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.

June 27, 2012 (Sacramento) -- Governor Brown has signed California's state budget, which aims to eliminate the state's deficit over the next three years.  The $16.2 budget relies on both spending cuts and projected revenues from the Governor's November ballot initiative. 

For details on the budget, and how it may impact you, see our previous article on the budget: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/10166.  

By Miriam Raftery

June 27, 2012 (La Mesa) –Helix Water Board director Chuck Muse sought to have the District prohibit fellow Board directors from speaking to  reporters, ECM has learned.  

Board President DeAna Verbeke stopped short of such drastic measures, but  did chastise directors to refrain from “negative personal comments” about board members or the District,” admonishing that during past rate hike considerations, “discussing the District’s business did not reflect well on the individual of the District.”