This story was reported for San Diego News Network on September 8, 2009. He rejected the idea of asking voters to raise the hotel tax for fire protection last year. But this year, he may endorse the same idea to raise money for the convention center expansion. After the final meeting of the Convention Center Task Force last Monday, San… Read more →
California Budget Crisis Diaries: Garage sales and fire money
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on September 1, 2009. The sale of the year is happening in Sacramento, while fires burn in Los Angeles, assemblymembers defend their prison package and university students make major adjustments. Sale, sale, sale!: Looking for good deals this recession? You still have time to shop at the Great California Garage Sale.… Read more →
Protestors against education cuts gather at SDSU campus
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on August 31, 2009. San Diego State University students returned to school Monday with 2,000 fewer peers and in the words of former professor Gean Lamke, they are “madder than hell.” SDSU leaders gathered together alongside thousands of students to rally against California legislators and cuts they’ve made to education. Lamke… Read more →
California Budget Crisis Diaries: Schwarzenegger visits Chula Vista
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on August 27, 2009. Revenue from taxes is expected to drop, activists are attempting to give legislators tips and local college students will soon protest when classes start again – meanwhile, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger deals with the death of his “Uncle Teddy” and improving schools for some federal cash. Sacramento is… Read more →
History proves that women can rough it as soldiers too
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on August 26, 2009 A dream, courage, and a belief that a mission was more significant than gender drove five women into the armed forces: Wilma Vaught, Gail Harris, Lisa Kove, Evelyn Thomas and Darhonda Rhodela. Though they joined during vastly different times – the earliest in 1958 and the most… Read more →
Eight great San Diego women who have broken the glass ceiling
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on August 26, 2009. It was 1848 and Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, along with other American women, simply wanted the right to vote. More than 150 years later, not only can women vote but they are climbing the ladder in every industry available in the U.S. In San Diego,… Read more →
California Budget Crisis Diaries: Hang on prison inmates
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on August 25, 2009. Although the balanced budget was passed more than a month ago, California lawmakers are not seeing a break anytime soon – they still must deal with prisons, credit ratings and angry Californians. How many prison inmates?: The question as to how many inmates should be released from… Read more →
State investigates alleged San Diego Republican corruption
This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on August 25, 2009. It was reported by Hoa Quach and Joseph Peña. A small but vocal group of local Republicans is accusing county party leaders of conspiring to rig Central Committee elections and abusing office powers. They allege the local party and state party’s chair of dodging campaign finance… Read more →
Young spills the beans on the city’s budget, personal life
This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on August 17, 2009. Councilmember Anthony Young has made some major changes in his life. He’s been a baseball player, a teacher and a staffer for a former councilmember. And when he least expected it, his boss died – leaving him to decide what his next move would be. Through… Read more →
California Budget Crisis Diaries: Battles heating up
This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on August 11, 2009. Legislative leaders are still taking in their summer recess away from the Capitol but it’s not stopping some from working hard. In fact, the state’s Democratic leader isn’t close to tanning poolside, nor is he giving the governor a chance to do so. Yup, it’s politics… Read more →