Archive for the ‘ Joe Baca ’ Category

DailyBulletin: Experts: Fund-raising pace suggests Dreier retirement

By Neil Nisperos, Staff Writer
Created: 02/02/2012 05:36:15 PM PST

Fundraising data for Rep. David Dreier, D-San Dimas, from the last quarter of last year suggests he’s likely to retire this year, according to local political experts.

The Federal Election Commission database reports Dreier collected only $10,160 in campaign contributions in the period from October to December. The figure is paltry compared with the $207,450 received in the same period in 2003, and the $137,600 in 2009.

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The PE: 2012 ELECTIONS: Campaign fundraising efforts shape House races

BY BEN GOAD
WASHINGTON BUREAU
bgoad@pe.com

Published: 31 January 2012 05:44 PM

Candidates for contested Inland House seats raked in hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign cash at the end of 2011 as they jockeyed for position heading into the current election year.

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The PE: POLITICAL EMPIRE: Baca works his way into position

Rep. Joe Baca, D-Rialto, second from left, earned a aisle seat to greet President Barack Obama before the State of the Union speech./AP

THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE
Published: 29 January 2012 06:51 PM

They don’t call him “Working Joe” for nothing.

For at least the fourth consecutive year, U.S. Rep. Joe Baca outmaneuvered a host of his Democratic colleagues and worked himself into a coveted center aisle seat at last week’s State of the Union address. Baca, who was already in position several hours before the speech, again nabbed a primo spot and fought through the scrum of lawmakers to greet President Barack Obama on his way to the podium.

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The PE: INLAND REPUBLICANS: Delegation mostly slams Obama’s speech

Details of the president’s annual speech to Congress came under harsh fire from members of the Inland region’s Republican delegation./AP

BY BEN GOAD
WASHINGTON BUREAU
bgoad@pe.com

Published: 24 January 2012 09:18 PM

WASHINGTON — The central initiatives laid out in President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address Tuesday night seem tailored to address Inland Southern California’s largest problems: unemployment and the home foreclosure crisis.

Yet the details of his plan raised concerns from some area officials and came under harsh fire from members of the region’s predominantly Republican congressional delegation, signaling a contentious election year in Washington and a tough road ahead for the president’s agenda.

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Neil Nisperos, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/13/2012 07:42:42 PM PST

When Rep. Jerry Lewis retires, he’ll apparently have at least one admirer on the other side of the aisle.

Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, said that they’ve had disagreements over the Dream Act and on immigration issues, but he and Lewis found common ground on many issues that pertain to the area.

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The PE: CONGRESS: Lawmakers to look local in election year

Lawmakers will take on legislation sure to please most constituents and unlikely to alienate many at election time

BY BEN GOAD
WASHINGTON BUREAU
ben.goad@yahoo.com

Published: 08 January 2012 08:26 PM

WASHINGTON — Entering a contentious 2012 election season, Congress isn’t expected to tackle many of the nation’s most divisive issues.

Inland lawmakers hope to take advantage of the void left by shelved debates over immigration reform, health care, climate change and other battles by pressing forward with less controversial legislation focused on improving the region.

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The PE: ELECTION 2012: House races beginning to take shape

Redistricting and the state’s new primary system are shaking up Inland congressional election scenarios

BY BEN GOAD AND JIM MILLER
STAFF WRITERS
bgoad@pe.com | jmiller@pe.com

Published: 27 December 2011 09:10 PM

WASHINGTON — Days away from a pivotal election year, Inland Southern California’s congressional races are beginning to take shape.

The region is seen as a vital battleground between Republicans, who have long dominated traditionally conservative Riverside and San Bernardino counties, and Democrats, who want to pick up some of the 25seats they need to wrest control of the House from the GOP.

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The PE: CONGRESS: Tax cut extension plans split Inland delegation

Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona./The Press-Enterprise

The region’s politicians in Washington are split along partisan lines about how to extend tax cuts and jobless aid
BY BEN GOAD
WASHINGTON BUREAU

bgoad@pe.com

Published: 13 December 2011 08:28 PM

WASHINGTON — As the debate over extending a soon-to-expire payroll tax cut and benefits for the unemployed nears a crescendo in Congress, few corners of the nation have more at stake than does economically battered Inland Southern California.

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The PE: CONGRESS: Baca bill seeks to improve tribal education

Congressman Joe Baca

BY BEN GOAD
WASHINGTON BUREAU
bgoad@pe.com

Published: 09 December 2011 08:13 PM

WASHINGTON — Seeking to improve an education system he says is failing Indian country, Inland Rep. Joe Baca introduced legislation this week to overhaul the nation’s tribal schools.

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The PE: CONGRESS: How Inland representatives voted

ROLL CALL REPORT SYNDICATE
Published: 03 December 2011 05:25 PM

Here is how area members of Congress voted on major issues in the week ending Dec. 2.

HOUSE

RULES FOR UNION ELECTIONS: Voting 235 for and 188 against, the House on Nov. 30 passed a Republican bill (HR 3094) to block a proposed National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rule to quicken the pace of union elections. Now before the Senate, the bill targets a labor-relations rule that could take effect by year’s end. Under the rule, elections on whether to form into a collective-bargaining unit could be held as soon as 10 days after the NLRB certifies the election petition. The bill would require a wait of at least 35 days to give employers more time to attempt to persuade workers to reject unionization, and it would give employers more say in determining which workers are eligible for the bargaining unit.

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DailyBulletin: Baca wants more customs agents requested at ONT

U.S. Rep. Joe Baca

By Art Marroquin, Staff Writer
Created: 12/01/2011 02:57:14 PM PST

A reported shortage of U.S. Customs and Border Protection staffers at Los Angeles International Airport has led a couple of regional lawmakers to push for more customs agents at airports, including L.A./Ontario International Airport.

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The PE: POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Issa tops congressional wealth list

Issa

FROM STAFF REPORTS
Published: 27 November 2011 07:24 PM

Once again, Inland Rep. Darrell Issa has been placed atop a list of the richest members of Congress.

Issa, R-Vista, whose invention of the Viper car alarm helped him amass a fortune, is worth at least $195 million and possibly more than $700 million, according to a report released this month by the Center for Responsive Politics.

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The Sun: Longtime lawmakers at risk with redrawn maps

Neil Nisperos and Benjamin Demers, Staff Writers
Posted: 11/26/2011 06:05:56 AM PST

Editor’s note: This is the first of a three-part series looking at the newly redrawn Inland Empire legislative districts. Today, the new-look congressional districts.

California’s redrawn lines for the House of Representatives may result in some longtime lawmakers from the region facing tough re-election campaigns.

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The Sun: OpEd: Congress must act to ease joblessness for returning heroes

U.S. Rep. Joe Baca

Rep. Joe Baca
Posted: 11/10/2011 08:33:21 AM PST

Every Veterans Day, Americans come together to remember those who have served our country around the world in the name of freedom and democracy. Veterans Day is not just another day off from school or work, it is a day to reflect and understand the sacrifices made by men and women in uniform through the history of the United States.

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The PE: POLITICS: EMILY’s List backs Negrete McLeod

 

BY BEN GOAD
WASHINGTON BUREAU
bgoad@pe.com

Published: 10 November 2011 01:22 PM

EMILY’s List, a Washington-based group that backs women in politics, is throwing its support behind state Sen. Gloria Negrete McLeod in her Congressional bid.

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The PE: ELECTIONS 2012: Democrats focus on three Inland seats


The U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C./BLOOMBERG

BY BEN GOAD
WASHINGTON BUREAU
bgoad@pe.com

Published: 04 November 2011 07:58 PM

WASHINGTON — Inland Southern California’s reshaped political landscape figures prominently in congressional Democrats’ plans to take back the House in 2012, party leaders said Friday.

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DailyBulletin: California Citizens Redistricting Commission blasts lawsuits

California Supreme Court urged to issue dismissal
Neil Nisperos, Staff Writer
Created: 10/22/2011 06:16:05 PM PDT

The California Supreme Court is reviewing a request to dismiss lawsuits challenging newly drawn political districts for Congress and the state Senate.

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DailyBulletin: Rep. Baca hosts regional water conference

Staff report
Created: 10/20/2011 05:45:05 PM PDT

SAN BERNARDINO – Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, hosted his annual water conference at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino on Thursday.

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The PE: ELECTION 2012: Incumbents outpace challengers in congressional races

BY BEN GOAD
WASHINGTON BUREAU
bgoad@pe.com
Published: 17 October 2011 08:04 PM

WASHINGTON — Incumbents outpaced challengers in fundraising efforts in the third quarter , as candidates in the freshly redrawn set of Inland congressional districts amassed their war chests in advance of the 2012 elections, new campaign finance reports show.

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The PE: ELECTIONS 2012: Wickman seeks congressional seat

Renea Wickman

BY BEN GOAD
WASHINGTON BUREAU
bgoad@pe.com

Published: 13 October 2011 06:13 PM

Nonprofit founder Renea Wickman filed papers this week to run for Congress in California’s newly drawn 31st District.

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DailyBulletin: Redistricting maps find bipartisan challenge

Baca

Neil Nisperos, Staff Writer
Created: 10/06/2011 12:27:32 PM PDT

Rep. Joe Baca has reached over the political divide and expressed support for a lawsuit that seeks to reject dozens of newly-approved state congressional maps.

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The PE: CONGRESS: Beleaguered Postal Service at crossroads

09:15 AM PDT on Monday, September 26, 2011

BY BEN GOAD
WASHINGTON BUREAU
bgoad@pe.com

WASHINGTON – With the U.S. Postal Service hemorrhaging money and fast approaching insolvency, Inland lawmakers are backing competing plans to overhaul the beleaguered institution.

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The PE: POLITICAL EMPIRE: Democrats head for primary showdown

10:00 PM PDT on Sunday, September 18, 2011

The Press-Enterprise

At last week’s during Chinese Moon Festival in Riverside, state Sen. Gloria Negrete McLeod and Rep. Joe Baca crossed paths as the region’s senior elected Democrats.

Now they’re also rivals for the same congressional seat.

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The Sun: Rep. Baca seeking USGS survey of perchlorate plume

Jim Steinberg, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/14/2011 09:55:59 PM PDT

RIALTO – Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, asked a congressional subcommittee Wednesday to act on his legislation requiring the U.S. Geological Survey to conduct a study of the Rialto-Colton water basin that focuses on its perchlorate plume.

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The Sun: Baca announces run for 35th District

Rep. Joe Baca

Neil Nisperos, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/12/2011 06:48:42 PM PDT

Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, on Monday said he plans to run for the newly created 35th Congressional District seat.

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The Sun: OpEd: Congress must create jobs at home

Rep. Joe Baca

Congressman Joe Baca
Posted: 09/04/2011 07:13:45 PM PDT

America’s workers have always stood as the backbone of our great nation. On this Labor Day, it is worthwhile that all Americans take the time to honor our workers and reflect on their continued contributions to the betterment of society. It is also a time for Congress to renew our commitment to strengthening America’s workforce and expanding economic opportunity by creating new jobs here at home.

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The PE: Rep. Lewis remains silent on 2012, speculation abounds

By PE Politics
September 1, 2011 7:52 AM

Inland Rep. Jerry Lewis is staying mum on a decision that holds major implications for congressional incumbents and hopefuls around Southern California: if, and where, he’ll seek an 18th term in Washington.

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By Neil Nisperos Staff Writer
Posted: 09/01/2011 07:24:52 PM PDT

A Latino advocacy group proposed its own set of maps for the districts of San Bernardino County supervisors on Thursday, challenging maps the county has created.

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Rep. Joe Baca

By Jim Steinberg Staff Writer
Posted: 09/01/2011 06:12:22 PM PDT

SAN BERNARDINO – “Wall Street got bailed out. We got sold out,” they chanted.

Some 200 people gathered Thursday in front of the district office of Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, seeking endorsement of a plan to tax Wall Street transactions, such as the purchase or sale of stocks, bonds and derivatives.

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The PE: Keeping 2012 options open, Baca spreads his appearances around

Rep. Joe Baca

By PE Politics
August 22, 2011 10:53 AM

Inland Rep, Joe Baca hasn’t made up his mind yet about which of two new congressional districts he’ll run for next year.

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The PE: CONGRESS: Baca, Lewis not ruling out a 2012 showdown

10:00 PM PDT on Saturday, August 20, 2011

BY BEN GOAD
WASHINGTON BUREAU
bgoad@pe.com

Newly certified congressional lines place two of Inland Southern California’s political heavyweights in the same district, potentially setting the stage for a high-stakes brawl to decide who is top dog in San Bernardino County.

Call it the Battle for Berdoo, the Muscoy Melee, the Rumble in Rialto.

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The Sun: Baca swears in Sarah Zamora as Colton mayor

Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/16/2011 08:53:53 PM PDT

COLTON — Choking up as she recited the oath of office, Sarah S. Zamora was sworn in Tuesday as mayor.

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Rep. Joe Baca

By Jim Steinberg Staff Writer
Posted: 08/11/2011 12:45:03 PM PDT

RIALTO – Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, is seeking to remove two animal species from protection under the Endangered Species Act, which he said is stalling the development of more than 8,000 residential units here.

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DailyBulletin: Democrats suggest redistricting changes

Committee urges fixes to proposal
Neil Nisperos, Staff Writer
Created: 08/09/2011 09:32:13 PM PDT

An alternate redistricting map for a large portion of western San Bernardino County, proposed by the local Democratic Central Committee, envisions lines that supporters say would help maintain minority voter clout and retain significant influence on federal funds for the area.

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The Sun: Lewis, Baca could face off

By Mediha Fejzagic DiMartino Staff Writer
Posted: 07/29/2011 06:57:10 PM PDT

The Citizens Redistricting Commission on Friday voted to adopt the state’s new political boundaries, sealing its decision to bind the fate of two longtime congressmen.

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DailyBulletin: Redraw splits block

Upland’s dividing line
Some would be moved into Baca’s district
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 07/27/2011 07:52:08 PM PDT

UPLAND – Residents in the 1400 block of Ukiah Way and Victoria Avenue may soon find themselves divided along party lines.

The block running north and south between 14th Street and 15th Street will join citizens living below 14th Street in the district of Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, according to a preliminary draft of Congressional, Assembly and state Senate districts released last week by the Citizens Redistricting Commission.

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The PE: CAMPAIGN 2012: Inland incumbents post big fundraising totals

10:00 PM PDT on Monday, July 18, 2011

By BEN GOAD
Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON – Inland Southern California’s congressional incumbents are busy amassing their war chests for a 2012 election season filled with uncertainty, federal campaign finance reports show.

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The PE: POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Baca and the Golf Summit

Rep. Joe Baca

 

10:00 PM PDT on Sunday, June 19, 2011

The Press-Enterprise

Between the U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club and the rabid anticipation of this past weekend’s “golf summit” between President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner, Washington has been consumed with the sport.

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The PE: Negrete McLeod vs. Baca Part Deux?

By PE Politics
June 13, 2011 4:30 PM

Rep. Joe Baca said Friday he might run in a proposed congressional district being eyed by state Sen. Gloria Negrete McLeod.

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The Sun: First state redistricting proposal could bring Lewis/Baca showdown

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.

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Baca

 

By James Rufus Koren Staff Writer
Posted: 06/10/2011 07:21:55 PM PDT

Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, says Democratic Party officials have asked him to consider running for a proposed new congressional seat that would represent Ontario, Chino, Montclair, Pomona and Rancho Cucamonga.

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The Sun: Capitol Hill bonuses

In time of spending cuts, some House staffers cash in
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/05/2011 09:26:39 PM PDT

Late last year, while many members of Congress were promising to cut federal spending, some House members were handing out large bonuses to their staffs.

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The PE: Sans earmarks, lawmakers still seek funding for programs

10:00 PM PDT on Saturday, June 4, 2011

By BEN GOAD
Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON – Congressional earmarks may be dead for the moment, but that isn’t stopping individual lawmakers from requesting federal funding for their favorite programs.

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The PE: Inland House members united against ‘clean’ debt ceiling increase

By PE Politics
June 1, 2011 12:40 PM

Inland Southern California’s five-member House delegation voted last night against a measure to lift the nation’s national debt ceiling.

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The Sun: Baca hands out scholarships to students

Baca

 

Michel Nolan, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/16/2011 04:04:03 PM PDT

For the fourth year, the Joe Baca Foundation honored area students with scholarship awards.

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The PE: CONGRESS: Inland lawmakers launch aggressive fundraising efforts

10:00 PM PDT on Friday, May 6, 2011

By BEN GOAD
Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON – Inland Southern California’s congressional members don’t know what their districts will look like when a state panel finishes drawing new political lines.

But that isn’t stopping most of them from launching aggressive fundraising efforts in advance of what is expected to be a wild 2012 election season.

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The Sun: Baca joins fast to oppose cuts

Baca

 

By James Rufus Koren Staff Writer
Posted: 04/21/2011 03:04:19 PM PDT

Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, along with national Latino leaders and more than two dozen other members of Congress, refrained from eating Thursday, a move aimed at drawing attention to federal budget cuts proposed by Republican lawmakers.

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The Sun: Baca speaks out against deficit plan

Baca

 

Says GOP cuts place burden on poor, old
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/19/2011 06:35:06 PM PDT

Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, said he and other Democrats recognize that the federal government needs to deal with the growing federal deficit, but he told students at San Bernardino Valley College on Tuesday that he has big problems with Republicans’ suggested spending cuts.

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The PE: CONGRESS: Baca bill aims to swat bothersome fly

10:00 PM PDT on Sunday, March 20, 2011

Rep. Joe Baca

 

By BEN GOAD and DARRELL R. SANTSCHI
The Press-Enterprise

WASHINGTON – Seeking to unburden Inland communities from the development-stifling Delhi Sands flower-loving fly, Inland Rep. Joe Baca is pressing legislation that would amend the federal Endangered Species Act.

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The PE: Inland Southern California in store for political gains

11:46 PM PST on Tuesday, March 8, 2011

By JIM MILLER and BEN GOAD
The Press-Enterprise

California’s political landscape lurched to the east Tuesday as new census numbers point to a major increase in representation for Inland Southern California over the next decade.

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The PE: POLITCAL NOTEBOOK: Baca vs. Lewis in 2012?

 

 

10:00 PM PST on Sunday, February 27, 2011

The Press-Enterprise

As a new independent panel prepares to draw new political lines and congressional districts in time for the 2012 elections, a pair of veteran Inland House members are already sparring over the possibility they could be fighting over a seat.

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DailyBulletin: Republicans, Dems to sit side by side

Staff and Wire Reports
Created: 01/24/2011 04:28:16 PM PST

With calls for more civility in Congress and less partisanship after the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, two Inland Valley lawmakers will join some of their peers in pledging to break with a tradition during President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address tonight.

Democrats and Republicans usually sit with fellow members of their parties during the annual speech in the House chamber.

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DailyBulletin: Immigration debate in Congress to change course during new year

Sandra Emerson and Monica Rodriguez, Staff Writers
Posted: 01/01/2011 07:06:22 AM PST

The approach to addressing illegal immigration is expected to shift as Republicans take control of the House of Representatives in the new year.

In a matter of weeks, Congress will switch from working on legislation geared toward legalization to stricter enforcement of immigration laws.

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The PE: POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Baca back in familiar territory

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.

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The PE: Inland lawmakers unite behind bill to extend tax cuts

By PE Politics
on December 17, 2010 8:24 AM

Inland Southern California’s congressional delegation voted early this morning to extend for two years a set of Bush-era tax cuts that had been scheduled to expire on New Year’s Eve.

The bill passed just after midnight by a tally of 277-148, and now heads to President Barack Obama, who is expected to sign it into law as early as today.

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The Sun: Unemployed still waiting on Congress

James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/03/2010 05:29:45 PM PST

Omar Heinemann of San Bernardino has four kids, two master’s degrees and 20 years of experience in the aerospace industry.

But he’s been out of work for nearly a year and has run out of unemployment benefits. He won’t get any more checks in the mail unless Congress votes to let him and millions more Americans apply for extended federal unemployment benefits.

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DailyBulletin: Ownership of mortgages may be affected by messy paper trail

James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Created: 11/16/2010 05:06:15 PM PST

If allegations that millions of mortgages have shoddy paper trails prove true, the resulting fallout could grind the housing market to a halt, endanger many financial institutions and destabilize financial markets, according to a congressional report released Tuesday.

Problems with mortgage – and foreclosure – related documents could call into question the ownership of millions of mortgages and ultimately cost banks billions, according to the report.

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The Sun: Lewis moves to return stimulus dollars to Treasury

Rep. Jerry Lewis

Jesse B. Gill, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/15/2010 07:17:26 PM PST

REDLANDS – Rep. Jerry Lewis introduced legislation Monday proposing to return any unobligated stimulus dollars to the U.S. Treasury to help cut the national deficit.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates about $12 billion in stimulus funds remain unobligated and are sitting unused in federal accounts. Lewis’ bill – which he calls the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Rescission Act” – would return the unused funds to the Treasury.

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The Sun: Baca hopes budget, immigration come up before GOP takeover

Baca

James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/06/2010 04:32:09 PM PDT

Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, says he wants Congress to vote on comprehensive immigration reform before Republicans take over the House of Representatives in January.

Once the switch takes place and Democrats are in the minority, Baca said the chances of immigration reform passing will be much slimmer.

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DailyBulletin: Battle for 43rd Congressional District goes door to door

Mediha Fejzagic DiMartino, Staff Writer
Created: 10/28/2010 04:18:18 PM PDT

Scott Folkens, the Republican hopeful for the 43rd Congressional District, is counting on more than just his party’s base to help him defeat incumbent Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino.

“If all Democrats who told me they will vote for me make it to the polls, we have a really good chance at winning,” said Folkens, a former staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. “They are tired of his policies. I ran against him last election, and the mood is totally different now. This (will be) the biggest upset in the country.”

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The PE: Increased fundraising in key Inland races

09:55 PM PDT on Saturday, October 16, 2010

By BEN GOAD
Washington Bureau

With control of the House of Representatives on the line, recent months have seen a flurry of campaign fundraising and spending in tight races from coast to coast.

The battles for Inland Southern California’s two most hotly contested seats are no exception, with campaign fundraising and expenditures well above previous election totals in California’s 44th and 45th congressional districts.

The PE: POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Budget vote means a step up for Dutton

Dutton

10:00 PM PDT on Sunday, October 10, 2010

The Press-Enterprise

At long last, Inland state Sen. Bob Dutton will become leader of the upper house’s GOP caucus today.

Dutton, R-Rancho Cucamonga, had been the Senate Republican leader-in-waiting since earlier this year. He will replace state Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, R-Murrieta, who has to leave the Senate next month because of term limits.

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The PE: How They Voted for week ending October 1st

10:00 PM PDT on Saturday, October 2, 2010

WASHINGTON

From Roll Call Report Syndicate, ©2010, Thomas Voting Reports, Inc. Here’s how area members of Congress were recorded on major roll call votes in the week ending October 1.

House

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The PE: Lawmakers divided on expiration of Bush tax cuts

12:03 AM PDT on Sunday, September 19, 2010

By BEN GOAD
Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON – Inland Southern California’s federal lawmakers are divided over a plan to raise taxes for the wealthiest Americans amid a lingering economic crisis that has hit the region as hard as anywhere in the nation.

Back from its summer break, Congress is steeling for a pre-election fight over whether to extend George W. Bush-era tax cuts that are set to expire at the end of the year. Most Republicans want to extend all the cuts, while most Democrats, led by President Barack Obama, want to extend them for all but the rich.

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The PE: Pechanga chairman says tribe is close to water deal

10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, September 16, 2010

By BEN GOAD
Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON – The Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians’ decades-long crusade to formalize its share of the region’s increasingly valuable water supply appears close to a conclusion, the Temecula-area tribe’s leader told a congressional panel Thursday.

Pechanga chairman Mark Macarro pressed members of the House Subcommittee on Water and Power to move forward with legislation, penned by Inland Rep. Joe Baca, to ratify a proposed settlement with the U.S. government and area water districts.

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DailyBulletin: Baca: Fund all for good

Baca

Folkens sees political scheme
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Created: 09/11/2010 09:41:20 PM PDT

Every year, the Joe Baca Foundation gives away college scholarships, provides free holiday turkeys to needy families and puts hundreds of kids through free sports workshops.

The foundation’s namesake, Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, says the foundation does all that out of a genuine concern for the community and that he does not benefit politically from the foundation’s work.

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SBSun: Baca has surgery on his left knee

Baca

Wesley G. Hughes, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/31/2010 10:19:19 PM PDT

Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, underwent out-patient surgery on his left knee Monday morning at Loma Linda University Medical Center.

The cartilage surgery is called OATS – short for osteoarticular transfer system. It was performed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Christopher Jobe of Loma Linda Orthopedic Medical Group in San Bernardino. A spokesman for the congressman described Jobe as one of the nation’s top experts in sports-related orthopedic medicine.

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SBSun: Rep. Baca wins new honors

Baca

Magazine lists him as one of U.S.’ most influential Latinos
Wesley G. Hughes, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/04/2010 09:02:37 PM PDT

Rep. Joe Baca has been named one of the most influential Latinos in the United States by Latino Leaders magazine.

Baca, D-San Bernardino, said he was humbled by the listing “and energized to continue my work for the constituents of the 43rd Congressional District and struggling Americans everywhere.”

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RivPE: Baca requests included in transportation bill

Baca

By PE Politics
on August 2, 2010 1:01 PM

Transportation legislation passed in the House of Representatives includes more than $43 million in funding for area projects.

The annual Transportation, Housing and Urban Development spending bill includes $42.63 million for a planned bus rapid transit route that will operate between Cal State San Bernardino and the Hospitality Lane area in southern San Bernardino.

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RivPE: Internet Gaming: Baca, local tribes oppose legalization

11:14 PM PDT on Friday, July 30, 2010

By BEN GOAD
Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON – A plan to legalize online gambling moved forward this week in the U.S. House of Representatives, raising concerns from an Inland lawmaker and area tribes, who say the legislation would cut into California’s casino business and imperil thousands of jobs around the state.

The legislation, which would allow gamers to make certain kinds of bets legally over the Internet, was approved Wednesday by the Financial Services Committee, clearing the way for a vote on the House floor.

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SBSun: Baca’s challenger encouraged by results of own poll

James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/22/2010 05:14:57 PM PDT

More than four in 10 voters in Rep. Joe Baca’s congressional district say they don’t know who they’ll vote for in November, according to a poll commissioned by Scott Folkens, Baca’s Republican challenger.

Folkens, who is using the poll results in his campaign’s latest request for donations, said he is hoping to convince the national Republican Party it should get involved in his campaign.

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RivPE: Unemployment vote splits Inland delegation

By PE Politics
on July 23, 2010 7:48 AM

As reported this morning by Jack Katzanek, the House on Thursday approved legislation to extend benefits for the nation’s jobless.

The 272-152 vote went mostly along party lines, with just 10 Democrats voting against the bill and 31 Republicans voting for it. Among those were Inland Rep. Mary Bono Mack, R-Palm Springs, whose eastern Riverside County district has been hit about as hard as anywhere in the country by the economic downturn.

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SBSun: Baca’s pitching skills lead congressional team to victory

Baca

Debbie Pfeiffer Trunnell, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/07/2010 04:00:33 PM PDT

Think of a great pitcher, and baseball players like Nolan Ryan, Roy Halladay and Fernando Valenzuela come to mind.

Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, may not be in quite the same league, but for the second year in a row his mean curveball has helped lead the Democratic team to victory at the annual Congressional Baseball Game.

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SBSun: Baca, Folkens passing out wristbands with dueling messages

James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/02/2010 04:45:42 PM PDT

Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, is showing his opposition to Arizona’s new and controversial immigration policy by distributing wristbands that read, “No to Arizona’s immigration law.”

Scott Folkens, Baca’s Republican challenger in November’s election, has started passing out wristbands of his own. They say, simply, “Boycott Baca.”

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RivPE: Cassie MacDuff: Credit union uprooted

10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Cassie MacDuff

The takeover of Arrowhead Credit Union last week by federal regulators signals more than another casualty of the Inland Empire’s troubled economy.

It is the fifth area financial institution to be seized since November 2008 in actions intended to safeguard depositors’ money. Four were sold to outside firms.

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