Year: 2016

  • Bill Would Let Cabbies, Other Independent Contractors Organize

    By Megan Burks Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez has introduced a bill that would open the door to collective bargaining for independent contractors. The bill seems to aim squarely at mobile app companies like Uber, but more industries could be affected. The bill would allow 10 or more workers to negotiate as a group with their hosting…

  • The District’s Ambitious New Plan to Serve English-Learners

    I opened a story last year by zooming in on Ángel Solorzano, a student at Kearny High. Solorzano arrived at Kearny speaking very little English. When he met his new principal, Ana Diaz-Booz, the two communicated in sign language. He was one of 32,000 English-learners in San Diego Unified schools who aren’t proficient in English.…

  • San Diego’s ‘Latino Empowerment District’ Could Get Its First Latino Rep

    By Megan Burks In 2011, San Diego redrew its City Council districts and carved out a so-called “Latino Empowerment District.” The new line around City Heights, Kensington, the College Area and parts of southeastern San Diego netted a slight Latino majority. But the next year, the district’s whiter, more affluent voters came out in force,…

  • California Counts: Mobilizing The State’s Refugee Voters

    Mariam Ali, a Somali refugee who lives in San Diego’s Teralta neighborhood, pours olive oil into a pot for alfredo sauce, Feb. 26, 2016. | Photo Credit: Brian Myers, Media Arts Center San Diego By Megan Burks People up and down the state are trying to crack the code on California’s dismal voter turnout, which…

  • Much-Wanted Senior Programs Coming to Park de la Cruz

    By Megan Burks The city of San Diego’s infrastructure committee has signed off on money for a recreation building at Park de la Cruz in City Heights, where city and county senior programs could find a home if the City Council approves. City Heights seniors began building their own network of older neighbors to socialize…