Curry: Newport Beach State Gas Tax Reversal Highlights Power of Debate in Democracy

Opinion
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Former Newport Beach Mayor Keith Curry credits city council members for voting to reverse track this month on their decision to forgo state gas tax funds. Yet it was the public and columnists like Tom Johnson and Barbara Venezia, Curry writes, that really moved the ball. Curry notes the experience underscores the need for strong public comment, debate and engagement in Orange County’s civic life.

Curry: Political Posturing Costs Newport Taxpayers Hundreds of Thousands

opinion
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Former City Councilman Keith Curry criticizes a recent decision by the Newport Beach City Council to turn down nearly $500,000 in state funding because of their opposition to the state’s recent gas tax hike. Curry writes that council members were irresponsible to defer much needed infrastructure funding for locals just to send an ideological message to Sacramento.

Curry: Council Voter Suppression to Cost Taxpayers Millions

Community Columnists
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An election that would have cost less than $200,000 may now cost millions because Newport Beach City Council members created a 10-pound document aimed at frustrating opponents of a housing development, writes former Mayor Keith Curry, who is calling on the new council to avoid these costs by rescinding approvals for the Museum Tower project.

Curry: Nobody is Enforcing Newport Beach Campaign Finance Laws

Countywide
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Does the public have a right to know exactly who is contributing to campaigns as well as an expectation that campaign finance laws will be enforced? Newport Beach City Councilman Keith Curry argues there is a key breakdown of enforcement in his city.

Curry: Newport Beach Needs Political Reform

Community Columnists
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Newport Beach Councilman Keith Curry writes that its time for his city to enact campaign finance reform and calls out his colleagues and local political consultant David Ellis declaring he’ll push for a lobbyist registry to help citizens what interests are influencing council votes.