County projections show public safety supplemental requests rising from $49 million this fiscal year to $130 million in fiscal 2021-22 — thanks largely to a deputy sheriff’s labor deal struck just before the November elections.
Author Archives: Norberto Santana Jr.
Norberto Santana, Jr. is an experienced investigative reporter, serving as founding publisher and editor-in-chief for Voice of OC, overseeing newsroom, engagement and fundraising operations.
He’s also an award-winning columnist, focusing his efforts on First Amendment issues and local government, being recognized multiple years by the Orange County Press Club as the region’s best columnist.
The LA Press Club has named him a Journalist of the Year (2018) and the Los Angeles chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists has recognized him as a “Distinguished Journalist.” The California Chicano News Media Association has honored him with a lifetime achievement award and the national News Leaders Association has recognized him for his commitment to diverse staffing and coverage.
Santana is a pioneer in the field of nonprofit news having served on the board of directors for the national trade group for nonprofit newsrooms, the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN). He also has served on boards of the national nonprofit advocating investigative journalism, Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) and the California First Amendment advocacy group, CalAware.
In addition to journalism, Santana also teaches public affairs and investigative journalism as an adjunct faculty professor at Chapman University.
Before founding Voice of OC in 2009, Santana was a lead investigative reporter for the Orange County Register, focusing on county government. He spent nearly two decades covering local governments across Southern California, previously as a staff writer at the San Diego Union Tribune and San Bernardino County Sun.
Santana began his journalistic career as an apprentice reporter with Congressional Quarterly in Washington, D.C. covering daily floor action in the U.S. Congress and followed that up with a stint covering the territorial Senate for the U.S. Virgin Islands Daily News.
Languages spoken: English and Spanish
Posted inCountywide, Investigative, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Confronting the Little Fidels That Surround Us All
This week as we say goodbye to the iconic Caribbean tyrant Fidel Castro, we must remember that every day, even in a democracy, we all have to fight public officials who threaten our basic rights and freedoms.
Posted inCountywide, Housing & Homelessness, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: What Happens After Elections Also Matters
As we prepare for Thanksgiving, let’s hope our county supervisors can refocus themselves on leadership, crafting a realistic regional plan for attacking homelessness. All of Orange County — not just Santa Ana — has to step up.
Posted inCountywide, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Plugging Into the New Reality
After getting beat by Republicans both nationally and locally, OC Democratic Chairman Henry Vandermeir says he’s done. Meanwhile, OC Republicans look to a Trump era with surprise and cheer.
Posted inCountywide, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: The Real Winners From Election 2016
The establishment of a homeless check-in center in downtown Santa Ana last month showed how an election can mobilize a bureaucracy. But it won’t matter much if we don’t stay engaged beyond Election Day.
Posted inCountywide, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Handcuffing Journalists
Voice of OC heads into court this week on a public records case spurred by Supervisor Todd Spitzer’s arrest of a man at a Wahoo’s restaurant last year. Meanwhile, there are more shake-ups inside Spitzer’s county office.
Posted inCountywide, Housing & Homelessness, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: New Trails Blazed in OC for Veterans, Homeless and Politicking
Retired labor leader Nick Berardino reflects on the effort to establish the county’s first veterans’ museum. County homeless czar Susan Price charts out a strategy for combating homelessness. County supervisors get called out for politicking with public resources.
Posted inCountywide, Housing & Homelessness, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Calling Out the Obvious
Questions mount as more staffers working for county Supervisor Todd Spitzer abruptly exit. Meanwhile, county officials remain mum on developing real housing options for people living on the streets.
Posted inCountywide, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Doing the Right Thing
The debut of the Courtyard Transition Center in downtown Santa Ana shows what’s possible in the fight to end homelessness. Now officials in Orange County need to focus on the next step — housing.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Wandering Through Crisis
An upcoming conference on homelessness sponsored by county supervisors offers a unique opportunity for Orange County to talk about changing our moribund approach to helping those most in need.
