budget

LEMON GROVE CITY COUNCIL MAY ADD SALES TAX INCREASE INITIATIVE TO THE BALLOT NEXT YEAR

Other priority goals include street repairs, addressing homelessness and climate change, and livestreaming council meetings

By Jessyka Heredia

Watch full video here

June 15, 2023 (Lemon Grove)- At last week’s Lemon Grove City Council meeting, city manager Lydia Romero highlighted the Council’s top priorities for fiscal year 2023/2024 from the priority-setting workshop back in May. Among these priorities are to “engage residents, businesses, and stakeholders on the benefits of passing a sales tax in FY 2024 that will increase revenue to address priority needs,” according to the staff report. Romero said this was voted as the top priority from Council with four votes and three votes from the small handful of residence in attendance at the workshop.

Can the measure succeed after an earlier tax increase ballot initiative narrowly failed to win passage?


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SUPERVISORS REJECT FEE HIKES ON BUSINESSES

Source: Supervisor Joel Anderson’s office
 
April 12, 2021 (San Diego) -- The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a recommendation to prevent over $600,000 in fee increases and new fees proposed for Fiscal Year 2021-22. Instead, the County will explore the use of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to cover anticipated budget shortfalls. 

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NEW COUNTY BUDGET PRESENTED TO SUPERVISORS

 

The County’s most vulnerable residents are the focus of a new recommended budget formally presented to the County Board of Supervisors Monday. The $6.21 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 invests $112 million in new spending for residents struggling to get by in our region.


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NEWSOM STARTS TENURE WITH $30 BILLION SURPLUS

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 19, 2018 (Sacramento) -- When Gavin Newsom is sworn is as CaliforniaGovernor in January, hell be starting out on a strong footing. The state has nearly $30 billion in combined reserved and unexpected tax revenues, the Legislative Analysts office just reported, stating, By historical standards, this surplus is extraordinary.


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SUPERVISORS APPROVE BUDGET INCREASE: PRIORITIES INCLUDE HOUSING, HOMELESSNESS AND MENTAL HEALTH FUNDING

 

By Miriam Raftery

June 27, 2018 (San Diego) – San Diego’s County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a budget of over $6 billion budget for the new fiscal year starting July 1st, an increase of 8.4 percent over last year.


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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: TOP LOCAL AND STATE NEWS

February 21, 2013--(San Diego’s East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL/REGIONAL

STATE

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.


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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: TOP LOCAL AND STATE NEWS

January 30, 2013--(San Diego’s East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL/REGIONAL

STATE

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.


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ECM WORLD WATCH: GLOBAL AND NATIONAL NEWS

January 24, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)--ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

U.S.

WORLD

HEALTH/SCIENCE

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.


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MAYOR MADRID’S AUDIT REPORT REFLECTS ON CITY’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CHALLENGES THAT LIE AHEAD

By Miriam Raftery

Jaunary 9, 2013 (La Mesa) – Mayor Art Madrid reflected on the past,  praised the city’s present accomplishments, and looked ahead to the future in his annual city audit report delivered on January 8 in the City’s Centennial year.

“I dare say that in many ways we are glad to see 2012 in our rear view mirror,” he said, citing budget cuts by the state among the city's biggest challenges in the past year. Fiscal challenges will continue, he predicted, as Congress embarks on the federal budget negotiations battle. “We may be seeing the last of the Community Development Block Grants, CDBG and Housing Assistance Programs, plus other vital safety net programs that assist certain members of our society.”

Mayor Madrid also named climate change and environmental concerns among the key challenges ahead, spoken in a week when the National CIimatic Office announced that 2012 was the hottest year on record in the U.S.  “What is the role of local governments, including La Mesa, in addressing these problems? First choosing facts and science over politics, acknowledge that these issues exist, and define their impact on our city by evaluating the costs and consequences of doing nothing,” said Madrid.


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FISCAL CLIFF LOOMS AS YEAR END DEADLINE DRAWS NEAR

How will failure of Congress to halt fiscal cliff impact you?

By Miriam Raftery

December 30, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – If Congress fails to agree by the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, automatic spending cuts of 8-9% across the board will take place as required through sequestration in both domestic programs and Defense.  That could cut the deficit by half, but theCongressional Budget office warns this could trigger recession as steep  tax hikes take effect along with spending cuts. It’s not just the rich who will feel the pinch—in fact middle class and low income earners would face severe economic impacts.

San Diego's biotech industry, military and Border Patrol offices are all bracing for potential painful cuts.

The deficit currently stands at $1.1 trillion, the lowest since 2008 but still a daunting figure that both sides seek to reduce, but with vastly different approaches.


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INCUMBENTS AND CHALLENGERS CLASH IN SANTEE DEBATE

Editor's note: Also see video interviews with Santee mayoral and council candidates posted here.

By Nadin Abbott

September 20, 2012 (Santee)—Candidates for Santee’s City Council and Mayoral races met at the City Council complex for a candidate forum organized by the League of Women Voters and moderated by Dana Quitner. Mayor Randy Voepel squared off against Rudy Reyes, while long-time Councilman Jack Dale faced off against challenger Maggie Acerra.

The mostly-friendly debate touched on a series of issues of importance for the city. These ranged from the budget and how the end of redevelopment agencies has affected the city to public safety, including how the Cedar fire affected both Reyes and Voepel. Marijuana medical collectives, also a hot issue, drew some fiery responses.


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EAST COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS ASK VOTERS TO SUPPORT BOND MEASURES

By Janis Mork

September 18, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)- Several local school districts have ballot propositions on the November ballot, including Cajon Valley, Mountain Empire, San Diego Unified, Dehesa, Ramona Unified, Grossmont- Cuyamaca Community College, Chula Vista, and South Bay. All need 55% to pass instead of the usual 2/3 majority vote, according to Prop 39 that was passed several years ago. Below are details on each proposition, along with comments from Superintendents in each district.


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EAST COUNTY COLLEGE DISTRICT APPROVES BUDGET; PREPARES FOR UNCERTAINTIES

September 17, 2012 (El Cajon) – Under darkening clouds of economic uncertainty, the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board battened down the hatches Tuesday, September 11, passing a $150.4 million budget that prepares the district to weather the storm, should Proposition 30 – the governor’s tax measure – fall short in the November election.


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LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS PUBLISHES “EASY VOTER GUIDE” TO NOV. ELECTION FOR SAN DIEGO VOTERS

September 13, 2012 (San Diego) – Baffled over ballot propositions? Not sure who’s running for what? Or maybe you need deadlines for registering to vote or requesting a vote-by-mail ballot.  The San Diego League of Women Voters has published a guide for new and busy voters with all of this information and more. You can also log onto the LWV’s Smart Voter website to access the complete ballot for your area, including information on candidates running for local, state and national races.  Read more for details provided by the LWV:


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HEALTHY EATING ON A TIGHT BUDGET

September 8, 2012 (Washington, D.C.) -- Food is expensive, but preparing your own meals can be healthier and less expensive than eating out. Get ideas on how to eat healthy meals on a budget, including:


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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: TOP LOCAL AND STATE NEWS

 

September 6, 2012  --  (San Diego’s East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL/REGIONAL

  • La Mesa-Spring Valley schools face cuts of $12.5 million  if tax vote fails (La Mesa Patch)
  • Wages in San Diego not rising fast enough (UT San Diego)
  • La Mesa City Council Candidates (La Mesa Courier)
  • 10 privatization fact checks (Voice of San Diego)
  • 21 homes red-tagged: What to expect from classic Brawley earthquake swarm  (NBC)
  • Recruiting allegations haunt Helix, defending state football champions (Mt. Helix Patch.com)

STATE

  • California jobs picture brightens (Sacramento Bee)
  • Gov. Brown promotes Prop 30, warns of devastating cuts to education if it fails (Santee Patch)
  • Most tax deals die as GOP stands united (UT San Diego)
  • Self-driving cars approved by California legislature (CNBC)
  • California way behind Germany in solar development (KCET)
  • Three races could tip the balance of power in state Legislature (Sacramento Bee)
  • U.S. Chamber launches ad attacking California budget, economy (Sacramento Bee)

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.


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ACCOUNTING TECH’S SUNNY OUTLOOK A MORALE-BOOSTER TO CO-WORKERS DURING GRAY DAYS OF STATE’S FINANCIAL CRISIS

 
College district worker earns employee-excellence award

July 22, 2012 (El Cajon) -- Kasi Althaus, a Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District accounting  tech  with a dedication to service and  a joie de vivre that lifts the spirits of all around her was lauded at this week’s Governing Board meeting with an award for worker excellence.

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NEW HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATOR JOINS GROSSMONT-CUYAMACA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT

 
17-year veteran of labor and employee relations named vice chancellor
 
 July 19, 2012 (El Cajon) -- Victoria Simmons, a consultant and community college administrator specializing in labor relations and human resources for 17 years, is the new vice chancellor of human resources for the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District.
 
Simmons, who was hired after a nationwide search, began working at the college district July 1. She has experience in labor and employee relations, recruitment, equal employment opportunity compliance, staff development and training, classification, compensation, workers’ compensation and other human resources issues.
 

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VALUE, COST, & PRICE: THE THREE KEYS TO BUYING YOUR NEW HOME

 
By Megan Gates
 
July 18, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--When purchasing a home, it's important to "become an educated buyer," as Dottie Herman frequently advises. Aside from having a finalized budget in place and knowing how much home you can afford, one of the first steps any potential homebuyer should take is to hire a real estate broker who understands your needs and is knowledgeable of the area and homes in which you're interested. The broker will guide you through the real estate transaction and help you make informed decisions.

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MTS SETS BUS RIDERSHIP RECORD FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012

 
July 15, 2012 (San Diego) -- Ridership aboard Metropolitan Transit System’s bus network set a new ridership record for the year ending June 30, 2012.  There were 55.5 million passenger trips taken on bus during the year, which was 5.2% higher than the previous fiscal year and more than 800,000 more passenger trips taken in fiscal year 2009, which was when the previous bus ridership record was set.

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READER’S EDITORIAL: NOTHING BOLD, NOTHING NEW

 
By Dave Patterson, Ramona
 
June 10, 2012 (Ramona)--The seminal message delivered at the Ramona School board meeting on June 7 was that the problem is the unions. While concessions from the unions will certainly be part of it, the real solution is much more complex.  Too bad that the administration and all but one of the school board members were willing to turn away from the reality, and instead cast a stone at a politically reliable targetpublic unions.

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PETERS MAKES CASE FOR ELECTABILITY IN NEW 52ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

 
In exclusive interview with East County Magazine, Peters talks about key issues in our region
 
By Miriam Raftery
 
May 30, 2012 (San Diego) –“I’m the candidate with the best record of working across the aisle to get things done,”  says Scott Peters, a Democrat. He is  one of ten candidates vying for the new 52nd Congressional district seat currently held by Republican Brian Bilbray.

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STOP2011 SCHOLARSHIP FINAL ROUND DEBATE MAY 30, 2012

 

May 24, 2012 (San Diego) -- The final round of the STOP ,Stop Taxing Our Pupils, 2011 four-step scholarship process will take place at the Merrill Lynch building, located at 701 B St., San Diego (downtown), in the second floor Conference room 2 west, from 7-8:30 p.m.

 


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REGION’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE CHIEFS WARN OF ‘DISMANTLING’ CUTS IF TAX VOTE FAILS

 
Local campuses face $27 million hit without passage of November initiative

May 20, 2012 (San Diego) -- The heads of the region’s six community college districts issued a tsunami warning of sorts Wednesday, saying a new wave of funding cuts will further cripple the colleges if voters reject the governor’s November tax initiative.
 

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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: TOP LOCAL AND STATE NEWS

 
May 17, 2012 --  (San Diego’s East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:     
 
 
 
 
  
LOCAL 
  • Mother Goose Parade celebrity bookings probed (UT San Diego)
  • Shedding light on UT San Diego: Editor’s partisan comments to Nathan Fletcher open daily paper to scrutiny (CityBeat)
  • County budget to decrease by 2% (La Mesa Patch)
  • Construction expected soon at Sempra’s Baja wind farm (San Diego Business Journal)
  • How to prepare for the big eclipse on May 20 (UT San Diego)
     
STATE 
  • Gov. Jerry Brown: State budget now $16 billion (Sacramento Bee)
  • Human trafficking measure qualifies for ballot (Sacramento Bee) 
 
Scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories.

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ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES TO HELP EAST COUNTY COLLEGES

District foundation seeking 100 donors by June 30
 
May 5, 2012 (El Cajon) --  As state funding for community colleges continues to decline, the foundation serving Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges is turning to private and corporate donors to contribute toward programs that will benefit students at the two East County institutions.

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MARKETING MATTERS: MARKETING WITH EVENTS

 
Tips and Tricks for Business Success and Growth
 
by Rama Beerfas
 
May 4, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) –  A powerful marketing tool that can elicit tremendous results when planned correctly, or can cause unexpectedly bad ramifications, is event marketing. This can be anything from an open house to a party to a sponsored stage event to a pop-up sampling and more.

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LEMON GROVE ANNUAL SPRING FASHION PARADE AND LUNCHEON – MAY 12

 
May 1, 2012 (Lemon Grove) – The Lemon Grove Historical Society will be hosting their Annual Springtime Fashion Parade and Luncheon on Saturday, May 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Civic Center Park, 3200 Main Street in Lemon Grove.

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COMMUNITY ALLIANCE ASKS FOR EQUITY AND A VOICE IN SAN DIEGO CITY BUDGET

 
Press conference Monday before Mayor delivers budget
 
April 15, 2012 (San Diego) -- A diverse community and labor coalition will rally at San Diego City Hall on Monday to highlight the need for greater community involvement and equity in the city’s budget.

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LOTS OF QUESTIONS – AND SOME ANSWERS

 
By Cindy Miles, Chancellor, Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District
 
April 7, 2012 (San Diego's East County) -- We always encourage our students to ask lots of questions and seek out new information. For the past few months, we in the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District have been asking questions about our role in the community, how well we are doing, and what the future holds for us. Some of the answers are starting to come in.

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