Politics, Government & Business in California's Inland Empire
By Rene Ray De La Cruz, Staff Writer
Posted: Mar 10, 2019 at 5:41 AM
HESPERIA — Mayor Pro Tem Bill Holland and real estate broker Bill Jensen chastised Councilman Jeremiah Brosowske at a recent City Council meeting for allegedly taking part in a recall effort against Holland.
Joe Garofoli
March 6, 2019
Updated: March 6, 2019 – 4:53 p.m.
LAS VEGAS — Even at this early stage in the presidential race, California Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris has hit upon a crowd-pleasing proposal: Give a $500 monthly tax credit to families earning less than $100,000.
By Patrick McGreevy and Taryn Luna
Mar 05, 2019 | 12:45 PM
| Sacramento
California lawmakers were showered with more than $810,000 in gifts last year, many from powerful interest groups lobbying the state who handed out concert and professional sports tickets, spa treatments, gourmet dinners and trips to a dozen countries, new state reports show.
By Sandra Emerson | semerson@scng.com |
Published: February 19, 2019 at 4:25 pm | Updated: February 19, 2019 at 6:50 pm
Dan Flores has worked side by side outgoing Supervisor Josie Gonzales in San Bernardino County’s 5th District for the past 14 years. Now Gonzales’ chief of staff is looking to succeed his boss when the seat opens in 2020.
By Kevin Modesti | kmodesti@scng.com | Daily News
Published: February 15, 2019 at 5:57 pm | Updatd: February 16, 2019 at 7:56 pm
Not that he’s counting down his days to freedom or anything, but Jim Brulte seemed keenly aware that the end of his time as California Republican Party chairman was 11 days away — not 10, not an even dozen — as he sat for an interview Thursday at his house in Fontana.
By David Allen | dallen@scng.com | Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Published: November 11, 2018 at 10:00 am | Updated: November 11, 2018 at 10:01 am
The blue wave, teal ripple, purple eddy or whatever combination color/water feature we saw at the national level promises divided government, which is often the best kind.
By Brian Whitehead | bwhitehead@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: November 9, 2018 at 4:53 pm | Updated: November 9, 2018 at 4:54 pm
San Bernardino Councilman John Valdivia still leads incumbent Mayor Carey Davis in the race for the city’s top elected position, unofficial Election Day results updated Friday, Nov. 9, show.
Jim Erwin
Sunday, November 4, 2018 – 12:30 p.m.
Now that I finally have some time to do some writing on politics, let’s get to it!
I prefer to render political observations after taking in data from a broad spectrum of sources and feedback. Two years ago it had become pretty clear to me in the final four weeks leading up to the presidential Election that Donald Trump would prevail.
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: November 2, 2018 at 7:27 pm | Updated: November 4, 2018 at 9:07 am
The battle by former San Bernardino County assessor Bill Postmus to rescind his guilty plea in the Colonies corruption case began Friday with Postmus testifying he was a drug addict when he was coerced into accepting a deal with prosecutors.
By Jeff Horseman | jhorseman@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
Published: November 1, 2018 at 2:51 pm | Updated: November 1, 2018 at 11:44 pm
For Chris Mann, the June primary results in California’s 8th Congressional District played out perfectly, when two GOP candidates, incumbent Paul Cook and challenger Tim Donnelly, finished first and second.
By Eric Leonard and Andrew Blankstein
Published at 11:42 AM PDT on Sep 7, 2018 | Updated at 5:44 PM PDT on Sep 7, 2018
Armed, plain-clothes LAPD officers were dispatched to California cities outside of Los Angeles at least a dozen times to provide security for U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris at public events, media appearances, and a party.
Saturday, August 25, 2018 – 10:00 p.m.
U.S. Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) passed away Saturday afternoon following a heroic battle with a treatable, but incurable, form of brain cancer know as Glioblastoma.
He was 81.
McCain’s family was by his side when he left this Earth.
Jim Erwin
Tuesday, August 14, 2018 – 09:00 p.m.
The main stream media says one thing. But voters are saying something different.
Sunday, July 29, 2018 – 07:00 p.m.
Speaking of painting a bullseye on one’s forehead
Former Superior Court Judge and Ontario politico Gus Skropos is making waves, threats, or signals, depending on how one wants to interpret it, that he might run yet again for a seat on the Ontario City Council.
By Jeff Horseman | jhorseman@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
Published: July 20, 2018 at 10:46 am | Updated: July 20, 2018 at 6:20 pm
The head of the San Bernardino County elections office is out with about 110 days to go until the November election, but not before raising concerns about what he said was the county’s aging voter system, potential cybersecurity issues related to the office’s website and lack of staff.
Capitol Alert
The go-to source for news on California policy and politics
By Taryn Luna
tluna@sacbee.com
Published: July 09, 2018 – 05:16 PM
Updated: July 18, 2018 – 01:26 PM
The California Supreme Court ruled Wednesday in favor of opponents of a plan to divide California into three, saying the measure should not appear on the November ballot.
Wednesday, August 11, 2018 – 10:00 p.m.
The Hesperia City Council has filled the vacancy left by the unexpected passing of Russ Blewett.
By Teri Sforza | tsforza@scng.com and Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com | Orange County Register
Published: July 6, 2018 at 5:59 pm | Updated: July 6, 2018 at 6:04 pm
The lead hard-core gang prosecutor in the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office is under investigation for a series of offensive rants on social media, triggering demands for his dismissal.
Tuesday, June 19, 2018 – 12:15 a.m.
Rancho Cucamonga Developer Jeff Burum appeared on The Robert Porter radio program, aired on KCAA-AM 1050 at 7 p.m. on Monday evening.
Friday, June 2015 – 10:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, June 15, 2018 – 07:40 p.m.
A couple June 5 election losses in San Bernardino County surprised political onlookers, who expected different results.
By Mark Sherman
The Associated Press |
Published: June 11, 2018 at 10:24 am | Updated: June 11, 2018 at 10:24 am
WASHINGTON — States can target people who haven’t cast ballots in a while in efforts to purge their voting rolls, the Supreme Court ruled Monday in a case that has drawn wide attention amid stark partisan divisions and the approach of the 2018 elections.
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: June 6, 2018 at 7:08 pm | Updated: June 7, 2018 at 12:11 am
After 16 years, San Bernardino County has a new District Attorney – former prosecutor-turned criminal defense attorney Jason Anderson, whose narrow victory over incumbent Mike Ramos in Tuesday’s primary means he will assume office in January.
By Abbie VanSickle and Paige St. John
Jun 06, 2018 | 9:55 PM
As they poured millions of dollars into district attorney campaigns, New York billionaire George Soros and other liberal donors seemed poised for victory in California.
Opinion
By Lara Bazelon |
Published: June 1, 2018 at 6:00 pm | Updated: June 2, 2018 at 9:56 pm
On June 5, voters in San Bernardino County will head to the polls and decide whether to re-elect District Attorney Michael Ramos to his fifth term or replace him with challenger Jason Anderson, a former prosecutor in Ramos’ office who specialized in putting away child sex offenders. Anderson has also practiced law as a criminal defense attorney.
Sunday, June 3, 2018 – 08:00 a.m.
With just two days remaining until Election Day the contest for two seats on the San Bernardino County Supervisors is racing to the finish line.
Jim Erwin
Saturday, June 2, 2018 – 10:00 a.m.
Multiple sources say San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos isn’t in a good disposition with just three days until Election day.
Friday, June 1, 2018 – 09:30 a.m.
Another day and it’s another political mailer calling out the unethical conduct of San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos.
Saturday, May 26, 2018 – 07:30 p.m.
With just nine days remaining until Election day, a new political mailer has landed against four-term incumbent San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos.
IE Business Daily
May 26, 2018
The Ramos campaign appears to be panicking. No not Mike Ramos for District Attorney (whose reelection campaign is a basket case), but Supervisor James Ramos’ campaign for the 40th Assembly District.
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: May 22, 2018 at 7:21 pm | Updated: May 25, 2018 at 10:37 am
The race for Second District San Bernardino County Supervisor heated up Tuesday, with candidate and Assemblyman Marc Steinorth, R-Rancho Cucamonga, accusing his opponent, incumbent Supervisor Janice Rutherford, of vandalizing about a dozen of his campaign signs.
By Sandra Emerson | semerson@scng.com | Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Published: May 24, 2018 at 2:28 pm | Updated: May 25, 2018 at 1:50 am
Adelanto voters on June 5 will decide who should fill the City Council seat formerly held by Councilman Jermaine Wright, who is facing federal bribery and arson charges.
By Shea Johnson, Staff Writer
Posted: May 22, 2018 at 5:42 PM
Updated: May 22, 2018 at 5:44 PM
SPRING VALLEY LAKE — Two weeks before the statewide primary election, two San Bernardino County District Attorney candidates were making last-minute pushes to appeal to voters. It’s officially a nonpartisan seat, but both found a responsive audience inside the Country Club here Tuesday.
By Jeff Horseman | jhorseman@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
Published: May 22, 2018 at 3:28 pm | Updated: May 23, 2018 at 4:07 pm
The Inland Empire’s political past and present will clash in the June 5 primary for the 35th Congressional District.
By Jeff Horseman | jhorseman@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
Published: May 21, 2018 at 4:41 pm | Updated: May 22, 2018 at 11:45 am
A congressman from Redlands serves for decades on Capitol Hill and rises to become chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
By Jordan Graham | jgraham@scng.com | Orange County Register
Published: May 18, 2018 at 5:38 pm | Updated: May 21, 2018 at 11:32 am
The tit-for-tat political attack ads between two Democratic congressional hopefuls suddenly disappeared from the web this week in the race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Ed Royce. So did their intraparty mudslinging websites.
Friday, May 18, 2018 – 10:00 a.m.
Another mailer hitting San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos has dropped in voter mailboxes.
Thursday, May 17, 2018 – 11:00 p.m.
The battle between San Bernardino County Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford and Assemblyman Marc Steinorth is flooding voter mailboxes.
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: May 15, 2018 at 5:37 pm | Updates: May 15, 2018 at 7:14 pm
San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos calls his challenger in the June 5 primary election a “puppet” — handpicked by his deep-pocketed adversaries he says are trying to “buy his office.”
Monday, May 14, 2018 – 10:00 p.m.
San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos takes the brunt of yet another negative political mailer calling into question his mismanagement of his agency.
Friday, May 11, 2018
A rebellion is taking place at the heart of the San Bernardino County Public Attorneys Association (SBCPAA), the group that includes about 300 County Deputy District Attorneys, Public Defenders and Child Advocate Attorneys over the union leadership’s decision to support embattled district attorney Mike Ramos for re-election.
By Richard K. De Atley | rdeatley@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
Published: May 10, 2018 at 4:05 pm | Updated: May 10, 2018 at 4:50 pm
A once high-profile criminal case has ended quietly for Scot Spencer, a former airline executive whose 2013 charge of conspiring to steal $175 million in public funds while doing work at San Bernardino International Airport put a spotlight on the facility’s management.
Wednesday, May 9, 2018 – 11:15 a.m.
The campaign to unseat four-term District Attorney Mike Ramos continues on, with a new political hit mailer to voters highlighting Ramos’ inability to follow state law when it comes to filling out campaign finance and economic interest disclosure forms.
Saturday, May 5, 2018 – 01:45 p.m.
A local political action committee (PAC) is continuing to expose the ethical lapses, mismanagement and incompetence of San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael A. Ramos.
By IE Business Daily
May 5, 2018
The race for 2nd District County Supervisor is the most contentious election campaign in San Bernardino County (outside of District Attorney Mike Ramos’ disastrous reelection bid.)
By Joe Garofoli
Published: May 2, 2018
Updated: May 2, 2018 – 5:51pm
The California Republican Party convention begins Friday in San Diego, and the expectations for the weekend are — if we’re being polite — modest. If we’re being real, they’re lower than dirt.
Wednesday, May 2, 2018 – 04:30 p.m.
The questionable handling of child molestation cases within the Redlands Unified School District by San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos has emerged in the campaign to unseat the four-term incumbent.
Tuesday, May 1, 2018 – 09:00 a.m.
A new month brings a new political mailer in the heated race for San Bernardino County District Attorney.
Monday, April 30, 2018 – 09:00 p.m.
It’s never pleasant to take an endorsement away from any politician or candidate for office. I know because years ago I had to do it.
In my case it was former County Supervisor Jerry Eaves at the time.
By Shea Johnson, Staff Writer
Posted Apr 29, 2018 at 8:16 AM
Congressional races throughout California promise to be particularly interesting this year as the state has positioned itself as a key bulwark against the Trump administration.
Sunday, April 29, 2018 – 10:45 a.m.
It’s a rocky Spring for San Bernardino County Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman.
Sunday, April 29, 2018 – 10:15 a.m.
The union representing San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputies has launched a website targeting Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford.
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: April 27, 2018 at 12:31 pm | Updated: April 28, 2018 at 12:21 am
Sentencing for former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus was delayed again Friday after his attorney filed a motion to withdraw Postmus’ 2011 guilty plea to corruption charges, claiming Postmus was addicted to drugs, under duress and coerced by investigators.
Friday, April 27, 2018 – 10:15 a.m.
As expected, incumbent San Bernardino County Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford is starring at the possibility of looking for a private sector job in December.
Friday, April 27, 2018 – 10:00 a.m.
It’s been tough sledding on the money front for San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos in his bid for a fifth term in office.
Capitol Alert
The go-to source for news on California policy and politics
By Angela Hart
ahart@sacbee.com
April 25, 2018 – 08:00 PM
The two major Republican candidates in the race to succeed Gov. Jerry Brown are battling for second place to make the November runoff, while Democratic Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom has strengthened his lead, according to a new poll from UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies.
Wednesday, April 25, 2018 – 10:15 a.m.
A political mailer supporting Attorney/Law Professor Jason Anderson for San Bernardino County District Attorney has hit the streets.
Monday, April 23, 2018 – 10:00 a.m.
A local political action committee (PAC) funded by local business owners set to oust incumbent San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos has now launched a website.
By Jeff Horseman | jhorseman@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
April 20, 2018 at 7:16 pm
California’s campaign finance watchdog agency has fined an Inland water district official $36,500 for multiple infractions, including failing to close a legal defense fund tied to his fight to serve on two elected bodies at the same time.
Friday, April 20, 2018 – 11:00 a.m.
A third campaign mailer opposing four-term incumbent San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos has hit mailboxes.
Thursday, April 19, 2018 – 08:30 a.m.
Incumbent San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos endured more fundraising pain on Tuesday evening.
Tuesday, April 17, 2018 – 09:30 a.m.
Members of the union representing San Bernardino County prosecutors, public defenders and child support lawyers have filed a petition to remove the group’s leadership from office over the endorsement and financial support given to incumbent District Attorney Mike Ramos.
Saturday, April 14, 2018 – 07:00 p.m.
The campaign to unseat four-term San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos has launched another salvo.
It’s the second in seven days.
By Jeff Horseman | jhorseman@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
April 10, 2018 at 7:49 pm
A Riverside County supervisor must tell voters he was appointed, not elected, to his job, a county judge ruled Monday in a decision that figures to tweak the June 5 ballot.
Mary Plummer and Sandra Oshiro | April 11, 2018
Republican John Cox once more came in second to California gubernatorial frontrunner Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, in the latest Public Policy Institute of California survey released late Wednesday.
Wednesday, April 11, 2018 – 02:00 p.m.
HIGHLAND — A political action committee set on throwing San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos out of elected office has launched its first political mailer in the contest.
By Sarah D. Wire
Tuesday, April 10, 2018 – 9:33 a.m.
Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday endorsed Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s reelection bid.
Monday, April 9, 2018 – 09:00 a.m.
San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos is at it again.
He’s going to form another special unit to garner some free press and try and throw a lifeline to his reelection bid.
Shea Johnson, Staff Reporter
Sunday, April 8, 2018 – 06:22 a.m.
Mike Ramos, the San Bernardino County District Attorney, will announce on Monday a newly created prevention and intervention unit to act as the community outreach arm of his office, where he has been the top prosecutor since 2002.
By John Myers
Apr. 6, 2018 – 10:11 a.m.
California’s effort to get 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote has now enlisted 100,000 teenagers, according to information released on Friday by Secretary of State Alex Padilla.
Wednesday, April 4, 2018 – 02:00 p.m.
FRENCH VALLEY – The campaign to restore better accountability and greater ratepayer respect from the Eastern Municipal Water District is moving forward with “major momentum,” recall organizers report. A chief objective of an Inland Empire-based citizens’ organization spearheading the effort has identified the removal of board member Phil Paule as paramount. Paule, who also serves as a chief of staff to a San Bernardino County supervisor, is a longtime professional political operative with a questionable ethics record.
Tuesday, April 3, 2018 – 02:30 p.m.
Allegations of shady dealings have erupted over an endorsement, plus money, benefiting embattled San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos.
Monday, April 2, 2018 – 08:00 a.m.
The San Bernardino County Public Attorney’s Association (SBCPAA) has been hijacked by rogue leadership and the rank and file members are furious according to multiple sources inside the union. It is well known in local political circles that the public defenders that make up slightly less than half of the population of the SBCPAA loath District Attorney Mike Ramos and that a vast majority of the rank and file deputy district attorneys also feel very negatively about Mike Ramos, so it came as a surprise when it was announced that the union had endorsed Mike Ramos for reelection. Recent investigative reporting has uncovered why. The membership was never asked who they wished to endorse, if at all, in the district attorney race.
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: March 26, 2018 at 2:49 pm | Updated: March 26, 2018 at 3:16 pm
Former Colonies corruption case defendants are accusing San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos of being a sexual predator in a full-page political ad running in at least six local weekly newspapers.
Saturday, March 24, 2018 – 09:30 a.m.
Updated: Saturday, March 24, 2018 – 12:30- p.m.
San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos has resorted to embarking on a series of twenty second rants directed at his opponent and his opponent’s supporters. Some of the clips appear to have been cut after a red-faced Ramos had a few cocktails.
Thursday, March 22, 2018 – 10:00 p.m.
Updated: Saturday, March 24, 2018 – 12:45 p.m.
It didn’t take long for news of the frantic phone calls asking people to show up at a fundraising luncheon for embattled San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos to get out.
By John Phillips |
Published: March 21, 2018 at 7:30 pm | Updated: March 21, 2018 at 10:01 pm
For mid-level politicians to move up the political pecking order in a state the size of California, they sometimes need to ride the wave of a big news event all the way to the front page of the paper.
By Naomi Jagoda – 03/18/18 06:00 AM EDT
Republicans are increasingly talking about “phase two” of tax cuts — including a permanent extension of the new law’s individual tax cuts — in an effort to highlight their signature legislative accomplishment and force Democrats to take tough votes.
Sunday, March 18, 2018 – 01:30 p.m.
Someone is definitely having a good laugh at embattled San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos’ expense this weekend.
.
March 17, 2018
The race for San Bernardino County District Attorney is just starting. As of last Friday, the filing deadline for public office for the June 2018 primary, only two people completed the necessary paperwork; incumbent four-term District Attorney Mike Ramos and former Deputy District Attorney and current defense attorney Jason Anderson.
By Brian Whitehead | bwhitehead@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: March 16, 2018 at 3:43 pm | Updated: March 16, 2018 at 3:45 pm
Virginia Marquez is calling it a career. Again.
Ten years after retiring from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the 61-year-old recently announced she will not seek re-election to the San Bernardino City Council.
Joshua Stewart
March 15, 2018
After an extended deadline, 16 candidates have completed paperwork to run for an open seat in Congress, held by retiring Rep. Darrell Issa, making it the busiest race in the San Diego area.
Tuesday, March 13, 2018 – 11:30 a.m.
An Inland Empire political action committee has released information from a poll conducted in the San Bernardino County District Attorney race.
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
March 12, 2018 at 6:00 am
For the better part of seven years, San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos would not comment publicly about the Colonies corruption case while it was pending.
By Brian Whitehead | bwhitehead@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: March 9, 2018 at 7:00 am | Updated: March 9, 2018 at 7:22 am
Mike Gallo, president and CEO of Kelly Space & Technology in San Bernardino, has withdrawn from the 2018 mayoral race to focus on making space access easier and more affordable for the growing small satellite industry, he announced Friday, March 9.
Sammy Roth, The Desert Sun
Published 2:41 p.m. PT March 8, 2018 | Updated 3:55 p.m. PT March 8, 2018
State Assemblymember Chad Mayes is suing California over a ballot measure that could help Republican lawmakers influence how the state spends its climate change funds, claiming that misleading language written by the state’s Democratic attorney general will confuse voters so they oppose the measure in June.
Proposition 70 stems from a hard-fought deal between Mayes and Gov. Jerry Brown last year. In exchange for Mayes delivering Republican votes to extend California’s cap-and-trade program, which puts a price on planet-warming emissions, Brown and Sacramento Democrats agreed to a statewide vote that could change how funds generated by the program are spent. If Prop 70 passes, the Legislature will be required to approve some of that spending in a two-thirds vote, rather than the majority vote that’s needed now.