Ezra Klein of the Washington Post is the subject of a fantastic profile in The New Republic. You may have seen him substituing as a host on various MSNBC shows or as a policy wonk on different news programs. What…
Orange County - Local
I’m Still Standing
by Chris Prevatt •
It was ten-years ago that I contacted the Compliance Officer for the Orange County Health Care Agency to report improper conduct on the part of the agency related to the management of Federal HIV/AIDS funds. I was a Program Supervisor…
National-US, Orange County - Local
OC Register Editorial Wrong: Issa Not Serious About His Job
by Chris Prevatt •
Darrell Issa, the congressman representing much of south Orange County is far from the serious legislator that an Orange County Register editorial claims he is. Apparently, after 12 years in office, Darrell Issa, or at least his staff, have not learned that the President does not introduce legislation.
Orange County - Local
OC Register Ad Policy Looks To Curb Negative Political Attacks
by Editorial Staff •
Apparently an ad that calls out the only two responsible council members remaining who’s action to award a $158 million tax subsidy was voided by a judge because the issue was not properly noticed as required by the Brown Act violates the OC Register’s advertising sensibilities and hence its policy.
Orange County - Local
I’ll take this job for…
by Editorial Staff •
Yesterday we learned an interesting detail about how the “Negotiators” on the Orange County Board of Supervisors go about hiring a new CEO. Rumors have been floating around the Hall of Administration that the new CEO would be paid enough to offset the amount that they must pay to cover their share of their pension benefits.
Orange County - Local
Hiring A CEO: A Lesson in Transparency?
by Editorial Staff •
Today the Orange County Board of Supervisors will be discussing both the compensation for their new CEO and the appointment of that CEO, the latter in closed session. With all of the kerfuffle over the severance package and compensation that former CEO Tom Mauk received, one might think the Board of Supervisors would not try to ram anything through at the last minute.
Orange County - Local
An Investment in an Untruth
by Dan Chmielewski •
Irvine’s new Republican majority has been taking the world’s longest victory lap. The Register’s Frank Mickadeit has written several flattering columns and OC Weekly’s Scott Moxley continues to triple down on the notion he alerted the public to a possible theft of…
Orange County - Local
Irvine, 3rd Best Run City in Nation, Looks for Cheaper Contracts
by Dan Chmielewski •
A Republican mantra oft heard is that government should run like a business. Mind you, the goal of a business is to be profitable and there are many things Government does that can’t be profitable and are a straight expense…
Orange County - Local
Government Executive Pay and Severance Agreements Are Out of Control
by Editorial Staff •
The bill for Santa Ana’s decision to release it’s former City Manager, Paul Walters, from service has been released, and it’s a big one—$706,396.85. This pattern is repeated in city after city, county after county, government entity after government entity.
Orange County - Local
Will OC Register’s Publisher Make a Play for the Boston Globe?
by Dan Chmielewski •
According to sources close to the situation and a story in media pundit Jim Romensko’s blog, the New York Times Company is shopping the Boston Globe and other New England media properties around. The Globe has suffered significant staff cuts…
Orange County - Local
Minimum Wage Increase Will Not Kill Jobs
by Chris Prevatt •
It’s a classic argument offered by Libertarian economists; “an increase in the minimum wage will kill jobs.” The problem with the argument is that the facts show this isn’t the case. A 2011 study found that minimum wages don’t hurt the employment prospects of low-wage workers.
Orange County - Local
MSNBC Documentary on Selling the Iraq War Debuts Tonight
by Dan Chmielewski •
It’s been 10 years since President George W. Bush used the State of the Union address to lie this nation into war with the claim that Iraq had been stockpiling materials and enriched uranium to manufacture Weapons of Mass Destruction…
