Corporate Power, Walmart and the Undermining of the Democratic Process
By Joel A. Harrison
On February 1, the San Diego City Council repealed its recently passed “Big-Box Statute” which required an economic and environmental impact study precede approval to build stores of 90,000 or more square feet with 10 percent of floor space dedicated to nontaxable items such as groceries and prescription drugs. Similar ordinances exist around the nation. While currently this only applies to the City of San Diego, the basic principle affects us all. Prior to and following passage of the “Big-Box Statute” Walmart has spent millions of dollars on ads, full-page, radio and TV, created a front group “San Diego Consumers for Choice,” and a signature drive to get it on the ballot.
Pension Coalition to Governor, Legislature: Don't Undermine Retirement Security
By Dave Low
Californians for Health Care and Retirement Security
A broad coalition representing California’s public employees sent a letter Tuesday to California Gov. Jerry Brown and members of the Legislature, urging them to protect retirement security for those who serve the public.
The letter from the Californians for Health Care and Retirement Security (CHCRS) reminds the governor and lawmakers, currently engaged in talks to try to fill California’s gaping budget hole, of the concessions that state workers already have made to save state government $400 million. CHCRS represents more than 1.5 million teachers, firefighters, police, professional engineers, and public employees and retirees.
The text of the letter is as follows:
Studies: GOP Attack on California Pensions "Don't Match Reality"
By Steven Maviglio
As Republicans continue their Wisconsin-style bashing of state employees, two new reports released today show that public employee pensions are not to blame for the budget woes facing state and local governments.
Appearing on the front page of the Sacramento Bee, an independent review by McClatchy News found that the GOP attacks on public employment pensions "don't match reality."
"There's simply no evidence that state pensions are the current burden to public finances that their critics claim. Pension contributions from state and local employers aren't blowing up budgets," concluded the report.
International Women’s Day Highlights Nation’s Misguided Budget Priorities
By Randy Shaw
Beyond Chron
Yesterday was International Women’s Day, publicly celebrated throughout the world but given little attention in the United States. Ideally, it is a day for people to consider how their country’s budget priorities serve human needs, and to then take action. Women are likely to lead this effort. For example, on November 1, 1961, during President Kennedy’s first year and office and at the height of the Cold War, Women Strike for Peace brought 50,000 women together in 60 cities in the United States to demonstrate against nuclear weapons; a nuclear test-ban treaty was signed two years later.
