Calls provision allowing school lunch equipment purchases "wasteful spending"

August 31, 2010 (Washington D.C.) – Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-El Cajon) , a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, voted against sending H.R. 5504, the Improving Nutrition for America’s Children Act, to the full House for consideration. 

The bill aims to make school lunches more nutritious and get junk food out of schools. The goal is to improve children's health and cut down on childhood obesity, a national epidemic.  From 1980 to 2009, childhood obesity in America has tripled--and poor nutritional habits are largely to blame. In California, 30.5% of all children are obese, putting them at higher risk of diabetes and heart problems later on.

SAN DIEGO – Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) announced today that the Legislature passed SB 503 to improve oversight of state bond funds. The bill now heads to the Governor for his signature.

“California taxpayers have a right to know that the bond monies they have approved for housing, transportation, and other projects are being spent efficiently and appropriately,” Kehoe said. “This good government bill will ensure strict accountability of state funds and I urge the Governor to sign this measure into law.”

August 23, 2010 (Sacramento) – Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon) announced today that his AB 1506, a measure that would require the state to accept its own IOUs in payment for state taxes or fees, has passed both houses of the Legislature and is now on the Governor’s desk.

August 25, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- After 11 days of fasting, Democratic Congressional Candidate Ray Lutz announced Monday that after founding a new national organization (Debate for Democracy) to carry on the fight for congressional debates in districts nationwide, he will end his fast. eat. Libertarian candidate Michael Benoit has also resumed eating.

Mayor, Council candidates to participate on panel Thursday, September 16
 

August 25, 2010 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce has invited all candidates running for mayor and city council to share their views in a free public forum on Thursday, September 16 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa. Thus far, both of the  mayoral candidates and five of the six Council candidates have accepted the Chamber's invitation. They are:
 

August 23, 2010 (Sacramention)--Assemblymember Marty Block (AD-78) announced today that AB 184 has cleared the Legislature and is now awaiting action by the Governor. The bill prevents the California Department of Education from requiring school districts to repay the state for Special Disabilities Adjustment funding that they received in the last fiscal year and already used to teach special-needs students in their classrooms.

By Miriam Raftery

August 22, 2010 (El Cajon ) – Two Congressmen and four local lawmakers fielded questions from the audience Friday night, trading quips and barbs on topics ranging from healthcare to gay marriage. The occasion was the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce’s annual “Politics in Paradise” event in the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College, where the weather was sultry and the politics even hotter.

By Buck Shott

August 19, 2010 (San Diego's East County) – The races are on for mayor and council positions in East Couny. Two local mayors’ seats are up for reelection in November. Both face challengers vying for the leadership spots in El Cajon and La Mesa. In addition, a pack of contenders is vying to run for council seats in East County’s cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, and Santee. Here's the lineup: 

East County News Service

August 19, 2010 (Santee) – “It’s hard to imagine that it has been 30 years,” said Pat Hurley, president of  the Santee Democratic Club, which was founded the same year that Santee was incorporated, 1980. To celebrate, the Club is hosting a picnic at Santee Lakes (Lake 1, Space A) on Sunday, August 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

August 5, 2010 (San Diego) – The San Diego City Council voted 6-2 in a special session Wednesday to let voters decide whether the City should have a temporary (five year) half-cent increase in sales tax. The “Reform before Revenue” measure, proposed by Councilmembers Donna Frye and Todd Gloria, will require that key pension and financial reforms be met before the tax increase would take effect. 

By Buck Shott

August 4, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – This week, our Political Wrangler brings you the lastest from those smoke-filled rooms in Washington and San Diego.  Amid pressing world issues, which of your U.S. legislators has a bill to ban marijuana brownies?   Who is drawing fire for cozy ties to tobacco lobbyists after backing a cigar club for legislators? Which Congressman is fighting to make it easier to send cigarettes to our troops?  Did a certain Supervisor break the law in doling out $80,000 in taxpayer money to a special interest group?

July 30, 2010 (Washington D.C.) – Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-El Cajon), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, today highlighted a report by the bipartisan Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) Independent Panel, which calls for increasing the Navy to a 346-ship fleet and expanding America’s focus to prepare for threats in the Western Pacific.

July 28, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will host its second annual “Politics in Paradise” event on August 20 from 6-9 p.m. at the Water Conservation Garden. The bipartisan program provides voters in East County with the opportunity to hear from legislators representing them in Washington, in Sacramento, and at the County level. 

July 22, 2010 (San Diego) – The recount has ended in the 40th State Senate Democratic primary race with Vargas ahead by a total of 26 votes. He picked up three votes in Riverside County and one in San Diego County, where challenges included a military ballot sent from overseas.