Back to lobbying: Bilbray (R) concedes to Peters (D) in Cal's 52nd Cong. Dist.

Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.) has conceded defeat in his San Diego-area district, handing Democrats another pickup with just two intra-party races yet to be determined.

Bilbray trails San Diego Port Commissioner Scott Peters (D) by 3,877 votes. He called Peters to congratulated him and issued a statement acknowledging Peters’ victory.

Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.). (AP photo)

“While Scott and I differed sharply on how to handle the issues facing our nation, now is the time to put those differences aside and find common ground to address our country’s many challenges,” Bilbray said, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Bilbray has served more than 12 years in Congress, returning to the chamber in 2006 by winning a hotly contested special election to replace jailed Rep. Duke Cunningham (R-Calif.). California’s citizen redistricting commission drew Bilbray a swing district this year.

With the win, Democrats have now gained six House seats in the 2012 election, with the GOP’s House majority reduced to 234-199.

Democrats also lead in the last two undetermined races, with Reps. Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.) and Ron Barber (D-Ariz.) holding small leads.

Reps. Charles Boustany (R-La.) and Jeff Landry (R-La.) will compete in a runoff next month in a merged district, but that race has no implications for the partisan balance of the House.

The Peters campaign released this statement:

“This afternoon, I received a very gracious phone call from Congressman Brian Bilbray. He wished me luck and offered his support. We agreed that while it was a tough, hard-fought campaign, now is the time to put it behind us. I thanked him for his service and look forward to his support as I transition into office.

“I’m in our nation’s capitol this week, working hard, and getting ready to hit the ground running on behalf of the people of the 52^nd District. I am very grateful to the hundreds of people who walked, called, contributed and gave me their support; it was their energy and enthusiasm that put us over the top in this close race.

“There’s much to do.  I’m encouraged by the tremendous group of colleagues I’ve met here so far: freshman members of Congress, because like me, they all heard loud and clear during their campaigns that voters are tired of the partisanship, tired of politicians who put party over people.  I look forward to working with everyone to get things done for San Diego and the American people.”

Peters said in a brief phone interview with the San Diego Free Press that Mr. Bilbray was very gracious when he called to concede.  ”He said something like ‘I’m making that phone call you’ve been working so hard to get.’”  He said that Bilbray suggested that he find a place close to the Capitol to live while in D.C., and offered to assist in any way he can to ease the transition.

Peters said he would “absolutely” carry on the work that Bilbray had touted in the closing days of the campaign on cancer research.  ”Not only is it an important cause, but it’s critical to the San Diego economy.  We need to continue to promote basic scientific research, and hopefully San Diego will be the place that finds a cure for cancer.”

Asked about his experience at the orientation in Washington for newly elected members of Congress and the reception he had received despite not yet having been officially declared the winner, Peters said “I’m just here trying to learn this job so that we can hit the ground running,” adding  ”I can’t wait to get back and visit Ocean Beach.  It’s cold out here!”

Peters (D) near win; lead widens to 2,660 votes over Bilbray (R) in 52nd Cong. Dist. tilt

WED. MORNING UPDATE: Democrat Scott Peters is near an official, and hard-fought, victory over Congressman Brian Bilbray in the 52nd Congressional District race with a 2,660 vote lead that continues to expand as more votes are counted. Results must be finalized by Dec. 4,  according to state law. Peters traveled to Washington D.C. this week where he took part in the orientation sessions for new members of Congress.

As of Tuesday night’s update from the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, with approximately 210,000 mail-in and provisional ballots from around the county yet to be counted -- about 40 percent of the vote -- Peters’ lead grew to 2,660 votes, further dimming Bilbray’s re-election hopes. Workers have been able to get through approximately 60,000 to 90,000 ballots per day, the Registrar’s office said.  Mail and provisional ballots should be counted by the weekend. However, election results for San Diego County might not be certified until Dec. 4, the deadline by which the final results must be turned in to the California Secretary of State, sources said.

(For more visit I-Newsource and KPBS Investigations Desk .)

Spark Photography

Congressional candidate Scott Peters (D) speaks with reporters at the Westin Gaslamp, November 6, 2012.

Port of San Diego Commissioner Scott Peters continues to pad his lead over Rep. Brian Bilbray, in their close congressional race.

Peters led by 1,899 votes out of about 235,000 cast for the general election, a net gain of more than 500 votes since Friday.

Bilbray has been a top target of Democrats for years, but survived previous attempts to oust him. However, redistricting moved him into some unfamiliar inland territory for this re-election bid.

"I didn’t see us quite this good. I think it’s going to really tighten up," Bilbray said after early results were announced showing him in the lead Tuesday night.

Then, when he spoke to supporters several hours later, he warned them it may take days to iron out the race.

After many San Diegans went to bed, Peters pulled ahead with a slight lead and held on until all precincts were in.

The fight for California's newly-drawn 52nd was targeted with some of the most campaign cash and coverage nationwide.

“This district was drawn to be the battleground for the Congressional seats the other Congressional seats are pretty darn safe,” Bilbray told NBC 7 San Diego. “I think this is a great process even though I happen to have to be in the battleground again.”

Bilbray is a Republican has represented the 50th District since 2006 as well as the former 49th District for three terms ending in 2001.

Bilbray voted Tuesday morning with his daughter, who was featured in one of his many campaign ads. Before voting, Bilbray went surfing. He told NBC 7 San Diego that if the warm reception he received from fellow surfers was any indicator of the night’s results, he felt confident in a win.

Peters is a Democrat who represented District 1 on the San Diego City Council for two terms, serving as Council president in his second.

In the region's other close race, Solana Beach Councilman Dave Roberts maintained a lead of 2,641 votes over Bilbray's chief of staff, Steve Danon, in their election for county supervisor. That's an increase of about 400 for Roberts since Friday.

The winner will replace the retiring Pam Slater-Price to become the first new supervisor in 17 years.

Peters only won 13 more precincts than Bilbray in the 420 precincts where votes were cast, including the vote-by-mail. If vote-by-mail locations are excluded, Peters only took four more precincts than Bilbray.

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The 52nd congressional district stretches from Poway west to Del Mar and then down the coast to Coronado. A slice of its voters also live in the city of San Diego.

The district is known for its fairly even numbers of Republicans, Democrats and Independents, and when when it comes to political tastes, many don’t appear to mind crossing party lines.

While they’re still counting ballots in the congressional district because it’s too close to call, I-Newsource analyzed the unofficial returns in precincts that overlap the congressional district and the city. We found that nearly two-thirds of the precincts that favored Democrat Scott Peters favored — Republican Carl DeMaio for mayor.

A lot of those voters were in neighborhoods such as La Jolla, Bay Park, Bay Ho, North Clairemont and University City south of UCSD.

It probably stands to reason precincts that favored Republican Brian Bilbray within the city limits almost perfectly favored DeMaio as well.

Here’s the breakdown for the non-vote-by-mail precincts:

- Of the 189 precincts Scott Peters carried, DeMaio won 120.
- Of the 157 precincts Brian Bilbray won, DeMaio carried 156 — almost a perfect match.
- Filner carried only 69 of the precincts Peters won, and one of the precincts Bilbray won.

So why did Peters do so well in areas that wanted to elect DeMaio?

Political scientist Carl Luna says this is a textbook case of all politics being local. Peters served two terms on the San Diego City Council representing the first district, which included some of the neighborhoods that turned out for him in the election.

“When you have a choice between voting for somebody you know and kind of thinks like you, or somebody you don’t know that you’re not quite sure how they’re going to think, you go with the guy you know,” Luna said. “And Scott Peters was a known quantity to many of his voters. And Carl DeMaio, coming from the city government, was a known quantity.”

Luna also said Bilbray’s campaign might not have gotten as much mileage out of some attack ads as they’d hoped.

“The (National Republican Congressional Committee) ad about Scott Peters’ performance on the city council probably played well in areas outside of (Peters’) council district, but obviously did not sway voters within it.”

As for mayor-elect Bob Filner, a lifelong Democrat?

Luna said, “Bob Filner comes from South Bay, he has no real play in that part of the city.”

-- I-Newsource and KPBS Investigations Desk

Congressional candidate Scott Peters (D) speaks with reporters at the Westin Gaslamp, November 6, 2012.

Local Obama supporters help get out the vote in battleground states

Organizing for America (OFA) is betting on get out the vote (GOTV) efforts to make the difference in November’s presidential election. To help secure a win for President Barack Obama, OFA is organizing North San Diego County and Southwest Riverside County volunteers to phone voters in battleground states and encourage them to cast their votes for Obama.

 OFA, a grassroots organizing campaign operating under the auspices of the Democratic National committee, is launching three call centers — in Oceanside, San Marcos and Temecula. OFA is running traditional GOTV phone banks beginning this weekend and running every weekend until Election Day, staffed by volunteers. The goal remains of all three centers to make over 75000 calls on November 6, and many in weekends before. 

Joe Comella of Fallbrook, a retired teacher and former Army reservist, is OFA’s local deputy regional field director. He believes volunteer efforts are the heart of Obama’s campaign. 

Comella said, “President Obama was put in office by a hopeful electorate in 2008. The last four years have been tough, primarily because of gridlock in Congress. But people remain hopeful, and the level of volunteerism we’re seeing is proof of that. We have staging directors, data entry coordinators, and folks to train other volunteers on how to make calls. Early voting has begun, and we welcome all volunteers who want to join the effort at any of our three phone center locations.”

Volunteers are working three-hour shifts from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays. People interested in lending their time to the effort can writevolunteersyeswecan@gmail.com or contact the following location coordinators:

Oceanside: Show Palace, 1527 Mission Avenue

Contact French Prescott at 760-215-4157 or Joe Comella at 760-468-0800

San Marcos: Autumn Terrace Apartments Community Room, 251 Autumn Drive

Contact Rolf vom Dorp at 760-978-0965

Where is Gandhi?  Where is Mandela?

"NO SNOWFLAKE IN AN AVALANCHE EVER FEELS RESPONSIBLE."

-- Stanislaw Jerzy Lec

So, Dan Weisman is Mad as Hell and not going to take it anymore.  That about sums it up for many, I suspect, on both the left and right in this country.  Truth be told, I’ve been there myself although after a time, it leaves me with a sour taste in my throat, all bile and venom.  Still, it usually gets some energetic attention and as night follows day, when applied properly, anger can often serve as a catalyst for constructive change.

Steve Jobs was right, of course, when he told Rupert Murdock that he was behind the times, suggesting that instead of an axis of ‘left or right’ (an outdated paradigm, to be sure), we have been operating on a ‘constructive or destructive axis.  Trouble is, too few people see that and instead cling to old perceptions, further fueling their own abrogation for meaningful resolutions towards positive change.

I watched Alan Simpson, Erskine Bowles and Warren Buffet in an interview recently where they discussed the economy—about how perilously close it/we are to heading off the cliff unless substantial and dramatic changes are made, not the least of which is honesty, not positional posturing.  Cities are filing bankruptcy, over a 1,400 U.S. citizens have revoked their citizenship to avoid taxes, and banking schemes and fraud continue to be the news of the day.

Then I read another article about Paul Krugman getting in a tiff with someone from CNN.  We really don’t have time for this finger pointing and pettiness, although it may be unavoidable if we have reached a point of no return and truly have to hit bottom before Humpty Dumpty can be put back together again, if in fact at all.  The media is a mess, certainly biased, nearly all outlets, the government seems to be inert, incapable of constructive anything, and the economy, while suffering from a slim recovery, still staggers under the weight of powerful insiders controlling the gears.

So what’s a person to do?  Well, leadership seems to be the siren call, at least in part, for what we need.  So say both the ‘left’ and the ‘right’.  For my money, the likes of Ghandi and Mandela serve as powerful examples, although there are others.  Yet, part of what is called for is leadership from many other institutions such as the media, commerce, industry and most importantly, US.

That’s US not U.S. although it’s where we live and what this is all about.  Who of us has the courage to go inside and take account for our own participation in this messy mess; the mess of our own participation in neglect, personal self-interest, of turning our backs on the greatest democratic experiment in human history?  We are they.  They are us, even the ones we can’t see.  We are our leaders, even the hidden string-pullers.   I don’t say this to blame any of us for in no way am I exempt.  Instead, we need to be honest, truly, and take both individual and collective responsibility.  A problem shared is a problem transcended, though not immediately and not all in like kind; each according to his ability, each according to his means.

If everyone examines their own head, heart, conscience and sense of duty – as opposed to self-interest – individual and collective responsibility to and for each other, things can be changed.  There clearly is corruption, lies being told and manipulation of power, a government broke (financially and functionally), a society becoming unhinged.  In a way, it is beginning to feel no different than I imagine the cover-up of Sandusky by Penn State officials turning a blind eye must have felt, because what was valued more than anything else was winning no matter the cost to others, no matter the pain.

America cannot afford the politics of destruction, socially, economically, or politically; that is unless it has to ‘hit bottom’ before it can be reconstructed into something greater.  The clash of humanities’ levels, while certainly evolutionary, can also be dangerous, not that the sky is falling or anything.  There are, however, so very many warning signs. 

Just like Sandusky, Penn State, HSBC Bank, LIBOR, exclusionary new voting laws, astronomical debt, too much American off-shore money, complicity by both the ‘left’ and the ‘right’ playing destructive games for what?  To win?  To win what?  A football game of an unregulated Wall Street?  Smaller government where police and firefighters are paid minimum wage?  As Ghandi so wisely said, Be The Change.  This will involve different actions for different people, depending on various skills and capabilities yet change we must, constructively not destructively.

Either that or we will all have to meet each other on the way down, or worse, at the cliff’s bottom.  

Notes from the political underground: July 16, 2012

(Editor's note: I got tired of reading plutocrat, and enabler,  spin, so this is what I have to say today. I'll spare you the offending comments I called out -- Dan Weisman)

1. VEEP, BAIN, AND BS

(Bobby) Jindal truly turns my stomach. I'd bet on Pawlenty at this point for veep nominee. He's a moron who speaks faux reasonably -- kind of a Huntsman light -- so that may resonate with these lunatics. Nominating Portman is like admitting you can't win Ohio otherwise and a black mark on his spin. Pawlenty and Portman are interchangeable otherwise. And by the way, when DOES Romney release those tax records? Hiding and lying may work when you're outsourcing jobs and ripping off people, but this is America still and if you want to president...Oh yeah, while I'm at it, I saw a doc on the Utah Olympics in which practically everybody in the management structure and SLC government said Romney did nothing except take credit for what other people did, so how does this 'I was running the Olympics' crap go unchallenged. And another thing while I'm at it, if Romney takes credit for jobs created after he was at Bain because he laid the groundwork, how does he deny laying the groundwork for outsourcing EVEN if he weren't in charge at the time (which we know is a lie, he was in charge and what's more obviously, interacted with his fellow econ-criminals on a regular party hardy basis.) It's time to get real with this election.

2.`Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2012' or the `DISCLOSE Act of 2012'

Business as usual in Congress. And yes, this is the GOP's fault considering their countless filibuster stoppages of much-needed help for the American people. Yes, dirty tricks are used by both sides but not equally, more like 10-1 GOP-to-Dem. What Karl, you have a problem with full disclosure of who is trying to buy elections in Citizens United Era thanks to the 5-4 Scotus vote (guess Clarence Thomas' vote counts, or maybe it should have died 5-4 with a Scotus supermajority needed, if this were like the Senate) as if we didn't know, cough Koch, cough, Koch, cough and the rest of the plutocrats. Just the fact the VOTE DIED 51-44 is ridiculous. Before the GOP started abusing the filibuster loophole, 51 votes was a majority. So, that, in itself, is a sham. You know who actually is 'dependent on government programs?' The banks, the financial institutions, the non-wealth creators who had taxes halved from 30 percent to 15 percent on capital gains while outsourcing jobs to get more; not the poor, unfortunate economic victims who struggle to get by. Reality check time, dude, the party's over. Are you a millionaire? Why do you enable these thieves and try to muddy the issue with your faux fairness BS?

3. 'Both Sides Do It'

Well then, that is the fault of the television programmers. Why isn't there a credible news-only TV outlet? Because the corporate owners don't believe they will generate ratings, instead segment the audience. CNN is conservative as well despite what the right-wing spinsters say, just look at their 'pundits.' I don't watch MSNBC or Fox, instead get what I can from responsible news sources like WAPO or NYT or watch CSpan. The actual problem isn't 'division' or spin. It's not people who need to 'draw their own conclusions.' It's a few super-wealthy individuals who hijacked the system thanks to Bush and the GOP and don't want to give it back to a more representative picture of America. To solve this problem, and save the planet, we need to tell it like it is and not do this 'both sides' crap.

4. Reality Check

No the GOP is far worse. And when the Dems didn't respond tit-for-tat we got all this how weak the Dems were, so we should let the GOP destroy what's left of the planet. This both sides stuff is garbage at this point and merely enables the pigs to continue this despicable economic situation of subsidized corporate plutocracy while continuing to try to do even more damage to real people.

Big Changes Afoot at Del Mar National Horse Show Next Month...

The 67th edition of the Del Mar National Horse Show is scheduled for Thursday, April 19 through Sunday, May 6 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds Arena. The Del Mar National Horse Show continues to be among the most respected, distinguished and popular equestrian events on the West Coast, if not the entire nation. Consisting of three distinctly different equestrian disciplines — Western, Dressage, and Hunter/Jumper — the Del Mar National represents the best in competitive opportunities for world-class equestrians and is unrivaled in its entertainment appeal for everyone. 

“The difference between ‘good enough’ and ‘top of the line’ can make or break a reputation and a career," said Kenny Baker, Equestrian Manager. "The Del Mar National Horse Show management remains committed to continually improving the facility to accommodate the comfort and safety of horses, riders, and spectators. Upgrades started with the&... (more)

Bilbray-Saldana (Peters, Stahl) square off in first debate for new 52nd. Cong. Dist.(spans La Jolla to Rancho Bernardo)

The newly redrawn 52nd Congressional District offers candidates a challenge: its voters are neither predominantly registered Republicans nor Democrats.

The four main candidates in the 52nd Congressional District race talked gas prices, illegal immigration, small business and bailouts during a debate at the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo on Tuesday.

The lunchtime crowd at the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo provided a welcome setting for Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Carlsbad), who is competing against Democrats Scott Peters, a port commissioner and former president of the San Diego City Council, and Lori Saldaña, a former state assemblywoman and educator.

The debate, hosted by the Conservative Order of Good Government, brought together three challengers—Peters, Saldaña and John Stahl—and the incumbent, Bilbray, who is fighting to retain a seat after redistricting shifted him out of his current District 50.

The new 52nd covers several communities. In addition to Rancho Bernardo and nearby Poway, it reaches west to include La Jolla and Coronado.

Bilbray was at the center of several barbs against Washington, with all of the challengers arguing it is time for someone different to head to the nation's capital.

Bilbray, who first ran for Congress in 1995, has been in and out of the House for more than a decade. He lost his seat to Democrat Susan Davis after redistricting in 2000.

But in 2006 he won the 50th congressional seat after Randy Cunningham resigned, and he has represented it ever since.

"We need a new approach in Washington," said Democratic candidate Scott Peters, a former city councilman who represents San Diego on the Board of Port Commissioners. "Let's get the right person and stop worrying so much about the party."

The candidates answered a series of questions on a variety of topics, with one-minute each to respond. A couple of questions were targeted for specific candidates, with one providing Peters the chance to respond to Bilbray's characterization of him as the "father of San Diego's pension mess."

Peters, who admitted he made mistakes as a councilman, said the pension problems didn't begin with him but rather in the 1980s. Since then, he has worked to end pension underfunding and make city employees pay more for their benefits, he said.

Saldaña, a former Democratic state assemblywoman, focused on education and green energy during the debate, arguing that investing in education and reducing costs for small businesses by better energy efficiency are the keys to protecting the American Dream and turning the economy around.

Stahl, a Republican who served in the U.S. Navy and worked in the semiconductor industry, said he will work to balance the federal budget within the next three to five years and reduce the nation's dependency on foreign oil by the end of the decade.

"I have lived the American Dream and I'm not going to watch it die," Stahl said.

On illegal immigration, the candidates agreed that something must be done.

"If we do not have the rule of law in this country, we have nothing," said Stahl, who said benefits should not be provided to people who are not citizens.

Bilbray said while many focus on border security in illegal immigration talks, it is not the problem; it's just a symptom of the real problem which is people hiring illegal immigrants and the government providing benefits for them. 

Peters said the U.S. needs to be "tough, fair and practical" with its illegal immigration and border policies, making legal crossings more efficient and looking at the income disparity between this country and Mexico which entices people to come here.

Saldaña said there needs to be an improved path to citizenship, with deportation for those who break the law, as a way to bring in the high-tech expertise this country does not have because of a subpar education system.

On gas prices, which recently climbed above an average of $4 per gallon locally, Peters said anyone who claims an ability to lower prices quickly isn't being honest. It's going to take a while, he said, so the focus should be on developing an alternative energy plan and creating incentives for conservation.

To raucous applause, Bilbray said the government needs to permit a pipeline between Canada and the U.S. to bring in oil, a nod to the stalled Keystone Pipeline project recently delayed by President Barack Obama.

As for the 2008 bailout of the financial industry, Bilbray proudly said he did not vote for it because of the financial burden it would place on his grandchildren.

While Saldaña argued that she didn't like the rushed process to create the bailout plan, most of the money has been paid back, she said.

"The process was flawed, but the outcome remains to be seen," she said.

Peters said he was surprised no one has gone to jail in connection with the fiscal crisis, and the government needs to regulate banks in a new way.

"No more bailouts," Peters said.

Stahl, who said he would not have voted for the bailout, said it wasn't right that banks made bad bets but still got their money back.

Occupy This: Eight Protestors Marching From Del Mar, Calif. to Delmar, Del. or thereabouts...

#OccupyWalk

The Occupy Walk is a National March starting at San Diego, California February 11th, walking across the United States taking a southern route to bypass winter in the first months of the walk. They plan on meeting up with people from other Occupations, groups who plan their own route to meet up with the national march, and anyone in any town that wants to walk for the cause. This walk will help promote the Occupy cause by drawing attention to the injustices that were first presented by the Occupy Wall Street Movement in 2011. Roll tide...

The group was scheduled to spend Monday night at a home in Leucadia and Tuesday night in Oceanside. They had hopes of reaching the Temecula area by sometime Wednesday night.

Members of the Occupy movement have launched a coast-to-coast walk that will bring them through North County and Southwest Riverside County, it was reported today.

A group of eight walkers ---- some from Occupy San Diego and some from Los Angeles ---- left Sunday from San Diego, and by noon Monday had reached Del Mar, publicist Nan DiGiovanni said.

They plan to walk to Washington, D.C., staying with host families along the way, DiGiovanni said. She did not have an estimated time for when they are expected to arrive at their destination, but said walkers are inviting people to join them along the way.

Beyond arranged stays the first few nights, the walkers are looking for backyards to camp in, DiGiovanni said.

People wishing to host them can submit information to the group's website at  http://occupywalk.org/.

The Occupy movement began with protests against corporate greed and quickly spread across the nation. Occupy events have been held regionally, including ones in Encinitas and Oceanside.

Saldana v. Bilbray in newly reconstituted 52nd Cong. Dist. (Oh yeah, Scott Peters, too, but who cares.)

 

Former California state legislator Lori Saldaña, a Democrat, is seeking to represent San Diego's redrawn 52nd District in the U.S. Congress with a campaign based on her work in education, environmental causes and the defense of immigrants.

The daughter of Frank Saldaña, a Marine veteran who pursued a career as a reporter at the San Diego Evening Tribune, she grew up in the city's Claremont neighborhood.

Lori Saldaña will compete in the June 5 open primary against fellow Democrat Scott Peters, chair of the Port of San Diego; Republican Rep. Brian P. Bilbray, who currently represents the 50th District in Washington; and two other GOP hopefuls, John Stahl and Wayne Iverson.

Under California's new election law, the top two vote-getters in June regardless of party will face off in the November general election.

Saldaña was elected to the state Assembly for the first time in 2004, was reelected twice and also has been an instructor for San Diego Community College, associate dean at San Diego Mesa College and is an acknowledged expert on water quality.

"Traditional Democrats and Republicans don't know what to do with me. I'm not a traditional Latina, since instead of participating in established organizations I directed the Sierra Club and grew up in the middle class neighborhood of Claremont," said Saldaña in an interview with Efe, adding that she is very proud of her Panamanian and Mexican roots.

Her work in the state Assembly led her to sponsor bills to reduce greenhouse gases, make solar energy cheaper and train small businessowners to take advantage of development opportunities.

"I was married to an oceanographer, and so for many years I crossed over to Ensenada every day so that I learned the trans-border dynamics," said Saldaña, who has a B.A. and M.A. in education from San Diego State University.

"After college I taught at the community college where I also administered the scholarships for the technical training of students by the Labor Department. Due to budget cuts, those scholarships disappeared, which made me take note of the need to do legislative work to restore them," she said.

The 52nd District, where the population is about 15 percent Hispanic, is facing challenges mainly associated with the high cost of education and the reduction of well-paid jobs.

"The Republicans accuse us Democrats of wanting to raise taxes and spend, while they are borrowing and spending. Our position is more responsible," Saldaña said.

The candidate, who opposes walls along the border arguing that she considers them costly and inefficient, said that it is key for the regional economy to implement an intelligent immigration policy that recognizes the contributions of undocumented immigrants.

She also said that she believes undocumented foreigners should be able to obtain U.S. citizenship if they prove that the only laws they have violated are the immigration statutes.

Saldaña received the support of Emily's List, a non-profit political organization supporting women candidates.

"This shows my popularity among the organizations of the Democratic base and activists. It's paradoxical that the traditional sectors of my party, including Hispanic organizations, have supported Peters. However, I believe that my platform is the most progressive and the best," said Saldaña.

SDSU WATCHDOG INSTITUTE: Big money Super PACs eye San Diego County election scene

  (For more from the San Diego State University Watchdog Institute visit here...)

San Diegans may soon witness the war of the super PACs up close, as some of these mega spenders zero in on contests right here at home.

A couple of super committees are locally based, including one with cosmic interests.

Super PACs, nonprofits that can raise and spend unlimited funds from corporations, unions and individuals to support and oppose politicians and causes, are watching the 52nd Congressional District, a traditionally Republican safehouse in North County until its boundaries were redrawn last year. Now incumbent Brian Bilbray faces two challengers in the primary, and the Democrats are preparing to make it a real contest.

Alixandria Lapp, executive director of the House Majority PAC, a super PAC dedicated to helping Democrats win back the House, said the 52nd District is in their sights. It has raised about $3 million so far, according to records filed with the Federal Elections Commission. Its biggest donors are unions, some of which have written six figure checks.

“I feel relatively confident that we will be investing resources in this race and ensuring the voters in San Diego understand the choice they have this fall,” she said. “It’s only logical that groups like ours would see this as a strong pickup opportunity.”

Also keeping a close eye on the 52nd is American Crossroads, a conservative super PAC that has raised about $18 million so far, according tofederal elections data. Its largest donors–to the tune of $2 and $5 million–are wealthy individuals.

 Nate Hodson, spokesman for American Crossroads, was wary of discussing specific strategies but said they are monitoring the 52nd District.

“Races in San Diego are becoming competitive, certainly the opportunity will be great there for a number of groups,” he said.

Super PACs — Political Action Committees — mushroomed after the federal courts blew the cap off the amount these organizations can raise and spend. They can’t be directly tied to candidates, but they can spend as much as they want to support or oppose them. And they already have in the first primary states, especially on television advertisements.

Richard Briffault, a campaign finance expert and professor of law at Columbia University, said super PACs are going to home in on close races where “they think their money could make a difference.”

“Sometimes it’s a good thing; people might become more attentive—something real is happening, something exciting,” he said.

Super PACs are uncharted territory. Anyone can form one by sending a letter to the FEC. And there is no law saying what they must do with the money they raise.

“Other than being barred from giving their money directly to candidates or political parties, super PACs can do what they want with their money,” said Viveca Novak, spokeswoman for the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonprofit organization that monitors and analyzes campaign data.

Some can be left with a lot of cash on their hands.  One in La Jolla, for instance, was dedicated to electing Rick Perry. It raised about $430,000 and spent about $409,000 through the end of 2011, according to federal records. Its biggest donor is Texas billionaire investor Harold Simmons.

Once Perry was out of the race, the group changed its name to the Restoring Prosperity Fund and created a one-page website that says it “continues to advocate for Conservative Causes and take an active roll in House and Senate races in the coming election cycle.” Longtime San Diego-based Republican political consultant Bob Schuman is the group’s national campaign director, and the PAC shares an address on Faye Avenue in La Jolla with his firm.

As of Feb. 13, 318 super PACs had reported raising a total of $98.6 million, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Some appear to be among the growing number of spoof groups like comedian Stephen Colbert’s Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow.

There is one registered to an apartment in La Jolla called A Completely Legitimate Super PAC, though it’s not legitimately a super PAC because it didn’t register to accept unlimited contributions.

Another super PAC in San Diego is called Reaching Stars –  Securing Our Future. It is dedicated to the establishment and flourishing of sustainable life on other planets.

Erik Hanley, who lives in Texas but registered the PAC at his parents’ address in Scripps Ranch, said he formed the super PAC in response to steep cuts in NASA funding and space exploration. He wants to start a dialogue about how to ensure life will exist elsewhere when the this planet can no longer support it.

“Part of the reason I started the PAC is that I know nothing happens without political support,” he said.

Hanley said he hopes that like-minded individuals and companies will donate money to further this mission. So far, his super PAC hasn’t reportedspending or receiving money.

“People are thinking about the economy, people are thinking about jobs, people aren’t thinking about far off places,” he said. “I don’t think people are going to agree with my view point today or tomorrow, but I think time is on my side.”

Some wealthy individuals in San Diego have donated to more election minded super PACs.

A few months before he bought The San Diego Union-Tribune, Doug Manchester gave $25,000 to Restore Our Future, which is has raised about $30 million and is dedicated to electing Mitt Romney. San Diego real estate investors Lawrence and Suzanne Hess have donated $120,000 toProgressive Kick, a Super PAC based in Oakland. The group has raised about $130,000 and hasn’t reported any expenditures.

Hess said he and his wife donated the money for races in Iowa and Wisconsin. So far, he said, they haven’t contributed with a local race in mind.

Experts in campaign finance say super PAC spending isn’t just amplifying in San Diego but all around California where newly redrawn districts are putting formerly safe congressional seats in jeopardy.

Richard Hasen, an expert in election law and campaign finance and law professor at the University of California, Irvine, said he expects super PAC spending to “explode” if control of the House comes into play. In fact, the organizations could spend more than the candidates themselves.

Lapp said the House Majority PAC hasn’t done any fundraising in California yet, but she expects that to happen soon, especially since donors can earmark their money for specific races.

“Something that is really exciting to California Democrats is that for the first time in a very long time there are a lot of really competitive Democratic elections in California,” she said. “Previously, that money went to congressional races in Michigan or Missouri.”

Brooke Williams is an investigative reporter based in Washington, D.C.

TOM CHINO RULES!!! Del Mar Fairgrounds Board St. Valentine's Day Massacre..Shame on the Bashar Al-Assads on the Del Mar Fairgrounds Board...

ON THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF TOM CHINO, A FIGHTER FOR FULL DISCLOSURE OF DEL MAR FAIRGROUNDS MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES AND END TO UNETHICAL PRACTICES.

"It is my personal hope that at some point the Board will pursue the reform agenda that I feel is critical to the long term well being of the district. Under the present circumstances, however, I feel it is best for me to step off the board, and I offer this memo as my resignation effective immediately. I have been considering my position as a board member and I was finally able to discuss my situation with the governor's office this morning and they are respecting my decision."

-- Tom Chino resignation e-mail 2/14/12

(Photo above: Tom Chino, r, with Trey Foshee, one of the many celebrity chefs who flock to his Rancho Santa Fe farm for world renowned fruits and produce.)

We don't follow the machinations of the 22nd District Agricultural Association District AKA Del Mar Fairgrounds, Board due to its longstanding record of corruption and below-board dealings with no public oversight allowed. Don't care because it is a cesspool of personal gain for some of those so-called protectors of the public interest and, frankly, the 99 percent, have been powerless in this case to date.

This nine-member board controls a megamillion dollar enterprise including use of the facilities by the San Diego County Fair, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club racetrack as well as ownership of golf, equestrian and exhibition facilities. The Fairgrounds alone is valued at more than $120 million. Directors are appointed by the governor to four year terms and don't get paid, above the table anyway.

However, we did note with interest and great enthusiasm a deus ex machina thrown in the mix by Gov. Jerry Brown last year to try to right the listing Fairgrounds ship. And that was Tom Chino, probably the most stand-up, forthright guy on this or any other planet. Chino is a guy who fights for you and me, and that's not even going into his world-class, renowned vegetable farm and farm stand.

Highly educated, and motivated by his devotion to our community, Chino had his work cut out for him as he went to battle for us against the power of the entrenched 22nd District Agricultural Association District management and enablers on the Board. He tried to let some sunshine into this board's obscenely private dealings and quasi-public meetings. (That group has so much liigation they discuss behind closed doors it would be ludicrous, if it were not obscene.)

Chino let everybody know about state investigations that revealed what everybody knew but could not say aloud: Board members allowed Fairgrounds employees to be paid for unused vacation time. Board members, their friends and associates, received lots of free fair passes and perks, as well as who knows what else in the form of influence peddling and sundry as-yet undisclosed activites.

For all Tom Chino's  defense of you and me against the special interests that have controlled Fairgrounds management for years, all he got was hassles and even implied legal threats over absolutely nothing, i.e. consulting his personal attorney on a Fairgrounds issue. That attorney represented the San Dieguito Joint Powers Authority, which was suing the Fairgrounds over creepy and unpopular expansion demands. Oh, snap.

The Chino family has a long history of standing for the people around here. Losing Tom Chino from the Fairgrounds Board is a sad day for us, but who can blame him. He was like the Free Syrian Army against Bashar Al-Assad's thugs. They may have all the weapons -- for now -- but Chino has something more powerful on his side -- The Truth.

SHAME ON THE FAIRGROUNDS BOARD. Show your solidarity for Tom Chino. Visit Chino Farm today and power to the people.

VISTA CONGRESSMAN DARRELL ISSA’S DOUBLE STANDARD MARCHES ON...

Issa Watch is a project of the Courage Campaign's online organizing network of more than 700,000 supporters in California and across the country. The Issa Watch project includes the blog Issa Exposed, and organizing both on and offline. Issa Watch tracks Darrell Issa's public record as well as the ongoing investigations and hearings he's involved with as chairman of the House Oversight Committee. Lead contributors include Lucas O'Connor, Haley Potiker and Abraham White. To contact Issa Watch, please email  IssaExposed@couragecampaign.org.

Darrell Issa continues this week to apply a wildly different standard of disclosure to himself as compared to the Obama Administration. Issa's request for a wide-ranging document release from the Department of Homeland Security concerned alleged politicizing of FOIA requests didn't devlier what he was looking for, so he's now refocusing and expanding the request. As the Hill reports, Issa is asking for copies of e-mails between key White House officials. He is also seeking a series of interviews with top-level staff at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as part of his probe into the Obama administration’s transparency.

Last week, Issa requested that 180 agencies send him records showing how fast they respond to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. He also asked the agencies to explain why some FOIA requests are delayed more than others.

Using the issue as cover, Issa recently called for in-depth tracking of all people and organizations that submit Freedom of Information Act requests. Ostensibly intended by Issa as a way to avoid politicizing the process, it would provide a shocking amount of tracking information to the federal government, and is part of a broader trend by Issa to chill dissent and citizen oversight.

 In lodging a complaint over Homeland Security's responsiveness, Issa wrote:, Issa wrote:

"This directive is inconsistent with your pledge to identify and produce documents expeditiously, and it raises questions about the Department's commitment to the President's effort to create an 'unprecedented level of openness in government."

The tone and content of this objection is particularly odd, however, given that Issa himself has consistently rejected such calls for openness out of his own office. He has declined to publicly post the letter he sent to industry groups and conservative think tanks soliciting agenda items for the Oversight Committee. He has resisted releasing the responses he's gotten from the letter, agreeing only to release them in mid-February with spin added by his office and leaving CREW to seek the letters on their own. Odd that, if Issa is sincerely concerned about transparency as a way to address concerns of politicizing government, he would be so deeply opposed to being open about his own dealings.

Further, Issa's concerns about alleged politicizing of government doesn't seem to fit with his angry response to President Obama's suggestion that Congress make its lobbyist ties public. Rather than welcome the opportunity for citizens to have more information about who's influencing their elected officials, Issa turned bitterly defensive. He lashed out at Obama for not being perfect either, and tried his best to make the case for lobbyist confidentiality. If Issa is concerned about politicizing the process and wanting more transparency, it's odd that he would attack even the notion of improved lobbyist disclosure.

If Darrell Issa is serious about a more open, less political government, he needs to provide the model himself. He can't just talk the talk, criticizing the Obama administration for not being responsive enough to him specifically- he has to walk the walk by taking ownership of his own actions and applying the same standards to his own office. He owes it to the country and his constituents.

Rancho Santa Fe donor money significantly influences San Diego mayor race, records reveal...

It might be conventional wisdom in San Diego that La Jolla has an outsized influence in city politics. However, Rancho Santa Fe, not even in the city of San Diego, has just as much influence, maybe more, due to campaign contributions.

Donors from La Jolla's 92037 zip code gave almost $82,000 to the four major 2012 mayoral candidates in the campaign's first month, according to campaign finance data. That's almost double the money coming from any other zip code.

Three of the four candidates, City Councilman Carl DeMaio, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and Congressman Bob Filner, raised more money from La Jolla than anywhere else. La Jolla was second to Rancho Santa Fe's 92067 zip code for Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher.

A closer look at the individual candidates' disclosures shows that their bases of support aren't surprising, either.

DeMaio pulled in money from Rancho Bernando's 92128 zip code, which is in his council district. Dumanis was strong in downtown's 92101 zip code, which would indicate her support among the city's downtown establishment. Filner raised money from the South Bay communities of Chula Vista and Bonita, which are outside the city of San Diego but in his congressional district. Rancho Santa Fe is outside the city, but the 92067 zip code neighbors Fletcher's assembly district.

The four major candidates raised $1.1 million in the race's first month, including DeMaio's $270,000 personal contribution to his campaign.

Here are the top three zip codes for each of the candidates and overall:

DeMaio

• La Jolla (92037), $30,981

• Rancho Bernardo (92128), $14,730

• Downtown (92101), $14,552

Dumanis

• La Jolla (92037), $17,777.31

• Downtown (92101), $17,735

• Hillcrest/Mission Hills (92103), $16,150

Filner

• La Jolla (92037), $6,150

• Chula Vista (91910), $4,725

• Bonita (91902), $4,200

Note: Filner transferred money from his congressional campaign to his mayoral fund, meaning some of these contributions were originally for his federal campaign.

Fletcher

• Rancho Santa Fe (92067), $27,950

• La Jolla (92037), $27,600

• Carmel Valley (92130), $19,100

Combined

• La Jolla (92037), $81,838.71

• Downtown (92101), $41,239

• Rancho Santa Fe (92067) $40,451.

Got Rid of Gaddafi...SO WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET RID OF DEADBEAT SOLANA BEACH CITY MANAGER DAVID OTT???

We are tired of these career bureaucrats bleeding taxpayers dry. This isn't a Tea Party position, but a progressive Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News opinion.

There are plenty of slings and arrows to cast at the numerous despicable North County and San Diego political officials and sycophants but that's for another day. Today, we bring you the worst of the worst, a most despicable thief of the public funds for his own greed and aggrandizement.

WE BRING YOU MORALLY DEAD, CORRUPT AND DIRECT --

DAVID OTT. Past, present and future Solana Beach city manager. Really, the only people making out better through greedy subterfuge are the 100 Rancho Santa Fe "farmers" receiving federal farm subsidies even though, obviously, they are not farmers and the few who do have "farms" use them as tax dodges.

 But back to ODD: Listen to the tale of his take:

"David Ott, who also served for years as the city's public safety director, officially retired from his city manager post in December and began collecting a pension of roughly $13,500 per month.

However, he still works under contract as Solana Beach's interim city manager, earning roughly $78 per hour in addition to a monthly cellphone allowance of $50 and car allowance of $450."

Ott continues to serve as interim city manager and no search for a permanent replacement is yet under way. He said last week he doesn't know exactly how many hours he has billed the city under his contract, but it's less than 960 hours, which is considered full-time employment by the California Public Employees' Retirement System and would jeopardize his retirement.

Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News says: DAVID OTT MUST RESIGN OR BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 More backstory, compiled from sources:

An email criticizing Ott's pension and pay arrangement was recently sent to several news agencies. It accused Ott of using his years as a public safety employee to receive a higher pension.

Ott said allegations he spiked his pension are untrue, but he acknowledged that his pension is unique because he held several positions in the city.

He said he believes the recent criticism is coming from firefighters who were unhappy with pension reform and worried about the potential for staff cuts in the Fire Department.

Solana Beach is working to close a nearly $700,000 budget shortfall in the current fiscal year. Proposed cuts include leaving two city administrative positions open to save nearly $300,000; reducing the amount of work scheduled to be done on the city's general plan to save $310,500; and cuts to various city departments totaling $153,700.

OTT GETS ON THE PUBLIC GRAVY TRAIN

Ott was hired by the city in 2003 as its director of public safety and fire chief. He said Thursday that he also served as the city's assistant city manager, before he was hired as city manager in 2006.

From 2006 to 2009, Ott retained his post as fire chief in addition to serving as the city manager and public safety director.

During those three years, Ott said his retirement was calculated using formulas for both regular government employees and public safety employees.

According to the city, 75 percent of his retirement was calculated using a "2.5 percent at 55" formula and 25 percent was calculated using the public safety workers' formula "3 percent at 50."

Government employees' retirements are calculated using a percentage of their highest annual salaries (2.5 or 3 percent here), multiplied by the number of years they worked, for up to 30 years of service.

When Ott retired in December, his annual salary was $180,250.

"I didn't spike my pension, I got promoted," Ott said.

YEAH RIGHT.  GET RID OF OTT TODAY. Over and sold-out...

Bonnie Russell On: Dumanis’ continued reluctance to prosecute inactive attorney P. Gregory...

Bonnie Dumanis’ continued reluctance to prosecute inactive attorney Patricia Gregory remains a mystery to those aware of Dumanis’ preference for being handed evidence by crime victims. This makes Dumanis’ latest refusal to prosecute an open and shut case against an about to be disbarred attorney, more than a little strange.   

But first, a brief history on internet crime

A decade ago, then San Francisco columnist Reynolds Holding, wrote The State Bar should Crack Down on California Lawyers” in a column featuring one of California’s worst attorneys, Ron Lais.  The column stated State Bar response to client complaints was sluggish at best, considering the bar had ten years worth of complaints regarding the Ron Lais "performed."  Eventually though, the State Bar forced Lais’ resignation, until he paid his now former clients restitution.

Lais promptly filed bankruptcy, which immediately discharged the State Bar’s restitution order.  Lais then promptly incorporated Child Custody Legal Network and continued offering legal services online as an International Child Custody Consultant, (and sued me four times for warning potential victims not to use him).  The Orange County DA charged Lais with double-digit felony counts regarding the Unauthorized Practice of Law online, and Lais went to prison for a while.  (He's now out and touting himself as an International Law Professor on Twitter.) 

But Lais got me thinking as the problem of non-attorneys or former attorneys practicing on-line has increased.  Most recently in San Diego.  But at least there is some good news. 

The first being the State Bar is now acting a little quicker, and the second being an easy solution to prevent the public from being duped online by former attorneys with a cash and moral problem.  More on that later, as the original problem remains.

San Diego’s blind eye to unscrupulous, former attorneys

San Diego North County family law attorney Patricia Gregory is now listed on the State Bar site Ordered Inactive – Not Eligible to Practice Law.”   

The back story is Gregory had dipped her hands into the trust account of her client, Luwain Ng, to the tune of 80k.  Gregory later admitted the money was gone and made arrangements to repay Ng.

Plans went awry. Nine months later Ng had still not been paid in full. Eventually Ng complains to the State Bar.  This prompts Gregory to fire a snarky email to Ng in which Gregory advises she will discontinue interest payments, before ading as if she was somehow a victim,

“If you wanted to punish me you have succeeded.  I am destroyed.  You have a $20,000.00, a ridiculously low legal bill and my obligation to pay $80,000.00.  I have nothing.  Seems a bit unfair, no?  But you did get your revenge.  Hope it was sweet.” 

Gregory’s  website remains active, announcing:  CARLSBAD DIVORCE ATTORNEY representing clients in divorce, custody, support, and domestic violence cases in San Diego County. 

The solution to protect the public from those who practice law on-line who shouldn’t, was well received by the State Bar president after it popped into my head last week.  He suggested I mention it to a State Bar prosecutor, who also seemed to like it.  (The prosecutor's email after our conversation indicated he forwarded my suggestion to the intake office.)

As it now stands, since Patricia Gregory refuses to remove her website from the Internet in spite of the State Bar’s repeated requests, Gregory is likely going to face additional charges.

(Interestingly,  Gregory's legal website remains in full working order - including the claim:  “She currently teaches graduate level courses in Business Law and Ethics”).  However, a second problem slipped to the forefront.

The second problem being District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis' tolerance for white-collar crime

In spite of a request from Patricia Gregory’s former client to charge Gregory, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis refuses to prosecute.  Or say why she won't.  This is puzzling as the case is very straight-forward.  Gregory admitted to her 80k raid on Ng's account; and Ng provided much in the way of proof along with her request DA Dumanis charge her.  

Sound of crickets chirping.

Calls to the DAs office remain unreturned.

The silence of San Diego's District Attorney is problematic as Bonnie Dumanis has spent an enormous amount of tax payer dollars in an unsuccessful effort to have her perceived stalker tried and convicted for writing what Dumanis considered a threatening letter.  This would be months after declining to prosecute Diana Gonzalez’ husband, after he kidnapped and raped Gonzalez.  After which Diana was found butchered to death in a college bathroom.  (Diana’s husband promptly disappeared).

Additionally, after Dumanis’ alleged stalker was acquitted in Riverside County, Bonnie Dumanis received 24/7 law enforcement security for herself.  She then spent time and energy maneuvering to have the guy prosecuted in federal court at additional taxpayer expense. 

The jury deadlocked.

Unfortunately the public receives no such service from San Diego’s current DA and mayoral candidate for a relatively easy-to-prove, white collar crime.

The solution?

As a preventive measure, until Dumanis brings charges against Patricia Gregory, or her site goes dark, Gregory will be listed on the "Do Not Hire” portion of  Familylawcourts.com.

Meanwhile I just received an invitation to join Bonnie for a day at the races on August 28.  I wonder if I should bet on whether Bonnie answers my questions if I go.

State Rep.Martin Garrick, R-Solana Beach, pleads no contest to drunken driving charges

Assemblyman Martin Garrick, R-Solana Beach, will lose his driver's license for four months and perform 48 hours of community service after pleading no contest today to drunken driving charges.

Three California Highway Patrol officers arrested Garrick on June 15 after they saw him speed past a stop sign and red traffic lights near the Capitol. Garrick's plea came more than two weeks before his scheduled Aug. 15 court hearing.

"I have accepted responsibility for my actions and apologized to family, friends and constituents," Garrick said in a statement late Friday. "I will now take the necessary steps to resolve this incident and immediately begin the process of complying with the judgment."

A blood test revealed Garrick had a blood-alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent on the night he was arrested. Officers never booked the former Assembly GOP leader into jail because they said in an arrest report that he was suffering from severe vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pains. Garrick's attorney, Don Heller, said Garrick had contracted a stomach flu earlier in the day. An Assembly sergeant-at-arms drove Garrick home.

In addition to the driver's license suspension and community service, Garrick must pay fines and fees totaling $2,416.01 and must log 30 hours at a three-month alcohol treatment program, according to court documents cited in the release.

Full CHP report on Assemblyman Garrick, R-Solana Beach June 15 DUI arrest at state Capitol.

Report Shows Assemblyman Ignored Officers Before DUI Arrest

KCRA-TV, Channel 3, the Sacramento NBC affiliate has reprinted the entire Garrick arrest report. Read Full Report Here...

  SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Assemblyman Martin Garrick ignored CHP officers and sped through two stop lights and a stop sign before his arrest for DUI charged on June 15th, according to a CHP report.

A newly released report by the California Highway Patrol provides details of his arrest.

The report states that after Garrick passed two officers on foot who tried to waive him down he, "accelerated at a high rate of speed".

Aftere following Garrick into the state Capitol parking garage an officer stood by Garrick's driver side window while the Solana Beach republican, "ignored my presence", the report said.

Garrick told officers he drove fast because he was having severe stomach pain and diarrhea. He said he’d just an eaten a spaghetti and meatballs dinner at a friend’s home in Sacramento’s Land Park neighborhood along with three glasses of red wine. 

Read Full Report

The report states the Assemblyman denied feeling intoxicated but proceeded to fail five different field sobriety tests. Blood testing later revealed his blood alcohol level at 0.15, nearly twice the legal limit.

After being arrested he was taken to the Sacramento County jail where he, "continued to regurgitate and vomit into a trash can."

The report says Garrick agreed to a blood test. He was taken to the CHP's capitol office for a blood draw over an hour after his arrest.

The CHP report says Garrick was released to the custody of Derek Radey of the Assembly Special Services Unit by 11:30 p.m., ninety minutes after his arrest.

The arresting officer noted he released Garrick because of his, "condition and the possibility of an extended examination at a local hospital."

The report does not say whether Garrick was actually taken to a hospital or driven to his home.

REPORT SHOWS TOBACCO INTERESTS SPENT NEARLY $100 MILLION IN LAST DECADE TO BUY ELECTIONS...

Assemblyman Martin Garrick, R-Solana Beach, as Republican Leader, took the second-most tobacco pay-offs, totaling $15,600 in 2009-10. Over a longer period, 2003-10, Mark Wyland, R-Solana Beach, took in the most tobacco money among current local lawmakers, $47,743. He is the longest serving local Republican in the Legislature, once an assemblyman now a senator...Cigarette makers and distributors contributed $6.5 million to California state candidates in 2009-10, a $4.5 million increase over the 2007-2008 election cycle...The industry also spent $2.76 million on lobbying, much of it dedicated to defeating new tobacco taxes.

TOBACCO MONEY REPORT SHOWS TOBACCO INTERESTS SPENT NEARLY $100 MILLION IN THE LAST DECADE TO INFLUENCE CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS AND LEGISLATIVE POLICY

The American Lung Association in California's Center for Tobacco Policy & Organizing releases a new report on campaign contributions and lobbying expenditures by tobacco interests

July 19, 2011 (Sacramento, CA)   Tobacco interests spent a total of $9.3 million on campaign contributions and lobbying in California during the 2009-2010 election cycle and have spent nearly $100 million over the last decade, according to a new report by the Center for Tobacco Policy & Organizing, a project of the American Lung Association in California.  

"Big Tobacco continues to use its vast financial resources for campaign contributions and lobbying expenditures to oppose bills and ballot initiatives that would benefit public health by reducing tobacco use," said Jane Warner, President & CEO of the American Lung Association in California.   

Tobacco Money in California Politics shows that tobacco interests contributed more than $6.56 million to candidates and members of the California Legislature, constitutional officers and political committees and spent $2.76 million on lobbying expenditures during the 2009-2010 election cycle.

The data used in producing Tobacco Money in California Politics is derived from the semiannual contribution reports and the quarterly lobbying reports filed by the tobacco interests with the Secretary of State that cover the period January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010.

Highlights from Tobacco Money in California Politics include:

• Sixty percent of the total contributions made during the 2009-2010 election cycle were to political committees in support of Proposition 26 and in opposition to Proposition 25, which were both passed by California voters in the November 2010 general election.  Proposition 25 changed the vote requirement for passing a state budget from a two-thirds vote to a simple majority and Proposition 26 reclassified many types of fees as taxes, subjecting them to a two-thirds vote requirement.
  
  
• Of the 122 state legislators (more than 120 due to vacancies and special elections), tobacco interests made campaign contributions to 59 members, or 48 percent, similar to the total from pervious election cycles.
• Philip Morris USA Inc. spent more than $750,000 on lobbying in the second quarter of 2009 (April through June), a record amount for lobbying expenditures in one quarter by any tobacco interest over the last decade.  During those three months, the legislature voted on two budget bills that contained a tobacco tax increase and another tobacco tax bill that was moving forward in the legislative process.

"The numbers in this report are clear, Big Tobacco is spending to protect their vast financial interests in California," Paul Knepprath, Vice President of Advocacy and Health Initiatives, American Lung Association in California. "Despite the tobacco industry spending millions, smoking rates continue to drop and the state and local governments continue to pass policies that reduce tobacco's impact on our state."

A full copy of Tobacco Money in California Politics is available atwww.Center4TobaccoPolicy.org/tobaccomoney. The Center also maintains a searchable database of campaign contributions that the public can use to learn if their own State Assembly Member or Senator received campaign contributions available at www.Center4TobaccoPolicy.org/database

 Below are the report documents, as well as a database of campaign contributions to Members of the California Legislature that contains data from the 2001-2002 election cycle to the present and is searchable by name, legislative district and county.

Tobacco money to sitting lawmakers 2003-2010*

• Senator/Assemblyman Mark Wyland, R-Solana Beach, $47,743

• Senator/Assemblywoman Mimi Walters, R-Lake Forest, $30,600

• Assemblyman Martin Garrick, R-Solana Beach, $29,100

• Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, R-San Diego, $25,100

• Senator/Assemblyman Joel Anderson, R-La Mesa, $23,900

• Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries, R-Lake Elsinore, $20,300

• Assemblywoman Diane Harkey, R-Dana Point, $19,000

• Assemblyman Brian Jones, R-Santee, $3,900

*Some numbers reflect donations for different offices and can vary by number of years in office. No sitting Democrat from San Diego County received direct contributions.

Source: American Lung Association inCalifornia

Tobacco Money in California Politics

Tobacco Money in California Politics: Highlights of the Report

Tobacco Money in California Politics: A Decade of Influence

Database of Campaign Contributions of Tobacco Interests 

Press Release

Below are past tobacco money reports:

2009-2010 Election Cycle

Lobbying Expenditures of Tobacco Interests in California: January 2009 - March 2010 

Campaign Contributions and Lobbying Expenditures of Tobacco Interests in California: January-December 2009

Lobbying Expenditures of Tobacco Interests in California: January-September 2009 

Campaign Contributions and Lobbying Expenditures of Tobacco Interests in California: January-June 2009

Lobbying Expenditures of Tobacco Interests in California: January-March 2009

2007-2008 Election Cycle

Tobacco Money in California Politics: Report for the 2007-2008 Election Cycle

Tobacco Money in California Politics: Highlights of the Report 

Lobbying Expenditures of Tobacco Interests in California: January 2007 - September 2008

Campaign Contributions and Lobbying Expenditures of Tobacco Interests in California: January 2007 - June 2008

Lobbying Expenditures of Tobacco Interests in California: January 2007 - March 2008

Campaign Contributions and Lobbying Expenditures of Tobacco Interests in California: January- December 2007

Lobbying Expenditures of Tobacco Interests in California: January-September 2007

Campaign Contributions and Lobbying Expenditures of Tobacco Interests in California: January-June 2007

Lobbying Expenditures of Tobacco Interests in California: January-March 2007

2005-2006 Election Cycle

Tobacco Money in California Politics: Report for 2005-2006 Election Cycle

Lobbying Expenditures of Tobacco Interests in California: January 2009 - September 2010 

Campaign Contributions and Lobbying Expenditures of Tobacco Interests in California: January 2009 - June 2010

Assemblyman Martin Garrick, R-Solana Beach was too sick to be held in jail when busted for DUI, report says 

Assemblyman Martin Garrick (Photo left at Mille Fleurs fundraiser) was quickly released from custody after being cited on suspicion of drunken driving last month because he was severely sick, an arrest report released Thursday shows, according to the Sacramento Bee 'Capitol Alert' blog. Visit the 'Capitol Alert' here for more polticial coverage.

Vomiting and suffering from stomach pains and diarrhea, the Solana Beach Republican could barely produce a measurable breath test., said the Bee's Paresh Dave. "He eventually agreed to a blood test, which later revealed his blood-alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent. California Highway Patrol officers released him into the custody of an Assembly sergeant-at-arms." Garrick's arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 15.

Three bicycle officers flagged him down June 15 just before 10 p.m. when they saw him speed past a stop sign at 11th and O streets. He eventually drove his state-owned vehicle into the Capitol garage before officers tracked him down as he left the car. They described Garrick as having "slurred mumbled" speech, a "strong" scent of alcohol and "red, watery" eyes.

Garrick told officers he had been eating spaghetti, meatballs and bread at a friend's house. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Garrick said he had three glasses of red wine during the course of the previous three hours. He struggled through field sobriety tests.

The report says Garrick "denied feeling intoxicated at the time of the stop and stated he was driving expeditiously because he was having severe stomach pain and diarrhea."

Officers took him to Sacramento County's main jail to get a chemical sample of his breath, but ultimately had to take a blood sample.

The arresting CHP officer ultimately determined that "due to Garrick's condition and the possibility of an extended examination at a local hospital," a member of the Assembly's special services unit would provide for Garrick's safety, the report said.

For more Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News coverage, visit YOU'VE BEEN WEINERED! -- Rep. Martin Garrick, R-Solana Beach, arrested for DUI at SacCity.

YOU'VE BEEN WEINERED! -- Rep. Martin Garrick, R-Solana Beach, arrested for DUI at SacCity, according to reports confirmed by his office. He was trying to drive into the state Capitol building after 9 p.m. when...

The Sacramento Bee is reporting that California's former Assembly Republican leader was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving after his state car allegedly was observed speeding Wednesday night in downtown Sacramento.

(Photo: Garrick with former Gov. Schwarzenegger and Nancy Reagan at Ronald Reagan 100th year birthday commission announcement at the Reagan Library. Garrick, arrested on suspicion of DUI, sponsored legislation in the state Assembly called "Sara's Law" AB 182, that would have deported illegal immigrants if they were found guilty of DUI. Should Garrick be deported to a rehab center, at least? You decide.)

Martin Garrick, R-Solana Beach, did not attend today's Assembly floor session but released a written statement, saying that driving after drinking alcohol is dangerous and apologizing for his "lapse of judgment," according to the Sacramento Bee. He was alone and headed home at the time, he said.

"I apologize to my family for the embarrassment I have caused them, and I hope they will forgive me for my actions," he said. "I also apologize to my constituents. They have the right to hold their elected representative to a high standard, and I regret that it was one I failed to meet last night."

"I will strive to never let them down again. Last night's incident was isolated, but it served as a stark wake-up call. I promise my family and my constituents in the 74th District that I will never drink and drive again."

Assemblywoman Connie Conway, a Tulare Republican who replaced Garrick as Assembly GOP leader this year, said she was unaware of the details but "my heart and prayers go out to Mr. Garrick and his family during this difficult time."

"We all understand how serious these situations can be," she said.

California Highway Patrol reports said that Garrick was spotted by bicycle officers traveling north on 11th Street at about 45 mph -- 20 mph over the posted speed -- shortly after 9:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Garrick failed to obey a stop sign at O Street, failed to acknowledge officers who were asking him to stop, and proceeded to make a right turn at N Street and drive into the Capitol basement, said Sean Kennedy, CHP spokesman.

The CHP bicycle officers followed Garrick to the Capitol, observed signs of intoxication, conducted field sobriety and chemical tests, then cited and released the legislator on a charge of drunken driving, Kennedy said.

Kennedy declined to discuss why Garrick was not booked into Sacramento County Jail. He said the law precluded him from elaborating other than to say it had nothing to do with his status as a state official.

Elected to the Assembly in 2006, Garrick will be termed out next year. He served briefly as Assembly GOP leader before stepping down last year.

Garrick's arrest Wednesday came hours after the Legislature approved a state budget, through a majority vote by Democrats, after months of bickering between the state's two major parties. Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed that budget plan today.

The former Assembly Republican leader was elected to the Assembly in 2006 and will be termed out next year. He represents the 74th District including Carlsbad, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos, Vista, and portions of San Diego, Escondido and Oceanside.

Bonnie Russell Observes: In San Diego's mayoral race the war on women continues...

Turning our attention from the east coast and Congressman Wiener, we attempted to learn how disposable San Diego women might remain based on a question we asked representatives of each mayoral candidate last Thursday.

Specifically, each was asked: "Do you support family court judges using GPS with Victim Notification devices in Family Court?" Representatives were told we would be checking responses over the weekend and publishing on Monday.

At first blush a State Family Court might not seem to be a city council or mayoral problem.  At second blush however, it ties in significantly, since everything begins with San Diego Police; which given the spate of San Diego police officer related sex crime arrests, is a problem.

Keeping in mind the San Diego City Council has mostly been quiet during what appears to be an ongoing police scandal, the inquiry is also timely given the murder rate of women trying to leave relationships.

 In the case of Councilmember DeMaio we left a voice mail.  But we communicated with representatives of each candidate - including Senator Christine Kehoe, who has not yet filed for office, but has formed an exploratory committee.  To each we described the problem just as we had on October 19, 2010, during the public comment section of a City Council meeting.  At that time we alerted the council San Diego women are paying taxes for police services the police refuse to provide when reporting inter-family crimes.  Click here for that video clip.

San Diego women attempting to report physical or sexual attacks from family members expect responding officers to ask if weapons were involved, or to be shown bruises or other forms of evidence.  Instead, officer response is to inquire if the women are going through a divorce or custody battle.

If the response is affirmative, San Diego police will not act.  No reports will be made.  Instead, officers will suggest women go to Family Court and "get a restraining order."  If the crime is against a child, the officers will suggest a request "Supervised visitation" for the attacker.

Since most people are unaware the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Castle Rock vs. Gonzales, police aren't mandated to enforce Civil restraining orders - and since Family Court is considered a civil court; this is not helpful. 

Separately, police failure to begin the process is what kept a child molester free and molesting for five years while Joyce Murphy repeatedly asked the the police and Family Court for relief.   To no avail.  Eventually Joyce broke down and ran with her daughter.  She was caught and prosecuted by Bonnie Dumanis.  After this news clip aired, however, Joyce's ex husband, who had been awarded full custody, was only arrested after making one mistake.  He molested two girls from intact families, who then told their parents, who immediately called and received police services. 

But prior his mistake, Joyce was enduring a five year "sentence" of supervised visitation by Family Court judge DeAnn Salcido knowing her former husband continued to molest other people's children. With impunity.

Supervised visitation is also problematic

As noted in Line One of the, California Judicial Council Form Number FL341(A) for Supervisd Visitation which clearly states:

"1.  Evidence has been presented in support of a request that the contact with the (Petitioner) or (Respondent) with the children be supervised based on allegations of:  abduction of the child(ren), Physical abuse, Sexual abuse, Domestic violence: etc.,"

this Family Court form decriminalizes crime.  Kidnapping becomes "abduction," battery, is "domestic violence" and sexual molesting, becomes the softer sounding "abuse."  This form keeps cases which should be in criminal court in Family Court.  As the stats reflect, often with deadly results.

The above explains why all mayoral candidates were asked if they supported Family Court judges ordering GPS with Victim Notification as an enhancement to any restraining orders they might make, also necessary as the Family Justice Center's Lt. Lori Lunhow telephoned us last year to inform us the Family Justice Center is not interested in real-time GPS.

Women victims however, are.  Because GPS with real monitoring, (not "tracking") means in real-time,and in time enough for women to vacate the area, a GPS monitoring staff member would notify them ahead of time as soon as the restrained person began to violate the court ordered stay-away distance. That means for the first time,

Technology is available for judges to craft an Effective restraining order.

With this technology women no longer have to remain the sitting ducks they have been. Click on any of the news clips, here.  All devices featured could be used in Family Court if it wasn't for one thing.

Indifference at every level of government

Although each of the devices featured in the news clips could be adapted for family court and greatly reduce family murders, as seen here, the reality is San Diego Family Court judges don't have the same concern for victim litigants requesting their help as victims do with San Diego's Criminal Court judges. Family Court judges refuse to use the technology.

 Responses to our query were as follows:

District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis: No response. No mention of the safety of women, her costly prosecution of Cynthia Sommers or the now dead, Diana Gonzalez. whose husband Dumanis "declined" to prosecute, then refused to explain. Also no mention of her defense of Deputy Lowell Bruce, who shot his wife in the face, killing her. Dumanis petitioned for another judge because she thought the Deputy's judge made a harsh comment about the deputy, a Los Colinas Women's Detention Center guard. Likewise there was no mention of her boycott of two other judges, as reported in the Voice of San Diego.

Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher: No response. Assemblyman Fletcher's representative indicated he was very busy. We advised his representative we had been calling Fletcher's office about this particular issue with family court since before the John Gardner trial. We noted on Sunday Assemblyman Fletcher participated in...

ag Day. We noted his website stresses family values and problem solving. But Fletcher did not respond to our question of last week, or the past two years.

Senator Christine Kehoe: No response. Senator Kehoe's representative informed us the senator was busy in redistricting meetings over the weekend. We advised her representative we had spoken to Senator Kehoe about this when she was in town months ago, including follow up calls.

Citizens commission releases first draft of California redistricting map...

(Editor's Note: The Center for Investigative Reporting, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious nonprofit investigative news organization, newest venture is California Watch, a major new reporting initiative to produce in-depth, high impact multimedia journalism specific to California and to engage the public on issues of critical importance to the state. For more visit: http://californiawatch.org/)

An issue that in the past has been a source of contention among lawmakers — the task of drawing the more than 100 Congressional, Assembly, state Senate and Board of Equalization districts — now rests solely with the newly formed commission. After some discussion on how many state Senate and Assembly districts to group together in what is commonly referred to as "nesting," the 14-member commission voted unanimously to approve the draft Friday.

Chairman Gabino Aguirre said the maps were merely the first of three drafts the group will produce, adding that he intends to place no cap on the number of changes made to the next draft, due out July 7. Aguirre said he expects to receive more public input on the process in the coming weeks, a major goal when voters passed what became known as the Voters First Act in 2008. The measure sought to realign communities and make district seats more competitive.

"Based on the interest we've had to this point, I fully expect to be getting more input," Aguirre said, adding that he's received hundreds of e-mails per day on the subject. Aguirre said the group finalized the first draft of the maps Thursday night and was optimistic that it would meet its Aug. 15 deadline to submit the maps to the secretary of state for approval.

"Absolutely," he said. "We've made a commitment to follow through with this."

A major component of the process is the 11 public hearings the commission will hold across the state in the next month. So far, the group has held more than two dozen hearings, fielding comments from more than 1,500 people.

"Our No. 1 priority at this point is to give every single person in California a political voice," Aguirre said. "That's why we're going back to these areas again and again."

While much may change in the revised versions of the maps, early implications point to a future shakeup for both parties. Sacramento-based Redistricting Partners, led by political consultant Paul Mitchell, put out its own version of the maps Friday, with a preliminary breakdown of voter registration in districts, many of which could change significantly.

Other highlights included Assembly districts with multiple incumbents living in them, as well as others with none. The changes ultimately will lead to greater competition, said Dan Schnur, director of the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics at the University of Southern California. Schnur said a reduction in the number of strongholds could have significant implications for the future, potentially reducing the bipartisan stalemates that have plagued California most of this year.

"If this redistricting turns out the way it could, you're going to make it a lot easier to get things done in Sacramento,” he said Thursday, adding that while it is impossible to make all of the more than 100 districts competitive, the addition of a dozen or so relatively competitive districts would be a huge benefit. "That could fundamentally change things in the future," he said.

Kurt Bardella GONE WILD - You can't keep a fired Issa-Bilbray aide down...and other San Diego County GOPisms...

 Wow. Politics is crazy, but it is a semi-free country and political junkies need their fixes. In this bizarre case, the notorious Kurt Bardella (photo left) came back with a fury this week, going all bloggy over the newly proposed congressional district boundaries for San Diego County. To find out more about the actual details visit our aggregated story through this link.

When last we saw, Bardella was fired with extreme prejudice by Issa in March. This is what Politico roared:

 Kurt Bardella's downfall: Ambition and ego

 "It’s a story as old as power politics: The staffer who forgets he’s a staffer.

"It rarely ends well. And to people who know him best, that was Kurt Bardella’s downfall — ego and a self-promotional streak that finally cost him his job as deputy communications director for the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

"The turning point: POLITICO’s revelation that Bardella had been forwarding other reporters’ e-mail correspondence to Mark Leibovich, a reporter for The New York Times who recently wrote a Bardella-heavy Issa profile and is working on a book about Washington’s political culture."

 He's back. And forth. Just like Bardella went from Bilbray to Issa to Bilbray to Issa's employment over the span of a few years - you know, GOP staffer trading, should come with bubble gum and trading cards -- I'm not sure what to make of it either. Guess it's an addiction. Bardella resumed issuing press releases, but this time FOR BOTH ISSA AND BILBRAY AT THE SAME TIME. He did it on Rostra, the GOP Tea Party blog site.

Take it for what it's worth. The scallawag of a Bardella and some of the other Tea Party bloggers are all up into it over the newly proposed congressional districts that appear to reflect the area more accurately than in the past, which is bad news for the Republicans apparently, at least judging from the early whining.

First, a bit more of the Politico coverage of Bardella's indiscretions, followed by the latest in GOP-(Think?) on the congressional redistricting etc for Rancho Santa Fe and North County courtesy of local GOP guru Jim Sills.

 Enjoy!

-- Dan Weisman, founder/editor Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News

THE NEW WAVE BARDELLA FILES ETC.:

BILBRAY TO RUN IN NEWLY FORMED DISTRICT THAT UNITES PAST AND PRESENT

BILBRAY TO RUN IN NEWLY FORMED DISTRICT THAT UNITES PAST AND PRESENT

Friday, June 10, 2011

posted by Kurt Bardella

Press Release Just Issued from Congressman Bilbray’s camp:

(SAN DIEGO, CA) – Congressman Brian Bilbray released the following statement on the new congressional district boundaries proposed by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission:

“The preliminary maps released by the Citizens Redistricting Commission have ensured that communities of interest are not divided and that political partisanship is not a factor in the districts created to represent San Diegans.

This is a preview of “Bilbray to Run in Newly Formed District that Unites Past and Present”. Read the full post (203 words, estimated 49 secs reading time)

ISSA PLANTS FLAG IN OC-NORTH COUNTY DISTRICT

Friday, June 10, 2011

posted by Kurt Bardella

From Issa Camp:

VISTA, CA – U.S. Congressman Darrell Issa (R-Vista) today released the following statement on the first draft of Congressional district boundaries made public today by the Citizens Redistricting Commission:

“Taking the redistricting process away from state legislators and backroom deals is something I have long supported. While I recognize these maps are not final and there may yet be legitimate questions or revisions, I thank the members of the Citizens Redistricting Commission for their hard work in this process.

This is a preview of “Issa Plants Flag in OC-North County District”. Read the full post (219 words, estimated 53 secs reading time)

REDISTRICTING MAPS ROUND 1 RELEASED…

Friday, June 10, 2011

posted by Kurt Bardella

Here is a link to the draft maps:

http://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/maps-congress-1st-draft.html

WHO WANTS TO BE A REPUBLICAN CONGRESS MEMBER? — JUNE 7 MAPS CREATE THE “GOLD” ONE SHOWN HERE …… POWAY ROGER TAKE NOTE !

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

posted by Jim Sills

Oh Doctor!  Overnight the State Redistricting Commission posted their June 7th revised maps, and voila, a no-incumbent Republican  congressional seat appears!   (Susan Davis is in the “blue” district.  Other incumbents are to the North, East and South.)   The “new” district has Rancho Bernardo, Point Loma, Penasquitos, La Jolla, Mira Mesa, Clairemont, Bay Park, Scripps Ranch and the City of  Poway. This district, if adopted,  is a lock to elect a Republican member of Congress next November.

So what are you waiting for, Poway Roger?  Opportunity is knocking, and loudly no less!

This is a preview of “Who wants to be a Republican Congress Member? — June 7 maps create the “Gold” one shown here …… Poway Roger take Note !”. Read the full post (206 words, 1 image, estimated 49 secs reading time)

NORTH COUNTY UPDATE — NEW JUNE 7 MAPS STILL FEATURE ROCKY CHAVEZ AGAINST SHERRY HODGES ON THE COAST, WITH MARIE WALDRON OF ESCONDIDO THE INLAND FRONT-RUNNER

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

posted by Jim Sills

Greetings, Redistricting fans!  Overnight the Calif. Citizens Redistricting Commission published draft new State Assembly maps, and in North County they still create a Coastal district (Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas), and an Inland seat (Escondido, Fallbrook, Ramona).  If adopted, this map means a potential Rocky Chavez (of Oceanside) vs. Sherry Hodges (of Encinitas) GOP race along the Coastline.  It is also very good news for Escondido City Councilwoman Marie Waldron as the clear Republican leader now on the Inland side.  Her district would absorb much rural territory now held by termed-out Riverside State Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries of AD 66.

Stay tuned to SD Rostra for further late-breaking coverage of the State Redistricting Rodeo and Strawberry Festival.   You can also follow the festivities at this link as well:  http://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/meeting_handouts.html

PRELIMINARY NORTH COUNTY ASSEMBLY MAPS— ROCKY CHAVEZ VS. SHERRY HODGES ON THE COAST— MARIE WALDRON NOW THE INLAND DISTRICT REPUBLICAN FRONTRUNNER

Friday, June 3, 2011

posted by Jim Sills

The State Redistricting Commission will view these draft maps drawn by their staff this week.  View all of them here for the entire state: http://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/meeting_handouts.html

If they are adopted (no certainty!) here’s how they appear to affect North County’s Assembly districts.  Caveat:  These analyses are written on the fly, and the Maps may well be changed later.

First,  the COASTAL District:  Runs north/south from Oceanside to Carlsbad to Encinitas and Solana Beach, also Vista to the east.  That means recent  State Veterans Secretary Rocky Chavez of Oceanside competing with legislative aide and ex-school board member Sherry Hodges of Encinitas for the GOP nod to succeed Martin Garrick.

This is a preview of “Preliminary North County Assembly Maps— Rocky Chavez vs. Sherry Hodges on The Coast— Marie Waldron now the Inland District Republican frontrunner”. Read the full post (273 words, 1 image, estimated 1:06 mins reading time).

For more from the San Diego State University Watchdog Institute visit here.

Contractors settle lawsuit over high charges to haul debris in Rancho Bernardo after the 2007 wildfires

Two contractors will pay $900,000 to settle a lawsuit accusing them of overcharging to haul away the charred remains of 112 Rancho Bernardo homes after wildfires in 2007.

A.J. Diani Construction Co. of Santa Maria and Watsonville-based Granite Construction Co. agreed to the settlement with the city of San Diego without admitting any wrongdoing. In its suit, the city alleged the companies owed more than $2 million of the $9.4 million they billed.

The city will turn over most of the money to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which reimbursed for the bulk of the removal costs.

“I want this to send a message that contractors are going to be held accountable, and we are going to be watching carefully,” said Councilman Carl DeMaio, whose district includes Rancho Bernardo. He has been involved in the case and attended the settlement... (more)

Congressman Brian Bilbray, R-50th Congressional District, voting record April to May 2011...Voting record courtesy Megavote.

Upcoming Votes

PATRIOT Sunsets Extension Act of 2011 - S.1038 The Senate is scheduled to take up this four-year extension of provisions in the Patriot Act that are set to expire on May 27. The House may also take up its version of the bill. House Budget Resolution, FY2012 - H.CON.RES.34 The Senate is expected to vote this week on the House’s 2012 fiscal year budget resolution. Defense Authorization, FY2012 - H.R.1540 The House is scheduled to work on this bill authorizing defense spending in the next fiscal year.

Recent House Votes

Putting the Gulf of Mexico Back to Work Act - Vote Passed (263-163, 5 Not Voting) The House passed this bill that would expedite the permitting process for lessees seeking to drill for oil and natural gas in the Gulf of Mexico. The Interior Department would be required to review applications within 30 days, with the option of extending the review period to 60 days. The Senate is unlikely to take up the bill. Rep. Brian Bilbray voted YES......send e-mail or see bio  Reversing President Obama’s Offshore Moratorium Act - Vote Passed (243-179, 9 Not Voting) This House bill would require the Interior Department to open certain unused areas of the Outer Continental Shelf for oil and natural gas drilling. The bill is unlikely to advance in the Senate. Rep. Brian Bilbray voted Not Voting......send e-mail or see bio  Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 - Vote Passed (392-15, 24 Not Voting) The House approved this bill authorizing intelligence-related programs for the current fiscal year. Funding levels authorized for the 16 intelligence gathering agencies are classified, but it is estimated to be around $80 billion. The Senate version of the bill is currently at a standstill. Rep. Brian Bilbray voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

To repeal mandatory funding provided to establish American Health Benefit Exchanges - Vote Passed (238-183, 11 Not Voting)

The House passed this bill to eliminate federal grants to states to set up health insurance exchanges. The grants are part of the 2010 health care bill which requires each state to establish an exchange by 2014. The bill is unlikely to advance in the Senate.

Rep. Brian Bilbray voted Not Voting......send e-mail or see bio 

To repeal mandatory funding for school-based health center construction - Vote Passed (235-191, 6 Not Voting)

The House passed this bill that would repeal a section in the 2010 health care bill providing funding for the construction of school-based health centers. The bill is unlikely to advance in the Senate.

Rep. Brian Bilbray voted Not Voting......send e-mail or see bio 

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No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act - Vote Passed (251-175, 6 Not Voting)

This bill would prohibit federal funds from being used for abortions, except in the cases of rape, incest or danger to the woman's life. A similar bill has been introduced in the Senate, but it is unlikely to gain any traction.

Rep. Brian Bilbray voted Not Voting......send e-mail or see bio 

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Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act - Vote Passed (266-149, 17 Not Voting)

This House bill would require the Interior Department to sell oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico and off the coast of Virginia. The bill's future in the Senate is uncertain.

Rep. Brian Bilbray voted Not Voting......send e-mail or see bio

To repeal the Prevention and Public Health Fund - Vote Passed (236-183, 13 Not Voting)

This House bill would eliminate funding for the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which was established by the health care law. Supporters of the bill say there is no accountability to determine where the money is spent. Opponents of the bill say it would defund important prevention programs. The Senate is unlikely to take up the measure.

Rep. Brian Bilbray voted YES......send e-mail or see bio 

Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (255-172, 5 Not Voting)

The House passed this bill that would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gases for the purpose of addressing climate change. A similar measure failed in the Senate earlier in the week.

Rep. Brian Bilbray voted YES......send e-mail or see bio 

Net Neutrality Disapproval - Vote Passed (240-179, 13 Not Voting)

This resolution would nullify a Federal Communications Commission rule prohibiting broadband Internet service providers from blocking content or traffic. Supporters of the resolution say the FCC does not have the authority to regulate the Internet, while opponents contend the regulations are necessary to provide unfettered access to the Internet. A companion resolution has been introduced in the Senate but its future is unclear.

Rep. Brian Bilbray voted YES......send e-mail or see bio 

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Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Amendments, 2011 - Vote Passed (348-70, 14 Not Voting)

The House passed this one-week appropriations measure, giving negotiators time to draft the full-year appropriations measure. The Senate passed the bill by unanimous consent earlier on Friday night. The president signed the measure into law on Saturday.

Rep. Brian Bilbray voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Fiscal 2011 Spending Agreement - Vote Passed (260-167, 6 Not Voting)

The House passed this bill to fund the government through the end of the current fiscal year. Based on the agreement negotiated to prevent a government shutdown, the bill provides $1.055 trillion in federal spending. The Senate passed the bill later in the day, clearing it for the president.

Rep. Brian Bilbray voted YES......send e-mail or see bio 

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Fiscal 2011 Health Care Overhaul Funding - Vote Passed (240-185, 7 Not Voting)

Following passage of the 2011 spending bill, the House adopted this enrollment correction resolution that would have blocked funding for the implementation of the health care law. The Senate rejected the resolution so it will not be part of the final spending bill.

Rep. Brian Bilbray voted YES......send e-mail or see bio 

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Fiscal 2011 Planned Parenthood Funding - Vote Passed (241-185, 1 Present, 5 Not Voting)

Following passage of the 2011 spending bill, the House adopted this enrollment correction resolution that would have blocked funding for Planned Parenthood. The Senate rejected the resolution so it will not be part of the final spending bill.

Rep. Brian Bilbray voted YES......send e-mail or see bio 

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Fiscal 2012 House Budget Resolution - Vote Passed (235-193, 4 Not Voting)

The House passed a budget resolution that calls for $1.019 trillion in discretionary spending in the 2012 fiscal year. The budget resolution would allow for $2.859 trillion in overall spending. The resolution is non-binding but is used as a guideline for appropriators. The Senate is expected to work on its budget after the recess.

Rep. Brian Bilbray voted YES......send e-mail or see bio 

The HAMP Termination Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (252-170, 1 Present, 9 Not Voting)

The House voted to end the Home Affordable Modification Program, a home foreclosure prevention program that uses Troubled Asset Relief Program money to help homeowners modify their mortgages. The Senate is unlikely to take up the bill.

Rep. Brian Bilbray voted YES......send e-mail or see bio 

Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act - Vote Passed (225-195, 12 Not Voting)

The House voted to revive a voucher program that would help low-income Washington D.C. residents send their children to private schools. The bill faces an uncertain future but could be attached to the 2011 spending bill currently being negotiated between the House and Senate.

Rep. Brian Bilbray voted YES......send e-mail or see bio 

FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (223-196, 13 Not Voting)

The House passed this bill reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration for four-years. The Senate passed a two-year bill in February. The two chambers will now work out a compromise bill.

Rep. Brian Bilbray voted YES......send e-mail or see bio 

Government Shutdown Prevention Act - Vote Passed (221-202, 1 Present, 8 Not Voting)

This bill would declare the House-passed spending bill, H.R.1, to be enacted if the Senate does not pass a FY2011 spending bill by April 6. Supporters say the vote highlights the Senate's inability to pass a budget, while opponents say the bill is unconstitutional.

Rep. Brian Bilbray voted YES......send e-mail or see bio...