Politics, Government & Business in California's Inland Empire
Thursday, February 28, 2013 – 09:30 a.m.
Here’s some news of interest flowing across the transom this Thursday morning.
San Bernardino County tally for Dorner manhunt at $550,000
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has pegged the cost of the manhunt for Former Los Angeles Police Department Officer Christopher Dorner at $550,000. The amount consists primarily of salary and overtime-related costs.
February 27, 2013; 05:59 PM
Construction costs have driven up the budget for San Bernardino County’s Adelanto jail expansion by $6 million.
To read story by Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
February 27, 2013; 08:35 PM
Riverside County may have found a way to help pay for new jail space and other public services by transferring millions of dollars from a special fund that pays for landfills.
To read story by Jeff Horseman in The Press Enterprise, click here.
By Tracy Seipel
tseipel@mercurynews.com
Posted: 02/27/2013 06:39:59 PM PST
Updated: 02/27/2013 07:23:40 PM PST
Seeking to improve transparency and revolutionize the way residents interact with their government, the state’s political watchdog agency on Thursday will discuss a new application software that it says can help the public better gauge where potential conflicts of interest may exist with their elected officials.
Published: Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 6B
Last Modified: Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013 – 12:11 am
Following three years of decline, California’s Indian casinos enjoyed a comeback in revenue during 2011, according to a new report.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/26/2013 06:11:18 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO – In a resignation letter that effectively served as his last words as finance director, Jason Simpson gave San Bernardino a stark warning.
Get the city’s finances in order or fail.
Liset Marquez, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/26/2013 06:37:34 PM PST
Updated: 02/26/2013 06:39:16 PM PST
ONTARIO – The bad news just keeps coming for LA/Ontario International Airport.
On Tuesday, the airport was hit with the news that it had recorded dismal figures for the first month of 2013.
By Gregory J. Wilcox, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/26/2013 06:38:01 PM PST
Updated: 02/26/2013 09:17:01 PM PST
The Southland’s housing market is heating up as prices have popped to their highest level in six years, new home sales are increasing and foreclosure activity is on the wane, according to reports released Tuesday.
County Supervisors approve resolution to support equitable funding
February 26, 2013 7:29 PM
Brooke Self, Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO • San Bernardino County Supervisors on Tuesday voted to adopt a resolution seeking adequate funding from the state to keep courthouses open in Barstow, Needles and Big Bear.
By PAT BRENNAN / ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Published: Feb. 26, 2013 Updated: Feb. 27, 2013 7:52 a.m.
The cost to inspect and repair faulty steam generators at the San Onofre nuclear plant reached $102 million by the end of 2012, while the cost to replace lost power hit $300 million, Edison International said Tuesday in a report on company costs.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013 – 12:00 am
Last Modified: Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013 – 7:49 am
On Monday, the Assembly Transportation Committee held what was supposedly an oversight hearing on the state’s nascent bullet train project.
It was a joke.
By JULIET WILLIAMS – Associated Press
Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013 | 09:44 AM
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — As Republicans nationwide reconsider the party’s direction, nowhere is their challenge more daunting than in California.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013 – 12:00 p.m.
The special election to decide who will fill the vacant 32nd State Senate District seat has heated up on the Democratic side big time!
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/25/2013 05:50:35 PM PST
GRAND TERRACE – A mid-year budget review to be studied today Tuesday shows an expected deficit of more than $337,000 by the time the fiscal year ends in June, which has led officials to consider declaring a fiscal emergency and asking voters to approve a new tax.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/25/2013 09:29:50 PM PST
Updated: 02/25/2013 09:31:32 PM PST
UPLAND – The City Council Monday night agreed to revisit a review of the city’s campaign contributions and spending limits ordinance.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, Feb. 25, 2013 – 5:03 pm
Last Modified: Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013 – 7:39 am
Ordinarily, the resignation of a state senator – particularly one not tinged with scandal – is of no more than passing interest. In fact, two senators had already resigned early this year to take their seats in Congress.
By Ricardo Lopez and Richard Simon, Los Angeles Times
February 25, 2013, 5:52 p.m.
California’s defense industry is bracing for a $3.2-billion hit with the federal budget cuts that are expected to take effect Friday.
By Jon Ortiz
Published: Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 4A
California faces a $63.84 billion obligation to cover state retirees’ medical expenses over the next three decades, according to state Controller John Chiang.
Monday, February 25, 2013 – 09:30 a.m.
The embarrassing details of the myriad of financial blunders at the dormant $150 million-plus San Bernardino International Airport continue to emerge.
Monday, February 25, 2013 – 09:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, February 26, 2013 – 08:30 a.m.
San Bernardino City Council Member Wendy McCammack is reportedly the anointed one for the next mayor of bankrupt San Bernardino.
By George Skelton
Capitol Journal
February 25, 2013
SACRAMENTO — The Republican Party has become so pathetic in California that it can’t even find a candidate to run for governor next year.
Correct that. It isn’t even looking. Wouldn’t know where to begin.
By David Siders
dsiders@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, Feb. 25, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Last Modified: Monday, Feb. 25, 2013 – 7:10 am
WASHINGTON – Following the success of his November ballot initiative to raise taxes and his declaration that the state budget is balanced, Gov. Jerry Brown said California could become a model of good government for the rest of the nation.
By Ed Mendel
Monday, February 25, 2013
CalPERS last week gave some 1,575 local governments a small increase in their annual pension costs, one of the last rates kept low by unusual actuarial policies adopted after a $100 billion investment loss five years ago.
February 23, 2013; 08:53 PM
Failure by Congress to avoid automatic federal spending cuts could have “devastating effects” on March Air Reserve Base’s 452nd Air Mobility Wing and its readiness, said base commander Col. Samuel Mahaney.
To read story by Mark Muckenfuss in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Beau Yarbrough, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/23/2013 12:32:19 PM PST
Updated: 02/23/2013 07:20:47 PM PST
An Inland Empire assemblyman wants to shave up to 9 percent off the cost of every college textbook sold in the state.
By Steven Harmon
Bay Area News Group
Posted: 02/23/2013 07:21:00 PM PST
Updated: 02/24/2013 09:44:18 AM PST
SACRAMENTO — With no opponent last year, Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla glided through the election season. But the Martinez Democrat spent campaign money as if she were fighting for her political life.
By Jim Sanders
jsanders@sacbee.com
Published: Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Last Modified: Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013 – 8:59 am
When CalPERS balked at releasing records that could shed light on its decision to invest $100 million in an East Palo Alto housing project that failed, a judge ordered disclosure nearly three years ago.
By Daniel Borenstein, staff columnist © 2013, Bay Area News Group
Posted: 02/22/2013 05:51:55 PM PST
Updated: 02/24/2013 10:12:36 AM PST
Moody’s Investor Services will soon unveil new pension standards that could peel away gimmicks used to hide the shocking size of government retirement debt.
By Lisa Mascaro, Washington Bureau
February 23, 2013, 6:46 p.m.
WASHINGTON — The nation’s budget solution was never supposed to look like this: Congress and the White House staring at across-the-board spending cuts that will begin slashing indiscriminately through the federal government in a matter of days.
Saturday, February 23, 2013 – 12:15 p.m.
The Supreme Court of California has formally disbarred Rancho Cucamonga-based Attorney James V. Reiss.
Pair named in indictment which was filed more than five years ago
By Beau Yarbrough, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/22/2013 11:26:23 AM PST
Updated: 02/22/2013 11:42:01 AM PST
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – There’s still no trial date scheduled for the two men accused of misappropriating $5.5 million in taxpayer funds meant for California charter schools.
Saturday, February 23, 2013 – 11:30 a.m.
You really gotta hand it to the leaders of bankrupt San Bernardino, California.
The city, which filed for Chapter 9 Bankruptcy protection last summer has, will full-knowledge, chosen a new city manager with a bumpy past. A move certain to be the focus of the financial press.
THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE
February 22, 2013; 07:15 PM
You lead a party that picks up four competitive seats in the November election. And for your labors you’re tossed four months later?
To read column by Jeff Horseman, David Olson and Jim Miller in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Zen Vuong, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/22/2013 02:55:00 PM PST
San Bernardino City Council members on Friday stood by Allen J. Parker, their new pick to lead the insolvent city, despite his having filed for personal bankruptcy twice and having once been forced to resign from the same position in Illinois.
By Andrew Edwards and Rick Orlov, Staff Writers
Posted: 02/22/2013 07:50:38 PM PST
Updated: 02/22/2013 08:02:37 PM PST
Law enforcement agencies that used the most resources pursuing murder suspect Christopher Jordan Dorner may soon be looking at a total tab that could reach into the millions of dollars.
February 22nd, 2013, 1:39 pm ·
Posted by BRIAN JOSEPH
Democrats lost supermajority control of the state Senate on Friday with the sudden resignation of Bakersfield Sen. Michael Rubio. But they almost certainly will regain their two-thirds advantage in May if not sooner.
By Cheryl Miller
The Recorder
February 22, 2013
“The people have the right of access to information concerning the conduct of the people’s business, and, therefore, the meetings of public bodies and the writings of public officials and agencies shall be open to public scrutiny.”
— California Constitution, Article 1, §3 (b)(1)
For decades, California’s courts have upheld, even championed, laws granting the public open access to government meetings.
By Alejandro Lazo
February 22, 2013, 10:43 a.m.
California will sell $2.7 billion worth of bonds in March, tapping the bond market for the first time since its credit rating was boosted earlier this year.
Posted by Chris Cillizza on February 22, 2013 at 3:25 pm
In seven days, the sequester — the this-will-never-really-happen set of automatic cuts in federal spending — is set to kick in. Given that everyone in Washington expects the sequester to happen, it’s worth detailing what we know about the politics of it one week before it hits.
Friday, February 22, 2013 – 12:30 p.m.
The sky is falling! The sky is falling!
According to the Obama administration the some $85 billion in federal budget cuts set to take effect on March 1 is the end of the world.
February 21, 2013; 06:59 PM
Aid packages aimed at stabilizing the finances of two of the county’s newest cities — and staving off the fiscal collapse of Jurupa Valley — will go to Riverside County supervisors next week.
To read story by Sandra Stokley in The Press Enterprise, click here.
February 21, 2013; 07:03 PM
The man hired to lead San Bernardino out of bankruptcy went through a personal bankruptcy recently in which he and his wife lost their home.
To read story by Cassie MacDuff in The Press Enterprise, click here.
City announces last chapter to Foxborough fiasco
February 21, 2013 3:07 PM
Jim E. Winburn, Staff Writer
The city of Victorville on Wednesday announced the “final chapter” to the long dispute over the failed Foxborough power plant.
February 21, 2013 2:47 PM
RENE DE LA CRUZ, Staff Writer
HESPERIA • The Hesperia City Council took the first step in joining with local municipalities in an escape from rising county fire and police costs.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Friday, Feb. 22, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
One of the annoying anomalies about government services in California is that while we carry one of the nation’s highest state and local tax burdens – over 10 percent of personal income – we consistently rank very low in what those many billions of tax dollars provide.
By Matea Gold
February 21, 2013, 9:00 p.m.
WASHINGTON — Four California Republican House members are among 16 GOP legislators being targeted by a pro-Obama advocacy group in a new online ad campaign urging them to back a more robust background check system for gun sales.
Victorville considers feasibility study on Public Safety JPA
February 20, 2013 12:49 PM
Jim E. Winburn, Staff Writer
Victorville is considering banding together with other local cities to create their own police and fire services.
Posted by Dylan Matthews
February 20, 2013 at 3:24 pm
At the end of the month, the dread sequester is set to take effect. Hands up if you know what exactly that means — and be honest. Don’t worry, we’re here to set you straight. Follow along for answers to some of the most-asked questions about the impending cuts.
To read entire post, click here.
By Mike Lillis – 02/20/13 03:52 PM ET
House Democrats on Wednesday amplified their calls for Congress to return to Washington and work to prevent across-the-board sequester cuts poised to hit in nine days.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013 – 10:00 a.m.
Here’s some news flowing across the transom this Wednesday morning.
No decision on San Bernardino County appeal
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors did not reach a decision on whether or not to appeal a San Diego County Superior Court ruling dismissing most of a civil case the county filed against defendants San Bernardino Associated Governments, California Department of Transportation and city of Upland.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/19/2013 09:18:26 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO – Allen J. Parker will take over as city manager Wednesday, after the City Council approved a contract that will pay him $221,976 per year.
Andrew Edwards and Michel Nolan, Staff Writers
Posted: 02/19/2013 01:53:17 PM PST
San Bernardino’s signature event, the Stater Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous, will not be held this year.
The San Bernardino Convention and Visitors Bureau on Tuesday announced its decision to suspend the annual car show, citing financial difficulties.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/19/2013 07:30:12 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO – San Bernardino County Presiding Judge Marsha Slough and top county law enforcement officials on Tuesday gathered with the Board of Supervisors to discuss the potential “catastrophic impact” court closures and consolidations will have on the public.
Jim Steinberg, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/19/2013 11:54:28 AM PST
Updated: 02/19/2013 07:29:43 PM PST
YUCAIPA – Former San Bernardino County Supervisor Neil Derry has joined the public relations firm Desmond & Louis as senior vice president of public affairs.
In that job, he will be responsible for growing and managing that division of the company.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/19/2013 05:16:47 PM PST
Updated: 02/19/2013 06:27:15 PM PST
UPLAND – A contractor sentenced in a federal bribery case involving former Mayor John Pomierski is the first of four defendants in the case to be released from prison.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
February 19, 2013
State leaders have pushed the legal envelope trying to solve California’s financial woes, and Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget is no different even as the state heads toward firmer ground.
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
By Chris Megerian
February 19, 2013, 11:19 a.m.
When Gov. Jerry Brown unveiled his latest budget proposal, he emphasized his push to send more money to universities and local schools.
But a new report says those two areas have lost ground to the growing costs of salaries and retirement benefits for public employees.
By Gregory J. Wilcox, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/19/2013 08:50:28 PM PST
Updated: 02/19/2013 08:51:57 PM PST
Southern California’s economy will remain on a modest growth track over the next several years as it continues a slow crawl out of the Great Recession, according to a forecast scheduled to be released Wednesday morning.
By Amie Parnes and Erik Wasson – 02/19/13 08:12 PM ET
In the game of political chicken over the sequester, both the White House and congressional Republicans think their opponents will get the most blame if the $85 billion in spending cuts are triggered.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/18/2013 02:59:46 PM PST
Updated: 02/18/2013 09:01:20 PM PST
Recent court closures in San Bernardino County and resident transportation problems arising from them will be the topic of a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
February 18, 2013; 04:17 PM
SACRAMENTO — San Diego County’s Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians this month became the first California tribe to get a casino agreement through the federal courts.
To read story by Jim Miller In The Press Enterprise, click here.
By Evan Halper, Los Angeles Times
February 18, 2013, 7:02 p.m.
SACRAMENTO — The surge of revenue that showed up unexpectedly in state coffers last month may well be offset by a revenue dip in coming months, according to Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration.
By Amy Wong | 02/18/13 1:00 PM PST
It’s Round 3 in Jerry Brown vs. the locals.
The governor’s efforts to reform California’s 29-year-old enterprise zone system, an ongoing tax-break program that encourages business investment and promotes new jobs in economically distressed areas of the state, is his latest attempt in a series of major moves targeting local businesses and governance.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Jerry Brown is forever cautioning California residents and politicians about the need to balance the state budget and pay down debt.
But the other day, in talking about the costs of extending medical insurance coverage to millions of Californians, he thanked the federal government for going more deeply into debt to pay for it.
By Jim Tankersley
Published: February 18, 2013
SAN FRANCISCO — If there’s anyplace in the country where rising tax rates should choke off an economic recovery, it’s California. On top of the federal tax hikes that kicked in last month, the state has just raised income taxes on its wealthiest residents to the highest levels in the nation, a move that conservatives warn will drive millionaires and their companies to other states, taking jobs and growth with them.
By Patrick McGreevy
February 18, 2013, 8:00 a.m.
A Senate Republican leader has proposed eliminating limits on campaign contributions to state candidates, arguing the restrictions are ineffective.
By Ed Mendel | 02/18/13 12:00 AM PST
Some still have hard feelings about what happened when CalSTRS, now deep in the red, had a brief funding surplus more than a decade ago: Teacher and state payments into the fund were cut, and retirement benefits were raised.
By Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/18/2013 10:49:10 AM PST
Updated: 02/18/2013 10:57:20 AM PST
Days after suspected cop killer Christopher Jordan Dorner died — possibly by his own hand — inside a burning cabin, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has continued to face repeated questions over the use of pyrotechnic tear gas grenades in the final confrontation with the well-armed fugitive.
By Chris Megerian, Los Angeles Times
February 17, 2013, 7:01 p.m.
SACRAMENTO — When Gov. Jerry Brown needed help pushing his tax plan last year, public-worker unions rallied to his side with millions of dollars and thousands of campaign foot soldiers.
By George Skelton
Capitol Journal
February 18, 2013
SACRAMENTO — “There’s no place to go but up,” asserted Jim Brulte, whose mission is to save the California Republican Party. “We’re on the way back.”
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/17/2013 06:20:57 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO – The City Council is set to accept the employment terms for the new city manager at a meeting Tuesday.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Last Modified: Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013 – 8:40 am
The old argument about whether the chicken or the egg came first has a political counterpart in California:
Did the Legislature lose relevance as a policymaking institution because of the explosion of ballot measures, or did the latter occur because the Legislature had become dysfunctional?
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/15/2013 12:51:28 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO – A fast- paced search to replace the acting city manager ended Friday with the selection of a veteran chief executive specializing in financially distressed cities.
Los Angeles News Group
Posted: 02/15/2013 09:56:13 PM PST
Updated: 02/15/2013 10:20:06 PM PST
Details of the massive manhunt for Christopher Dorner and its fiery conclusion continued to emerge on Friday as San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon defended his department’s efforts to capture the former police officer, who was believed to have killed four people. “We have nothing to hide,” McMahon said, adding that he didn’t believe the department made any mistakes in the manhunt that ended in a Barton Flats area cabin, where Dorner, 33, was found dead in a basement after the structure burned to the ground at the conclusion of a firefight with deputies.
By Chad Terhune, Los Angeles Times
February 15, 2013
In response to pressure from California regulators, Anthem Blue Cross agreed to a slightly lower rate increase for about 630,000 individual policyholders that will save consumers an estimated $54 million.
Thursday, February 14, 2013 – 10:00 p.m.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed that Former LAPD Officer and murder suspect Christopher Dorner’s remains were positively identified by medical examiners using dental records Thursday afternoon.
Thursday, February 14, 2013 – 10:00 a.m.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has released the name of the Deputy killed by Former LAPD Officer Christopher Dorner on Tuesday.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
By Torey Van Oot
February 13, 2013
To rebuild the California Republican Party, Jim Brulte will first have to climb out from under a mountain of debt.
By Jon Ortiz
jortiz@sacbee.com
Published: Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 1A
Last Modified: Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013 – 7:33 am
Before they sought to persuade voters last year to raise taxes, Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic legislative leaders agreed on sweeping changes in pension law they said would save California government significant money over time.
By E. Scott Reckard
February 13, 2013, 1:27 p.m.
A government lawsuit accusing No. 1 home lender Wells Fargo & Co. of defrauding a federal mortgage-insurance program is shaping up as a knock-down battle between the San Francisco bank and the U.S. Justice Department.
By Gregory J. Wilcox, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/13/2013 07:16:38 PM PST
Updated: 02/13/2013 07:19:43 PM PST
The Southland’s housing market got off to its best start in six years during January with the median price jumping 24 percent and sales increasing 11 percent from a year earlier, a research firm said Wednesday.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013 – 05:00 p.m.
The California Supreme Court has granted a petition for review, filed by state prosecutors, of a 2012 Fourth District Court of Appeal ruling, which affirmed the dismissal of core charges in the highly-publicized Colonies corruption case.
February 12, 2013; 06:19 PM
SACRAMENTO — Budget cuts have decimated the state’s court system, judges and others said Tuesday during several hours of Assembly testimony in which speakers warned that further reductions would bring the third branch of government to its knees.
To read story by Jim Miller in The Press Enterprise, click here.
February 12, 2013; 08:56 PM
A group of Inland city officials urged San Bernardino County supervisors on Tuesday, Feb. 12, to end the county’s costly lawsuit against three public agencies to recover $102 million paid in the controversial Colonies settlement.
To read story by Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/12/2013 06:20:54 PM PST
The San Bernardino police union will ask U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Riverside to lift a stay and allow them to sue the city because it believes the way the city imposed a contract on the union violated state laws, the union’s lawyer said in court Tuesday.