Hiram Johnson

Constitutional Convention? I Like It!

By Hiram Johnson | 03/13/09

Schwarzenegger backs California Constitutional Convention(Sac Bee, Kevin Yamamura)Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger endorsed a California constitutional convention - last used in 1878 - as a way to fix what he described Thursday as the state's "dysfunctional" system.Speaking at the Commonwealth Club of California, the Republican governor took dead aim at potential foes of budget-related measures he wants voters to pass May 19 while embracing several... read more »

New Democrat Blog Worth Reading

By Hiram Johnson | 03/11/09

Since I like to read opinions from all sides, unlike my fellow blogger Mr. Murphy, I was disappointed during the election with the slow rate of publishing on the local Democrat blog San Diego Politico. There was plenty of opportunity for the blog, but it just never really got its engine running... and tended towards rants (yes we have some of those on Red County too) rather than insightful opinions or insider gossip. That's why I was happy to... read more »

Here We Go Again in Chula Vista

By Hiram Johnson | 02/27/09

While I could not agree more with North Pole's idea to sacrifice a county supervisor to the god of fiscal conservatism, I think North Pole is thinking small. In yesterday's Union Tribune we hear the start of the drum beat for higher taxes in Chula Vista, perhaps the worst run city in the county (no small feat). I think we all have heard what pro-taxers are going to argue -- without higher taxes they'll have to fire all the police officers and... read more »

Uvaldo? Unlikely.

By Hiram Johnson | 02/23/09

I've heard several times in the past two weeks that former Councilman Uvaldo Martinez is considering running for San Diego City Council again. Maybe Martinez hasn't been watching or reading the news over the past few years, but ethics is something that voters are a little concerned with. Why do I bring up ethics? I'll just quote from San Diego Magazine, 1996:"Booted out of office a decade ago for charging lavish personal lunches and dinners on... read more »

A Great Idea

By Hiram Johnson | 02/05/09

Series Sponsor:Public Pensions:Out of control or supportingquality of life for working families? Co-Hosted by: Tuesday, March 3, 2009   PANELISTS   The Honorable Carl DeMaio   Marcia Fritz, CPA   April Boling, CPA     Councilmember, City of San Diego    California Foundation for Fiscal Responsibility    Chair, City of San Diego 2003-04 Pension Reform... read more »

Reputations of Some of the New Council Members

By Hiram Johnson | 02/05/09

I had drinks with, and breakfast with, a fairly good mix of City Hall insiders who work inside and outside City Hall on various matters over the last few days. As an aside I asked them what they thought of the new Councilwoman Sherri Lightner. To a person, the response was positive. From the comments, Lightner sounds non-ideological and pragmatic, and not as tied to the labor unions as the unions would have had us all believe in their post... read more »

The Difference

By Hiram Johnson | 01/29/09

Pat Flannery makes some good points in this column in his blog - but again he fails to understand that while, yes, unions are only 15% of the work force EVERY union employee is forced to give money for politics, while private employees are not and do not. I think this blog should ask Eric Christen for more on the topic.The right not to associate - union shop vs. merit shop. 01/28/09 by Pat FlanneryThere is an interesting exchange... read more »

Two Columns Worth Reading This Morning

By Hiram Johnson | 01/26/09

Skimming the LA Times this morning I came upon two articles worth reading. The first was a column by Mike Hiltzik whacking Republican Gubernatorial candidate Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner for going soft on the insurance companies he regulates. The second is a column by George Skelton discussing how very hard it is to find waste (!) in government, and how Governor Schwarzenegger failed in his promise to 'blow up the boxes'.  read more »

Lot of Grumbling

By Hiram Johnson | 01/21/09

It's not just this morning's posts - I have heard a great deal of grumbling overall from Republicans of every stripe about both our officials and the party in general at a national, state, and local level. Maybe this is just the result of the route in November, but I don't think so. I think that the Republican Party is due for an overall look at who we are and what we stand for. read more »

November 09 Election?

By Hiram Johnson | 01/05/09

I heard talk this morning that Governor Schwarzenegger will be calling a November 09 election to deal with the budget crisis in Sacramento (good luck). Just what we need, yet another election. Speculation was that the labor council representatives are considering using that election to place a number of new taxes on the ballot to fill in San Diego City's huge budget hole... including a tax on a number of local businesses. read more »