Tuesday, May 22, 2012 – 08:30 a.m.
Another Super-PAC committee has weighed in on the hotly-contested 8th Congressional District.
Politics, Government and Business in Southern California's Inland Empire
Tuesday, May 22, 2012 – 08:30 a.m.
Another Super-PAC committee has weighed in on the hotly-contested 8th Congressional District.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012 – 04:50 p.m.
Here is some news reverberating across the transom this week.
Brown wants portion of Harris foreclosure settlement
You gotta love it.
California Governor Jerry Brown, in an effort to cobble together more money to blow, wants to steal hundreds of millions of dollars meant to help distressed homeowners. The dough, a part of a national foreclosure settlement obtained by Attorney General Kamala Harris, is meant for distressed homeowners.
Friday, May 11, 2012 – 10:00 a.m.
It was a bright, sunny and hot Thursday afternoon in the city of Highland, California.
When sightings of a campaign sign crew emerged.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012 – 10:30 a.m.
Fundraising two hotly-contested races for San Bernardino Board of Supervisors and U.S. Congress is still continuing at crawl this week, with many candidates concerned about collecting on previous commitments.
Sunday, April 29, 2012 – 09:30 a.m.
Here’s some interesting factoids from across the financial and political transom:
First Quarter GDP Revised Lower
First quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was revised lower last week to 2.2%. The revised number was mainly supported by strong auto sales. A component that may not be sustainable looking ahead.
Why? Consumer spending has been outpacing non-existent wage growth.
Friday, April 27, 2012 – 09:00 a.m.
As expected, two measures proposed by Assemblyman Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) related to pension forfeiture and disqualification from office have stalled in an Assembly committee.
Thursday, April 26, 2012 – 09:45 a.m.
Here’s some interesting news on the transom this week.
Retirement savings plans under attack.
Yes, it’s finally happening. The feds are discussing the taxation of various retirement savings accounts to generate revenue. As their coffers dwindle, expect federal, state and local government to squeeze taxpayers.
BY JIM MILLER
jmiller@pe.com
Published: 17 April 2012 06:03 PM
SACRAMENTO — Scandal-scarred San Bernardino County wants to become the first local government in California to outsource an ethics program to the state Fair Political Practices Commission.
First, though, the county needs legislation allowing the state watchdog agency to provide the service, and a key deadline is in less than two weeks.
BY JIM MILLER
SACRAMENTO BUREAU
jmiller@pe.com
Published: 25 March 2012 08:26 PM
SACRAMENTO — Inland Southern California lawmakers Mike Morrell, Jeff Miller, Bob Dutton and Kevin Jeffries spend a large chunk of their week in Sacramento, voting on bills and sitting through committee hearings as state legislators making base annual salaries of $95,291.
All of them want voters this year to view them as something different: businessmen.
BY JULIET WILLIAMS
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 13 March 2012 07:56 PM
SACRAMENTO — Lawmakers in the Assembly will hit the campaign trail this year, touting their votes on all manner of bills. Can we believe them? What they say may not be a true reflection of the stand they took when the bill was being debated.
California is one of at least 10 states in which some lawmakers can cast or change their votes after a bill has passed or failed.
Neil Nisperos, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/15/2012 12:14:24 PM PST
Legislation that aims to discourage corruption by elected officials’ staff members by denying them public pension benefits if they’re criminally convicted has been introduced by Assemblyman Paul Cook, R-Yucaipa.
Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Created: 01/28/2012 06:11:04 AM PST
Hoping to restore jail funding to San Bernardino County, an Inland Empire assemblyman introduced a bill on Friday that could potentially bring $16 million to county coffers.
THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE
Published: 22 January 2012 07:52 PM
Workin’ It
When Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. visited Riverside last week, a lot of the discussion was about the jobs created by goods movement and related construction projects such as the Magnolia Avenue underpass.
Add Laurence Parker to the job-creation list. Parker, waving an American flag and dressed as the Statue of Liberty, crashed Boxer’s presser to get a little attention for Liberty Tax Service, which has an office on Magnolia just north of the underpass. Usually he just stands in front of the office to draw the attention of drivers, much like a sign-spinner.
Monday, January 9, 2012 – 10:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, January 9, 2012 – 11.24 a.m.
According to the Z107.7 website in Morongo Basin, Assemblyman Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) has dropped his bid for a seat on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.
The radio station apparently let the cat out of the bag early.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011 – 12:10 p.m.
Sources tell InlandPolitics.com that San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos is conducting a push poll for his campaign to defeat Neil Derry on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.
Friday, December 2, 2011 – 10:00 a.m.
Assemblyman Paul Cook, a self-proclaimed reform candidate for the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, is reportedly finding it a little lonely these days.
BY JIM MILLER
SACRAMENTO BUREAU
jmiller@pe.com
Published: 27 November 2011 09:57 PM
SACRAMENTO – Instead of voting yes or no, members of Inland Southern California’s legislative delegation abstained on hundreds of bills that came before the full Assembly and Senate this year.
BY CASSIE MACDUFF
COLUMNIST
cmacduff@pe.com
Published: 22 November 2011 10:11 AM
Local restaurants have gotten a boost from San Bernardino International Airport employees dining at public expense.
Public records I requested in September for credit card receipts of the airport’s then-executive director and assistant director were finally provided this month, revealing this routine.
FROM STAFF REPORTS
Published: 20 November 2011 05:33 PM
Various Capitol interest groups began releasing legislative scorecards shortly after lawmakers finished their 2011 session in September.
Holding particular interest for Republicans are the rankings put out by Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. The organization, named after the force behind 1978’s tax-limiting Prop. 13, has a lot of influence in GOP circles, particularly at election time.
Thursday, November 3, 2011 – 09:00 p.m.
San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry appears un-phased in his bid for reelection to a second term.
McEachron
October 19, 2011 11:08 AM
Brooke Edwards Staggs
Staff Writer
VICTORVILLE • Mayor Ryan McEachron has formed a campaign finance committee to run for Congress in 2012, according to documents filed with the Federal Election Commission.
Cook
Saturday, October 1, 2011 – 12:30 p.m.
Assemblyman Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley), a newly announced candidate for the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, says he wants to help distance the county from corruption and thus will run on an anti-corruption platform.
10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, September 29, 2011
BY JIM MILLER and IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITERS
jmiller@pe.com | ighori@pe.com
Promising a “clean break” from the county’s ongoing corruption scandal, Assemblyman Paul Cook announced Thursday that he will run for the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.
Neil Nisperos, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/29/2011 10:52:20 AM PDT
Assemblyman Paul Cook, R-Yucaipa, has announced his run for the San Bernardino County 3rd District Supervisorial seat now held by Neil Derry.
Cook
Thursday, September 29, 2011 – 10:30 a.m.
State Assemblyman Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) has thrown his hat into the ring for San Bernardino County Supervisor.
Cook joins incumbent supervisor Neil Derry and San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos to make a current field of three.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011 – 10:40 a.m.
Does the Inland Empire have its own Sarah “I might run” Palin?
The answer: Could be!
By PE Politics
August 29, 2011 9:17 PM
The Senate finished its work Monday without taking up legislation that would require an indicted official to step down from appointed boards.
10:00 PM PDT on Sunday, August 21, 2011
BY JIM MILLER
SACRAMENTO BUREAU
jmiller@pe.com
SACRAMENTO – Legislation to block the proposed Liberty Quarry near Temecula is quickly emerging as a Capitol showdown in the closing days of the year’s legislative session.
Rep. Darrell Issa
10:00 PM PDT on Sunday, August 21, 2011
The Press-Enterprise
As chairman of the House Oversight Committee, Inland Rep. Darrell Issa has made plenty of headlines this year by targeting government programs and Obama administration policies for investigation.
But it was Issa under the microscope last week as an unflattering story emerged, prompting the Riverside County-area Republican to lash back.
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, August 2, 2011
By JIM MILLER
Sacramento Bureau
SACRAMENTO – Being at the center of Capitol budget negotiations earlier this year seems to have been good for the bottom line of state Sen. Bill Emmerson’s campaign committee.
By PE Politics
July 18, 2011 9:15 AM
A pair of Inland Southern California lawmakers are pushing separate bills prompted by the death of Florida toddler Caylee Anthony.
Casey Anthony, the girl’s mother, was acquitted of murder but convicted of lying to authorities about the girl’s whereabouts. Anthony was not reported missing for 31 days.
Legislators say loss of pay won’t alter budget fight
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/13/2011 08:22:08 PM PDT
State lawmakers could each lose about $400 per day if they don’t pass a budget by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday.
A ballot measure approved last year prevents lawmakers from collecting their salary and other pay if they don’t pass a budget by the June 15 deadline seat in the state constitution. But local lawmakers – even those without lots of other income – say that’s not a factor in how they’re approaching the budget.
By James Rufus Koren Staff Writer
Posted: 06/10/2011 09:42:17 PM PDT
After months of meetings and public input, the California Citizens Redistricting Commission on Friday released a first draft of what California’s new Assembly, Senate and Congressional districts could look like.
By James Rufus Koren Staff Writer
Posted: 06/09/2011 04:58:51 PM PDT
When elected officials are charged with certain crimes, they can jeopardize the flow of federal funding to their respective cities, counties or other public agencies.
10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, June 2, 2011
By DUG BEGLEY
The Press-Enterprise
A bill by Assemblyman Paul Cook, R-Yucca Valley, to disqualify elected officials indicted in criminal corruption probes from regional boards gained the support of San Bernardino Associated Governments this week.
By PE Politics
May 31, 2011 2:17 PM
Legislative appropriations panels claimed dozens of Inland Southern California lawmakers’ bills late last week.
Cook
By James Rufus Koren Staff Writer
Posted: 05/19/2011 11:33:23 PM PDT
Assemblyman Paul Cook, R-Yucaipa, was one of two Assembly Republicans who crossed party lines this week to approve new contracts for several state employee groups.
Cook
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 – 09:24 a.m.
State Assemblyman and retired Marine Colonel Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) is not a candidate for San Bernardino County Supervisor.
11:18 PM PDT on Saturday, May 14, 2011
By DUG BEGLEY and IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino County is known for unspoiled, pristine terrain in the High Desert, clean, picturesque snow in the mountains, and dirty politics.
The first two are visions civic leaders love to project. Cleaning up the latter is the biggest challenge to rebuild the county’s image in the wake of yet another round of indictments, the latest in a string of schemes involving elected and appointed county officials that stretches back 20 years.
Persistent county political corruption might take just as long to weed out.
10:00 PM PDT on Friday, May 13, 2011
By IMRAN GHORI and JIM MILLER
The Press-Enterprise
Corruption has been a top political issue in San Bernardino County for the past decade and criminal indictments announced this week likely mean that next year’s election will be no different.
11:39 PM PDT on Thursday, March 31, 2011
By JIM MILLER
Sacramento Bureau
SACRAMENTO – Legislators from Inland Southern California have introduced more than 200 bills this year, weighing in on subjects ranging from red-light cameras and the workplace to two-year budgets and aid for veterans.
By James Rufus Koren Staff Writer
Posted: 03/25/2011 10:59:52 PM PDT
The past week saw lawmakers come to a standstill over the state budget, with little or no progress being made since March 16 and 17, when legislators approved several bills calling for cuts in state spending.
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/06/2011 10:25:59 PM PST
California’s political watchdog has released annual reports showing the gifts given to state lawmakers as well as their investments and income.
The forms, called statements of economic interest, show most San Bernardino County lawmakers are well-invested and commonly receive gifts from interest groups.
Special-interest groups could unite for passage
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Created: 03/05/2011 07:11:16 AM PST
Republican lawmakers say they don’t want a set of tax extensions to go before California voters in a June special election.
While lawmakers say that’s because voters rejected a nearly identical slate of taxes two years ago, making another election a waste of time and money, some Republican legislators and strategists say there’s another reason: because voters might approve the taxes this time.
By PE Politics
on March 1, 2011 9:17 AM
Any day now, state Sen. Bill Emmerson will get a stake through his head, figuratively speaking.
Assemblyman Paul Cook is already there. For several days, the Yucca Valley Republican’s mug shot has had a stick through it on the web site of KFI AM’s “John and Ken Show.” Cook also is portrayed underneath a bus driven by the show’s hosts.
Area lawmakers say no to special election
Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Created: 02/28/2011 08:39:44 PM PST
The question of whether voters in June will help decide how to fill the gaping budget deficit could depend on how many Republican legislators Gov. Jerry Brown can convince in the next week.
Friday, February 25, 2011 – 4:00 p.m.
Well, it’s finally started.
The republican kabuki dance to sell out the people of California has began in earnest.
Staff and wire reports
Created: 02/24/2011 08:14:29 PM PST
The battle to get a tax extension on a June ballot is heating up in Sacramento.
Just a day after a majority of Republicans in the Legislature formed a “Taxpayers Caucus” – basically refusing to put the measure on the ballot – Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday attempted to convince GOP lawmakers to leave it up to the voters.
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
February 23, 2011 | 11:05 am
Two-thirds of Republicans in the California Legislature announced Wednesday that they were forming a new group and pledged not only never to vote to raise taxes but also to block efforts to place a tax-hike measure before voters.
Cook
By PE Politics
on February 14, 2011 12:42 PM
Joined by the father of murdered teen Amber Dubois, Inland Southern California Assemblyman Paul Cook on Monday introduced a four-bill package meant to toughen rules on sex offenders and strengthen victims rights.
11:52 PM PST on Monday, January 31, 2011
By JIM MILLER
Sacramento Bureau
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Paul Cook knows the foundations of California government as well as any of his colleagues.
Cook, though, wasn’t buying it Monday when Gov. Jerry Brown invoked the California Constitution to pressure the Yucca Valley Republican and other GOP lawmakers to allow a public vote on a five-year extension of higher taxes.
10:00 PM PST on Sunday, January 30, 2011
The Press-Enterprise
The next election is never far off and two Inland Southern California lawmakers already are taking steps toward a possible future candidacy.
Last week, Assembly members Wilmer Amina Carter and Paul Cook opened campaign committees to run for state Senate.
Cook
By PE Politics
on January 26, 2011 5:16 PM
Assemblyman Paul Cook has filed the necessary paperwork to start raising money to run for the state Senate in 2012.
Legislators face many tough decisions on state’s deficit
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/09/2011 07:02:16 AM PST
Gov. Jerry Brown has made it clear that the state budget he will propose today will include “painful” spending cuts.
But as local lawmakers wait to see Brown’s proposal, they seem to have few ideas – and fewer new ideas – for what those cuts should be. While some lawmakers have proposed novel ways of saving money or said they would support previously suggested cuts and money-saving reforms, others say they have a hard time identifying any cuts they’d like to make.
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/30/2010 07:14:12 PM PST
In 2010, Californians voted to make it easier for Democrats to pass a budget without Republican support, but they voted to make it impossible for Democrats to raise fees without Republicans on board.
In this year’s gubernatorial race, Californians chose a longtime politician, Democrat Jerry Brown, over an outsider, Republican Meg Whitman, while voters in a few local Assembly districts chose outsiders over experienced local officials.
Baca
10:00 PM PST on Sunday, December 19, 2010
The Press-Enterprise
Four of the five members of Inland Southern California’s congressional delegation are poised to return to the majority party when Republicans take back control of the House of Representatives next month.
And then there is Joe Baca. The Rialto Democrat has enjoyed majority status for the past four years, but will be relegated to the House minority, at least for the next two years.
Hansberger
Thursday, December 16, 2010 – 10:00 a.m.
After two years former San Bernardino County Supervisor Dennis Hansberger has stepped back into the fray.
On December 1, Hansberger paid a rare visit to the San Bernardino County Government Center, to attend the swearing-in ceremony for Supervisors Gary Ovitt and Janice Rutherford.
By PE Politics
on December 15, 2010 12:56 PM
Assembly Speaker John Perez, D-Los Angeles, released committee assignments Wednesday for the 2011-2012 session.
A few notables among the Inland Southern California delegation:
* Democrats picked up two seats in the last election, but Assemblyman Paul Cook remains chairman of the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee. Cook, R-Yucca Valley, is one of just two Republican committee chairs in the Assembly.
Paul Cook
Friday, December 10, 2010 – 12:50 p.m.
Many rumors are swirling around the Inland Empire political transom this week. One of the latest is that of Assemblyman Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) challenging San Bernardino County Supervisor Neil Derry.
Cook is making it clear he intends to make a 2012 run for the California Senate seat being vacated by termed-out incumbent and republican minority leader Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga).
Even if he has to relocate to stay within the District’s boundaries.
11:32 PM PST on Monday, December 6, 2010
By JIM MILLER
Sacramento Bureau
SACRAMENTO – California lawmakers Monday appeared to dismiss departing Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s new proposal to reduce the state’s budget problem by $9.9 billion.
Within an hour of new and re-elected legislators taking their oaths of office, Schwarzenegger declared a fiscal emergency and ordered lawmakers into special session immediately to start tackling an estimated $25 billion budget hole through June 2012.
10:00 PM PST on Sunday, November 21, 2010
The Press-Enterprise
Riverside Mayor Ron Loveridge was in the nation’s capital last week to be formally inducted as a new fellow to the National Academy of Public Administration.
Loveridge, spotted strolling through the swanky lobby of the Washington Renaissance Hotel, called the induction an honor, given that few elected officials serve as fellows to the academy.
By Jim Sanders
jsanders@sacbee.com
Published: Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 1A
Some California lawmakers were packing their bags for Hawaii last week when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced he was calling a special December legislative session to tackle a projected $25.4 billion deficit.
Others already were there.
10:36 PM PDT on Monday, October 18, 2010
By JIM MILLER
Sacramento Bureau
Pension bill floor vote
California Assembly pension bill floor vote – October 2010
Published: 10/18/2010 05:28 PM
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s relationship with Republican lawmakers from the Inland area is ending on a decidedly low note.
Over the years, the Republican governor and local GOP legislators have butted heads on issues ranging from tribal gambling and state budgets to bill vetoes and ideology.
10:26 PM PDT on Wednesday, October 13, 2010
By JIM MILLER
Sacramento Bureau
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger soon will sign legislation that rolls back retirement benefits for state workers, achieving a years-long goal after he and the Legislature’s Republican caucuses demanded pension changes as part of any budget agreement.
But several Inland GOP members nevertheless opposed the measure or abstained from voting during last week’s all-night session, amid heavy lobbying by the union representing prison guards.
Democrat says turnout is vital
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/12/2010 05:29:55 PM PDT
In 2008, Democrat Carl Wood beat Assemblyman Paul Cook, R-Yucaipa, in the Riverside County section of Cook’s 65th Assembly District.
But Wood came up short in San Bernardino County. In 2008, he didn’t have a campaign to speak of on this side of the county line. This time around, he’s aiming to fix that.
Cook
11:59 PM PDT on Friday, October 1, 2010
By JIM MILLER
Sacramento Bureau
SACRAMENTO – Compared to some of his Inland peers, Assemblyman Paul Cook had a pretty good year legislatively, with 10 of his 12 bills that passed the Legislature signed into law.
But getting more notice Friday was Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s sarcastic putdown of a Cook measure that was a victim of this week’s veto pen.
11:43 PM PDT on Wednesday, September 29, 2010
By JIM MILLER
Sacramento Bureau
Legislation to preserve millions in property tax revenue for the agency in charge of redeveloping the former Norton Air Force Base has been signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The Inland Valley Development Agency, the Norton redevelopment agency, otherwise stood to lose as much as $4.5 million.
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Created: 09/09/2010 06:34:15 PM PDT
The California State Assembly this week posted the salaries of Assembly members online, even though a bill requiring that action failed to get the Legislature’s approval last month.
But perhaps more interesting than the members’ salaries – Assembly members representing San Bernardino County all make $95,291 – are the salaries paid to Assembly staff members. Democratic lawmakers spend much more on staffers than do Republicans.
10:54 PM PDT on Sunday, August 29, 2010
By JIM MILLER
Sacramento Bureau
SACRAMENTO – A bill that would set new rules for the foreclosure process is the focus of a fierce end-of-session fight between the lending industry and consumer groups.
Loan delinquency and foreclosure rates are down from the worst of the housing downturn but Riverside and San Bernardino counties remain among the hardest-hit parts of the state.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010 – 11:00 pm
Amazing!
In response to a yet to be proven conspiracy case labeled by Attorney General Jerry “Ring That Bell” Brown as possibly the worst in California history, politicos went running for the soap box.
Yes, politicians seeking to exploit the claim immediately went running for the infamous legislative fix.
Cook
By PE Politics
on August 5, 2010 4:21 PM
Assemblyman Paul Cook, R-Yucca Valley, called Thursday for nearly quadrupling the amount of state spending on county veterans services offices despite a $19 billion budget shortfall.
Cook, a former Marine and chairman of the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee, said an $11 million general fund investment by the state — up from $2.6 million in 2009-10 — would help California veterans obtain much more in federal benefits and recognize their service to the country.
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Created: 08/04/2010 05:51:05 PM PDT
Assemblyman Paul Cook says he wants San Bernardino County to have more than one civil grand jury to investigate local government corruption, but he said this week he has no plans to push county leaders to call a second jury.
Cook, R-Yucaipa, sponsored a bill – now signed into law – that allows the county to call more than one grand jury. But the law leaves the decision to impanel a second jury to county Presiding Judge Douglas Elwell, who said last month he does not see an immediate need for a second grand jury.
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, July 26, 2010
By JIM MILLER
Sacramento Bureau
SACRAMENTO – Several Inland governments, businesses and other groups have rallied behind a recently introduced state bill meant to preserve millions in revenue for the agency in charge of redeveloping the former Norton Air Force Base.
The support comes even though some of the agencies would stand to get more money if current law was left alone.
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Created: 07/20/2010 05:39:24 PM PDT
San Bernardino County leaders are applauding a new law that will allow the county to have more than one grand jury, but it’s not clear if or when the law might be used.
The law, signed last week by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, gives the county’s presiding judge the ability to create a second civil grand jury that would be able to investigate government entities in the county.
10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, May 27, 2010
Meg Whitman, a Republican candidate for governor of California, will attend a private fundraiser in Hemet at 5 p.m. today at the home of Dr. Kali Chaudhuri.
A VIP photo reception with Whitman costs $12,500 per person, with proceeds going to Whitman’s campaign. For the general reception, sponsors can pay $7,800, $3,900, $2,000 or $1,000. The cost for an individual is $500 per person, a flier states. That money will go to the campaign of 65th District Assemblyman Paul Cook.
To read entire story, click here.