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July 6, 2011· scvtalk.com · WordPress (SCVTalk 3.0) · Wayback capture

SCV GOP’s Bob Haueter pleased that the Economy is bad

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

In his monthly newsletter, Buck McKeon’s deputy tells SCV Republicans its good news that the economy is so bad because that means Obama’s chances at reelection are poorer:

My report this month will be short and sweet. First of all, enjoy the beautiful summer weather, BBQs and family vacations because as you’re all aware we are going to be very busy in the fall and next year insuring that Barak Obama is a one-term President!
The good news is that no President has been reelected with the economy in as serious a condition as it is today. We have a great crop of candidates beating the bushes in the early primary states, Iowa and New Hampshire spreading their message and testing their mettle. I’m firmly convinced the eventual Republican nominee will end the disastrous reign of Obama.

Am I being unfair with how I’m characterizing his remarks? You be the judge but consider, if the economy was doing really well, Bob Haueter wouldn’t have much “good news” to spread, now would he?

Speaking of the economy, here’s the latest and last SCV economic snapshot from City Hall covering the month of April. Next month the Economic Development Corporation will take over these reports. SCV unemployment remains at 7.2 percent. Notably, single family home values were down 11% compared to April 2010. Commercial real estate space doesn’t look like it’s doing too well either; three occupancy permits were issued in April for a total of 9,700 sq. ft.

Commercial and Residential Building Activity
One new building permit for commercial office space were issued in April 2011
Two new building permits for residential units were issued in April 2011.
For the commercial sector, there were 15 tenant improvement permits and 28 alteration permits issued in April 2011. For the residential sector, a total of 95 residential permits for additions and alterations were issued.
Three Certificates of Occupancy were issued, permitting occupancy in 9,704 square feet of space, of which all was for retail space.

Housing Market
In the Santa Clarita Valley, single-family median home values decreased less than one percent between March 2011 and April 2011, and were eleven percent below the values in April 2010.
The number of Notice of Defaults (NODs) issued in April 2011 was 41 percent less than the level in April 2010.

Revenue Generation
Sales tax revenue generated in the fourth quarter of 2010 was up 7.7 percent from the same time period the previous year, but down from our highest third quarter in 2007. The sales tax figures represented in this snapshot contain Point of Sale (POS) revenue only and do not include state and county pool allocations.
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) in April 2011 increased 9.8 percent compared to April 2010.
The economic impact of on-location filming in Santa Clarita in April 2011 was $1,734,000, representing a 13 percent increase from the impact in April 2010.

Employment
In April 2011, 102 vouchers were issued for jobs created or retained through the Enterprise Zone program, representing a potential tax savings to businesses of $3.8 million. Since the City was designated as an Enterprise Zone in 2007, a total of 3,656 jobs have been created or retained which represents over $136 million in potential tax savings to local businesses.
The City of Santa Clarita’s unemployment rate in April 2011 was 7.2 percent and remains lower than both the statewide and Los Angeles County averages.

Comments (26)

  1. Phil EllisJuly 6, 2011 at 10:12 am
    Jeff, I have read that several times and nowhere do I see where Bob was pleased that the economy was bad. I think what he is pleased about is that no President has been reelected with the economy as bad as it is. We should all be happy that voters are smart enough not to reelect a President with the economy as bad as it is. Why do you insist on reinventing what others say?
  2. NFICJuly 6, 2011 at 10:27 am
    Well, lets see Phil… You try to insure (ensure) Obama doesn’t get re-elected by putting up roadblocks to everything he tries to accomplish. Like the Republicans tried to vote against his stimulus plan while they voted for one proposed by Bush… Like the Repub’s blaming Obama for the economy when in fact it tanked during the Bush reign. Like the Repub’s saying no new taxes but at the same time insisting on no increase to the debt ceiling and no cuts in defense and social security. The bottom line is the Repub’s need to get off their “my way or the highway” approach and start to do what is right for the country. I’m happy to hear that Cam Smyth is happy the state budget passed with no new taxes. But as parent about to send two kids to college (probably one to a CSU and one to a UC), my “taxes” just tripled because of the tuition increases I’ll have to pay. That one percent extension of the sales tax seems pretty good to me… And yep, your kids perhaps went to a CSU or UC and I helped foot the bill for them.
  3. Phil EllisJuly 6, 2011 at 12:26 pm
    And your comment had what to do with my question to Jeff? You need to relate your comments back to the original comment and my question. Want to try again or do you just want to give up.
  4. NFICJuly 6, 2011 at 12:49 pm
    Phil – I didn’t know there were rules to replying to your comment. And by the way, to ensure there are no more tax increases, be sure you vote no on every bond measure that comes along – oh and let’s make sure the redevelopment agency tax handouts get killed and the federal stimulus programs that the City took advantage of …
  5. BrookJuly 6, 2011 at 11:41 am
    Agreed – just stirring the pot today trying to say Bob thinks its great the economy being bad is good. Of course he doesn’t – common sense. So for your question “Am I being unfair with how I’m characterizing his remarks?” – absolutely.
  6. JeffJuly 6, 2011 at 2:00 pm
    Alright you’re right. It was an unfair critique. I withdraw.
  7. joshmannJuly 6, 2011 at 11:42 am
    NFIC- I feel your plight as it relates to the State’s recent machete job on higher education budgets. Unfortunately, the State’s budget problem has more to do with the preservation public employee pensions and benefits, than a need to raise taxes. When so many retired state workers are collecting 90%+ of their previous salary and recieving lifetime medical (some for 30 years or more), the lines have to be drawn somewhere. The failure to discuss meaningful pension reform now means higher school fees, closed parks and fewer public services until the whole scheme collapses (ala General Motors). At this point, I’m not sure California couldn’t realistically raise taxes high enough to meet all of its future pension and debt obligations.
  8. Phil EllisJuly 6, 2011 at 12:28 pm
    And Josh, California could face the prospect of even more folks moving away if taxes are increased further.
  9. ToddJuly 6, 2011 at 1:04 pm
    Don’t let the door hitcha on the way out.
  10. spineflower2July 6, 2011 at 2:13 pm
    Hmmm, taxes just dropped (sales tax, and car registration tax), but somehow I must have missed the news coverage of the mass migration of jobs into California that surely resulted. After all, this must work both ways, right?
  11. mikecJuly 6, 2011 at 2:43 pm
    What is an appropriate pension for folks who put their lives on the line to protect you and your property? Or to make sure criminals don’t escape from the state prisons? the 90% salary deals with public safety, not the guy processing the paperwork at the DMV. In addition, 3.5 billion is what is needed out of the total budget for pension contrbutions from the state. Lastly, during the boom times, the states didn’t contribute their requird part of the pension obligations and are know playing catch-up. Think again on medical care for life, most of them get transferred to medi-care when they become 65 as well.
  12. Mr PerezJuly 6, 2011 at 5:59 pm
    As a military member who has put his life on the line throughout my entire military career, I only get 50% of my Base Salary when I hit 20 years. I also have to pay into the health insurance program for myself and family unless I want to be seen at the VA. I would clearly love to receive 90% or even 50% of my ENTIRE take home pay but I accept the minimal amount for what I do.
  13. Jeff 2July 6, 2011 at 1:23 pm
    Honestly Jeff I do think you are unfairly twisting his words to fit your view. I am no big supporter of Buck nor am I an Obama hater. I am someone who roots for our country to do well no matter who is in charge because it benefits us all more than “winning” the game for our side. That said, I do not think, based on the comment printed here, that he is in anyway saying that it’s good news that the economy is bad. A simple analysis of his language used indicates to me that he is saying that if there is a silver lining to this dismal economy it could be that at least Obama won’t get re-elected. Frankly I think there is a big difference between those 2 sentiments. And I would re-phrase NFIC’s comment to be more truthful and less partisan, “The bottom line is that professional politicians, both democrat and republican, need to get off their “my way or the highway” approach and start to do what is right for the country. “
  14. spineflower2July 6, 2011 at 2:17 pm
    Jeff, you are right that the ‘Pubs are trying their best to keep the country in the dumps so they can get re-elected. So long as their oil industry tax breaks are still rolling into the record profits for their oil buddies, they will just sit tight, let the US default, all so they can blame Dems. Most unpatriotic behavior I have seen in a long time. I hardly think that Bob was making a comment on the general behavior of voters from a purely hypothetical standpoint. Clearly he meant it in a partisan manner.
  15. TaTonkaJuly 7, 2011 at 6:31 am
    Oh yeah and eveyone can see how well Obama’s plans have worked out. Talk about the reverse Midas touch. Everything he touches turns to shit.
  16. PackfanJuly 7, 2011 at 8:26 am
    And here it comes! The same board killers are now here getting personal with others and nit-picking to make an inane point. Nip it in the bud Barney, or SCVTalk is toast!
  17. Cheryl PhillipsJuly 7, 2011 at 10:20 am
    A change of subject, but why isn’t the 2nd Draft of the California Citizens Redistricing Commission map in the newspapers today? Waiting to see if Newhall indeed is back in with the rest of the city for the congressional seat.
  18. MikeJuly 7, 2011 at 10:25 am
    A few weeks ago, they announced that the 2nd draft maps won’t be released until July 12. Stay tuned to SCVtalk for the breakdown, the valley’s #1 source for redistricting analysis™. In fact, they are meeting as we speak. Listen here: http://208.96.4.228/15834-33563
  19. Cheryl PhillipsJuly 7, 2011 at 12:31 pm
    Thanks, Mike
  20. PackfanJuly 7, 2011 at 7:50 pm
    Moderators!
  21. Mr PerezJuly 9, 2011 at 12:08 am
    Here is my question to the critics of the President. If come 2012, a Republican President is elected and they do not turn around the economy, will there be excuses made, i.e. it was the mess that Obama left, or accept that voting them in was a failure and that both parties are to blame for the current mess?
  22. TaTonkaJuly 7, 2011 at 6:13 am
    Pretty sure Nana knows you will not show up.
  23. Capt. GeneJuly 7, 2011 at 8:06 am
    “Waiting for you response with baited breath” What a moron.
  24. NateJuly 7, 2011 at 10:59 am
    Silence troll.
  25. NateJuly 7, 2011 at 11:01 am
    When I agree to be some where I show up. Troll.
  26. Capt. GeneJuly 7, 2011 at 2:13 pm
    Not today moron.

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