September 23, 2012 (San Diego) -- For the first time ever, voters in our state can now register completely online -- no paper form needed. Californians whose current addresses match the address they have on file with the DMV can register (or reregister) at www.sandiegovotes.org.

Editor's note: Also see video interviews with Santee mayoral and council candidates posted here.

By Nadin Abbott

September 20, 2012 (Santee)—Candidates for Santee’s City Council and Mayoral races met at the City Council complex for a candidate forum organized by the League of Women Voters and moderated by Dana Quitner. Mayor Randy Voepel squared off against Rudy Reyes, while long-time Councilman Jack Dale faced off against challenger Maggie Acerra.

The mostly-friendly debate touched on a series of issues of importance for the city. These ranged from the budget and how the end of redevelopment agencies has affected the city to public safety, including how the Cedar fire affected both Reyes and Voepel. Marijuana medical collectives, also a hot issue, drew some fiery responses.

• Regional Chamber of Commerce paints hopeful picture of economic recovery (Ramona Patch)
• SD Unified bringing back all laid off teachers (Voice of San Diego)
• Switching on SDG&E’s Sunrise Powerlink (UTSanDiego)
• New initiative launches in San Diego to reclaim science’s role in policy decisions (KPBS)
• Helix leader Rani Goyal got $56,000 severance in settlement deal (La Mesa Patch)
• The Starting Line: SDG&E’s Trojan Horse (San Diego Free Press)
• UT CEO’s last media company sold interviews (CityBeat)
• Man fatally stabbed in unincorporated La Mesa (La Mesa Patch)

• California Dems resist Gov. Brown’s welfare plans (San Jose Mercury News)
• California schools facing shorter year (Sacramento Bee)
• Viewpoint: Voters have a right to know how much loopholes are costing state (Sacramento Bee)

By David Secor, candidate, 50^th Congressional District