Politics and local government

LATINO LEADERS GIVE EARFUL TO EL CAJON CITY COUNCIL OVER PROPOSED IMMIGRATION RESOLUTION

Council asks  staff to revise resolution, which will be on the agenda January 28

By Miriam Raftery


"I see this as disrespectful from you, the Council, the Mayor and the attorneys...This is going to create a lot of distrust in the community.” -- Jose  Cruz, photo, left

"It's about following the law.  California is asking us to ignore federal law."--Mayor Bill Wells, photo, right

January 17, 2025 (El Cajon) – In emotional testimony, leaders of the Latino community and others pleaded with El Cajon City Council members on January 14 to reject a resolution proposed by Mayor Bill Wells aimed at maximizing the city’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities. With President-Elect Donald Trump’s announced mass deportation intent, which Trump has said could include all undocumented immigrants in the U.S., many speakers voiced fears over potential discrimination by police against people of color, as well as fears that even long-term immigrants and children who have committed no crimes could be rounded up for deportation. 

Trump has also said he wants to deport some special protection status immigrants who came here legally, such as Haitians; others with TPS status include Afghans and Iraqis who helped the U.S. military, Ukrainian refugees, and others.


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GOP SUPERVISOR ANNOUNCES 49TH CONGRESSIONAL RUN

By Brooke Binkowski, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  County Supervisor Jim Desmond delivering his State of North County speech in June. (File photo courtesy of Desmond’s office)

January 16, 2025 (San Diego) - San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond announced that he will run for Congress.

The District 5 Republican said on Thursday that he hopes to “restore common-sense leadership” and is a candidate who prioritizes real-world solutions.

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LA MESA SETS HISTORIC FIRST WITH DIVERSE CITY COUNCIL THAT INCLUDES FOUR WOMEN, LATINA, ASIAN, BLACK, AND LGBTQ+ REPRESENTATIVES

Photo, left to right:  Councilmembers Lauren Cazares and Patricia Dillard, Mayor Mark Arapostathis, Councilmembers Laura Lothian and Genevieve Suzuki

Source:  City of La Mesa

January 10, 2025 (La Mesa) – The City of La Mesa welcomed two new councilmembers during its City Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10. The occasion marked a historic milestone in La Mesa as the council now consists of a majority of women, including women of color, with four women and one man who serves as mayor.

“This is a proud and historic moment for La Mesa,” said Mayor Mark Arapostathis. “Our City Council reflects the strength and diversity of our community. I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to continue making La Mesa a place where everyone feels represented and empowered.”

Joining the council are the newly elected members, Lauren Cazares and Genevieve Suzuki. Both Cazares and Suzuki have deep roots in the La Mesa community. Cazares, lifelong La Mesan, currently serves as Policy Advisor at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and has been actively involved in various boards and committees, including the City of La Mesa Community Police Oversight Board.


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GROSSMONT HEALTHCARE DISTRICT BOARD REJECTS PLEAS TO MOVE MEETINGS TO EVENINGS

By Miriam Raftery

January 8, 2025 (La Mesa) – Dozens of public speakers at yesterday’s Grossmont Healthcare District meeting urged the board to move its 9 a.m. meetings to evenings in order to accommodate people with full-time jobs. The proposal was made by newly elected director Nadia Farjood, a working mother who says her new full-time job at the District Attorney’s office prevents her from attending daytime meetings.

The district represents about 520,000 residents. Around 271 people signed a petition in support of Farjood’s proposal, and around 40 showed up in support at yesterday’s meeting. But despite testimony from union representatives, healthcare workers, district residents and local elected officials, Farjood’s proposal failed, with no other director in support.

Some speakers voiced concern not only for Farjood, but for the potential chilling effect on would-be candidates who may be persuaded from running for office if they have full-time day jobs.


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GROSSMONT HEALTHCARE DISTRICT’S NEW BOARD MEMBER SEEKS TO CHANGE MEETING TIMES, BUT BOARD MAJORITY OBJECTS

East County News Service

January 6, 2025 (La Mesa) – Tomorrow at 9 a.m., the Grossmont Healthcare District board of directors will consider a proposal by newly elected board member Nadia Farjood to change the board’s meeting times to evenings or weekends.  But a survey of board members shows no support for that plan. The board previously experimented with holding evening meetings but found that attendance by the public dropped, multiple members noted.

Farjood, an attorney, has said that her  day job prevents her from attending any meetings Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., when she has court appearances, as well as from 6 to 9 p.m. on the second and third Tuesdays each month.


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SUPERVISORS’ CHAIR NORA VARGAS TO STEP DOWN OVER “SAFETY AND SECURITY” CONCERNS

By Miriam Raftery

Times of San Diego and Voice of San Diego contributed to this report

Photo by Chris Stone, Times of San Diego: Nora Vargas at a 2022 rally

December 20, 2024 (San Diego)—In an announcement that surprised even her staff, San Diego County Supervisors’ Chair Nora Vargas today announced she will step down January 6 at the end of her term, despite winning reelection in November with 62.5% of the votes.

“Due to personal and security reasons, I will not take the oath of office for a second term,” Vargas said, Times of San Diego reports.


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CITIES, COUNTY IN CROSSHAIRS BETWEEN FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS OVER AIDING MASS DEPORTATION OF IMMIGRANTS

 

County approves tough migrant protections, but Sheriff says state laws should prevail;  El Cajon Council weighs city’s legal and moral obligations

Update:  The letter sent by Mayor Wells to the Attorney General is now available here.The letter states that the City Council is considering a resolution declaring the city's intent to "comply with federal immigration laws and assist federal authorities in their enforcement efforts to the maximum extent possible."

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: Right, El Cajon Mayor Wells calls sanctuary policies "stupid and dangerous." He has voiced support for Trump's mass deportation policies but wants clarification on the city's legal obligations.

Left, Councilman Gary Kendrick does not support having police "dragging children out of schools or churches" or aiding in deportation of residents with no criminal records,only those guilty of serious crimes.

December 11, 2024 (San Diego) – Yesterday, San Diego County Supervisors and El Cajon’s City Council held discussions that could determine fates of many immigrant residents—and set the stage for showdowns among federal, state and local authorities. San Diego County has an estimated 169,000 undocumented residents, according to the Migration Policy Institute, based on 2019 data.

The incoming Trump administration has announced plans to deport millions of immigrants nationwide—and demands that local authorities cooperate in mass deportation efforts. But a California law, Senate Bill 54, passed during the last Trump term, prohibits state and local jurisdictions from cooperating with federal authorities on deportation,with notable exceptions for serious crimes. Local authorities are carefully weighing the legal and moral implications of potential actions.


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CITIZENS OVERSIGHT TO AUDIT “SPLIT TICKET” BALLOTS IN SWING STATES

Audits to focus on "split ticket" swing states where Trump won while down-ballot Republicans lost; donations sought to support effort

Hear our interview with Ray Lutz, originally aired on KNSJ Radio, on his election audit efforts and potential consequences

File photo:  Ray Lutz, founder of Citizens Oversight Projects

December 8, 2024 (El Cajon) -- Citizens Oversight, a nonprofit based in El Cajon, is launching a series of ballot image audits across key counties in swing states to examine the integrity of the 2024 election outcomes.

The audits will focus on swing states where Donald Trump won over Kamala Harris in the presidential race, while down-ballot Republicans lost.  Initial attention will be on areas such as Nevada, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona and North Carolina.

Audits will be only feasible in areas where ballot images and cast vote records are available.

According to Citizens Oversight’s press release,“The effort is grounded in well-documented concerns about vulnerabilities in election systems, including the unauthorized exposure of voting machine software in recent years. This exposure may have allowed malicious actors to exploit weaknesses within the systems. The report from Mesa County, Colorado, revealed a `back door’ in the Dominion election management system (EMS), enabling results to be accessed and altered, raising further alarm about the potential for undetected manipulation. These same concerns were documented in the case DeKalb GOP vs. Raffensperger where the computer security expert Clay Parikh said the Dominion voting system security was `horrible,’ and that no election should be trusted.”

Audio: 


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: A BIPARTISAN BIRTHDAY BASH FOR COUNCILMAN KENDRICK



By Miriam Raftery

November 30, 2024 (El Cajon)--El Cajon Councilman Gary Kendrick celebrated his 70th birthday on October 26 with a poolside party at his home. 

The guest list read like a who's who of East County, with bipartisan comunity leaders turning out to honor the long-serving East County Councilmember.

 

 

 

 

 


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PRESIDENTS BIDEN AND MACRON ANNOUNCE CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND LEBANON

Biden hopes to next achieve a cease-fire in Gaza before his term ends, with an agreement for a Palestinian state and security for Israel

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: Hezbollah fighters in Southern Lebanon in 2023, via Tasnim News Service

November 28, 2024 (Washington D.C.) – In a historic accord, on Tuesday, U.S. President Joe Biden and President Emmanuel Macron of France issued a joint statement announcing that after “weeks of tireless diplomacy,” Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a cease fire that went into effect yesterday.

“The United States and France will work with Israel and Lebanon to ensure this arrangement is fully implemented and enforced,” the statement continued. Though the U.S. has supported Israel including sending war planes used to bomb Hezbollah targets,  U.S. troops will not be sent to the region, the President assured.

The agreement includes assurances that Israel will be secure from threats by Hezbollah, which has been bombing Israel from southern Lebanon, and other terrorist groups.  Hezbollah must move its forces north of the Litani River, about 20 miles from the Blue Line marking the Israel-Lebanon border. 

Over the next six weeks,  stabilization of southern Lebanon is to be provided by the Lebanese army  and State Security Forces will deploy 10,000 troops, under international supervision. The agreement also includes withdrawal of Israeli forces, ultimately allowing residents of both Israel and southern Lebanon to return safely to their homes.

But President Biden made clear in a press conference, “This is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.”


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LA MESA CITY COUNCIL ADOPTS 2024 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE 

 

By Miriam Raftery

 

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC.

November 27, 2024 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa City Council on Tuesday adopted the 2024 Climate Action Plan (CAP) Update, a roadmap for reducing community-wide greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in La Mesa.

 

The 2024 CAP Update introduces six comprehensive strategies, an expansion from the five outlined in the original 2018 CAP. These strategies include: 

  • Building Energy Efficiency 
  • Clean and Renewable Energy 
  • Clean and Efficient Transportation 
  • Water Efficiency 
  • Waste Reduction 
  • Urban Natural Environment. 


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GOING TO THE DOGS: EL CAJON CITY COUNCIL LEGALIZES DOG WALKING DOWNTOWN

By Miriam Raftery

JulieAnn Chaet with dog, Chloe, in downtown El Cajon

November 20, 2024 (El Cajon) – Members of the El Cajon City Council voiced surprise at Tuesday's meeting to learn that a 1997 ordinance prohibited dogs in the downtown superblock area where popular events are held. So councilmembers voted unanimously to repeal the ban and legalize dog-walking downtown. 

Assistant City Manager Vince DiMaggio explained that the ban was originally approved due to a perception that dogs might pose health hazards and increase maintenance needs.  However, “none of those concerns have materialized,” he said, adding that bringing dogs to public places has since become commonplace, including companion animals as well as service dogs.

“We see dozens of dog walkers daily in Centennial Plaza,” he noted, adding that technically that’s illegal, as is walking dogs in Prescott Promenade and other downtown areas where the public frequently brings dogs on leashes when they dine at outdoor cafes, enjoy outdoor concerts and car shows, or simply exercise their pets along public streets..


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TRUMP CABINET APPOINTEES RAISE CONCERNS OVER NATIONAL SECURITY, ETHICS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Trump says he won’t require FBI vetting of nominees and wants Congress to adjourn so that he can appoint Cabinet chairs without Senate approval

By Miriam Raftery 

Update November 22, 2024:  Gaetz has withdrawn his name from consideration for the Attorney General appointment.

Photo: Rep. Matt Gaetz, Attorney General nominee, would oversee the Justice Department. He is accused of paying a trafficker for sex with women, including an underaged teen girl. 

November 19, 2024 (Washington D.C.) – President-elect Donald Trump has announced many of his cabinet appointees, which require Senate confirmation, as well as other key positions in his next administration. While all are Trump loyalists, some nominees have experience and qualifications suited to the position. But other nominees have sparked bipartisan concerns. They include:

  • An attorney general nominee who resigned from Congress after an investigation found evidence that he paid a trafficker to have sex with a minor;
  • A Secretary of Defense nominee accused of raping a woman and having racist white nationalist beliefs;
  • A director of national intelligence with a history of siding with Russia and other authoritarian regimes;
  • A Secretary of Energy a fracking company CEO who claims there is no climate crisis
  • A Secretary of Health and Human Services who is an anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist

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THE JEWISH CITIZEN: SEVERAL NATIONAL JEWISH GROUPS OPPOSE MATT GAETZ AS ATTORNEY GENERAL

Update November 22, 2024:  Gaetz has withdrawn his name from consideration for the Attorney General appointment.

By Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Jewish World, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

November 17, 2024 (San Diego) - Several national Jewish organizations are opposing President-elect Donald J. Trump’s nomination of recently resigned Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida for U.S. attorney general. Leaders of the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs all came out against Gaetz becoming the leader of the Justice Department which among its other duties prosecutes hate crimes.


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LEMON GROVE CITY COUNCIL RACE FLIPS OVERNIGHT:FAIA EDGES AHEAD OF GASTIL

By Miriam Raftery

November 6, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – Sitivi “Steve” Faia has pulled ahead of Councilman George Gastil in the Lemon Grove City Council race, where four candidates are vying for two seats.  Jessyka Heredia remains in the lead with 28.86% of the votes counted, followed by Faia, a youth sports coach, with 25.40% and 2,410 votes. Gastil, at 25.16% trails Faia by just 23 votes, leaving open the potential for yet another shift as more votes are tallied.

Planning Commission Chair Seth Smith is in fourth place with 20.58% and 1,952 votes.


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RETURN OF THE RESISTANCE STATE: WHAT ANOTHER TRUMP PRESIDENCY WILL MEAN FOR CALIFORNIA

By Alexei Koseff • CalMatters

Photo by Gage Skidmore (CC via Wikipedia): Donald Trump at a June rally in Surprise, Arizona

November 6, 2024 (Sacramento) -- Former President Donald Trump won a second term after four years out of the White House, likely thrusting California back into leading the resistance against him.

The Associated Press made its call at 3 a.m., declaring that the Republican defeated Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, who would have become the first woman president and the most powerful Californian in four decades.

Instead, Californians now face a repeat of Trump’s first term from 2017 to 2021 — another four years of governance consumed by combative showdowns between the state’s Democratic leadership and Washington, D.C., possibly distracting from or even setting back progress on addressing California’s own problems.

Though many were rooting for a Harris victory — which could have taken California’s priorities nationwide and brought additional resources home — state officials, industry leaders and activists prepared for this outcome. Trump, after all, routinely made California a punching bag in his campaign.


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SCHIFF WINS CALIFORNIA’S U.S. SENATE SEAT

East County News Service

November 6, 2024 (Sacramento) – Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff, who led impeachment efforts against Donald Trump, is poised to defeat former baseball player Steve Garvey, a Republican, to represent California in the U.S. Senate.

Shiff has nearly 60% of the votes, with over half of all votes counted statewide, according to the California Secretary of State’s office.


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REPUBLICANS TAKE CONTROL OF U.S. SENATE; TRUMP WINS PRESIDENTIAL RACE

Update: Kamala Harris has congratulated Trump on his win. Republicans have also taken control of the House.

By Miriam Raftery

November 5, 2024 (Washington D.C.) – Former President Donald Trump has won two major battleground states, CNN and AP predict, and is edging closer to victory in the hotly contested presidential race.  Currently Trump is projected to have 247 electoral votes while Vice President Kamala Harris has 214.  At least 270 electoral college votes are needed to secure a win in the presidential race.

Of the seven battleground states,  AP has projected Trump the winner in Georgia and North Carolina.  He has leads in all of the other five swing states: Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin with most votes counted, though some states could still flip as votes from large urban areas not yet tallied come in. However the path for a Harris win has narrowed, while Trump retains several paths to victory.

If Trump wins, he will have a Senate majority of his own party. Republicans have flipped control of the Senate by at least one seat to have a 51-seat majority. Senate control means Republicans will have the power to confirm the president’s cabinet and judicial appointees.


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EL CAJON COUNICLMEMBERS REELECTED

By Miriam Raftery

November 5, 2024 (El  Cajon) – All three incumbent El Cajon City Councilmembers have won reelection.  Councilmembers Michelle Metschel and Phil Ortiz ran unopposed.  Councilmember Steve Goble has more than twice as many votes as his opponent, Courtney Hall, 69.64% to 30.36%.


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SALES TAX MEASURES PASSING IN LEMON GROVE, EL CAJON AND LA MESA, FAILING IN SANTEE

By Miriam Raftery

November 5, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – All four East County cities had measures on the ballot to raise or extend sale taxes, and three of the four are winning by large margins.


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SANTEE INCUMBENTS WINNING HANDILY, MEASURE S SALES TAX INITIATIVE FAILING IN EARLY RETURNS

East County News Service

November 5, 2024 (Santee) – Santee Mayor John Minto has won reelection over challenger Kelli O’Brien, with 79.39% of the votes tallied thus far.  Councilman Dustin Trotter appears cruising to victory over Padre Dam Water Board member Augie Scalzitti, with 61.85%.  Laura Koval has also been reelected, running unopposed.


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CLOSE COUNCIL RACE IN LA MESA

By Miriam Raftery

 

November 5, 2024 (La Mesa) – Four candidates are vying for two open seats on the La Mesa City Council, and the race is too close to call.  With 855, 948 ballots counted out of the county’s 1,983,767 registered voters counted in early returns, Lauren Cazares and Genevieve Suzuki lead with 32.03% and 31.27% respectively, followed closely by former Councilmember Kristine Alessio at 29.47%.  Fitness trainer Shawn Townsend trails with 7.23%. 


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SNOW TAKES BIG LEAD IN LEMON GROVE MAYORAL RACE; COUNCIL RACES REMAIN CLOSE

By Miriam Raftery

November 5, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – Councilmember Alysson Snow may be poised to oust incumbent Mayor Racquel Vasquez in Lemon Grove, if early election returns hold. With 855, 948 ballots counted out of the county’s 1,983,767 registered voters, Snow has 41.27%,  Vasquez 30.34%, and Councilmember Liana LeBaron  28.39%.


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INCUMBENTS LEAD IN LOCAL CONGRESSIONAL RACES

East County News Service

November 5, 2024 (San Diego) – All five incumbent Congressional members countywide appear cruising to reelection, including East County representatives Darrell Issa and Sara Jacobs.  Below are results for all five San Diego Congressional races with 855, 948 ballots counted out of the county’s 1,983,767 registered voters.


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EARLY RESULTS IN EAST COUNTY’S STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES

East County News Service

November 5, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – With 844,948 ballots counted out of 1.9 million registered voters in the county, Akilah Weber, a Democrat, appears breezing to a win in the 39th State Senate district with 61.53% of the votes over Republican Bob Divine at 38.47%. 


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PADRE DAM DIRECTORS FACE CHALLENGERS FOR WATER BOARD SEATS

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left to right:  District 4 candidates Kim Hales and Ivan Andujar,  District 2 candidates Robert Lloyd Senior and Suzanne Till

November 2, 2024 (Santee) – Four candidates are vying for two seats on the Padre Dam Municipal Water District. The district provides water, including recycled water, to over 100,000 East County residents and businesses.  In division 4, appointed incumbent Ivan Andujar, a facility operations manager at Lions, Tigers and Bears, faces a challenge from biologist Kim Hales.  In division 2, incumbent Suzanne Till , a veteran with a PhD in water resources management, is being challenged by business owner Robert “Bob” Loyd, Sr.  Key issues include water affordability, accessibility, and reliabilty.


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HOULAHAN TAKES ON ISSA OVER PROTECTING DEMOCRACY, WOMEN’S RIGHTS, HEALTHCARE, AND INFRASTRUCTURE IN 48th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

View video of full interview,  hear audio,  or scroll down for highlights

East County News Service

November 2, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – Stephen Houlahan is a former Santee City Councilman and registered nurse who led successful effforts to block a dangerous liquified natural gas pipeline through the 48th Congressional district that he is now running to represent.  That seat is currently occupied by Rep. Darrell Issa. The contrast is dramatic—and Houlahan says he’s running to restore freedoms, protect our democracy, and bring home federal dollars to underground power lines that have sparked wildfires and caused insurance rates to skyrocket.

The contrast couldn’t be more clear.

  • Issa voted against certifying the 2020 election results and opposed efforts to investigate the Capitol insurrection.  Houlahan says a peaceful transfer of power is a hallmark of democracy, and has won endorsement from National Security Leaders of America, a bipartisan group of retired military leaders and cabinet officers.
  • Issa is coauthor of a bill to outlaw abortion nationwide, with no exceptions even to save a mother’s life.  Houlahan wants to restore women’s reproductive freedoms taken away when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
  • Issa voted against the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Houlahan wants to fight to bring home infrastructure dollars to improve storm drainage infrastructure, repair the dangerous El Capitan dam, and improve fire safety.
  • Issa has opposed clean energy investment.  Houlahan  backs rebuilding the energy grid, including undergrounding power lines to protect our backcountry.
  • Issa voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Houlahan wants to protect it and expand Medicare to cover those 55 and up, also adding a MediKids program to cover 4 million uninsured children.
  • Issa, one of the wealthiest members of Congress, has been accused of corruption including most recently failing to timely report hundreds of thousands of dollars in treasury bonds, a potential violation of the Stock Act.  Houlahan says he will stand against corruption and for transparency, calling for tougher penalties on insider trading by members of Congress and a need for honest leadership.

In an exclusive interview with East County Magazine also aired on KNSJ radio,  Houlahan also shared his views on the economy and inflation, immigration and border security NATO, the Israel-Gaza conflict,  Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and more.

Audio: 


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LAW ENFORCEMENT PREPARED TO PROTECT ELECTION SECURITY IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY

By East County News Service

Local law enforcement assures the public that the safety and well-being of everyone who heads to the polls on Election Day are top priorities. 

November 2, 2024 (San Diego) -- Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in San Diego County are working to ensure Election Day (Tuesday, November 5) is a safe and rewarding experience for all voters.

If you are concerned about a potential Election Day threat or an incident that should be reported to authorities, contact your local law enforcement agency. In the event of an emergency, call 9-1-1. For more information about election security from the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, click here.


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PROPOSITION 33: RENT CONTROL INITIATIVE AIMS TO ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY CRISIS

 

By Sammie Ann Wicks

November 1, 2024 (San Diego) --The voting public on Tuesday will again weigh in on the housing crisis, as homeless advocates and the real estate industry go head-to- head over a new rent control proposal, Proposition 33. If passed, the measure could change the current housing scenario in California drastically.  While the measure does not mandate rent control, it would enable local cities or counties to enact restrictions on rental rates.


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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

CAL MATTERS VOTER GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA BALLOT PROPOSITIONS

CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters.

November 1, 2024 (Sacramento) -- California voters decided on only one proposition on the March primary ballot — narrowly approving Gov. Gavin Newsom’s mental health measure, Proposition 1. In November, voters will determine the fate of 10 propositions — including whether to borrow a combined $20 billion for climate programs and school construction, whether to approve three amendments to the state constitution and what direction to take on crime, health care and taxes

The 2024 ballot is still more crowded than in 2022, when there were only seven measures, the fewest in more than a century.

Jump to section, or scroll down to view analysis of all initiatives.



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