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Pops Tops
The budget proposed by City Manager Howard Chan reflects drastic steps required to close a $66 million deficit.
Chan wants to cover $36 million of the gap with one-time funds—money that’s not part of the city’s predictable cash flow of sales and property taxes and fees. That means without cuts or new income next year, budget problems will continue.
I’m encouraged to see citizens get involved and tell City Council where public priorities lie. Speaking to your representative is essential.
One strategy for fiscal year 2024-25 calls for increasing income by raising fees for park programs and special events.
Pocket Life June 2024
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Out & About May 2024
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Inside Pitch
Residents near the Sacramento River who want to block public access have a big advantage over the 500,000 or so people who will benefit from a new levee bike trail.
The residents have a good lawyer.
One attorney working for property owners shouldn’t matter. After all, the rest of us are represented by the Central Valley Flood Protection Board, a state agency whose mission is to serve public interests.
But that’s not how it works.
Documents obtained under the California Public Records Act tell a more complex story. For the past three years, a lawyer hired by property owners near the levee built a relationship with flood board officials.
Pocket Life May 2024
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Pocket Life April 2024
Find out what is going on in Pocket during the month of April!
Paper Trail
My friend Jim Geary and I race to see who gets danced around more by the Central Valley Flood Protection Board. Jim has the lead, but I’m catching up.
For the past year, Jim and I separately asked the flood board for documents about levees and fences.
We want to know why flood board executive officer Chris Lief covertly authorized five temporary private fences to block public access on the Sacramento River levee in Pocket.
The authorizations appear to violate state law. California regulations require public hearings and votes by flood board members for any levee fence.
Out & About April 2024
Find out what is happening in Sacramento during the month of April!