Good morning from Hillcrest.
- Lots to go over on San Diego’s budget from this morning. We report on how departmental costs can go up even when cuts are made. (Hint: pension.) Also, we breakdown cuts within the Mayor’s Office and discuss why it’s not clear how many city employees will lose their jobs if the mayor’s budget proposal passes.
The U-T writes about the city’s fire pits and why it will likely be more difficult than expected to remove them. (Hint: California Coastal Commission.)
The U-T’s coverage of yesterday’s City Council budget hearings focuses on the plea by civilian public safety employees for their jobs. KPBS reports on the sobering mood inside council chambers.
- One of our former reporters who broke the bonus scandal at city redevelopment arm Southeastern Economic Development Corp. returns with an update on what appears to be an ongoing federal investigation against former members of the corporation.
- In today’s big building news, our own Emily Alpert blogs about how San Diego Unified schools is trying to protect its investment in the proposed downtown main library, which is slated to have a charter high school on two floors. CityBeat profiles Bob Sinclair, the owner of the Wonder Bread building, which is being targeted for a proposed downtown Chargers stadium.
- This report from CalPensions uberblogger Ed Mendel about investment losses and pension payments eating away at Contra Costa County’s budget sounds like it could have been written about the city of San Diego.
- Some quick hits. The Reader writes about a snafu that it reports made the San Diego County library system rate better than it should have. Local conservative blog SDRostra.Com applauds San Diego City Councilman Tony Young and the Lincoln Club for reaching across party lines. A Port Commissioner defends the Port’s public art program in the U-T. Oceanside’s City Council will meet less often next year.
- Last please check out our redesigned website, which debuted yesterday, and send us your feedback. We have a new policy on commenting — no anonymity — that we hope will raise the bar on civil and civic discussion.
— LIAM DILLON