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April, 2010

Louisiana offshore oil explosion sparks concern in Santa Barbara

Written on 23 Apr, 2010 in Daily Briefs | One comment

Political observers are debating the impact of the tragic explosion involving the BP oil rig off the coast of Louisiana, and how it might affect the current debate over offshore drilling in Santa Barbara. [Calbuzz] The ever-growing spill in the... (Continue reading)

California faces $325 billion in unfunded pension obligations

Written on 23 Apr, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 10 comments

A top pension consultant warned Thursday that state and local governments currently face $325 billion in unfunded pension liabilities, amounting to $22,000 for every working adult in California. [Los Angeles Times] Consultant Girard Miller issued the warning before California’s Little... (Continue reading)

Maldonado wins key support to be lieutenant governor

Written on 22 Apr, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 2 comments

Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria) appears to be on his way to becoming the next lieutenant governor of California [Los Angeles Times] The moderate Republican cleared a major hurdle Thursday morning when the state Assembly confirmed his nomination by a vote... (Continue reading)

California voters support soda tax to fight obesity

Written on 22 Apr, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 6 comments

A majority of California voters say they would support a small tax on sweetened soft drinks in order to fight obesity. [HealthyCal.org] The Field Poll survey found that 56 percent would support a soft drink tax and 43 percent would... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo County public defender’s office runs out of money

Written on 22 Apr, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 5 comments

The San Luis Obispo County public defender’s budget is about $500,000 in the red and the Board of Supervisors is being asked to intervene. (Tribune] According to a staff report, there is only $50 left in the public defender’s $5... (Continue reading)

Cash for clunker appliances

Written on 22 Apr, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 3 comments

Does your old refrigerator rattle while it guzzles energy like an SUV in need of a tune up? A federal government rebate program could help you rid your home of that clunker appliance. [KEYT] However, you might need to act... (Continue reading)

Pozo drug bust called into question

Written on 21 Apr, 2010 in Uncovered SLO | 18 comments

Police arrested eight people at a concert in Pozo last Sunday on various counts of minor drug dealing, causing some to question the cost of the large undercover operation and its questionable results. At the so-called “420 Festival” of more than... (Continue reading)

Maldonado gets another chance at lieutenant governor confirmation

Written on 21 Apr, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 7 comments

The nomination of state Senator Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria) to be California’s next lieutenant governor is apparently back in play after an earlier rejection [San Francisco Chronicle] The state Assembly, which voted to reject Maldonado last February, is scheduled to... (Continue reading)

Council expands Mardi Gras penalties

Written on 21 Apr, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 8 comments

The San Luis Obispo City Council voted unanimously to expand the Safety Enhancement Zone Ordinance currently in place for Mardi Gras to include St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween. There will be stricter penalties for those who break the law, additional... (Continue reading)

Historic proposed state policy against use of sea water

Written on 20 Apr, 2010 in Opinion | One comment

By JACK McCURDY A landmark new state policy that for the first time would restrict and phase out use of estuary, delta and ocean water for cooling coastal power plants has drawn the adamant opposition of the Coastal Alliance on... (Continue reading)