This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on April 8, 2010. What do pensions, tax breaks and my former 90210 crush Brian Austin Green (Yah, former. But I’ll save the controversy for another time.) have in common? Not much except that they are all included in this edition of California Budget Crisis Diaries. Read on… Pension gap:… Read more →
Campaign Corral: The state, fed races to the top
This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on April 6, 2010. I know. The first edition of Campaign Corral last week was hefty. But it didn’t even touch on the state and federal races. So, now, this edition of CC is going to focus on the candidates looking to represent San Diego in Sacramento and Washington D.C.… Read more →
What made San Diego prepared for the earthquake?
This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on April 5, 2010. Experts agree the strongest earthquake in decades struck Southern California Sunday. With the severe magnitude of the 7.2 temblor, many are left wondering why there isn’t more damage in San Diego. Experts say it’s because the county was well-prepared. “There are three components that have created… Read more →
California Budget Crisis Diaries: Legalize pot initiative hits other states
This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on April 1, 2010. Did you notice? California Budget Crisis Diaries went weekly, rather than twice a weekly. I know, I know…I didn’t warn you beforehand — my deepest apologies, but this reporter has been busy. Rest assured, though, when we hit another budget impasse in a couple of months… Read more →
Defining the effects of Whitman’s, Poizner’s job proposals
This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on March 30, 2010. They are two former and successful Silicon Valley businesspeople, with similar ideas, competing for the Republican ticket in the California Governor’s seat. So what makes former eBay CEO Meg Whitman and California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner — who appeared in San Diego for a forum Monday… Read more →
Will the large number of young voters in 2008 hit the polls again in 2010?
This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on March 30, 2010. The number of under-35 voters may historically decline during nonpresidential election years, but San Diego’s young leaders say the momentum to hit the polls will hold steady this year. And if inspiration from the San Diego Young Democrats or Republicans isn’t enough, a November ballot initiative… Read more →
California Budget Crisis Diaries: Legalizing pot to save $200M
This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on March 25, 2010. While some lawmakers and state employees still soaking in the details of the federal health care reform bill and the impact it may have on the state’s budget crisis, other news is sprouting. An initiative to legalize a drug is in the works, voters are telling… Read more →
Busby, Emblem battle it out in final months of primary race
This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on March 25, 2010. Francine Busby and Tracy Emblem have a little over two months to distinguish themselves from each other to the average Democratic voter in the 50th Congressional District. But it won’t be easy. To the average left voter, they’re both Democrats, they both supported major bills like… Read more →
California Budget Crisis Diaries: Health care reform may hurt state
This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on March 23, 2010. As California lawmakers gear up for more budget cuts, they’ll have something else to deal with — the changes to Medi-Cal (known in other states as Medicaid). Here’s your Tuesday edition of CBCD, linking federal demands to the the Golden State budget crisis. Health care reform… Read more →
Experts say relying on oil puts Americans at risk
This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on March 19, 2010. As the threat of climate change increases and America becomes more dependent on foreign oil, national security is compromised, said panelists at a state Senate hearing Friday. The California State Senate Select Committee on Climate Change held a hearing at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography to… Read more →