Now here’s a bold claim: the president of the City Council said “as our city grows, our budget has not grown proportionately.”
Could that be true? Is San Diego a shining icon of fiscal responsibility? Our Fact Check crew has tackled the first question — we’ll leave the second one up to you — and has reached a verdict.
In Other News:
• In a shock to educators and county officials, the state of California won’t be paying counties to provide counseling, therapy and other mental health services to students with disabilities. The county says it won’t pick up the bill, either. Hundreds of students may be affected.
• Do you have questions about Prop. J, the measure that would impose a per-parcel tax on property owners within the San Diego school district? In a new post, we look at where the money could go and whether it could be spent to reverse employee furloughs. We also explain whether Prop. J money will fund pay raises.
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A reminder when you check your ballot: big chunks of the city won’t vote on Prop. J because they aren’t part of the San Diego district.
• It has been predicted to be a horrible year for Democratic politicians nationwide. So why is a local Dem putting his party affiliation front and center on campaign signs?
• In opinion, our columnist and CEO Scott Lewis finds evidence that the Prop. D election will be closer than some people assume and ponders how the endless drama over the Chargers (will they stay or go?) has finally reached its final act. A four-year final act, perhaps, but still the end.
• Our real-estate columnist Rich Toscano reports an index of San Diego home prices fell in August for the first time since April 2009. Toscano is so verklempt that he only mustered up one chart instead of the usual 15.
• Last call to tell us where you answer the call: I’m working on a story about a restroom etiquette expert and am still looking for suggestions about the best and worst public restrooms in town. Drop me a line if you’ve got a favorite (or least favorite). Then we’ll post a story about the grandest and grittiest.
• The Photo of the Day finds a philosophical tattoo.
• Save the date! We’re holding a special event on Nov. 11: a talk featuring two legendary local entrepreneurs. We’ll hear from Dr. Irwin Jacobs, co-founder and former chairman and CEO of Qualcomm, and Bill Stensrud, chairman of InstantEncore.com and a private investor and mentor to entrepreneurs. He’s also a board member of voiceofsandiego.org.
They’ll discuss the future of technology and communication and what San Diegans need to know as they prepare their community, their schools and their businesses.
Advance registration is required by Nov. 8.
Elsewhere:
• In the U-T: “Four former San Diego city officials have agreed to settle allegations from the Securities and Exchange Commission that they misled bond buyers about the city’s pension and retiree health care debts when issuing municipal bonds in 2002 and 2003.”
For background, check this 2008 story from our pages.
• A new report says the region’s homeless population is up by 16 percent in two years. CityBeat has more details, including a jab at the mayor of Santee, who declared there are no homeless people in his city. The report says: wrong-o. Also: which council districts have the most homeless? And which has the fewest (10)?
• La Mesans beware! A “well-groomed woman in business dress, with a short or upswept coiffure with curls on top” has been seen stealing a Madrid for mayor campaign sign. His rival says it wasn’t her: she was at a movie theater and “can describe the entire movie under oath if necessary.” Here’s hoping it is. (Patch.com)
• Finally, you’ve heard about that secretive state deal that will allow downtown redevelopment folks to get their hands on billions in taxpayer money. We’ve referred to the deal as a “late-night porkfest” while a U-T columnist likes the “Sacramento Surprise.”
But neither has quite the bunch of other monikers from the history of politics, like the Saturday Night Massacre or the Cornhusker Compromise.
Can you think of a better name? The September Shakedown, perhaps? Let me know.
Please contact Randy Dotinga directly at randydotinga@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter: twitter.com/rdotinga.