East County News Service

December 20, 2016 (San Francisco) — California’s Supreme Court has temporarily blocked implementation of Proposition 66, a measure approved by voters in November that would speed up death penalty cases.  The high court issued the stay to allow time to hear arguments in a lawsuit filed by opponents of the measure.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Mike Farrell was interviewed by ECM editor Miriam Raftery on his opposition to the death penalty and prison reform issues during his 2009 visit with the Eastlake-Bonita Democratic Club

May 19, 2016 (San Diego) -- Signature gathers are working to put two competing measures on the ballot. One, backed by former M*A*S*H star Mike Farrell, would eliminate the death penalty in California.  The second measure would speed up the process for inmates on death row.

By Mayan Avitable

November 8, 2012 (San Diego) -- The most watched proposition by many who are involved in education was California's Proposition 30. This proposition was highly promoted by Governor Jerry Brown as a solution to school funding in the time of budget cutting. During the evening, the proposition changed from passing to not passing as the vote counts came in. Ultimately, the measure passed 53.9% to 46.1%, increasing taxes on earnings over $250,000 for seven years and sales taxes by ¼ cent for four years, to fund schools. In addition, it guarantees public safety realignment funding. School districts had prepared for spending reductions in case the proposition didn't pass.

By Thea Skinner

October 10, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--Proposition 34 would eliminate the death penalty in California and replace it with a sentence of life in prison with no chance for parole. Importantly, it applies retroactively to anyone who has already been convicted of murder and sentenced to death.

The measure would also make it a requirement for anyone found guilty of murder to work while in prison, with some wages given to funds for victims and their families. Prop 34 would also earmark $100 million in grants, paid for from savings by the proposal, to law enforcement for investigation of rape and homicide.

• Grossmont District deals with layoffs for 2012-13 (UT San Diego)
• Fundraiser for missing hiker search efforts (CBS 8 News)
• DeMaio and Fletcher heat up mayoral debate (UT SanDiego)
• Heated exchange highlights SD Mayoral debate (10 News)
• City attorney threatens to squeeze legal fees out of civic watchdog (CityBeat)
• Controversy, dispute envelop Palomar College construction site at Indian burial ground (OB Rag)
• Group launches effort to recall Sweetwater school trustees (UT San Diego)
• SDG&E avoids shutdown of Powerlink helicopters (UT San Diego)
• Getting to the bottom of city issues (La Mesa Today) 
• El Cajon Nixes Chickens (UT San Diego)
• Council refuses to sign PBID petition (La Mesa Today)

• Measure to repeal death penalty in CA qualifies for ballot (Sacramento Bee)
• Social media password bill advances in state Senate (Sacramento Bee)
• Steinberg to push California for initiative changes (Sacramento Bee)