From http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=175818,… :
"The prohibition against political campaign activity has been in effect for more than half a century and bars certain tax-exempt organizations from engaging on behalf of or in opposition to political candidates. However, these organizations can engage in advocating for or against issues and, to a limited extent, ballot initiatives or other legislative activities."
The IRS does seem to believe that it's against the law for non-profits to speak in favor of or against a political candidate - which is exactly what the Kerry e-mails did. So yes, a second violation of the law after the organization had received a warning and been let off the hook once would seem to be "willful and flagrant." — October 24, 2011 6:45 p.m.
Suspicious Bottle Outside Issa's Office Not a Bomb
While true, it should be noted that neither the left-wing nor right-wing elements present yesterday took responsibility for placing the bottle, and the Sheriff's Department didn't point to either group as a potential culprit.— December 2, 2011 4:18 p.m.
Unlicensed Magazine Peddler Steals Diamond Bracelet
This particular case occurred in the City of La Mesa, not San Diego. But you're correct, in San Diego the SDPD is in charge of issuing permits, and also requires applicants to submit to LiveScan fingerprinting to add their prints to an online database.— November 22, 2011 7:47 a.m.
DeMaio Critics Bash Recent Endorsements, Refusal to Debate
Thanks for the kind words. Occasional commentary still appears on the Rag, but the majority of my time is spent here with the Reader.— October 25, 2011 10:12 p.m.
Catholic Group Demands Money From IRS Despite Having Already Been Paid
From http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=175818,… : "The prohibition against political campaign activity has been in effect for more than half a century and bars certain tax-exempt organizations from engaging on behalf of or in opposition to political candidates. However, these organizations can engage in advocating for or against issues and, to a limited extent, ballot initiatives or other legislative activities." The IRS does seem to believe that it's against the law for non-profits to speak in favor of or against a political candidate - which is exactly what the Kerry e-mails did. So yes, a second violation of the law after the organization had received a warning and been let off the hook once would seem to be "willful and flagrant."— October 24, 2011 6:45 p.m.
San Diego Slipping Faster than Nation
Various Associations of Realtors (local, state, and national trade groups) regularly publish affordability statistics, estimating the percentage of occupants of a given market could afford to buy a median-priced home. Statewide, the most recent stats I'm finding from the California Association of Realtors puts the median home price at $294,230, affordable to 51% of Californians. I'll leave to individuals to judge the trustworthiness of these stats, as well as the extent to which they're applicable to any given market, as they include places like the Merced region, where the median home cost is $92,500.— October 11, 2011 9:09 p.m.
Local Marketing Firm to Launch In-Store Promos
Duly noted - thanks for clarification.— October 6, 2011 12:21 p.m.
Sewage Spills Close Area Beaches
Thanks to user flocculent for pointing out a typo in the hotline number (now corrected).— September 10, 2011 2:11 p.m.
Realtors' Short Sale Woes Continue
Your point certainly has merit. Locally, Chula Vista was among the first cities nationwide to enact a foreclosure registry law compelling banks to pay a fee to report foreclosed properties. City inspectors then monitor properties and enact fines on absentee owners who allow houses to fall into disrepair. Unfortunately with home values down, the property taxes collected based on a percentage of a parcel's value have plummeted, creating a lack of funding for such activities as increased foreclosure activity gives inspectors a glut of properties to monitor.— August 26, 2011 3:54 p.m.
Shopping Cart Bandits
Apologies for lack of clarity - both photos were released by La Mesa Police, and are the suspected perps.— August 4, 2011 9:06 p.m.
National City to Allow Sale of Three-Packs
Check 7-11 - instead of 12 ounce six-packs the big domestic manufacturers are now producing shrink-wrapped 24 ounce three-packs. They seem intended for consumption by the kind of problem drinkers this law was enacted to deny access to booze to.— July 6, 2011 8:33 p.m.