S.M.a.r.t Column: Your City is Broke

11/18/2024 9:55 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

However, the long-term financial picture is even grimmer. The City’s unfunded pension overhang is about $700M+ and climbing while the School Board pension overhang is about $100M+. To give you an idea of the scale of the problem, this obligation is about the size of the City’s entire operating budget of $765M for 2024-24.

We know two things that can help us through this trying time. First, we must immediately start living within our means in all areas: fiscally, socially, and environmentally (our water sustainability plan and recycling plan are a shambles).

Congratulations, and Desperately Seeking Moderation from our new Santa Monica City Council

11/15/2024 1:51 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

by Arthur Jeon

To our new council members, one conclusion you would be wise to draw is to not view this as a mandate. Curb your most glorious leftist impulses...

Justice Delayed in Alle Beating

11/15/2024 1:28 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Because of Shortage of Jailhouse Buses

The hearing in the case of the man who allegedly beat Alle on September 20, 2023, in Palisades Park in Santa Monica was continued to some unspecified date after the new year. According to Alle, who waited until afternoon in case the defendant was able to make the bus, the defendant is required to have his "mental abilities" tested before they are allowed to make another court date.

Latest Santa Monica Municipal Election Results

11/13/2024 8:01 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

SMRR Sweeps Back Into Power

11/13/2024 8:00 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica rent prices fall once more as Los Angeles surges in demand

11/12/2024 8:05 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

According to Apartment List, Santa Monica rents dropped by 0.2% in October, down to $2,310 for a one-bedroom apartment and $2,769 for a two-bedroom. Overall, rents in the city have decreased for 10 straight months per the website, with the overall 5.5% drop year-to-year being the largest among the 25 Los Angeles metro area cities listed in the report.

SMRR Falsely Scared Local Voters By Threatening the End of Rent Control

11/12/2024 8:03 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Santa Monica voters seem to be with our slate on the issues, but suspect the noise from SMRR was too great for our candidates to overcome.

SM.a.r.t Column: Moving Ahead to the Future

11/11/2024 8:38 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The new City Council faces a monumental task. The question is, are they prepared to tackle these challenges head-on? Or will the new Council perpetuate the same old policies that, over two decades, led to this situation? Time will tell, and we’ll be here to closely examine the Council’s actions, their effectiveness, and their impact on our local residents. Meanwhile, as a reminder of our mission, we reprint below the founding article from eleven years ago, laying out our core principles and agenda—goals we remain committed to pursuing.

United Slate Widens Commanding Lead

11/11/2024 8:30 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The United slate on Friday widened an all but insurmountable lead that will give Santa Monica's political establishment a 6 to 1 majority on the City Council.

Santa Monica voters back Hochman and harsher criminal penalties while opposing rent control expansion

11/08/2024 2:11 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

While Brock’s slatemates Oscar de la Torre, Vivian Roknian seem close in voter percentage (reporting 10.7% and 10.15% respectively vs. the 12.54% needed to claim a council seat), they are even further behind Brock in the actual vote count and each needs more than 2,000 votes.