U.S. election

These topics, from the November 4 election, are scheduled for our November 3rd rmeeting:

1. On our own ballots, who will win and what measures will pass?  By what margins?
2. What about ballot measures in other States?

Regarding item #1:

November 4 ballot: Smartvoter, California Ballot Measures

League of Women Voters: Easy Voter Guide, How to Evaluate Initiatives, An Overview of State Bond Debt

Regarding item #2:

MSNBC: Hot-button social issues highlight state ballots, Outcome

freeway interchange

The Desert Sun had an article about our freeway interchange here and here.  

The public has until the end of the month to comment on all the alternatives

Here's a PDF on our portal that contains the 3 current alternatives.  The complete document and technical studies are available for review at City Hall and the library.

Animal rights /California redistricting / Indio User Tax

The discussion topics for our October 20, 2008, meeting come from the November 4 election ballot:

1. Proposition 2: Shall certain farm animals be allowed, for the majority of every day, to fully extend their limbs or wings, lie down, stand up and turn around?
2. Proposition 11. Redistricting -- State of California (Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute - Majority Approval Required) Shall the authority for establishing state office boundaries be changed from elected representatives to a commission comprised of Democrats, Republicans, and representatives of neither party selected from the registered voter pool in a multilevel process?
3. Measure K. Amending User's Tax Ordinance -- City of Indio (Majority Approval Required) Shall the city of Indio amend and modernize the city's utility users' tax ordinance?

Regarding item #1:  

Voter guide: Proposition 2

N.Y. Times: editorial

Regarding item #2:  

Voter guide: Proposition 11 

Regarding item #3:

Voter guide: Measure K

Desert Sun: Measure K an important step forward for Indio

Claremont Insider: Indio Spin Class

Per Gustavo: The City of Indio Utility User Fee Application For Exemption is now available at the HOA office.  If you're 62+ or disabled, you may qualify.

The Bailout

October 6, 2008, meeting topic: 

The Bailout, a review of the $700,000,000,000 "rescue plan" by the federal government of the US financial industry

Was this action needed or should the industry have found another way to resolve the problem?
Are the taxpayers protected?
Why are foreign financial institutions benefiting from the act?  Are they?
Where will the US get the money to fund the act?
Why was the amount $700 billion selected?
Is the act an example of Socialism?

This American Life (radio): Another Frightening Show About the Economy

L.A. Times: Schwarzenegger to U.S.: State may need $7-billion loan