[h=1]California skate park filled with sand to enforce social distancing backfires as dirt bikers show up[/h]
By Greg Norman | Fox News
[h=4]Bulldozer covers Venice Beach skate park with sand to deter gatherings[/h]Raw video: Local authorities fill the Venice Beach skate park with sand to deter people from gathering amid social distancing restrictions.
Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.
California officials who closed a popular skate park and filled it with 37 tons of sand in hopes of keeping residents away during the coronavirus outbreak have inadvertently turned the recreational site into a dirt biker’s paradise.
A video posted on Instagram this week shows riders catching air at Ralph’s Skate Court in San Clemente despite the city’s effort to enforce social distancing.
“The fact the city put the sand in there to try to social distance everyone – I think it’s a big joke,” Connor Ericsson, who posted the video, told KUSI News. “These kids are cooped up inside their houses, they just want to go to the skate park and have some fun.”
CLICK HERE FOR FULL CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
Another video on his account shows locals shoveling up the sand and placing it into buckets.
“As soon as the skaters showed up, we got a broom and a shovel and we helped them sweep that thing out, get the sand out there so they could do a little social shredding themselves,” Ericsson added.
The city of San Clemente first closed all parks and put up “no trespassing” signs on April 1 to contain the spread of the virus. The sand was added last week after officials “saw people continue to skate the park," Samantha Wylie, the city’s parks manager, told the San Clemente Times.
"It appeared the closure was not being abided by,” she added.
By Greg Norman | Fox News
[h=4]Bulldozer covers Venice Beach skate park with sand to deter gatherings[/h]Raw video: Local authorities fill the Venice Beach skate park with sand to deter people from gathering amid social distancing restrictions.
Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.
California officials who closed a popular skate park and filled it with 37 tons of sand in hopes of keeping residents away during the coronavirus outbreak have inadvertently turned the recreational site into a dirt biker’s paradise.
A video posted on Instagram this week shows riders catching air at Ralph’s Skate Court in San Clemente despite the city’s effort to enforce social distancing.
“The fact the city put the sand in there to try to social distance everyone – I think it’s a big joke,” Connor Ericsson, who posted the video, told KUSI News. “These kids are cooped up inside their houses, they just want to go to the skate park and have some fun.”
CLICK HERE FOR FULL CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
Another video on his account shows locals shoveling up the sand and placing it into buckets.
“As soon as the skaters showed up, we got a broom and a shovel and we helped them sweep that thing out, get the sand out there so they could do a little social shredding themselves,” Ericsson added.
The city of San Clemente first closed all parks and put up “no trespassing” signs on April 1 to contain the spread of the virus. The sand was added last week after officials “saw people continue to skate the park," Samantha Wylie, the city’s parks manager, told the San Clemente Times.
"It appeared the closure was not being abided by,” she added.
to these asshole dem’s [ This is not a joke. ]
California county bans singing in online worship services
'Singing or playing wind instruments — even a harmonica — during a livestream video event can get citizens fined or thrown in prison.'
Fri Apr 17, 2020 - 1:52 pm EST
SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
By Doug Mainwaring
MENDOCINO COUNTY, California, April 17, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – On Good Friday, a county in the Golden State issued an order to churches banning singing ostensibly to further stem the spread of the coronavirus.
Mendocino County, which hugs California’s Pacific Coast about 100 miles north of San Francisco, published a revision of its former “Shelter in Place Orders” which some observers are saying goes too far.
The directive, which is in force until May 10, limits events, including live-streamed events, to four individuals. It goes on to state:No singing or use of wind instruments, harmonicas, or other instruments that could spread COVID-19 through projected droplets shall be permitted unless the recording of the event is done at one’s residence, and involving only the members of one’s household or living unit, because of the increased risk of transmission of COVID-19.
‘Particularly chilling’
“The policy in Mendocino County is particularly chilling,” wrote R. Albert Mohler, Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in an essay at The Federalist.
“Authorities can and should require that churches respect and maintain physical distancing between all the very limited participants in a streamed worship service. The worship leader, the other musicians, and the pastor should comply with the local, state, and federal guidelines that are in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19,” wrote Mohler on his website.
“It is an entirely different matter, however, to tell Christians that they cannot sing in praise and honor of God,” he continued. “Indeed, these orders came out just days before Resurrection Sunday—orders saying that Christians, on the day where they celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, are prohibited from singing.”
“During this crisis, governments must determine what services are essential to society and those that can be suspended in order to slow the spread of the virus. However, we have a major problem when governments indicate that liquor stores and pet stores are essential but religious services are not,” said Mohler. “When governments assert that abortions are essential but singing in a streamed worship service is just too unsafe and nonessential, then we have slipped into a complete upending of the American constitutional order.”
“Government should never be in the position to derail any religious ministry and deem it nonessential. That is, on its face, completely unconstitutional,” he added.
‘Dystopian nightmare’
Tyler O'Neil, conservative commentator and Senior Editor of PJ Media, said the Mendocino County music ban “sounds like something out of a dystopian nightmare.”
“Singing or playing wind instruments — even a harmonica — during a livestream video event can get citizens fined or thrown in prison,” noted O’Neil.
“No singing. None. No wind instruments. None. If Mendocino County churches wanted a triumphal trumpet solo as part of Easter Sunday worship to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, that would be expressly banned, unless the trumpeter was in his own house away from the sanctuary,” wrote O’Neil. “If they wanted a four-person choir to sing ‘Christ the Lord is risen today,’ members of that choir would have to join a livestream service virtually from their homes. This is possible, of course, but it is extremely difficult to pull off.”
‘The coronavirus has brought many petty tyrants out of the shadows’
“At this juncture, we must observe a critical pattern emerging in American politics. Many of the leading public figures trampling upon or compromising religious liberty are elected Democrats,” said Mohler.
“There is no coincidence in the hostility of Democrats towards religious liberty—it reflects the secular trajectory of the Democratic Party,” he continued. “Many in the press and in the political power structures now refer to religious liberty with scare quotes around it, as if it is nothing more than a term of intellectual invention.”
“The coronavirus has brought many petty tyrants out of the shadows, and it appears Mendocino County is home to some of the most abominable tyrants in America,” concluded O’Neil.
California county bans singing in online worship services
'Singing or playing wind instruments — even a harmonica — during a livestream video event can get citizens fined or thrown in prison.'
Fri Apr 17, 2020 - 1:52 pm EST
MENDOCINO COUNTY, California, April 17, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – On Good Friday, a county in the Golden State issued an order to churches banning singing ostensibly to further stem the spread of the coronavirus.
Mendocino County, which hugs California’s Pacific Coast about 100 miles north of San Francisco, published a revision of its former “Shelter in Place Orders” which some observers are saying goes too far.
‘Particularly chilling’
“The policy in Mendocino County is particularly chilling,” wrote R. Albert Mohler, Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in an essay at The Federalist.
“Authorities can and should require that churches respect and maintain physical distancing between all the very limited participants in a streamed worship service. The worship leader, the other musicians, and the pastor should comply with the local, state, and federal guidelines that are in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19,” wrote Mohler on his website.
“It is an entirely different matter, however, to tell Christians that they cannot sing in praise and honor of God,” he continued. “Indeed, these orders came out just days before Resurrection Sunday—orders saying that Christians, on the day where they celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, are prohibited from singing.”
SUBSCRIBE to LifeSite's daily headlines
“Government should never be in the position to derail any religious ministry and deem it nonessential. That is, on its face, completely unconstitutional,” he added.
Tyler O'Neil, conservative commentator and Senior Editor of PJ Media, said the Mendocino County music ban “sounds like something out of a dystopian nightmare.”
“Singing or playing wind instruments — even a harmonica — during a livestream video event can get citizens fined or thrown in prison,” noted O’Neil.
“No singing. None. No wind instruments. None. If Mendocino County churches wanted a triumphal trumpet solo as part of Easter Sunday worship to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, that would be expressly banned, unless the trumpeter was in his own house away from the sanctuary,” wrote O’Neil. “If they wanted a four-person choir to sing ‘Christ the Lord is risen today,’ members of that choir would have to join a livestream service virtually from their homes. This is possible, of course, but it is extremely difficult to pull off.”
‘The coronavirus has brought many petty tyrants out of the shadows’
“At this juncture, we must observe a critical pattern emerging in American politics. Many of the leading public figures trampling upon or compromising religious liberty are elected Democrats,” said Mohler.
“There is no coincidence in the hostility of Democrats towards religious liberty—it reflects the secular trajectory of the Democratic Party,” he continued. “Many in the press and in the political power structures now refer to religious liberty with scare quotes around it, as if it is nothing more than a term of intellectual invention.”
“The coronavirus has brought many petty tyrants out of the shadows, and it appears Mendocino County is home to some of the most abominable tyrants in America,” concluded O’Neil.
[ This is not a joke. ]
California county bans singing in online worship services
'Singing or playing wind instruments — even a harmonica — during a livestream video event can get citizens fined or thrown in prison.'
Fri Apr 17, 2020 - 1:52 pm EST
SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
By Doug Mainwaring
MENDOCINO COUNTY, California, April 17, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – On Good Friday, a county in the Golden State issued an order to churches banning singing ostensibly to further stem the spread of the coronavirus.
Mendocino County, which hugs California’s Pacific Coast about 100 miles north of San Francisco, published a revision of its former “Shelter in Place Orders” which some observers are saying goes too far.
The directive, which is in force until May 10, limits events, including live-streamed events, to four individuals. It goes on to state:No singing or use of wind instruments, harmonicas, or other instruments that could spread COVID-19 through projected droplets shall be permitted unless the recording of the event is done at one’s residence, and involving only the members of one’s household or living unit, because of the increased risk of transmission of COVID-19.
‘Particularly chilling’
“The policy in Mendocino County is particularly chilling,” wrote R. Albert Mohler, Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in an essay at The Federalist.
“Authorities can and should require that churches respect and maintain physical distancing between all the very limited participants in a streamed worship service. The worship leader, the other musicians, and the pastor should comply with the local, state, and federal guidelines that are in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19,” wrote Mohler on his website.
“It is an entirely different matter, however, to tell Christians that they cannot sing in praise and honor of God,” he continued. “Indeed, these orders came out just days before Resurrection Sunday—orders saying that Christians, on the day where they celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, are prohibited from singing.”
“During this crisis, governments must determine what services are essential to society and those that can be suspended in order to slow the spread of the virus. However, we have a major problem when governments indicate that liquor stores and pet stores are essential but religious services are not,” said Mohler. “When governments assert that abortions are essential but singing in a streamed worship service is just too unsafe and nonessential, then we have slipped into a complete upending of the American constitutional order.”
SUBSCRIBE to LifeSite's daily headlines
“Government should never be in the position to derail any religious ministry and deem it nonessential. That is, on its face, completely unconstitutional,” he added.‘Dystopian nightmare’
Tyler O'Neil, conservative commentator and Senior Editor of PJ Media, said the Mendocino County music ban “sounds like something out of a dystopian nightmare.”
“Singing or playing wind instruments — even a harmonica — during a livestream video event can get citizens fined or thrown in prison,” noted O’Neil.
“No singing. None. No wind instruments. None. If Mendocino County churches wanted a triumphal trumpet solo as part of Easter Sunday worship to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, that would be expressly banned, unless the trumpeter was in his own house away from the sanctuary,” wrote O’Neil. “If they wanted a four-person choir to sing ‘Christ the Lord is risen today,’ members of that choir would have to join a livestream service virtually from their homes. This is possible, of course, but it is extremely difficult to pull off.”
‘The coronavirus has brought many petty tyrants out of the shadows’
“At this juncture, we must observe a critical pattern emerging in American politics. Many of the leading public figures trampling upon or compromising religious liberty are elected Democrats,” said Mohler.
“There is no coincidence in the hostility of Democrats towards religious liberty—it reflects the secular trajectory of the Democratic Party,” he continued. “Many in the press and in the political power structures now refer to religious liberty with scare quotes around it, as if it is nothing more than a term of intellectual invention.”
“The coronavirus has brought many petty tyrants out of the shadows, and it appears Mendocino County is home to some of the most abominable tyrants in America,” concluded O’Neil.
Not sure why these puppets dont run the gov out of town
[ Liberalism sucks ass ]
[h=1]Illegal Aliens Jam Phone Lines as California Offers $500 Each in Coronavirus Relief[/h]
Kevork Djansezian/Getty ImagesJOEL B. POLLAK19 May 2020
The program, which launched on Monday, saw phone lines jammed as “undocumented immigrants,” who are ineligible for the federal aid provided thus far, called a state hotline.
The New York Times reported:
Notably, Newsom discussed “citizens,” not “residents,” in describing the beneficiaries of federal aid to the states: “We have an obligation, a moral, an ethical obligation to American citizens all across this country to help support cities, states and counties,” he said.
Neither Newsom nor Tapper addressed the issue of California’s “sanctuary” laws, which limit cooperation with federal immigration law enforcement. President Donald Trump has commented that he might make lifting “sanctuary” laws a condition of receiving federal aid.
[h=1]Illegal Aliens Jam Phone Lines as California Offers $500 Each in Coronavirus Relief[/h]
18,813
7,173
2:45
The State of California is offering $500 each to illegal aliens as part of a $75 million coronavirus relief program — even as it asks federal taxpayers for help paying for its $54 billion deficit.The program, which launched on Monday, saw phone lines jammed as “undocumented immigrants,” who are ineligible for the federal aid provided thus far, called a state hotline.
The New York Times reported:
Within minutes after the phone lines opened, many people reported they could not get through, and by 10 a.m., an hour after it opened, many of the phone lines crashed.
The $75 million cash assistance program, awarded on a first-come first-served basis, was being conducted almost entirely by telephone to avoid hazardous in-person contacts.
…
The governor, Gavin Newsom, announced in mid-April that the state would provide $75 million in cash assistance to the 150,000 who are selected. Philanthropic organizations and private donors pledged an additional $50 million, for another 100,000 immigrants.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom told CNN’s Jake Tapper on State of the Union on Sunday that the federal government has a “moral” and “ethical” obligation to fund ailing state and local governments. He added that Republicans who did not provide such funding would be short-changing “our heroes, our first responders, our police officers, and firefighters.”The $75 million cash assistance program, awarded on a first-come first-served basis, was being conducted almost entirely by telephone to avoid hazardous in-person contacts.
The available funding will allow only about 150,000 immigrants to benefit, according to state officials.…
The governor, Gavin Newsom, announced in mid-April that the state would provide $75 million in cash assistance to the 150,000 who are selected. Philanthropic organizations and private donors pledged an additional $50 million, for another 100,000 immigrants.
Notably, Newsom discussed “citizens,” not “residents,” in describing the beneficiaries of federal aid to the states: “We have an obligation, a moral, an ethical obligation to American citizens all across this country to help support cities, states and counties,” he said.
Neither Newsom nor Tapper addressed the issue of California’s “sanctuary” laws, which limit cooperation with federal immigration law enforcement. President Donald Trump has commented that he might make lifting “sanctuary” laws a condition of receiving federal aid.
Why California Is In Trouble – 340,000 Public Employees With $100,000+ Paychecks Cost Taxpayers $45 Billion
Top 10 California public school salaries & pensions
OPENTHEBOOKS.COMDespite California’s $54 billion budget deficit and $1 trillion unfunded pension liability, there are 340,390 government employees bringing home six-figure salary and pension checks.
Recently, though, Gov. Gavin Newsom asked U.S. taxpayers for a bailout.
The governor wrote a letter to Congress requesting $1 trillion in coronavirus 50-state aid. Then, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi obliged by adding $500 billion for the states into the HEROES Act – the bill passed and now awaits action in the Senate.
Here, in part, is why California is asking for taxpayers help.
Our auditors at OpentheBooks.com found truck drivers in San Francisco making $159,000 per year; lifeguards in LA County costing taxpayers $365,000; nurses at UCSF making up to $501,000; the UCLA athletic director earning $1.8 million; and 1,420 city employees out-earning all 50 state governors ($202,000).
Today In: Policy
Using our new interactive mapping tool, quickly review (by ZIP code) the 340,390 California public employees and retirees who earn more than $100,000 and cost taxpayers $45 billion (FY2018-9). Just click a pin and scroll down to see the results rendered in the chart beneath the map.
Here are a few examples of what you’ll uncover:
In 2017, we found that 44 lifeguards in Los Angeles County cost taxpayers between $200,000 and $365,000. Today, it’s worse with salaries comprising only about half the total cost when including overtime, extra pay and benefits.
In total, $45 billion in cash compensation flows to local and state government workers across California earning six figures. Our auditors did not include the cost of benefits.
We also haven’t included the payroll costs of at least 28,000 federal employees making $100,000+ within the executive agencies based in California.
Corruption In San Francisco
San Francisco’s self-titled “Mr. Clean,” Mohammed Nuru, Public Works Director, is best known for failed efforts to keep feces and hypodermic needles out of the public way. Cases of human waste on city streets spiked to 31,000 in 2019 – an all-time high.
Nuru earned a $269,500 annual salary in 2018 (up $55,000 over a seven-year period). Allegedly, that wasn’t enough. In February, Nuru was arrested for charges that included bribery.
Only in San Francisco can team members on the “poop patrol” cost taxpayers up to $184,000 each.
Mapping the San Francisco human waste challenge – 141,000 cases of human waste in the public way ... [+]
OPENTHEBOOKS.COMTaxpayer-Expensive Educators
In the community college system, 10,807 employees made six figures and 247 made more than $200,000 last year.
Edward Hernandez, Jr. (Rancho Santiago – $325,799) and Francis Gorrick (West Hills – $316,034) have the highest pensions. In 2015, stakeholders criticized then-president of El Camino College Thomas Fallo for his $345,000 “supersized” salary. Fallo retired and receives a $314,021 pension.
K-12 payrolls show 109,627 teachers and administrators earned over $100,000 per year. Nearly 94,000 of those highly compensated educators are currently employed, and the other 15,735 are retired with six-figure pensions.
Ten educators hit the pension jackpot and retired on $300,000+. These include: William Habermehl (Orange County Dept. of Education – $380,096); Richard Bray (Tustin Unified School District – $329,826); Virginia Shattuck, (Norwalk–La Mirada Unified School District – $327,139); James Smith (Evergreen Elementary – $309,725); and Richard Miller (Santa Anna Unified— $305,066).
Private associations, nonprofits, and lawmakers
All kinds of entities are jumping on the gravy train. Private associations, nonprofit organizations, and former lawmakers have gamed the system for personal gain.
SCAG responded to our request for comment saying they are “the nation’s largest metropolitan planning organization” and located in “a very competitive job market.”
Highly Compensated Locals
In the City of Fremont, nearly 700 six-figure employees made $91 million last year. The city attorney, Harvey Levine, was the highest earner at $291,031. Even the animal services manager cost taxpayers up to $130,000 with over four weeks of PTO, pension, and additional retirement annuity benefits – in the first year of employment.
The Sanitation District of Los Angeles has a history of spiking salaries to pad pensions. In fact, four of the top five all-time sanitation high earners are either currently employed or retired from this district: Stephen Maguin ($366,387 – pension); Grace Robinson Hyde ($329,131 – salary); James Stahl ($321,838 – pension); and Robert Ferrante ($306,552 – salary).
The sanitation district responded to our request for comment saying that all laws with respect to compensation were followed and “pension spiking” is not allowed. However, we noticed that some of those retirement pensions exceed current salaries.
Before the COVID-19 crisis, state and local governments in California were plausibly operating. Now, with tax revenues dropping, underlying financial weaknesses are being exposed.
In a move praised by fiscal reformers, Gov. Newsom proposed a 10-percent across-the-board reduction in state employee salaries along with state agency budget cuts of five percent.
However, the governor admitted that if the federal government sends states more aid, then the salary reductions will be restored.
California, in other words, like many states with excessive pay and pension costs, is relying on the U.S. taxpayer to see them through crisis.
Top 10 California public school salaries & pensions
OPENTHEBOOKS.COMDespite California’s $54 billion budget deficit and $1 trillion unfunded pension liability, there are 340,390 government employees bringing home six-figure salary and pension checks.
Recently, though, Gov. Gavin Newsom asked U.S. taxpayers for a bailout.
The governor wrote a letter to Congress requesting $1 trillion in coronavirus 50-state aid. Then, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi obliged by adding $500 billion for the states into the HEROES Act – the bill passed and now awaits action in the Senate.
Here, in part, is why California is asking for taxpayers help.
Our auditors at OpentheBooks.com found truck drivers in San Francisco making $159,000 per year; lifeguards in LA County costing taxpayers $365,000; nurses at UCSF making up to $501,000; the UCLA athletic director earning $1.8 million; and 1,420 city employees out-earning all 50 state governors ($202,000).
Today In: Policy
Using our new interactive mapping tool, quickly review (by ZIP code) the 340,390 California public employees and retirees who earn more than $100,000 and cost taxpayers $45 billion (FY2018-9). Just click a pin and scroll down to see the results rendered in the chart beneath the map.
Here are a few examples of what you’ll uncover:
- 109,627 teachers and school administrators – including the CEO of Summit Everest charter schools Diane Tavenner ($450,115); and superintendents Michael Lin ($443,875) at Corona-Norco Unified; Polly Bove ($395,257) at Fremont Union High; Christopher Hoffman ($351,885) at Elk Grove Unified; and Al Mijares ($348,276) at the Orange County Dept. of Education.
- 66,403 college and university employees – including the athletic director at UCLA, Daniel Guerrero ($1.8 million), who is retiring amid criticisms that his teams lost too frequently. The school’s football coach, Charles (Chip) Kelly ($3.3 million), compiled a 7-17 record during his first two years and is the most highly compensated public employee in the state. Furthermore, there are 11,310 college and university employees making more than $200,000.
- 62,204 State of California employees – including a nurse, Ito Chikako, at the University of California, who made $501,391 – paid through the state system. David Winsor Sirkin, Sr. Psychiatrist at Correctional & Rehabilitative Services, made $409,399. Corrections paid two dentists $385,596 last year. The chief regulator at barbering & cosmetology made $124,296.
- 45,718 city and town employees – including 1,420 municipal administrators and employees who out-earned the California governor – the highest paid state governor ($202,000). Highly compensated city managers included Deanna Santana (Santa Clara – $396,158); Paul Arevalo (West Hollywood — $353,603); Fredrick Cole (Santa Monica – $342,780); David Ready (Palm Springs – $340,149); Edward Shikada (Palo Alto – $329,080); and Scott Ochoa (Ontario – $328,500).
In 2017, we found that 44 lifeguards in Los Angeles County cost taxpayers between $200,000 and $365,000. Today, it’s worse with salaries comprising only about half the total cost when including overtime, extra pay and benefits.
In total, $45 billion in cash compensation flows to local and state government workers across California earning six figures. Our auditors did not include the cost of benefits.
We also haven’t included the payroll costs of at least 28,000 federal employees making $100,000+ within the executive agencies based in California.
Corruption In San Francisco
San Francisco’s self-titled “Mr. Clean,” Mohammed Nuru, Public Works Director, is best known for failed efforts to keep feces and hypodermic needles out of the public way. Cases of human waste on city streets spiked to 31,000 in 2019 – an all-time high.
Nuru earned a $269,500 annual salary in 2018 (up $55,000 over a seven-year period). Allegedly, that wasn’t enough. In February, Nuru was arrested for charges that included bribery.
Only in San Francisco can team members on the “poop patrol” cost taxpayers up to $184,000 each.
Mapping the San Francisco human waste challenge – 141,000 cases of human waste in the public way ... [+]
OPENTHEBOOKS.COMTaxpayer-Expensive Educators
In the community college system, 10,807 employees made six figures and 247 made more than $200,000 last year.
Edward Hernandez, Jr. (Rancho Santiago – $325,799) and Francis Gorrick (West Hills – $316,034) have the highest pensions. In 2015, stakeholders criticized then-president of El Camino College Thomas Fallo for his $345,000 “supersized” salary. Fallo retired and receives a $314,021 pension.
K-12 payrolls show 109,627 teachers and administrators earned over $100,000 per year. Nearly 94,000 of those highly compensated educators are currently employed, and the other 15,735 are retired with six-figure pensions.
Ten educators hit the pension jackpot and retired on $300,000+. These include: William Habermehl (Orange County Dept. of Education – $380,096); Richard Bray (Tustin Unified School District – $329,826); Virginia Shattuck, (Norwalk–La Mirada Unified School District – $327,139); James Smith (Evergreen Elementary – $309,725); and Richard Miller (Santa Anna Unified— $305,066).
Private associations, nonprofits, and lawmakers
All kinds of entities are jumping on the gravy train. Private associations, nonprofit organizations, and former lawmakers have gamed the system for personal gain.
- Assemblyman Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove) is double dipping the pay and pension systems. Retired at age 50 from the Sacramento County Sheriff, Cooper earned a $173,820 pension. He makes $107,242 as an elected member of the general assembly – although he refused the non-taxable per diem that’s estimated at $39,000 a year. Total benefit: $281,162
- Who knew that the “student unions” on college campuses pay their administrators up to $206,000 and their pensions are guaranteed by taxpayers? The union at UCLA – Associated Students, Inc. – paid four administrators between $191,000 and $206,000 last year. There are 52 student union administrators across the state who made six figures last year. Retirees received pensions up to $136,000.
- Government “associations” of all types are dialed into the public pension system. These associations are organized as “non-profits” and include associations of governments, school boards, water districts, utilities, special districts, and even flood control associations.
SCAG responded to our request for comment saying they are “the nation’s largest metropolitan planning organization” and located in “a very competitive job market.”
Highly Compensated Locals
In the City of Fremont, nearly 700 six-figure employees made $91 million last year. The city attorney, Harvey Levine, was the highest earner at $291,031. Even the animal services manager cost taxpayers up to $130,000 with over four weeks of PTO, pension, and additional retirement annuity benefits – in the first year of employment.
The Sanitation District of Los Angeles has a history of spiking salaries to pad pensions. In fact, four of the top five all-time sanitation high earners are either currently employed or retired from this district: Stephen Maguin ($366,387 – pension); Grace Robinson Hyde ($329,131 – salary); James Stahl ($321,838 – pension); and Robert Ferrante ($306,552 – salary).
The sanitation district responded to our request for comment saying that all laws with respect to compensation were followed and “pension spiking” is not allowed. However, we noticed that some of those retirement pensions exceed current salaries.
Before the COVID-19 crisis, state and local governments in California were plausibly operating. Now, with tax revenues dropping, underlying financial weaknesses are being exposed.
In a move praised by fiscal reformers, Gov. Newsom proposed a 10-percent across-the-board reduction in state employee salaries along with state agency budget cuts of five percent.
However, the governor admitted that if the federal government sends states more aid, then the salary reductions will be restored.
California, in other words, like many states with excessive pay and pension costs, is relying on the U.S. taxpayer to see them through crisis.
[h=1]California’s gas tax, among the highest in US, rises again[/h][h=2]The 3.2 cent increase was implemented as part of a 2017 law[/h]
[h=2]Summer gas prices will likely be cheapest since early 2000s: GasBuddy analyst[/h]Head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy Patrick De Haan argues data shows demand for gas is recovering ‘pretty quickly.’
Gas tax increases went into effect in a number of states on Wednesday, including California where the per-gallon rate rose to 50.5 cents.
The 3.2 cent increase in the Golden State was implemented as part of a 2017 law, which has been steadily raising the tax as a means to generate more revenue.
California has one of the highest gas taxes in the United States, making it the most expensive place to fill your tank, according to GasBuddy.
The average state excise tax is 25 cents per gallon, according to the American Petroleum Institute.
CALIFORNIA TELLS TRUCKERS TO DITCH ‘DIRTY DIESEL’ IN GROUNDBREAKING ZERO-EMISSION MANDATE
On top of state taxes, drivers also pay federal fuel taxes.
In South Carolina, the fuel tax increased two cents to 24 cents per gallon, and in Illinois the levy increased 0.7 cents to 38.7 cents per gallon.
In Nebraska, fuel taxes rose to 33.2 cents per gallon, from 29.3 cents per gallon, and in Virginia they climbed 5 cents to 21.2 cents per gallon.
The increases come after months of Americans taking to the road less frequently due to coronavirus-related lockdown and social distancing guidelines. Those same restrictions have caused a decline in state and local tax revenues.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
The national average gas price as of Wednesday was about $2.18 per gallon, according to AAA. In California, the average was higher at $3.07 per gallon. The Golden State was the only state other than Hawaii where the average exceeds $3.00 per gallon.
Last year at this time, the national average was $2.71 per gallon.
[h=2]Summer gas prices will likely be cheapest since early 2000s: GasBuddy analyst[/h]Head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy Patrick De Haan argues data shows demand for gas is recovering ‘pretty quickly.’
Gas tax increases went into effect in a number of states on Wednesday, including California where the per-gallon rate rose to 50.5 cents.
The 3.2 cent increase in the Golden State was implemented as part of a 2017 law, which has been steadily raising the tax as a means to generate more revenue.
California has one of the highest gas taxes in the United States, making it the most expensive place to fill your tank, according to GasBuddy.
The average state excise tax is 25 cents per gallon, according to the American Petroleum Institute.
On top of state taxes, drivers also pay federal fuel taxes.
In South Carolina, the fuel tax increased two cents to 24 cents per gallon, and in Illinois the levy increased 0.7 cents to 38.7 cents per gallon.
In Nebraska, fuel taxes rose to 33.2 cents per gallon, from 29.3 cents per gallon, and in Virginia they climbed 5 cents to 21.2 cents per gallon.
The increases come after months of Americans taking to the road less frequently due to coronavirus-related lockdown and social distancing guidelines. Those same restrictions have caused a decline in state and local tax revenues.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
The national average gas price as of Wednesday was about $2.18 per gallon, according to AAA. In California, the average was higher at $3.07 per gallon. The Golden State was the only state other than Hawaii where the average exceeds $3.00 per gallon.
Last year at this time, the national average was $2.71 per gallon.
California has just passed a law (SB145) that sex offenders may not have to enter in the Sex Offender Registry system if they're arrested for sex with a child within 10 years of age as long as they're 14YO. It will be up to a judge...the bill is awaiting Newsome's signature and is, of course, being praised by sexual deviants
even some Democrats are disgusted...
“I cannot in my mind as a mother understand how sex between a 24-year-old and a 14-year-old could ever be consensual, how it could ever not be a registrable offense,” Democratic Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez said. “We should never give up on this idea that children should be in no way subject to a predator.”
even some Democrats are disgusted...
“I cannot in my mind as a mother understand how sex between a 24-year-old and a 14-year-old could ever be consensual, how it could ever not be a registrable offense,” Democratic Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez said. “We should never give up on this idea that children should be in no way subject to a predator.”
[ Only in sicko libtard-ville ]
New California bill would lower penalties for adults who have sexual relations with a minor
By Mary Stringini
Published 4 days ago
California
FOX 11 Los Angeles
[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2)]article
Credit: National Sex Offender Public Website
LOS ANGELES - A new bill headed to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk would lower penalties for adults who have consensual sex with a minor if the offender is within 10 years of age with the victim.
SB 145 passed in both houses of the State Legislature late Monday evening.
"If signed into law, a 24-year-old could have sexual relations with a 15-year-old child without being required to register as a sex offender," State Senator Shannon Grove wrote in a tweet.
Under current law, while it is illegal for an adult to have consensual sex with a teenager between 14 and 17 years old, who cannot legally give consent, vaginal intercourse between the two does not require the offender to be listed on the state’s sex offender registry, as long as the offender is within 10 years of age of the minor. Instead, the judge has the discretion to decide, based on the facts of the case, whether the sex offender registration is warranted.
Other forms of intercourse such as oral and anal intercourse require sex offender registration.
State Senator Scott Wiener, who presented the bill, said the existing law “disproportionately targets LGBT young people for mandatory sex offender registration since LGBT people usually cannot engage in vaginal intercourse."
Get breaking news alerts in the FOX 11 News app. Download for iOS or Android.
“California’s sex offender registry continues to draw that distinction — an antiquated, outdated, leftover distinction — that somehow oral sex is worse than vaginal sex,” Wiener said.
The bill was sponsored by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. During an August press conference, Deputy District Attorney Bradley McCartt recounted a case in which a mother was upset that her 17-year-old daughter was in a relationship with a high school basketball teammate and pressed charges against her daughter's 18-year-old girlfriend, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. McCartt was able to prevent the prosecution. However, he said that if others were more willing to prosecute the case, the girlfriend would have been placed on the sex offender registry for life if convicted.
According to the bill's language, the goal of SB 145 is to “exempt from mandatory registration under the act a person convicted of certain offenses involving minors if the person is not more than 10 years older than the minor and if that offense is the only one requiring the person to register.”
Critics of the bill argue that rather than amending existing law to include vaginal intercourse with a minor as an act that requires mandatory sex offender registration, the bill aims to make all criminal sex acts with a minor over 14 equal by providing offenders with an opportunity to evade mandatory registration.
"Any sex is sex," argued Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez. "I don't care who it is between or what sex act it is. That being said, I cannot in my mind as a mother understand how sex between a 24-year-old and a 14-year-old could ever be consensual."
According to Wiener, the bill would not change the potential sentence for having sex with an underage minor. Instead, the bill would give judges the ability to evaluate whether the accused be required to register as a sex offender.
New California bill would lower penalties for adults who have sexual relations with a minor
By Mary Stringini
Published 4 days ago
California
FOX 11 Los Angeles
Credit: National Sex Offender Public Website
LOS ANGELES - A new bill headed to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk would lower penalties for adults who have consensual sex with a minor if the offender is within 10 years of age with the victim.
SB 145 passed in both houses of the State Legislature late Monday evening.
"If signed into law, a 24-year-old could have sexual relations with a 15-year-old child without being required to register as a sex offender," State Senator Shannon Grove wrote in a tweet.
Under current law, while it is illegal for an adult to have consensual sex with a teenager between 14 and 17 years old, who cannot legally give consent, vaginal intercourse between the two does not require the offender to be listed on the state’s sex offender registry, as long as the offender is within 10 years of age of the minor. Instead, the judge has the discretion to decide, based on the facts of the case, whether the sex offender registration is warranted.
Other forms of intercourse such as oral and anal intercourse require sex offender registration.
State Senator Scott Wiener, who presented the bill, said the existing law “disproportionately targets LGBT young people for mandatory sex offender registration since LGBT people usually cannot engage in vaginal intercourse."
Get breaking news alerts in the FOX 11 News app. Download for iOS or Android.
“California’s sex offender registry continues to draw that distinction — an antiquated, outdated, leftover distinction — that somehow oral sex is worse than vaginal sex,” Wiener said.
The bill was sponsored by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. During an August press conference, Deputy District Attorney Bradley McCartt recounted a case in which a mother was upset that her 17-year-old daughter was in a relationship with a high school basketball teammate and pressed charges against her daughter's 18-year-old girlfriend, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. McCartt was able to prevent the prosecution. However, he said that if others were more willing to prosecute the case, the girlfriend would have been placed on the sex offender registry for life if convicted.
According to the bill's language, the goal of SB 145 is to “exempt from mandatory registration under the act a person convicted of certain offenses involving minors if the person is not more than 10 years older than the minor and if that offense is the only one requiring the person to register.”
Critics of the bill argue that rather than amending existing law to include vaginal intercourse with a minor as an act that requires mandatory sex offender registration, the bill aims to make all criminal sex acts with a minor over 14 equal by providing offenders with an opportunity to evade mandatory registration.
"Any sex is sex," argued Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez. "I don't care who it is between or what sex act it is. That being said, I cannot in my mind as a mother understand how sex between a 24-year-old and a 14-year-old could ever be consensual."
According to Wiener, the bill would not change the potential sentence for having sex with an underage minor. Instead, the bill would give judges the ability to evaluate whether the accused be required to register as a sex offender.
