August, 2010

State orders California cities to disclose salaries

In response to the scandal over salaries in Bell, State Controller John Chiang announced Tuesday that he would be posting salary information for elected city officials and other employees on his website beginning in November.  [LATimes] “The absence of transparency... (Continue reading)

Assault leads to burglary arrest

Police say suspects in a string of local church and business burglaries had evidence of their deeds in a hotel room they had checked into. Officers discovered a printer, electronic equipment and personal identifications that did not belong to the... (Continue reading)

Managers earning more during state furloughs

A review of public records is showing that hundreds of state managers and other high-ranking workers brought home more money home than usual during some weeks, thanks to a little-known federal law. [California Watch] During furlough weeks between February 2009... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo gets tough with landlords

City officials plan to mail 3,900 enforcement letters later this month to San Luis Obispo property owners who appear to be renting homes without maintaining a required business tax certificate and license. [Tribune] Under the plan, property owners will be... (Continue reading)

Police spend thousands repairing new cruisers

San Luis Obispo police have spent $37,434 in seven months repairing and maintaining 10 high speed police cruisers, causing some to question if the Dodge Chargers are prone to malfunctions, or are the breakdowns the result of poor care and... (Continue reading)

Suspect sought in Grover Beach machete attack

A dispute in Grover beach on south 13th Street has left one man recovering from gashes to his head and arms and police searching for the man suspected of the machete attack. At approximately 9:30 Saturday night, 34-year-old Damaso Labra... (Continue reading)

Find out how much state workers make

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger suggested last week that salaries of public employees should be posted online, in light of the scandal down in the city of Bell. One newspaper found a data base that reports California state employee salaries [Sacramento Bee]... (Continue reading)

Term limits made things worse, many backers now say

Twenty years ago, California enacted the toughest term limits law in the nation, but today, many of those original supporters now regret their decision. [Mercury News] “Of all the mistakes I’ve made in public life, the one I regret most... (Continue reading)