Morning News Round-Up -- 1.26.09: Recession Repercussions...

A lot of economy-related news today. If you hadn't noticed, the unemployment rate is up everywhere. California's unemployment rate is at 9.3%. Lucky for us, San Mateo isn't really feeling that pinch. Our unemployment rate is the second lowest in the State at 5.9%. But don't get cocky...the plummeting economy is taking its toll on local businesses and government agencies -- today's Round-Up is full of Recession Repercussion stories...

Recession Repercussion 1: Stanford is suspending $1.3 billion in construction projects because of major hits to their endowment.

Recession Repercussion 2: The field use saga continues in San Mateo Union High School District. The District wants to hike its fees to recover more of the direct costs of keeping the fields (and other facilities) up and running in these difficult economic times. But it turns out the District sometimes uses City facilities...and the City wants to jack up those rates on the District too. (Retaliation?) So now everyone is upset. Can Jerry Hill save the day?

Recession Repercussion 3: Would you pay to drive in carpool lane if you were driving alone? That's a proposal currently being considered by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Watch Dog assumes this is a money-raising technique, and therefore a Recession Repercussion...

Recession Repercussion 4: The third eyesore/skyscraper on San Bruno Mountain is being halted because of the economy...the North Tower is about to be completed, but the South Tower is on hold.

Recession Repercussion 5: Every city needs money...but Palo Alto may do something about their need. They are looking to businesses to cover the City's budget shortfalls. Specifically, they want to impose a tax businesses via a Business License Tax (BLT). While most cities have a BLT (on rye?) PA doesn't. The difference is that Palo Alto is thinking about a gross-receipts tax opposed to a simple, annual fee that many/most cities have. Why a gross-receipts tax? More money for Palo Alto, of course.

While many/most are worrying about the economy, Watch Dog is worried about local democracy...

Michelle Durand at the Daily Journal has a profile/interview with unelected Supervisor Carole Groom in today's edition. Later today, we'll post the most telling parts of this story and provide some analysis...

Democracy was already set to take yet another hit in San Mateo County today as a seat on the Millbrae Elementary School District Board was to be appointed to fill out the term of John Lynch, who passed away. But then another Board Member, Bob Miller, abruptly resigned last week effective immediately -- opening up another spot. Will two folks be appointed tonight? It would be too bad, because only 5 people are in the running for one, or perhaps two, appointments. Perhaps they could use the list of folks who wanted to be on the San Mateo City Council...

And some other stuff...

A school opening delayed in Redwood City because the State can't get its act together to give approvals in time...

The Almanac finally reads a press release from January 8th about the Civil Grand Jury report on the Los Trancas County Water District and writes are story about it...

Belmont Councilwoman Coralin Feierbach wants to permanently protect open space and parks in Belmont with a ballot measure. Why? For the answer, we bring you the Quote of the Day:

“Some [City] council in the future is going to look at the [property] and say ‘yummy’ and build in it..."

Brisbane officials are putting a slow down on a land-use project because they say it doesn't fully explore using alternative energy...could this be a trend in the making? Officials demanding on-site renewables? They project is slated to be LEED Certified, however...

While the online Pacifica Tribune updates rarely, Pacifica Riptide bring us helpful news...like their investigation into the word-of-mouth menu at In-and-Out...