This story was reported for San Diego News Network on July 14, 2009. One can find much change in California in just 48 hours. That’s right, 48 hours and nothing less because state legislators are now pulling all-nighters until a budget agreement is made. Here’s what happened since Day 12 of the budget impasse. All-nighters: The Big 5 (Gov. Arnold… Read more →
Category: California Politics
California Budget Crisis Diaries: Day Nine of the budget impasse
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on July 10, 2009. Legislators will spend yet another weekend at their chambers squabbling over how to balance the California budget. Since Day Seven, a former MIA assemblymember is back, IOUs are seeing (possibly) their last day of redemption, a couple of long-established battles have gotten hotter, California is transforming into… Read more →
California Budget Crisis Diaries: Day Seven of the budget impasse
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on July 8, 2009. A deepening deficit and ravaged credit rating, a missing (or not) assemblymember and now Craigslist? Yup, things can change like that in the Golden State in just two days. Here’s a recap of what has happened and is happening on Day Seven of the budget impasse. Deficit:… Read more →
Pro-pot ad hits airwaves; opponents say its a gateway drug
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on July 8, 2009. With the Golden State strapped for cash, a pro-marijuana group is launching an ad to encourage legislators to legalize and tax the drug as means for revenue. But, a poll conducted by a local agency, says people under 18 who’ve smoked marijuana are more likely to move… Read more →
Disability home gets IOU, hopes for helpful bill to pass
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on July 2, 2009. Noah Homes, a San Diego residential center for people with developmental disabilities, will soon receive a state-issued IOU amounting for $185,000. With the failed attempts by the state Legislature to pass a balanced budget before the end of the fiscal year, starting Thursday, California Controller John Chiang… Read more →
Political games amidst California’s budget crisis
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on June 23, 2009. One week from Tuesday, state legislators will have to pass a balanced budget and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will have to sign it. But just as it typically is in the world of politics – such a task is never completed without a tug-of-war of what’s most important… Read more →
Schwarzenegger visits county to talk $24.3 billion deficit
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on June 12, 2009. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger visited Escondido Friday to address the California deficit, just three weeks prior to the state budget’s expected passage. The $24.3 billion deficit — combined with pressure from State Controller John Chiang to pass the budget immediately and Schwarzenegger’s proposed cuts — has many Californians… Read more →
Locals heated over proposed sale of Fairgrounds
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on June 9, 2009. San Diegans expressed their concerns Tuesday over the proposed sale of the Del Mar Fairgrounds in an attempt to help deter the state from its $24.3 billion deficit. The worries were offered at the 22nd District Agricultural Association board meeting, an entity of the state government that… Read more →
City ignores proposed state mandate in passing budget
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on June 8, 2009. San Diego’s City Council passed the mayor’s proposed $3 billion budget Monday 7-1, despite the possibility of the state’s mandated loan of $36 million. After months of battles from unions and those against fee increases, seven city councilmembers opted to take Mayor Jerry Sanders’ route on the… Read more →
Taxing sex to save California from its budget deficit
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on June 8, 2009. Single, childless, and with an average weekly income of $2,500, one would assume “Samantha” pays a hefty income tax. Not so. The 23-year-old prostitute hasn’t paid taxes in more than a year – and now she’s planning to expand her clientele. If prostitution were legal in California,… Read more →