By Cherie Brower IStaff WriterI Money talks, and the federal court is now demanding answers from the financially floundering city of San Bernardino. Following the notorious municipal bankruptcy protection filing of 2012, San Bernardino has failed to produce a successful audit of its 2012-13 fiscal year. In the face of a $45 million deficit, an increase in costs, and a downward spiral in revenues, San Bernardino filed for Chapter 9 in 2012. A bankruptcy plan was set into place, with provisions to aid the city in regaining a footing on the forlorn financial outlook. It has now been over three years since the initial declaration and the City of San Bernardino has yet to produce a … [Read more...] about San Bernardino still in turmoil over bankruptcy
federal
Plan to raise minimum wage
By Daniel DeMarco |Asst. Features Editor| President Barack Obama said Congress should finish the job he started by raising the minimum wage from the current federal minimum wage $7.25 to $10.10. “I make minimum wage and even $8 sucks, $7.25 would just be ridiculous. A nice raise would really help me out and I know I’m not the only one,” said student Ken Mitchell. Obama said that Americans deserve to know where the officials they elect stand, and if they oppose the wage increase then Americans should ask for reasons. “Obama is right. They need to let us know why they can’t agree on anything because this congress hasn’t done s*** for us,” said student Faye Davis. Not … [Read more...] about Plan to raise minimum wage
Federal workers get minimum wage increase
By Santiago Castillo |Staff Writer| President Barack Obama plans to raise minimum wage for federal construction workers from $7.25 to $10.10 an hour. “Those likely to see bumps in future paychecks include dishwashers, food servers and construction workers,” according to The Huffington Post. This executive order puts pressure on Congress to change the minimum wage for all federal workers. “The increase in minimum wage will increase the standard of living for those affected,” said professor and chair of Economics Mayo Toruno. Toruno added, “Increasing the standard of living for people will increase their spending giving our economy a healthy business cycle.” When asked if the wage … [Read more...] about Federal workers get minimum wage increase
New wage boost should help students
By Clarissa Toll |Staff Writer| The minimum wage will rise to $10.10 an hour if a recent proposal put forth by the Democrats passes the Senate. As it stands now, the federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. If the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013 were to pass, it would be the first significant increase the country has seen on Federal minimum wage in more than four years, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division chart. The rise in wages is claimed to be needed because of inflation, in which President Barack Obama explained in his state of the Union Address where he originally proposed an increase to $9. The Federal minimum wage raise proposal has followed shortly … [Read more...] about New wage boost should help students
Obama advocates for pushing the penny out of circulation
By Angela Rodriguez |Staff Writer| During a recent online chat sponsored by Google, President Obama announced his support in retiring the penny and suggested the one cent coin is a “good metaphor” for some of the larger problems facing lawmakers as they seek to reduce the deficit. “I will tell you right now, this will not be a huge savings for government, but anytime we’re spending more money on something that people don’t actually use that’s an example of something we should change,” said Obama in the Google+ Hangout chat. The penny has long been criticized for being costlier to mint than it’s worth. According to the U.S. Mint 2011 annual report, the copper one cent coin costs … [Read more...] about Obama advocates for pushing the penny out of circulation
GOP leaders propose extension of payroll tax cuts
By Jazmin Jett |Staff Writer| San Bernardino county at 16 percent unemployment may have something to look forward to with the proposed extension on payroll tax cuts. The House of Representatives and U.S. Senate plan to extend a payroll tax cut and expand unemployment benefits. The anticipation is for a decision by Feb. 17. An extension of long-term unemployment benefits could be potentially included within the "$160 billion package," a package to offset trimming federal workers’ pay and other domestic cuts that Democrats refute. Though the extension was passed in late December, it was due to the Republican and Democratic parties’ reluctance to agree. Eventually, differing proposals … [Read more...] about GOP leaders propose extension of payroll tax cuts
DREAM Act calls for federal action
By Louis Penna |Managing Editor| [Originally published in 11/17/11 print edition, pg. 7] http://issuu.com/coyotechronicle/docs/10_17_full_issue Starting 2013, certain undocumented migrant students will be able to qualify for state financial aid at public universities and community colleges. Last week, Gov. Jerry Brown signed AB 131, the second half of the California Dream Act. This bill’s passing puts illegal immigration at the forefront of political controversy one again. Assemblyman Tim Donnelly (R-San Bernardino), a former border-monitoring Minuteman, calls the bill “morally wrong.” “We have just created a new entitlement that is going to cause tens of thousands of people to … [Read more...] about DREAM Act calls for federal action
Fed’s back off CA
By Chris Johnson |Staff Writer| The federal government is seeking an end to the untamable, profitable, and not to mention marketable, medicinal marijuana dispensaries in California. The feds want to cut down the circulation of illicit drugs by demanding medical marijuana dispensaries throughout California to shut down within the next month or face the possibility of serving up to 40 years in prison, according to tokeofthetown.com. Ironically, if a person is convicted of voluntary manslaughter under California law they face a maximum of 11 years in prison, according to shouselaw.com. Some reasons behind what is fueling such swift federal action are to remove dispensaries near … [Read more...] about Fed’s back off CA
NY beats out CA in gay marriage
By R. Anthony Diaz |Staff Writer| Most people have always thought of California as one, if not the most liberal state in the United States. The near past has proven us otherwise. On July 24, 2011, the state of New York proudly legalized gay marriage making it the seventh state to give homosexual couples equal rights to wed. I recently went to the Castro in San Francisco to get a feel first-hand of how the legalization in New York affected Californians. As I walked the crowded streets many gave an opinion but did not want to be on camera, while others were eager to share their piece of mind with the world. Javin Stone, a resident now living in California shared his views about … [Read more...] about NY beats out CA in gay marriage
Feds crack down on California pot dispensaries
by Veranica Natal | Chronicle Photo The federal Government is targeting some of California’s medical marijuana dispensaries by claiming that some operations are “fronts for illegal drug dealing” which does not comply with state law, according to USA Today. A 45-day notice has been given to several dispensaries ordering them to close or be faced with criminal charges. However, in the Central District of California (CDCA) where San Bernardino is located, there have only been 14-day notices given out, according to Thom Mrozek, public affairs officer at the U.S. Attorney’s office. USA Today states that federal prosecutors at the news conference revealed the commercial marijuana … [Read more...] about Feds crack down on California pot dispensaries
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