2017

As GOP fiddles In D.C., Californians’ health coverage fears burn

More than half of Californians fear they or their loved ones will lose health coverage if the Affordable Care Act is repealed and replaced, a new statewide poll shows. A poll by the Institute of Governmental Studies at the University of California-Berkeley, released Tuesday, unmasks a deep sense of insecurity across the Golden State, especially among low-income residents and people enrolled in Medi-Cal, the state’s version of the…


RSF GOP gov hopeful polls in single digits

Rancho Santa Fe businessman and self-financed candidate for governor John Cox barely registered a blip in the first major statewide polling on the race. Cox came in as the third-rated candidate with 9 percent support among likely voters in the latest Berkeley IGS Poll released today, Thursday, June 8. His fellow Republican gubernatorial wannabe former California Assembly member David Hadley did even worse, attracting 7…


North County avocados in the news

North County San Diego and Temecula account for one-third of all avocados grown in California. The state produces 95 percent of all avocados grown in the U.S. Over the last 10 years, avocado acreage in the county has dwindled from around 30,000 acres to 18,000 acres. and expected to drop to 15,000 acres in the next two years. Total avocado crop value was nearly $198…


Escondido Town Hall hits one in the rough

As per her usual interest in Escondido city government on behalf of the residents of the city that table grape vines left behind, “A Blue View for Escondido” citizen watchdog Margaret McCown Liles takes you to the scene of the latest flareup of  civic consternation. For more visit Liles’ blog and kudos as usual…. Mayor Sam Abed’s Town Hall had a pretty good turnout on May 17….


Brown re-affirms state climate commitment

California Gov. Jerry Brown Thursday excoriated President Donald Trump for his decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. “Donald Trump has absolutely chosen the wrong course,” Brown said. “He’s wrong on the facts. America’s economy is boosted by following the Paris Agreement. He’s wrong on the science. Totally wrong. California will resist this misguided and insane course of action. Trump is AWOL but California is…


ACLU to Vista: Get real on Issa protests

“Nothing is more American than political protest. We’ve worked cooperatively with the city of Vista and law enforcement, but we will not back down from defending the First Amendment. I am very happy that the ACLU has taken this case on behalf of me, and on behalf of constituents in California District 49, who have the right to freedom of speech.” — Ellen Montanari, Indivisible…


Issa freaks out at Vista district office

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-49th District) on Tuesday confronted protestors at his Vista office, then climbed on the roof of his district office building and shot pictures of what was called the largest demonstration yet against his activities and policies in the embattled congressional district. He also reportedly threatened a reporter for being an alleged “operative” for his opponents. This came on the heels of Issa giving supporters…


Add ‘Russian traitor’ to Hunter’s legacy

Aside from continuing to spend — illegally — campaign funds on personal expenses like donor trips to Las Vegas, add being a Russian stooge to the dubious legacy of Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-50th District). In a column posted on his congressional website, Hunter, who has repeatedly ducked another town hall following his disastrous Ramona affair in March, has put forth a hearty defense of his…


ACLU settles 2-year refugee children discrimination lawsuit vs. city of Escondido

The ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties, Brancart & Brancart, Cooley LLP and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law announced Thursday, May 25 it had reached a settlement with the City of Escondido in a two year-old discrimination suit. The ACLU sued Escondido after the city denied a permit to operate a group home for refugee children fleeing violence and persecution in…


Issa schedules 1-hour sham town hall

This round-up written by Doug Porter, Ocean Beach alternative press legend, and first appeared May 24 at San Diego Free Press. For more, visit http://sandiegofreepress.org/2017/05/darrell-issas-exclusive-town-hall-set-for-june-3. UPDATED: A fun trip through the mind of Issa’s press flack… By Doug Porter Nobody has ever accused Darrell Issa of being stupid. After initially promising a town hall for constituents on May 31st, the 49th District Congressman has announced a one-hour…