CC Times News Blog

Legislation would strip UC of independence

2009-06-05T02:05:00.005-07:00

Legislation introduced this week would strip the University of California of most of its constitutional independence, a move the university called "absurd."

The constitutional amendment was proposed by a bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, who said UC spends too much on administrative salaries. The measures, which must be approved by both legislators and voters, would put the 10-campus university system under legislative control.

The university has had control of its own management since 1879.

UC responded to the amendments with its own angrily worded statement, chiding the Legislature for its own failures and arguing that the university pays most of its leaders less than market value. "Let's be clear: UC is working," read the unsigned statement. "At a time when it has become popular to mock California, the university survives as one of the state's great success stories.

"It has thrived under the system of autonomous governance, led by the (UC Board of Regents), that was so wisely written into the Constitution by our pioneers."

In order to be placed on the statewide ballot, the amendment would need the approval of two-thirds of the Legislature.

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Legislation would strip UC of independence

2009-06-05T02:05:00.003-07:00

Legislation introduced this week would strip the University of California of most of its constitutional independence, a move the university called "absurd."

The university has had control of its own management since 1879.

"It has thrived under the system of autonomous governance, led by the (UC Board of Regents), that was so wisely written into the Constitution by our pioneers."

In order to be placed on the statewide ballot, the amendment would need the approval of two-thirds of the Legislature.

Wet harvest adds to cattle farmers’ woes

After court ruling, UC employees question whistle-blowing

Democrats vow to change two-thirds requirement

Wet harvest adds to cattle farmers’ woes

After court ruling, UC employees question whistle-blowing

Democrats vow to change two-thirds requirement

Legislation would strip UC of independence

2009-06-05T02:05:00.001-07:00

Legislation introduced this week would strip the University of California of most of its constitutional independence, a move the university called "absurd."

The university has had control of its own management since 1879.

"It has thrived under the system of autonomous governance, led by the (UC Board of Regents), that was so wisely written into the Constitution by our pioneers."

In order to be placed on the statewide ballot, the amendment would need the approval of two-thirds of the Legislature.

Wet harvest adds to cattle farmers’ woes

AbitibiBowater urges N.L. government to repeal ‘illegal’ bill: letter

After court ruling, UC employees question whistle-blowing

Democrats vow to change two-thirds requirement

Republican leader: Democrats stalling on budget

Wet harvest adds to cattle farmers’ woes

AbitibiBowater urges N.L. government to repeal ‘illegal’ bill: letter

After court ruling, UC employees question whistle-blowing

Democrats vow to change two-thirds requirement

Republican leader: Democrats stalling on budget

Contra Costa braces for deeper budget cuts in core programs

2009-06-04T19:01:00.009-07:00

MARTINEZ — State budget cuts and further dire economic predictions will force Contra Costa to shutter entire departments, consolidate others, lay off employees and turn successful programs into a shadow of their former selves, the county administrator warned supervisors Tuesday.

"We will have to look at how we can restructure the county," David Twa said.

In addition to almost $150 million in county cuts since May, Contra Costa waits for yet another shoe to drop as the state untangles a $25 billion mess. Health services and employment and human services expect to get hit the hardest in the latest round of cuts.

"It's been bad. It's been horrible and it's going to get worse," said Mary Piepho, a Discovery Bay supervisor, after Twa and two department heads gave their oral reports.

Contra Costa expects to lose as much as $33 million to the state, which plans to borrow county property tax revenue. The state would have to return the money within three years with interest, but no interest rate is set and there are few guarantees in this economic climate, Twa said. As Contra Costa takes on more debt, it will incur higher interest rates on other loans as well, he said.

The state may also take a portion of vehicle license fee revenue designated for public safety, as well as shift inmates from state prisons to county jails, Twa said.

Employment and human services and health services could see the most severe cutbacks.

The Advertisementworst-case proposals for employment and human services:

Eliminate the CalWORKS program, impacting 10,395 Contra Costa families that receive benefits if they meet federal work requirements. The move would send those families onto general assistance, increasing county costs from $93,000 a month to $5.3 million a month, said Joe Valentine, employment and human services director.

Eliminate in-home support services to only the most disabled clients, causing 85 percent or 6,511 persons in Contra Costa to lose assistance.Although the move would save the county $15 million annually, those clients could end up in institutional homes and 2,764 workers who care for them could wind up in the county health care system after losing work, costing Contra Costa in the long-run, Valentine said.

Cut child welfare services and group foster care homes funding by 10 percent.

In Contra Costa, the cutbacks could cost 15 social workers their jobs and impact 475 foster children, Valentine said.

The worst-case proposals for health services:

Eliminate the Healthy Families Program statewide, impacting 13,200 Contra Costa children and costing the county about $15.5 million, said William Walker, health services director. The program provides low-cost health insurance for children.

Reduce the county's HIV/AIDS programs funding by 80 percent. "It would be devastating to HIV/AIDS patients in our county," Walker said.

The state cuts would lead to job losses for county employees whose positions are funded by state dollars.

In addition, due to a state cash shortfall, both health services and employment and human services departments' July and August payments may get delayed, causing Contra Costa to borrow more money, Twa said.

"The system is so broken we have to start from scratch," said Supervisor John Gioia of Richmond, "but we can use this as an opportunity to reform state government."

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Contra Costa braces for deeper budget cuts in core programs

2009-06-04T19:01:00.007-07:00

"We will have to look at how we can restructure the county," David Twa said.

"It's been bad. It's been horrible and it's going to get worse," said Mary Piepho, a Discovery Bay supervisor, after Twa and two department heads gave their oral reports.

The state may also take a portion of vehicle license fee revenue designated for public safety, as well as shift inmates from state prisons to county jails, Twa said.

Employment and human services and health services could see the most severe cutbacks.

The Advertisementworst-case proposals for employment and human services:

Cut child welfare services and group foster care homes funding by 10 percent.

In Contra Costa, the cutbacks could cost 15 social workers their jobs and impact 475 foster children, Valentine said.

The worst-case proposals for health services:

Reduce the county's HIV/AIDS programs funding by 80 percent. "It would be devastating to HIV/AIDS patients in our county," Walker said.

The state cuts would lead to job losses for county employees whose positions are funded by state dollars.

"The system is so broken we have to start from scratch," said Supervisor John Gioia of Richmond, "but we can use this as an opportunity to reform state government."

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Contra Costa concerned over state budget issues

Contra Costa supes to discuss deeper budget cuts

More ‘devastating’ cuts for Contra Costa

Contra Costa braces for deeper budget cuts in core programs

2009-06-04T19:01:00.005-07:00

"We will have to look at how we can restructure the county," David Twa said.

"It's been bad. It's been horrible and it's going to get worse," said Mary Piepho, a Discovery Bay supervisor, after Twa and two department heads gave their oral reports.

The state may also take a portion of vehicle license fee revenue designated for public safety, as well as shift inmates from state prisons to county jails, Twa said.

Employment and human services and health services could see the most severe cutbacks.

The Advertisementworst-case proposals for employment and human services:

Cut child welfare services and group foster care homes funding by 10 percent.

In Contra Costa, the cutbacks could cost 15 social workers their jobs and impact 475 foster children, Valentine said.

The worst-case proposals for health services:

Reduce the county's HIV/AIDS programs funding by 80 percent. "It would be devastating to HIV/AIDS patients in our county," Walker said.

The state cuts would lead to job losses for county employees whose positions are funded by state dollars.

"The system is so broken we have to start from scratch," said Supervisor John Gioia of Richmond, "but we can use this as an opportunity to reform state government."

Ottawa to face bigger deficit: TD Bank

Contra Costa concerned over state budget issues

Contra Costa supes to discuss deeper budget cuts

More ‘devastating’ cuts for Contra Costa

Ottawa to face bigger deficit: TD Bank

Contra Costa concerned over state budget issues

Contra Costa supes to discuss deeper budget cuts

More ‘devastating’ cuts for Contra Costa

Contra Costa braces for deeper budget cuts in core programs

2009-06-04T19:01:00.003-07:00

"We will have to look at how we can restructure the county," David Twa said.

"It's been bad. It's been horrible and it's going to get worse," said Mary Piepho, a Discovery Bay supervisor, after Twa and two department heads gave their oral reports.

The state may also take a portion of vehicle license fee revenue designated for public safety, as well as shift inmates from state prisons to county jails, Twa said.

Employment and human services and health services could see the most severe cutbacks.

The Advertisementworst-case proposals for employment and human services:

Cut child welfare services and group foster care homes funding by 10 percent.

In Contra Costa, the cutbacks could cost 15 social workers their jobs and impact 475 foster children, Valentine said.

The worst-case proposals for health services:

Reduce the county's HIV/AIDS programs funding by 80 percent. "It would be devastating to HIV/AIDS patients in our county," Walker said.

The state cuts would lead to job losses for county employees whose positions are funded by state dollars.

"The system is so broken we have to start from scratch," said Supervisor John Gioia of Richmond, "but we can use this as an opportunity to reform state government."

Ottawa to face bigger deficit: TD Bank

Contra Costa concerned over state budget issues

Contra Costa supes to discuss deeper budget cuts

Contra Costa braces for deeper budget cuts in core programs

2009-06-04T19:01:00.001-07:00

"We will have to look at how we can restructure the county," David Twa said.

"It's been bad. It's been horrible and it's going to get worse," said Mary Piepho, a Discovery Bay supervisor, after Twa and two department heads gave their oral reports.

The state may also take a portion of vehicle license fee revenue designated for public safety, as well as shift inmates from state prisons to county jails, Twa said.

Employment and human services and health services could see the most severe cutbacks.

The Advertisementworst-case proposals for employment and human services:

Cut child welfare services and group foster care homes funding by 10 percent.

In Contra Costa, the cutbacks could cost 15 social workers their jobs and impact 475 foster children, Valentine said.

The worst-case proposals for health services:

Reduce the county's HIV/AIDS programs funding by 80 percent. "It would be devastating to HIV/AIDS patients in our county," Walker said.

The state cuts would lead to job losses for county employees whose positions are funded by state dollars.

"The system is so broken we have to start from scratch," said Supervisor John Gioia of Richmond, "but we can use this as an opportunity to reform state government."

Ottawa to face bigger deficit: TD Bank

Contra Costa concerned over state budget issues

Contra Costa supes to discuss deeper budget cuts

More ‘devastating’ cuts for Contra Costa

Contra Costa braces for deeper budget cuts in core programs

2009-06-04T19:00:00.001-07:00

"We will have to look at how we can restructure the county," David Twa said.

"It's been bad. It's been horrible and it's going to get worse," said Mary Piepho, a Discovery Bay supervisor, after Twa and two department heads gave their oral reports.

The state may also take a portion of vehicle license fee revenue designated for public safety, as well as shift inmates from state prisons to county jails, Twa said.

Employment and human services and health services could see the most severe cutbacks.

The Advertisementworst-case proposals for employment and human services:

Cut child welfare services and group foster care homes funding by 10 percent.

In Contra Costa, the cutbacks could cost 15 social workers their jobs and impact 475 foster children, Valentine said.

The worst-case proposals for health services:

Reduce the county's HIV/AIDS programs funding by 80 percent. "It would be devastating to HIV/AIDS patients in our county," Walker said.

The state cuts would lead to job losses for county employees whose positions are funded by state dollars.

"The system is so broken we have to start from scratch," said Supervisor John Gioia of Richmond, "but we can use this as an opportunity to reform state government."

Ottawa to face bigger deficit: TD Bank

Wet harvest adds to cattle farmers’ woes

Contra Costa concerned over state budget issues

Contra Costa supes to discuss deeper budget cuts

Ottawa to face bigger deficit: TD Bank

Wet harvest adds to cattle farmers’ woes

Contra Costa concerned over state budget issues

Contra Costa supes to discuss deeper budget cuts

Old rules for lighting up in Contra Costa may be up in smoke

2009-05-21T20:45:00.003-07:00

Apartment landlords would have to alert prospective tenants of which neighbors smoke and how they handle cigarette complaints under an updated secondhand smoking ordinance Contra Costa supervisors will discuss today.

The supervisors will vote on recommendations that add teeth to already strict smoking regulations in unincorporated Contra Costa County. The ordinance could also hold restaurant owners liable for smoking in outdoor dining areas, a regulation that some proprietors have been ignoring, said Wendel Brunner, Contra Costa's public health director.

Upon supervisors' direction, county counsel and the county's Tobacco Prevention Project will craft amendments to the county's 2006 Secondhand Smoke Protections Ordinance and return it to the board for formal approval. Contra Costa's regulations already restrict smoking in many public areas, including trails and parks; service areas, such as ATMs or bus stops; and common indoor and outdoor areas of multiunit residences, among other restrictions.

The county is stopping short of recommending a ban on smoking anywhere in apartment buildings, like the ordinance Belmont passed.

"We're trying to get away from public health telling people what to do and rather making sure they have the information to make good choices," Brunner said. "I do think secondhand smoking in multiunit complexes is an important issue and we do get a lot of complaints about it."

Prospective tenants would have the Advertisementright to know if smoking is allowed in certain apartments and if any of their neighbors smoke. The rental market may force many apartment buildings to become nonsmoking, Brunner said, if more tenants seek out that environment.

Dee Casarez, 62, of Concord, was enjoying a drag of her cigarette Monday near Todos Santos Plaza.

The apartment dweller and lifetime smoker said the ordinance infuriates her.

"What's offending is the government stepping in and telling us what to do," she said. "If they are going to start doing that, I'll move to Russia, Iraq or Iran "... at least they won't tell me what to do there.

"I'm very conscious of what I do and I totally get what people are saying, but at the same time I expect the same understanding," she said. "We're like second-class citizens. I pay taxes, too."

Meanwhile, some restaurant owners have ignored the rules banning smoking in outdoor dining patios, Brunner said. The ordinance would prohibit ashtrays in those areas and hold owners liable.

Richmond and Pinole city councils will vote on secondhand smoking ordinances Tuesday.

Richmond will vote whether to prohibit cigarette and tobacco product-sampling within city limits, smoking in certain public places, and to require tobacco retailers to secure a license from the police before selling tobacco products.

Pinole will vote whether to ban smoking in public parks, trails and open spaces, along with adding a 20-foot no-smoking buffer around public buildings. The city prohibits smoking in public buildings.

Two weeks ago, the Martinez City Council passed the strictest secondhand smoking ordinance in the county. The city established smoke-free zones within 20 feet of any enclosed area where smoking is prohibited, even private establishments such as bars and restaurants. State law only prohibits smoking within 20 feet of entryways, exits and public buildings' windows.

"There's a moving trend in Contra Costa and the state of California to protect people from these air contaminants," said Denice Dennis, the county's Tobacco Prevention Project manager.

Secondhand smoke is designated a human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A California EPA study in October 2005 linked secondhand smoke to a variety of adverse health effects, including cancer, heart disease and respiratory ailments.

The supervisors will meet at 9 a.m. today in the board chamber, 651 Pine St., Martinez.

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Old rules for lighting up in Contra Costa may be up in smoke

2009-05-21T20:45:00.001-07:00