Bill could cost state 51,000 jobs

Similar stories:

• Viewpoint: Let’s avoid a transportation showdown

  Viewpoint: Let’s avoid a transportation showdown

  Recently, Congress passed and the president signed into law the extension of the payroll tax cut. The legislation’s passage stopped a tax increase on 160 million Americans and, while not a perfect bill by any stretch, it was also notable for something else it averted —another lastminute, down-to-the-wire partisan food fight over an issue we really should be able to agree on.

  It would be nice if Congress could follow up on this welcome surprise and come together on another traditionally bipartisan subject — the federal transportation bill. It shouldn’t be that hard, given that transportation has long been a pretty nonpartisan issue, even in Washington. Historically, the public interest has trumped ideology in our unified effort to maintain and improve our nation’s highways and bridges, rails, and transit systems. That sense of unity and shared purpose has built our nationwide transportation system, growing our economy and creating millions of jobs along the way.

  And this year’s bill does contain some examples

• Transportation sales tax measure will not be on Nov. 2012 ballot

  Transportation sales tax measure will not be on Nov. 2012 ballot

  The county’s regional transit agency voted unanimously Wednesday against putting a transportation sales tax measure on the November 2012 ballot, after reviewing a poll that told them the proposal would not receive the two-thirds vote necessary to pass it.

  Consultants D.J. Smith and Monte Ward told the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) that more than 60 percent of voters would support a half-cent or quarter-cent tax. But in California a minority of voters can override the majority on such a tax measure, and the consultants did not find two-thirds support for the proposal.

  SLOCOG is a regional agency that includes all five members of the Board of Supervisors as well as a representative from each of the county’s seven incorporated cities.

• Poll: Transit tax would fail on a ballot

  Poll: Transit tax would fail on a ballot

  A local transportation sales tax would fail should it go on the ballot next November, according to a poll conducted this fall by the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments.

  The poll showed 60 percent support for such a proposal, but because it is a special tax, it needs two-thirds voter approval.

  The poll surveyed 800 “high frequency” San Luis Obispo County voters between mid-September and the first week of October. It was commissioned by the council’s board of directors.

• Marijuana dispensary near Nipomo hits snag

  Marijuana dispensary near Nipomo hits snag

  A county resident’s plan to open a medical marijuana collective near Nipomo was brought to a halt after the building owners — including former local lawmaker and Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado — indicated they had never agreed to lease or sell the property for that use.

  In October, David Rosenthal submitted an application to the San Luis Obispo County Planning and Building Department for a permit to open a collective at 115 Cuyama Lane that would also include some holistic health services and classes.

  Rosenthal said Monday that private discussions with the property owner, Santa Maria-based Tri-M Rental Group, will continue.

• Maldonado’s earmarks strategy could come back to bite him

  Maldonado’s earmarks strategy could come back to bite him

  WASHINGTON — Earmarks are a two-edged sword in the Central Coast congressional race pitting Republican challenger Abel Maldonado against Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara.

  Taking a page from other campaigns, Maldonado is deploying the issue of earmarks like a political expletive to denounce Capps as a Washington big spender. He sounds prepared to wrap around her neck as many “bridge-to-nowhere” embarrassments as can be found in Capps’ 14-year House career.

  “Congresswoman Capps has voted for many, many earmarks that frankly were appalling,” Maldonado said in a telephone interview.