By Megan Burks
Emerald Commends Mayor for Apology
Councilwoman Marti Emerald released the following statement in response to an apology Mayor Bob Filner made for behaving inappropriately with female staffers and other women.
| “I commend Mayor Filner for the courage to admit he has made mistakes and for his commitment to change his behavior. I hope the people of San Diego will support Mayor Filner in his effort to make a change and continue to make a positive difference in our city.” |
Filner’s apology came after former Councilwoman Donna Frye and attorney Marco Gonzalez alleged the mayor sexually harassed several women and asked him to resign.
Several others joined the call for his resignation today, including former City Heights Councilwoman and Assemblywoman Toni Atkins, and labor leader and Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez. Council President Todd Gloria has not yet released a statement.
UPDATE: Council President Todd Gloria has joined the chorus of Democrats calling for Filner’s resignation.
In a pre-taped statement Thursday, Filner said he would not resign but would seek professional help for his behavior. Though he did not admit to sexual harassment, he said he “failed to fully respect” and “intimidated” female staffers.
Speak City Heights readers had this to say:
Follow @KPBS and @voiceofsandiego to track this story.
Chicago Cabbies Fight for Fairer Wages
A Chicago legal case could make taxicab drivers city employees instead of independent contractors. The move would give them access to better wages and health and pension benefits.
The case comes as the city grapples with poor working conditions for cabbies – a conversation being had here in San Diego, too. San Diego is currently studying how it might reform the industry.
Follow @thenation.
To End Food Stamps Stalemate, the House Takes Them Off the Table
The House passed a farm bill this week that leaves out food stamps legislation. After more than a year of failing to come to an agreement on whether, or how much, to cut from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, GOP leaders say its time to sever nutrition policy from the farm bill and handle it separately. The farm bill regulates agriculture policy, too.
The GOP could also take a similar approach on comprehensive immigration reform. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) released a statement Wednesday saying Republican leaders would try a piecemeal approach to push immigration reform through.
Follow Harvest Public Media @HarvestPM.