Pass the Red Bull, Maude, it looks like a dozy election season in Santa Barbara.
As Friday's deadline passed to register to run for office (there's a five-day extension for elections with no incumbent), there is a decided dearth of campaign competition, let alone sharp conflict, for nearly every local, state and federal race, with most contests featuring formidable front-runners facing token challengers or, in several cases, no opposition at all.
Ryan Cruz, Gwyn Lurie and Josh Molina join the genial host to survey the local political landscape in this week's edition of "Newsmakers TV," as the last-minute entry of Republican warhorse Mike Stoker into the tussle for the 37th Assembly District seat provides about the only hint of campaign entertainment; Supervisor Gregg Hart, running with the Democrat Party imprimatur in the Democratic district, remains the odds-on favorite, however, with city Planning Commissioner Gabe Escobedo now positioned as the odd man out in the June 7 primary, with only the top two finishers earning a ticket to the November run-off.
The gang also breaks down the city's decision to allow cruise ships once again to anchor here, two years after the pandemic forced the cancellation of sea-bound tourist stops, and examines the implications of the SBPD's completion of its project to equip all officers with body cameras. In Montecito, home owners who live near the never-ending Highway 101 widening project are cursing the decision by Cal-Trans to eliminate sound barriers, while those with properties in the fire zone applaud a new break on their homeowners insurance ordered by the state Insurance Commissioner. And downtown shoppers face increases in parking rates at city-owned garages and lots.
Plus: David Attias still insane.
If it's Friday, it's Newsmakers TV, all here, right now. Check out the new show via YouTube below, or.by clicking through this link The podcast version is here.
Cartoon of the Week
Credit: Kaamran Hafeez, The New Yorker.