Congress shall make no law: Obama to restrict religious freedoms of non-profits
July 3, 2008
We recently posted an article by Tom Del Becarro from his Political Vanguard site on “What if Obama Wins?” As for faith-based organizations providing federally-financed social services Sen. Obama goes medieval. According to Greg Baylor, Obama will “require the federal government’s FBO partners to follow Title VII and other federal anti-discrimination requirements. But the details of his plan are different than this. Title VII forbids religious job discrimination by secular organizations but includes an exemption so that faith-based organizations can make employment decisions that reflect their religious commitments. This general federal freedom is restricted in some federal programs, and some state and local governments also restrict it. But the general federal rule is that FBOs receiving federal funds retain their religious staffing freedom.” Read more
Agopian likely to face Glover in District 5 Supervisor run-off
July 2, 2008
Antioch School Board member, Gary Agopian, will most likely face incumbent Federal Glover for the Contra Costa County District 5 Supervisor seat following the untimely death of Erik Nunn in a Nevada plane crash, June 28. According to Section 8807 of California Election law, the candidate with the next highest number of votes in the non-partisan primary would replace a vacancy. In this case Agopian, the third place finisher, would replace Nunn on the ballot. Read more
What will happen if Obama wins?
July 1, 2008
The American system of Government, with its checks and balances, tends to restrict wide policy swings from one Presidency to the next. Over the broad spectrum of American history, the differences of the parties have not always been very pronounced. Consider the Nixon years when social welfare spending jumped from just over 6% of the economy to over 10% largely at the behest of Republican Nixon. Such occurrences have fostered the words Demopublicans and Republocrats. Contrast that with the British system of Government that has produced broader policy swings when the Labour Party and the Conservative Party change roles. Read more
Erik Nunn dies in Nevada plane crash
June 29, 2008
Several independent sources say Erik Nunn died in a plane crash Saturday afternoon in Nevada. He was a candidate for a runoff election against incumbent Federal Glover for the Contra Costa Supervisor seat for District 5. Sources say Erik and his wife were en route to Las Vegas to meet with Las Vegas. Nunn earned his pilot’s license in 2006. Read more
Bonilla and DeSaulnier host healthcare town hall, Jul 9
June 27, 2008
Assemblyman Mark DeSaulnier (AD-11) will join Contra Costa County Supervisor Susan Bonilla for a town hall meeting about the impact of the proposed health care cuts in the state budget. If you are concerned or want to learn more, please join them at a community meeting on Wednesday, July 9, from 7-9 p.m. at the St. Francis Assisi Parish Hall, 860 Oak Grove Road, in Concord.
Spending limits key to California budget reform
June 26, 2008
Dan Weintraub of the Sacramento Bee wrote Wednesday that the GOP proposal for spending limits will be an important part of any forthcoming California budget deal. The spinning mandala of California budget reform centers on Republicans that want strict [spending] limits based on population growth and inflation that would shrink the size of government over time. Democrats say, “heck no.” Dems want no constraints on potential revenue enhancements—i.e. borrowing from potential lottery revenue, increased taxes on top earners, and reinstatement of vehicle fees—and say the state’s problem is not reckless spending but a chronic shortage of tax revenue. Read more
Scary comments from Justices Stevens and Breyer on Second Amendment
June 26, 2008
The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Americans have a right to own guns for self-defense in their homes, the justices’ first major pronouncement on gun rights in U.S. history. The truly scary thing is that while four liberal justices essentially voted to make the Second Amendment unconstitutional, sane people have to rely on whatever swing-vote Justice Kennedy is thinking on any given day. Next up: Pelosi ready to outlaw free speech! Read more
Quo vadis, Vallejo?
June 25, 2008
Taxpayers in Contra Costa (and around the world) are closely watching the implosion of the City of Vallejo into bankruptcy and wonder at potential outcomes. This week Vallejo asked judges to void four contracts with unionized public employees. A hearing is set for July 23. The city faces its first major bankruptcy milestone, tomorrow, Friday June 27, when city and union officials present their initial arguments to the court.
With an eye toward similar potential disaster in Contra Costa County, some wonder if it’s even possible to void such contracts. One observer opined that pro-union Democrat legislators have helped install safeguards against such
action, while another informed source quoted the California League of Cities, saying it was possible.
Meanwhile, an Open Letter that appeared in a recent edition
of Police Pay Journal, defends firefighters and police against poor municipal management and bad PR. Read more
CAO salary comparisons
June 24, 2008
Executive compensation abuse being in the news these days, it is no wonder there is some grumbling in our fair County over the new salary for David Twa, the new Contra Costa County Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Twa will receive a base annual salary of $250,000. Below see a comparison to other CAO salaries around the Bay Area and California.
$260,004 to run Martinez? Read more
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