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
By Lori Montgomery and Paul Kane,
President Obama and House Speaker John A. Boehner moved close to agreement Monday on a plan to avert the year-end “fiscal cliff,” but they had yet to clear several critical hurdles, including winning the support of wary House Republicans.
Tim Reid and Jim Christie, Reuters
Posted: 12/16/2012 03:31:33 PM PST
Special Section: San Bernardino
A high-stakes legal battle has intensified as the largest U.S. pension fund filed court papers denouncing the financially troubled city of San Bernardino for what it called a “sham” bankruptcy and accused the city of “criminal behavior” in withholding payments to the pension plan.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/16/2012 04:46:14 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO – The City Council’s final regularly scheduled meeting of 2012 features a few decisions that could affect 2013 and beyond.
On the agenda for today’s 3 p.m. meeting at City Hall:
December 16, 2012; 02:25 PM
The Riverside County Democratic Central Committee celebrated President Barack Obama’s win in the county last month.
But then came concerns that the president would harsh the mellow of voters in Washington and Colorado after they legalized marijuana for recreational use.
To read column by Ben Goad and Jim Miller in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/16/2012 06:05:43 AM PST
Updated: 12/16/2012 05:23:08 PM PST
UPLAND – Mayor Ray Musser’s first action as mayor already has one council member questioning his decisions.
By ADAM NAGOURNEY
Published: December 16, 2012
LOS ANGELES — The Democratic Party has controlled the California Legislature for a nearly unbroken stretch of 42 years. Yet control goes only so far: it takes two-thirds of the Legislature to enact a host of important legislation in this state, meaning that even the diminished Republican Party has been able to easily frustrate Democratic ambitions.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, Dec. 17, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Sometime before Christmas, Gov. Jerry Brown will close the books on a proposed 2013-14 budget.
A few weeks after that, Brown will deliver that budget to the Legislature and we’ll learn whether voter approval of Proposition 30, Brown’s sales and income tax increase, will make a big difference in the state’s finances.
By Christi Parsons, Michael A. Memoli and Kathleen Hennessey, Washington Bureau
December 16, 2012, 6:39 p.m.
WASHINGTON — For weeks, Democrats in Congress have been relishing the division and sniping within Republican ranks over whether to raise tax rates. But as negotiations over the budget crisis wear on and shift to a debate over spending cuts, the tables are turning.
By Alexander Bolton – 12/16/12 09:49 PM ET
President Obama promised Sunday evening he would take action in the coming weeks to prevent mass shootings such as the one that took the lives of 20 children in Newtown, Connecticut.
Sunday, December 16, 2012 – 09:45 a.m.
The dog and pony show over the appointment of San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Rod Hoops successor is about to end.
Sunday, December 16, 2012 – 09:30 a.m.
San Bernardino County is about to make good on its promise to have the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) take over enforcement of campaign finance laws in the county.
Victorville continues mission to recoup $76M for VV2
December 16, 2012 7:42 AM
Brooke Edwards Staggs
VICTORVILLE • It’s back to the drawing board for the Victorville 2 Power Plant, as the city continues a nearly five-year search to find someone who’ll take over the stalled project and help Victorville recoup some of its $76 million investment.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Last Modified: Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012 – 8:42 am
One of the debating points vis-à-vis Proposition 30, the tax hike that voters approved last month, was whether sharply increasing marginal income tax rates on a relative handful of high-income Californians would prove counterproductive by driving them out of the state.
Dan Weintraub – For the Register
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Californians are suddenly feeling good about themselves. And their state.
The economy is showing signs of life, employment is rising, and the state budget – and the schools – are in better shape financially thanks to voter-approval of Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposal to raise taxes.
By Chris O’Brien, Los Angeles Times
December 15, 2012
SAN FRANCISCO — With only modest expectations, Robert Leitao of Santa Clarita made a decision in 1994 that would change his life. He bought Apple stock.