By Miriam Raftery

June 10, 2015 (Sacramento)—Since 1978, Proposition 13 has frozen property taxes  for California owners until a property sells.  But now a proposed constitutional amendment would change Prop 13 to require annual assessments of large commercial and industrial properties.

The measure, Senate Constitutional Amendment 5,  exempts homeowners,  owners of rental residential properties and agricultural properties, which would not be impacted.   The measure also includes a tax break for small businesses, instead targeting larger commercial and industrial property owners for the tax hike.

The bill would exempt from taxation up to a half million dollars of personal property used exclusively for business purposes.  It also gives businesses an exemption of up to a half million for equipment and fixtures—an action that would eliminate the tax on equipment and fixtures entirely for 90% of businesses, whether they own or rent their place of business.

By Mickey Kasparian, President, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 135

Mickey Kasparian, President of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 135 released the following statement after President Obama’s local news interview regarding Fast Track Authority for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

June 7, 2015 (San Diego) --Instead of talking into a satellite camera, President Obama should listen to the hard-working families of California who overwhelmingly oppose fast track. He says that the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) is different than past trade agreements that failed a majority of Americans, but thanks to leaked drafts and a negotiation process that included 600 corporate lawyers, it’s apparent that this deal will be a disaster for everyone but the wealthiest corporations.

The level of secrecy that surrounds TPP is deeply troubling. If this deal is truly good for hard-working men and women, then why can’t we read it? If the President believes this is a great deal, why can’t he prove it to us? American workers deserve to see the uncensored truth of this agreement.

May 28, 2015 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you to “eat your heart out” at the 7^th annual Taste of La Mesa, featuring tastings from 29 local restaurants.  This year’s event will be held on Monday, June 8 from 6-8 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center (4975 Community Drive).

May 30, 2015 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce will host its 7th annual Taste of La Mesa from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, June 8, at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Dr., La Mesa. Presenting sponsor is Sycuan Casino. The event will feature networking and food sampling from local restaurants and food providers. In addition, local businesses will be on hand with exhibit tables. Parking is free and shuttle service will be available.

May 29, 2015 (EL CAJON) –The recent East County Career Expo at Cuyamaca College has resulted in at least 113 anticipated hires and lined up more than 80 interviews for jobseekers, according to a survey of employers who attended the May 20 event.

By Miriam Raftery

May 28, 2015 (Lemon Grove) – If you’re looking for a wedding cake that’s personalized, beautiful and delicious,  you’ll find your heart’s desire at Grove Pastry Shop in Lemon Grove. When San Diego Style Wedding magazine held a competition for wedding cake bakers last year, Grove Pastry Shop won six of eight categories (and didn’t enter the other two). 

In business since 1947, the bakery has evolved with the times, now offering an array of options ranging from specialty cake flavorings from mango to margaritas, as well as decorating options from tiered chandeliers to tattoos.  One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is the bakery’s commitment to quality –with all cakes hand-crafted and baked the old-fashioned way, with the finest ingredients using many personal recipes from owner Teresa Johnson.

May 22, 2015 (San Diego)--The College Area Business District is celebrating the installation of its first bike corral located in front of the Living Room Coffeehouse, 5900 El Cajon Boulevard. The bike corral opened May 20^th and a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held May 27^th at 10 a.m. with refreshments.

May 14, 2015 (La Mesa) -- Park Station is coming before the La Mesa Planning Commission for the third time since the application was first submitted in 2008. The hearing will be held on May 20 at 7:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The first time it was kicked to the curb on the basis of height and density. The second time everyone -including the applicant- was stunned when the American Legion Hall withdrew their co-application during the hearing, requiring the Kitzman’s to come up with a new plan.

East County News Service

April 29, 2015 (Santee) -- GTM Discount General Stores and Meadowbrook Mobile Home Estates of Santee received special recognition from Waste Management of San Diego at this week’s Santee City Council meeting as part of Waste Management’s inaugural “Recycling Champion” program which recognizes businesses and multi-family complexes for their exemplary efforts in implementing recycling on their properties in the City of Santee.

April 28, 2015 (El Cajon)--Need help finding a job – or a new career?

East County News Service

April 24, 2015 (Washington D.C.) -- Federal regulators have decided that a merger proposed between the nation’s two largest cable companies would not be a marriage made in heaven. On Friday, Comcast announced that it has officially dropped its effort to acquire its chief rival, Time Warner Cable.

Photo: Senator Elizabeth Warren, critic of the trade deal.

By Miriam Raftery

April 22, 2015 (Washington D.C.)--There’s a battle brewing between the Democratic Party’s labor and business wings over the impending Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, that the Obama administration hopes to reach with 11 Asian-Pacific nations.

April 16, 2015 (La Mesa)--Thirty years ago, a group of surfers from Malibu, California, were concerned about the health risks associated with environmental threats posed by escalating coastal development at their favorite surf spot. They took action. Not even they could have envisioned the history they were making when they succeeded in protecting their beloved surf spot.

April 15, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - April 14^th was Equal Pay Day.  The date was chosen to show how many extra days each year women must work to earn the same as men.  This year, we didn’t catch up with men’s earnings last year until April 14^th.

East County News Service

April 2, 2015 (La Mesa)—Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. has announced plans to open a store in La Mesa on Grossmont Boulevard, off Jackson Drive, in the same center as Toys R Us and the new Ross for Less store.  The national chain of craft and home décor stores based in Oklahoma operates over 650 stores and is listed by Forbes and Fortune magazine among the nation’s largest retail companies.