Politics and local government

SUPERVISORS, BY A ONE-VOTE MARGIN, BAN ALL MARIJUANA SALES PLUS FARMING CANNABIS AND HEMP

 

By Miriam Raftery

March 15, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – The majority of voters in San Diego County, including most in unincorporated areas, voted to legalize recreational marijuana.  But instead of heeding voters wishes for more access to pot, San Diego Supervisors voted 3-2 on Tuesday to outlaw all marijuana sales in unincorporated areas, including medical marijuana.   (Licensed dispensaries already open and those approved for construction will have five years to shut down.) Supervisors also voted to outlaw all farming of marijuana and hemp.


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AS ROAD CONDITIONS WORSEN, SUPERVISORS SEEK NEW FUNDING SOURCES FOR REPAIRS

 

By Miriam Raftery

March 15, 2017 (San Diego) — County Supervisors voted 4-0 on Tuesday to direct staff to come back in 90 days with recommendations on new funding sources to pay for road repairs. 

The latest Pavement Condition Index, or PCI, back in September gave the county a score of just 60, or “fair” – and that was before winter rains and flooding caused cracks and potholes to proliferate.  Supervisors’ set a goal to raise that score to 70, or “very good” within five years.


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TRUMP PROPOSES TO END ALL FUNDING FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING

 

By Miriam Raftery

March 15, 2017 (Washington D.C.) - President Donald Trump’s budget contains a radical proposal to completely eliminate all funding for public broadcasting, including National Public Radio, or NPR, and PBS, the Public Broadcasting System which includes KPBS here in San Diego.


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GONZALEZ-FLETCHER BILL TO HELP DEPORTED U.S. VETERANS PASSES JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

 

AB 386 creates legal aid fund for veterans seeking to return to United States

East County News Service

March 14, 2017 (San Diego) — When immigrants signed up to serve in America’s armed forced, they were promised that they would be given expedited citizenship. But now President Trump has begun deporting these veterans.  Now, California’s Assembly Judiciary has approved a bill to establish a legal aid fund to help deported veterans.


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REALTORS TRADE GROUP WILL HOST ASSEMBLYMAN RANDY VOEPEL FOR MEET-AND-GREET

 

East County News Service

March 16, 2017 (El Cajon) – The Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR), a real estate trade group for San Diego-area realtors, will host California Assemblyman Randy Voepel for a meet-and-greet from 8:30 to 10 a.m., Friday, March 31, at PSAR’s East County Service Center, 1150 Broadway, El Cajon. The public is invited to attend. Members of PSAR’s East County Governmental Affairs Committee are organizing the event.


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HUNTER FACES TOUGH QUESTIONS AT A RAUCOUS TOWN HALL IN RAMONA

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

Video by Paul Kruze

 

Photos: Protesters hold up red "disagree" signs (left) at town hall hosted by Rep. Duncan Hunter (right).


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CONGRESSWOMAN DAVIS DRAWS OVER 1,000 CONCERNED CONSTITUTENTS AT TOWN HALL

 

By Miriam Raftery; Jonathan Goetz also contributed to this report

View full video of town hall:  https://www.facebook.com/RepSusanDavis/videos/1499056013470282/

March 12, 2017 (San Diego) -- Concerns over healthcare reforms, deportations, attacks on public education, troops in Syria, climate change, and Trump’s Russian ties were among the issues raised by constituents of Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) at a town hall forum yesterday.  More than 1,000 people filled Montezuma Hall at San Diego State University to capacity.


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ACLU BLASTS CONGRESSIONAL BILL THAT WOULD LET INTERNET PROVIDERS SELL YOUR PERSONAL DATA

 

 

East County News Service

March 10, 2017 (Washington D.C.) -- The Senate introduced a resolution today to overturn a Federal Communications Commission rule that requires internet service providers to get customers’ permission before they sell sensitive consumer data, such as browsing history.


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CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS CAN’T BAN VIDEOTAPING BY CITIZENS AT TOWN HALLS, CALAWARE ATTORNEY SAYS

 

By Miriam Raftery

March 10, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Terry Francke, General Counsel for Californians Aware (CALAWARE),  a nonprofit protecting citizens rights to open government, has informed East County Magazine that Congressmen Darrell Issa ‘s plan to ban citizens from videotaping his town hall meetings this Saturday is unconstitutional.

 By contast,  Rep. Duncan Hunter, who also has a town hall this weekend in Ramona, will allow videotaping by constituents, ECM has confirmed. Both Issa and Hunter are Republicans. 


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DISSECTING THE REPUBLICAN HEALTHCARE BILL: AARP AND AMA WARN MEASURE HURTS PATIENTS AND SENIORS

 

By Miriam Raftery

AARP warns that seniors age 50-64 will pay $8,500 a year more for health insurance premiums each year, on average, under the GOP plan. Read the bill here

March 10, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) –Major organizations representing patients, doctors, nurses and senior citizens have come out against the “American Health Care Act” ( AHCA or “Trumpcare”), Congressional Republicans’ plan for replacing the Affordable Care Act (ACA Obamacare) that’s being fast-tracked through Congress. 

The American Medical Association (AMA),  the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and others warn that the plan will weaken benefits and make healthcare much more expensive than many people are paying now, whether you’re on an ACA plan, private health insurance or Medicare/Medicare.   

“As drafted, the AHCA would result in millions of Americans losing coverage and benefits,”  Dr. Andrew Gurman, prseident of the AMA, the nation's largest organization of doctors, said Wednesday. "By replacing income-based premium subsidies with age-based tax credits,  AHCA will also make coverage more expensive—if not out of reach—for poor and sick Americans. For these reasons, the AMA cannot support the AHCA as it is currently written.”


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KALASHO HOSTS SECOND TOWN HALL TONIGHT, ACCUSES MAYOR OF SEEKING TO MUZZLE HIS VOICE

 

 

 

Councilman speaks out against Mayor Wells' proposal to prevent any councilmember from placing items on the agenda without support of another member

By Miriam Raftery

March 9, 2017 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Councilman Ben Kalasho will hold his second town hall meeting tonight from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the El Cajon Police community room, 200 Civic Center Way in El Cajon. 

In a video posted on his Facebook page,  Kalasho asks public support to block a measure introduced by Mayor Bill Wells that would prevent any individual councilmember from adding an item to the agenda without support of another member.  The only Democrat on the Council, Kalasho contends that the proposal is targeting him. That measure is expected to be on the agenda for the March 14th Council hearing at 3 p.m..


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ALL VOW “CIVIL” TOWN HALL FOR REP. DUNCAN HUNTER ON SATURDAY

 

By Ken Stone

Reprinted from Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association.

Photo by Ken Stone:  Rep. Duncan Hunter (left) and Darrell Issa (center) greet Donald Trump in San Diego.

March 9, 2017 (San Diego) -- Rep. Duncan D. Hunter’s deputy chief of staff says the Republican congressman is looking forward to Saturday’s long-awaited Town Hall in Ramona.

 “We anticipate it being a really good event,” said Michael Harrison, the aide. ”And we’re confident and hopeful it’s going to be productive.”


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ATTORNEY GENERAL SESSIONS RECUSES SELF FROM RUSSIAN PROBE AFTER MISLEADING CONGRESS ABOUT HIS OWN MEETINGS WITH RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR

 

By Miriam Raftery

March 2, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced today that he will recuse himself from a federal investigation into the Russians’ interference in the 2016 presidential election, following bipartisan pressure for him to step aside. 


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OFFICIALS’ PRIVATE EMAILS AND TEXT MESSAGES ARE PUBLIC RECORDS WHEN PUBLIC BUSINESS IS DISCUSSED, CALIF. SUPREME COURT RULES

 

By Miriam Raftery

March 2, 2017 (San Diego) – State or local officials who discuss public business on their private email accounts or phone text messages must turn those communications over when asked under a Public Records Act request, the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously today.


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GASTELUM REFUSES CALLS FROM RATEPAYERS TO RESIGN FROM OTAY WATER BOARD; RECALL ELECTION THREATENED OVER HIS ANTI-MUSLIM REMARKS

 

By Miriam Raftery

March 2, 2017 (Spring Valley) – Ratepayers held a protest at yesterday’s Otay Water District meeting, calling on director Hector Gastelum to resign or face a recall election due to anti-Muslim statements that he posted on Twitter.


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EL CAJON COUNCIL HEARS PROPOSAL FOR ELVES, REPORT ON HOMELESSNESS

 

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo:  El Cajon Councilman Ben Kalasho faces resistance on new group to bring holiday cheer to seniors

March 1, 2017 (El Cajon) - Freshman El Cajon Councilman Ben Kalasho was impressed by the Santee Santas, and wants to bring the idea to El Cajon. Kalasho envisions an organization, El Cajon Elves that would bring carols, socks and slippers to elders around the holidays.

But groups that already serve seniors, including the AARP and the Salvation Army, turned up to oppose the City of El Cajon from releasing $5,000 in seed money to the El Cajon Elves, and requested that the funds instead be given to one of the existing organizations already serving senior citizens. No one testifed in support of the city providing seed money to start a new nonprofit.


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ATKINS’ BILL TO FUND AFFORDABLE HOUSING THROUGH REAL ESTATE RECORDING FEES CLEARS KEY COMMITTEE

 

East County News Service

March 1, 2017 (San Diego) -- The California Senate Transportation and Housing Committee has voted 9-3 to pass SB 2,  the Building Homes and Jobs Act,  legislation authored by Senator Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) to create a permanent source of funding for affordable housing.


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THE CALIFORNIA ANGLE TO TRUMP’S SPEECH: GANGS, BORDER, IMMIGRATION

 

By Chris Jennewein

Originally published in Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Network

March 1, 2017 (Washington D.C.) -- In his first address to Congress, President Trump spoke extensively about three issues important to California, promising to stop gang violence, secure the border with Mexico and reform immigration policy.


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ISSA SOFTENS CALL FOR INDEPENDENT PROSECUTOR

 

By Ken Stone

Reprinted from Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

March 1, 2017 (San Diego) -- Rep. Darrell Issa on Monday clarified his stance on a review of Russian ties to President Trump, apparently backing off his recent call for a special prosecutor.

“The American people need a clear-eyed view of the nefarious actions of the Russian government,” Issa said in the wake of his appearance Friday on “Real Time with Bill Maher,” where he told the HBO host that “you’re going to need to use the special prosecutor’s statute and office.”


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MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES COULD DISAPPEAR WITH ACA REPEAL

 

By Mary Kuhlman, Public News Service

Photo:  Millions of Americans struggling with mental health concerns gained access to services because of provisions in the Affordable Care Act. (Pixabay)

March 1. 2017 (Washington D.C.) – Plans to revamp the Affordable Care Act were among President Trump's talking points during last night's address before a joint session of Congress. And one sector of the population stands to be significantly impacted by changes to the healthcare law.


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BILLS IN SENATE COULD HINDER SAVING FOR RETIREMENT

 

By Andrea Sears, Public News Service

Photo: More than half of private-sector workers have no access to a retirement savings plan through their workplace. (401(K)2012/Flickr)

March 1, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Senate is now considering bills that could overturn rules clarifying how states and cities can help millions of private-sector workers save for retirement.

More than half of American workers don't have access to a company pension plan at work. So, the Obama administration issued regulations clearing the way for states and large cities to create payroll deduction plans for those workers' retirement savings.


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TRUMP BUDGET SPARKS DEBATE: MILITARY SPENDING VS. FOREIGN AID, DOMESTIC PROGRAMS

 

By Veronica Carter/Eric Galatas, Public News Service

March 1. 2017 (Washington D.C.) – President Donald Trump's call to increase military spending by $54 billion likely means cuts will be made to some politically-sensitive programs, from education and the environment, to science and fighting poverty. Trump first announced his plans Monday to the National Governors Association and shared more details in a speech to Congress last night.


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TRUMP ORDER ALLOWS DEPORTATION OF MILITARY SPOUSES, CHILDREN AND PARENTS

 

By Miriam Raftery

February 27, 2017 (San Diego) – President Donald Trump’s recent executive order allows for deportation of military members’ spouses, children and parents.   His action eliminates protections that the Defense Department put in place during President Barack Obama’s administration.


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SANDAG APPROVES INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION OF INACCURATE REVENUE PROJECTIONS FOR MEASURE A

 

By Miriam Raftery

February 27, 2017 (San Diego) – By a unanimous vote, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) board of directors voted Friday to authorize an independent investigation into why SANDAG provided inaccurate revenue projections in the ballot description of Measure A, the regional transportation initiative rejected by voters.                                                                                 


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TRUMP WANTS MEDIA TO STOP QUOTING ANONYMOUS SOURCES. REMEMBER DEEP THROAT, WATERGATE FBI SOURCE WHO TOPPLED PRESIDENT NIXON AND 48 CO-CONSPIRATORS?

 

 

San Diego Republican Darrell Issa calls for independent investigation into Trump-Russia ties

 

By Miriam Raftery

 

February 25, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – In a statement reminiscent of   Richard Nixon at the height of the Watergate scandal,  President Donald Trump slammed media reporting on his administration’s ties to Russia adding that media outlets “shouldn’t be allowed to use sources unless they use somebody’s name.”   Yet calls for an independent investigation into Trump’s Russian ties are now coming from some prominent Republicans, including San Diego Congressman Darrell Issa.


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AFTER PROTESTS, REP. HUNTER ANNOUNCES TOWN HALL MEETING MARCH 11

 

East County News Service

February 25, 2017 (Ramona) – Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) will hold a town hall meeting on March 11, 2017 at 10 a.m. at the Ramona Main Stage (626 Main St., Ramona),  NBC 7 reports, citing a Hunter staffer as their source.

The move comes after several hundred protesters gathered  on all four corners outside Hunter’s El Cajon office and on an overpass above State Route 67 to protest his inaccessibility to constituents.


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REP. HUNTER BANS “INDIVISIBLE” MEMBERS FROM HIS OFFICE, HUNDREDS JOIN PROTEST OUTSIDE

 

Story and photos by Paul Kruze

February 23, 2017 (El Cajon) --Some 300 demonstrators staged a boisterous rally late Thursday afternoon near the El Cajon district office of 50th District U.S. Representative Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon) on Magnolia and Bradley Avenue. Hunter’s office issued a release earlier stating that his staff would no longer meet with constituents from the group, then shut down the office today in response to the protest rally.

The protestors held up placards representing a mixed array of concerns over his stances on key issues, drawing attention during rush hour traffic, including demonstrators on an overpass visible to motorists on State Route 67.  Their concerns include repeal of the Affordable Care Act, President Trump’s immigration policies, defunding Planned Parenthood, Trump’s election, and an ongoing investigation of Hunter’s alleged improper use of campaign funds.


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LEMON GROVE COUNCILMAN JERRY JONES ASKS SANDAG FOR INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO DECEPTIVE INFO ON MEASURE A

 

East County News Service

February 23, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – After Voice of San Diego revealed that SANDAG misled voters on projected revenues for the Measure A transportation initiative (see stories here and here),  seven SANDAG members said they were not informed of the botched forecast and have signed a letter calling for an investigation, VOSD reported.


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CONGRESSWOMAN DAVIS TO HOST TOWN HALL MARCH 11 AT SDSU

 

By Miriam Raftery

February 23, 2017 (San Diego) – Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) invites constituents to attend a town hall meeting Saturday, March 11 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Montezuma Hall at San Diego State University (in the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union) at 6075 Aztec Circle Drive, San Diego.


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ISSA INTRODUCES REPLACEMENT PLAN FOR OBAMACARE: BUT IS IT A FIX, OR JUST A BANDAID APPROACH?

 

By Miriam Raftery

February 22, 2017 (San Diego) — San Diego Republican Congressman Darrell Issa on Tuesday announced that he has released a “discussion draft” of his bill to repeal Obamacare and replace it with a new plan.  Issa’s “The Access to Insurance for All Americans Act” would give all Americans access to buy in to same insurance plans provided to federal employees and their families—but not at the heavily discounted rates provided to federal workers.


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