Posts by Clare Crawford
Thank You & Happy New Year!
By Clare Crawford | January 2, 2012 |
| On behalf of the CPI team, I want to wish you a very happy and fruitful new year! We’re so grateful to everyone who donated to CPI in 2011. Your generous support makes our work for economic justice and shared prosperity possible!As we enter 2012, economic inequality is increasingly prominent in the public discourse. I’m excited about the opportunities locally, as well as nationally, to transform our society for the better.Thanks again for your commitment to social change in San Diego!Sincerely,Clare Crawford Executive Director P.S. It’s never too early to make a 2012 tax-deductible donation to support our work for a fair economy. Thanks! |
Thank you to all CPI donors!“I donated to CPI because I believe in investing locally with organizations that are making changes for the better in our city. I am glad that we have CPI to fight for justice, equality, and the common good in San Diego.” “I strongly support fair wages and the importance of housing for wellness — issues which CPI addresses through advocacy, policy initiatives and research.” “CPI provides citizens, policymakers and the media with data and analysis on issues like healthcare, poverty, employment and good government. With big corporations and the super-rich dominating the media and politics, we need watchdogs like CPI.” |
Keep Miramar Landfill Under Public Control
By Clare Crawford | Published in voice of sandiego.org | September 23, 2011 |
The first proclaimed success in San Diego’s “managed competition” program has stumbled right out of the gate. The handling of the relatively simple publishing department contract should raise red flags as City Council prepares to vote Monday on putting Miramar Landfill out to bid.
As other cities and states have learned, contracting out complicated vital services requires extreme attention to the details of those contracts.
But in the case of San Diego’s publishing services, the city’s business office accepted a bid that included use of a computer system the employee team believes to be more efficient — and now is requiring a different system.
If a private contractor had won the bid and the city tried this after-the-fact switch, taxpayers would face a big cost increase or perhaps a lawsuit.
The city’s business office wasn’t able to specify the work necessary to contract out publishing. A similar mistake on Miramar Landfill could have far more serious implications for San Diego taxpayers and our environment, public health and essential services.
San Diego’s only public landfill, Miramar is a complex venture that has been efficiently operated by city staff for 50 years, generating revenue and providing numerous services to all San Diegans. Every household in the city relies on it. Besides safely handling the 1 million tons of garbage we collectively produce each year, it provides community services ranging from neighborhood cleanups to recycling and free mulch.
Contracting out landfill operations is fraught with risk. It involves managing more than 80 subcontracts and complying with at least 23 regulatory agencies. If a private operator is able to cut corners — whether because of a poorly written contract or a lack of oversight — potential water and air contamination, escalating costs and reduced services are at stake. This contract would have to be precise to the last detail.
In 2006, voters empowered the city to use managed competition if it maintains service quality, protects the public’s interest and saves money. The mayor already spent more than $500,000 in taxpayer dollars to learn that privatizing the landfill is a bad idea.
Miramar Landfill is best left under public control. The City Council can protect the public’s interest by voting on Monday to reject the business office’s proposal to put it up for bid.
Taking San Diego for a ride, again
By Clare Crawford | Published in San Diego Union-Tribune | June 21, 2011 |
The city of San Diego has never mastered the art of managing contracts.
Debris haulers contracted by the city overcharged victims of the 2007 wildfires. Computer system consultants ran millions over budget and months behind schedule. Recently, a private ambulance company took advantage of lax oversight to shortchange the city by an estimated $18 million. And so on.
Again and again, private contractors take San Diego taxpayers for a ride – because they can. Read More
