Editorial: A few easy steps to fix pension mess
OpinionAs the region, along with the rest of the state, confronts a massive problem in funding public-sector pensions, the abuses in the city of Bell should sound a clarion call to make real reforms in a corrupt system. The Ventura County Taxpayers Association reports that in the city of Ventura alone, some $3.1 million a Read More →
Universities haul in grants, but cash still tight
UncategorizedWith its state funding level still up in the air, UC Santa Barbara broke its records for external research funding by bringing in $222 million this year, nearly double the outside funding it brought in a decade ago. But as much as that money helps, it often goes to specific programs. With the state budget Read More →
Cal Poly out, Pepperdine in: Santa Barbara will get first MBA classes in January
UncategorizedWith Cal Poly San Luis Obispo out of the running, Pepperdine University is set to win the race to open the first master’s in business administration program in the Santa Barbara area. Cal Poly announced June 30 that it was abandoning plans for an MBA program, at the request of the office of California State Read More →
A smarter brand: IQMS grows and profits in Paso Robles
TechnologyThink of Paso Robles, and golden hills, grazing cattle and some of California’s best wines come to mind. Add to that list a global software firm. Twenty-one years ago, Randy and Nancy Flamm mortgaged their house to found IQMS, a company headquartered in Paso Robles that delivers software in eight languages to more than 400 Read More →
Again, Ford buys a bank at a bargain
ColumnsTo Carl Webb, California in 2010 looks a lot like California circa 1993. A devastating meltdown in the housing sector. Sky-high unemployment. Deep budget problems. And a crisis in confidence that the Texas banker describes as “a little less spring in the step” of the California consumer. In short, the perfect time to get back Read More →
Editorial: The way to San Jose
OpinionAn impressive gathering of South Coast business and political leaders met July 21 to map out a strategy for restoring direct service from Santa Barbara’s airport to San Jose. This service is critical to meeting the needs of the region’s technology industry, and SkyWest Airlines’ decision to suspend the service earlier this summer did Read More →