Andy Cohen

Thumbnail image for District 4 City Council Race: Character Matters

District 4 City Council Race: Character Matters

by Andy Cohen 05.21.2013 Editor's Picks

San Diego City Council runoff election boils down to a question of the character of the two candidates.

By Andy Cohen

Today is election day for the San Diego City Council District 4 special election. It has been quite a wild ride, particularly since Myrtle Cole stormed to the top of a very crowded primary field. The favorite from the get-go, Dwayne Crenshaw, the longtime San Diego politico and a familiar face in City Hall circles finished a surprisingly distant second, but due to the sheer number of candidates in the primary field, Cole still managed to finish with less than 50%+1 of the vote, triggering today’s runoff.

Both candidates are highly qualified for the office. Both candidates are likely to side strongly with the Democratic bloc of the City Council, and both candidates are likely to be more supportive of Mayor Bob Filner’s agenda than some of the more “centrist” current Democratic members of the City Council. I know, I know…..the San Diego City Council is officially supposed to be non-partisan, but that’s not the reality, and the fact that today’s special election will restore a one vote majority to the Democrats on the council is significant.

But that’s not the issue here. The real issue is one of character. Character matters. In fact, I would argue that character is the one thing that matters most when voters choose their elected representatives to government. If we can’t trust our elected officials to hold true to their word and to work in the best interests of the communities who hired them in the first place, then we cannot trust our government, period.

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Thumbnail image for Red Scare: The GOP and the Politics of Fear

Red Scare: The GOP and the Politics of Fear

by Andy Cohen 05.14.2013 Government

From prison realignment to Benghazi, fringe conspiracy theories and fearmongering remain the tools of choice in California Republicans’ quest to regain power.

By Andy Cohen

“We have serious problems to solve, and we need serious people to solve them,” said the fictional President Shepherd of his would be Republican opponent Bob Rumson. “And whatever your particular problem is I promise you Bob Rumson is not the least bit interested in solving it. He is interested in two things, and two things only: Making you afraid of it, and telling you who’s to blame for it.”

It was true back then in 1995 when Aaron Sorkin brought “The American President” to the screen, and God bless them, the GOP is still playing to type today. And we’re not just talking about national Republicans like Rand Paul and Ted Cruz and the NRA who are petrified that at any moment Nancy Pelosi is going to come charging through their doors and confiscate their Buck knives.

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Thumbnail image for City Attorney Launches Lawsuit Against Water Board, Owners of Tank Farm

City Attorney Launches Lawsuit Against Water Board, Owners of Tank Farm

by Andy Cohen 05.10.2013 Environment

Toxic plume of gasoline has contaminated Qualcomm Stadium property for 27 years.

by Andy Cohen

San Diego City Attorney Jan Goldsmith announced yesterday that the City of San Diego has filed a lawsuit against the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board and Kinder Morgan Energy Partners of Houston, Texas, the owner of the massive gasoline tank farm adjacent to the Qualcomm Stadium property, over contamination of Murphy Canyon Creek, the San Diego River, and ultimately, San Diego beaches.

It’s a suit nearly 27 years in the making, since the first plumes of gasoline began leaking from the tank farm in 1986.

“The City of San Diego is the victim here,” said Goldsmith in making the announcement. “Justice has not been done for this victim.”

Goldsmith was joined by City Council Members Sherri Lightner, Kevin Faulconer, Marti Emerald, and Scott Sherman. “We’re here today unanimous in support of the city to say ‘enough is enough!” said Faulconer.

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Thumbnail image for The Obama Approach to the Presidency

The Obama Approach to the Presidency

by Andy Cohen 05.07.2013 Government

Liberal fantasies about Obama’s power to bend intransigent Republicans in Congress to his will are not helping.

by Andy Cohen

President Obama has come under fire recently.  Which is not surprising given the blatant partisanship of Republicans in Congress.  It’s a matter of course that the Fox News’, Red States and World Net Dailies of the world would be quick to pile on Obama as a “failure.”  But what is surprising is that this time the fire is of the “friendly” variety, coming from more liberal bloggers and opinion writers.  The Senate’s failure to pass the Manchin-Toomey gun background checks bill, the uproar of criticism toward Obama headed toward a fever pitch.

The cavalcade began with New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd and her piercing commentary about how it’s Obama’s job “to get them (Congress) to behave.”  The liberal doubters—nay, Progressive doubters—took that as the green light to pile on, and the avalanche had begun.

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Thumbnail image for Initiative Seeks to Bring California In Line with Other Oil Producing States

Initiative Seeks to Bring California In Line with Other Oil Producing States

by Andy Cohen 04.30.2013 Business

Californians for Responsible Economic Development pushing ballot initiative to create oil and gas severance tax

by Andy Cohen

North Dakota does it. Louisiana does it. Florida too, and Alaska. Even Texas has an oil and gas severance tax, which largely funds state government there. Alaska is almost entirely dependent on their oil severance tax.

But in California, no such tax exists. California, unlike just about every other oil producing state in the U.S., practically gives away its natural resources to private industry. That could change, however, by way of the 2014 midterm elections.

The group Californians for Responsible Economic Development hopes to bring an initiative to California voters in 2014 that will impose a 9.5% severance tax on any and all oil and natural gas extracted from California land or coastal waters, a fairly modest proposal in comparison to other states. The fee in North Dakota, for example, is 11.5%. In Louisiana the rate tacks up to 12.5%. In Alaska, oil companies are dinged at the rate of 25-50% of the net value of the oil and gas extracted. California is clearly missing out on a massive revenue opportunity for state coffers.

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Thumbnail image for Federal Government Should Carefully Consider Whether Aid Warranted in West, Texas

Federal Government Should Carefully Consider Whether Aid Warranted in West, Texas

by Andy Cohen 04.23.2013 Business

Texans want limited government, their wishes should be fulfilled in West.

The explosion in West was ultimately caused by a failure of oversight in deference to private industry. This was a private company acting irresponsibly, not a natural disaster. The explosion was caused by an excessive amount of ammonium nitrate on the site. Ammonium nitrate is a primary component of some large bombs used by terrorists, including the bomb used by Timothy McVeigh to blow up the federal building in Oklahoma City.

The plant also reportedly had no automatic shutoff system, no firewall, and no sprinkler system. Safety for the workers and the surrounding community was obviously not any kind of priority.

It stands to reason, then, that the owners of the private West Fertilizer Company should be held responsible for the damage they caused, not the taxpayers. After all, that’s what the Conservatives in Texas want—for business to be able to do what business does best. That also means, however, being held entirely accountable when they screw up, which is not something Conservatives have been very good at. Apparently it’s not in the Republican lexicon.

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Thumbnail image for Fear and Paranoia in the Battle for Gun Safety

Fear and Paranoia in the Battle for Gun Safety

by Andy Cohen 04.17.2013 Government

The Founders warned us about an overzealous protection of liberties.

by Andy Cohen

The fight over guns rages on. The good news is that the parents and relatives of the victims of the Newtown, Connecticut school shooting have not allowed us to forget what happened in their quiet little town last December. The bad news is that it still doesn’t look like anything significant is going to get done.

The whole argument would seem to be pretty cut and dry, and relatively simple to resolve: Ban assault weapons from public ownership—after all, their sole purpose is for killing large numbers of people in a very short period of time. Adam Lanza, the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooter, managed to fire off 154 rounds during his five minute rampage that took the lives of 20 young kids and six adults. There is no earthly reason for anyone outside of the military or police forces to own such a weapon. They’re not used to hunt. They’re used to kill people. That’s what they were made for.

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Thumbnail image for Definitely Not Business As Usual at City Hall

Definitely Not Business As Usual at City Hall

by Andy Cohen 04.09.2013 Economy

Filner commited to changing the culture of city government

By Andy Cohen

Last spring, then mayoral candidate Bob Filner promised anyone who would listen that should he be elected Mayor of San Diego after 20 years in Congress, business as usual would no longer be tolerated by his office. The “Downtown Special Interests,” he said, had controlled San Diego for too long, and it was time to put it to an end.

In his mind, the “special interests” controlled the agenda in San Diego. From the big developers to the big hoteliers, the perception has long been that the wealthy and powerful of this city have enjoyed an outsized influence over City Hall. The City Council and the Mayor’s office have often been viewed as nothing more than a rubber stamp for their agenda, which has focused primarily on Downtown for at least the last 20 years.

That would change under a Bob Filner administration, he promised. The focus would be placed on what was good for the city as a whole, not just what worked best for private business interests. It was an interesting campaign promise that many believed was nothing more than lip service; the kind of things politicians often say in order to impress the voters. But we all knew once in office the power brokers would once again resume their place at the top of the hierarchy. That’s the way it’s always been done. No real reason to expect that to change.

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Thumbnail image for A Tale of two City Council Meetings

A Tale of two City Council Meetings

by Andy Cohen 04.02.2013 Business

The contentious, adversarial nature of one meeting gives way to the spirit of cooperation and common ground.

What a difference a couple of days make, eh? Last Tuesday the San Diego City Council—save one member—looked like it was fully intent on joining forces with the local hotel lobby to declare an all out war on the newly elected Mayor. The Mayor was backed into a corner while the Council attempted to force him to sign a contract he was vehemently opposed to signing. But this Council was unbowed, determined to show the mayor just exactly who ran this city—they would show him who was in charge.

It was a rather embarrassing episode, really.

At the conclusion of agenda item S501, it was clear what interests the City Council represented, and it wasn’t those of the voters who elected them. Their strings were being pulled by someone else.

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Thumbnail image for Local Pols Lead Rally to Save Historic La Jolla Post Office

Local Pols Lead Rally to Save Historic La Jolla Post Office

by Andy Cohen 03.28.2013 Business

San Diego Congressional Representatives Scott Peters and Susan Davis joined City Councilwoman Sherri Lightner and members of the La Jolla community in an effort to save the historic 77 year old La Jolla post office this afternoon from the United States Postal Service ax.

Davis, whose 53rd District previously included La Jolla prior to redistricting, had introduced legislation in the last Congress that would allow community interests to purchase the building and lease it back to the Postal Service at a nominal rate. Peters, as the new representative to the area, has taken up that mantle and reintroduced the bill.

“The U.S. Postal Service is under attack,” and they need more funding, said Davis.

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Thumbnail image for America at a Crossroads: The Civil Rights Issue of Our Time

America at a Crossroads: The Civil Rights Issue of Our Time

by Andy Cohen 03.26.2013 Activism

Will the Supreme Court reinstate the “separate but equal” doctrine that was overturned in 1951?

The Supreme Court of the United States today takes up the first of two cases involving the rights of gays and lesbians to marry. Today, they heard oral arguments in Hollingsworth v Perry, the challenge to California’s Prop 8, banning same sex marriage. On Wednesday, the justices will hear arguments in United States v Windsor, the challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

It boils down to this: Should gays and lesbians have the same rights as straight people? Or should we as a society be allowed to discriminate against them because of who they are? In reality it is an issue that has implications that extend far beyond whether or not the marriages of gays and lesbians should be legally recognized. It is no different than the civil rights fight of the 60’s, where African Americans were routinely discriminated against for no other reason than the color of their skin.

This is a losing battle for social conservatives who continue to want to drag this country back to the 1950’s, and they know it. Our society has evolved on marriage equality, doing almost a complete 180 even since Prop 8 passed with just over 52% of the vote in 2008, despite polling showing at the time that 51% of Californians accepted same sex marriage. Prop 8 reinstated the ban on gay marriage in California that had been overruled by state courts.

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Thumbnail image for Emerald: It’s Time to Take the Mayor Seriously

Emerald: It’s Time to Take the Mayor Seriously

by Andy Cohen 03.25.2013 Business

City Council likely to amend resolution to nullify judge’s ruling

Last Friday Judge Timothy Taylor affirmed his tentative ruling in favor of Mayor Bob Filner in the Tourism Marketing District’s suit against him personally, determining that the Mayor was not in fact obligated to sign a contract negotiated by the City Council and previous mayor. The language in the resolution authorizing the city to enter into an operating agreement with the Tourism and Marketing Authority, Taylor found, allowed the Mayor to sign an agreement, but did not mandate that he sign this agreement.

There is one caveat, however: The judge will entertain another hearing should the City Council see fit to revise its resolution and close the loophole and instead require Filner to sign the contract in front of him. The City Council was due to take up the matter in closed session last week, but tabled it until after Friday’s court hearing. They are now slated to discuss it Tuesday.

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Thumbnail image for Yer Up Aztecs!

Yer Up Aztecs!

by Andy Cohen 03.22.2013 Sports

7th seeded SDSU faces 10 seed Oklahoma tonight in the NCAA Tournament

Let’s get this out in the open: I’m a homer. Not a blind homer, but a homer nonetheless when it comes to the San Diego State Aztecs. MY Aztecs. I attended San Diego State University (sadly earned my degree elsewhere, though), and have been a SDSU basketball season ticket holder since Head Coach Steve Fisher arrived on Montezuma Mesa, and a regular attendee during the most putrid of days since Cox/Viejas arena first opened its doors. Hell, we paid for the damn thing, might as well use it, right?

OK, so that’s done. I have a vested interest in what happens tonight in the Aztecs’ NCAA Tournament matchup with Oklahoma and their head coach, old MWC foe Lon Kruger, formerly the boss at UNLV.

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Thumbnail image for Filner Frustrated by Lack of Cooperation

Filner Frustrated by Lack of Cooperation

by Andy Cohen 03.21.2013 Business

Preliminary ruling favors mayor in TMD contract dispute–UPDATED: Statement from Mayor Filner

During the first four months of his administration, Mayor Bob Filner has received precious little cooperation from other city agencies. And although he won’t say it directly, he is frustrated. In an interview yesterday with the San Diego Free Press, however, the Mayor made it clear that he was not going to back down, particularly in his battle with the private Tourism Marketing Authority.

He also sounded very much like a man on a deserted island.

Discussing the Tourism and Marketing District controversy ahead of the court hearing Friday that will determine whether Filner is to be compelled to sign a contract agreed to by the previous City Council and mayor negotiated, Filner stood firm in his opposition to the agreement as presented. It is a fight that has very much isolated him from the rest of the city’s government.

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Thumbnail image for Hotel Interests Battle to Preserve Business As Usual in TMD Fight

Hotel Interests Battle to Preserve Business As Usual in TMD Fight

by Andy Cohen 03.19.2013 Business

Mayor seeks to turn over a new leaf in San Diego governance.

For decades San Diego has been governed by the principle that what’s good for our big corporate employers is good for San Diego as a whole, resulting in an arguably outsized influence by private moneyed interests over our elected officials, often leading to sweetheart deals and diminished public control over public assets.

That characterization manifested itself in last November’s mayoral election. The ballot reflected not only a choice between Carl DeMaio and Bob Filner, Republican and Democrat, last November’s election offered a referendum on the way San Diegans wanted business conducted at City Hall on their behalf. DeMaio represented a move even further toward deference to the Doug Manchesters of the region, while Filner offered a shift in focus toward neighborhood development over corporate development; a middle out approach rather than a top down approach.

Bob Filner won convincingly, signaling that San Diego was anxious for a change, with the fight over the Tourism and Marketing District reflective of the changes represented by Filner’s election.

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Thumbnail image for Filner Presents Counteroffer to TMD Board

Filner Presents Counteroffer to TMD Board

by Andy Cohen 03.18.2013 Business

Update: TMD Board rejects Filner’s offer

San Diego Mayor Bob Filner has presented a modified proposal to the Tourism and Marketing District board that he says would release the disputed funds earmarked for advertising immediately.

The counteroffer was presented to the TMD last week. The board was scheduled to discuss it in a closed door meeting today, but given the pending lawsuit the group filed against the mayor it is unlikely that any movement will be made toward resolving the dispute.

“I am negotiating in full faith here,” said Filner, noting that he has not heard any feedback from TMD executives.

According to a UT-San Diego report, one member of the TMD board has said that he doesn’t trust the mayor and would not support the new proposal.

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Thumbnail image for Filner Joins Rally to Combat Climate Change

Filner Joins Rally to Combat Climate Change

by Andy Cohen 03.16.2013 Activism

Mayor Bob Filner joined Vibrant San Diego activists this morning at a rally in front of the Walgreen’s on 32nd Street and University Avenue in North Park to promote a more bikeable, walkable San Diego.

Nearly 100 San Diego residents—many of them on bicycles—gathered to promote a cleaner, healthier environment and to encourage more people to use public transportation options. The group marched down University to the Albertson’s on Mississippi St. to end the rally.

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Thumbnail image for Ben Hueso Wins Senate District 40 Race

Ben Hueso Wins Senate District 40 Race

by Andy Cohen 03.13.2013 Politics

Democratic Assemblyman wins primary outright, avoids runoff

Did you know that there was an election last night? Southern Californians trickled into the polls to choose a replacement for now Congressman Juan Vargas. Ben Hueso, the Democratic State Assemblyman from San Diego cruised to victory, avoiding a runoff election with over 52% of the vote.

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Thumbnail image for Convention Center Ruling Reinforces Private Tax Scheme

Convention Center Ruling Reinforces Private Tax Scheme

by Andy Cohen 03.12.2013 Business

Props 13 and 218 necessitate convoluted scheme to effectively privatize public assets

The privatization of public resources took another step toward reality yesterday, although in this particular case it may not be a terrible thing. In a tentative ruling, Judge Ronald Prager determined that the unusual taxation method being used to finance the $520 million expansion of the San Diego Convention Center is perfectly legal, giving the project the green light.

The San Diego hotel interests and the City Council decided that they wanted the expansion project to happen, and they didn’t think they could get the 2/3 vote of the public in order to raise the TOT (a logic that might also be applied to the TMD, but more on that in another post). Instead, they used a provision in Prop 218 that allows local property owners to choose to tax themselves without a public vote.

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Thumbnail image for Judge Tentatively Rules in Favor of Convention Center Expansion Project

Judge Tentatively Rules in Favor of Convention Center Expansion Project

by Andy Cohen 03.11.2013 Business

San Diego Convention Center Expansion Project back on schedule to begin construction in 2014, with 2017 completion date.

In a ruling issued today, judge Ronald Prager ruled that the funding mechanism for the Convention Center Facilities District that was set up to fund the $520 million Convention Center expansion project is legal and the project can proceed as planned.

At issue was whether the hoteliers could legally vote to essentially raise taxes that they charge on hotel guests outside of the city’s existing transient occupancy tax, which currently sits at 10.5%. Two separate attempts in 2004 to raise the TOT both failed, despite the 2004 measure earning nearly 62% approval of the voters. State law at the time required that any measure proposing to raise taxes of any kind required the approval of a full two-thirds of the voters in order to become law. The second ballot measure in November 2004 earned over 58% approval of the voters.

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