April 20, 2012 (San Diego) –Prominent women leaders in San Diego will be speaking out to support Bob Filner’s mayoral candidacy this Saturday.

“Bob Filner is the only candidate for mayor who has spent his career fighting for women's rights,” a press release from the Filner campaign states. In Congress, Filner co-sponsored the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. He is endorsed by the National Organization for Women (NOW) San Diego chapter and has earned an “A+” from Planned Parenthood for his voting record to support women’s rights.

By Mike Lewis

April 17, 2012 (Sacramento)--The figures behind the state’s educational crisis are alarming. According to the California Teachers Association, California ranks 46 nationally in per-pupil funding, with over $20 billion cut from public schools and colleges statewide in the last four years. More than 40,000 teachers have been laid off during that same time, yet partisan gridlock has stalled any solution in Sacramento.

 By Nadin Abbott

April 9, 2012 (El Cajon) -- The East County Democratic Club will have two speakers focused on El Cajon at its meeting at 7 p.m. on April 19 at Coco’s Restaurant, 1025 Fletcher Parkway, El Cajon. 

Simon Mayeski, board member of Common Cause, a citizen's watchdog organization committed to holding government officials accountable, will discuss his perspective on El Cajon's city government and its lack of representation of the many resident ethnic groups and women.  Ray Lutz, National Director and founder of Citizens Oversight Project Committee (COPS), which acts as a governmental watchdog and helps empower local citizens to make changes in their community, will report his observations of significant events at recent City Council meetings.

Some other "red tape" reduction items are approved; action is postponed on Resource Protection Ordinance

By Danielle Cook

April 2, 2012 (San Diego)--On Wednesday, The San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously rejected Red Tape Reduction Task Force recommendations that would eliminate or severely limit the scope of community planning groups. The recommendation was one of thirty designed to speed up the permitting process and deliver better “customer service” for developers.

By Miriam Raftery

April 1, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – House Republicans this week passed a budget that would give massive tax breaks to the wealthy and to corporations, while weakening programs that benefit students, the middle class and senior citizens, including Medicare.

 Legislature to weigh resolution calling for end to unlimited corporate political spending

March 17, 2012 (Sacramento) – On March 20, the California Assembly Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing and vote on Assembly Joint Resolution 22. The resolution calls for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that allowed corporations to spend unlimited sums to influence elections.

If the Legislature approves the measure, as expected, California would be among the first states to formally call for an amendment. The effort is part of a national movement taking place in more than 1,000 cities and towns across America.

An ECM exclusive interview by Miriam Raftery

March 13, 2012 (Santee) – Assemblyman Brian Jones (R-Santee) announced last week that he is running for reelection.  In an exclusive interview, the conservative legislator shared highlights  and frustrations from his first term in the Legislature, as well as his priorities for the future if reelected in November.

With reapportionment, Jones 77th district will become the 71st Assembly District.  The district picks up some new areas including Pine Valley, Julian, Ramona, and Borrego Springs in San Diego County, as well as portions of Riverside County.

By Miriam Raftery

March 12, 2012 (El Cajon)—During Tuesday’s meeting at 3 p.m., the El Cajon Council will consider its options for filling the vacancy left by Jillian Hanson Cox’s resignation.

Council will determine whether to appoint someone to fill the vacancy between now and the November election, and if so, whether to accept applications and conduct interviews prior to selecting an appointee.