By Miriam Raftery

August 24, 2012 (San Diego) – Last week, San Diegans for Open Government sued San Diego’s Supervisors for apparent Brown Act violations at a June 26 meeting. 

Governor , who wants to “crush” opponents of big energy projects, called CEQA reform  “Lord’s work”

“Governor Brown is dangerous to the financial and environmental health of California, and I am extremely disappointed in his short-sightedness.”--Laura Cyphert, Cedar Fire Survivor and cofounder of the East County Community Action Coalition

By Miriam Raftery

August 23, 2012 (Sacramento)—In a stealth effort that shocked enviornmentalists, business groups succeeded in gutting a bill in the State Assembly and inserted language to essentially repeal the California Enviornmental Quality Act (CEQA) .  The measure passed the Assembly yesterday and advanced to the State Senate. But today, State Senate President Darrell Steinberg and the bill’s author, Michael Rubio, held a press conference to announce that the measure will not be taken up before the end of the legislative session next week.  

Sierra Club California director Kathryn Phillips voiced relief, calling SB 317 “one of the worst attacks on environmental protections that we’ve seen in the 40-year life of the law.”

Officials,organizations across party lines dissect benefits and shortcomings of initiative; consumer interest groups call measure deceptive

By Thea Skinner

August 19, 2012 (San Diego)--According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) for the State of California, Proposition 32 is an initiative that seeks to prohibit political contributions via payroll deductions and contributions to candidates.

The ballot measure proposes to change state campaign finance laws to restrict spending by public and private labor unions, corporations and government contractors in local and statewide political races. The measure has sparked fierce debate and is emerging as one of the most controversial measures on the November ballot.

By Nadin Abbott

August 11, 2012 (El Cajon)--The mood at the Cuyamaca College Water Conservation Garden was relaxed. People came to have good food, drink, and listen to some of our local politicians debate in a friendly forum.

August 2, 2012 (Rancho San Diego) -- The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce’s  lively annual political event, Politics in Paradise, will be held on Friday, August 10 at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College.

By Miriam Raftery

July 17, 2012 (Alpine)—The Alpine Community Planning Group is seeking new applicants to fill a vacancy for seat 14.  All interested applicants are encouraged to come to the ACPG meeting on July 26 at 6 p.m. on the Alpine Community Center.

July 14, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Want to run for office?  There are many seats open for local candidates, from planning groups to school boards and city councils.

By Miriam Raftery

July 12, 2012 (Washington D.C.) – San Diego’s Republican representatives Duncan Hunter, Brian Bilbray and Darrell issue joined the Republican majority in the House of Representatives in voting to repeal the Affordable Health Care Act—taking health benefits away from their constituents as well as eliminating the mandate for coverage.

California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton sent an email blasting the vote.  “If ever anyone was looking for a reason to vote Congressional Republicans out of office in November, this has got to be it.”

Former Veterans Affairs Secretary who resigned amid scandal is named co-chair of Romney’s advisory team on veterans' policies

By Miriam Raftery

July 8, 2012 (Washington D.C.) – Award-winning Newsweek correspondent Jamie Reno, a founding member of East County Magazine’s editorial team, has published a report in Newsweek/Daily Beast that examines the track record of a top Mitt Romney advisor on veterans' affairs. He reveals a troubling history of failures to properly care for soldiers who served our nation honorably.