The California Apartment Association, which has endorsed Sam Liccardo for mayor, has sent out the sleaziest political mailer of the year so far. At first glance the mailer appears to be from organized labor. It praises Dave Cortese as if he opposed pension reform. Only the small print shows that the mailer actually comes from the California Apartment Association PAC.
Liccardo is establishing a reputation as a win at all costs candidate. First there was his early fundraising, which his campaign manager said was “total a violation,” of the law, but also “what winners do.” (The City’s investigation found the case against Liccardo could not be proved, but insiders know Sam’s campaign would not have admitted an offense they didn’t commit.) Now this.
The fact is that Dave Cortese is the only candidate for mayor to have achieved legal retirement pension reform that saved the taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. Let’s break down this sleazy mailer false accusation, by false accusation.
1. Cortese would cut other budget items but not touch union benefits: FALSE
Supervisor Dave Cortese voted for tens of millions of dollars in cuts to county employee compensation in an effort to balance the budget and reign in rising pension costs. Unlike San Jose City leaders, he avoided wasteful litigation and retained skilled and experienced staff. Cortese criticized the model San Jose used that led to expensive lawsuits which the city lost, and caused hundreds of police officers to flee the city department.
2. Cortese would protect union benefits at all costs: FALSE
Dave Cortese’s goal is to protect San Jose neighborhoods from the failed policies of the current City leadership under Mayor Reed. Police response times are up to 20 minutes; arrests are down 49%. Based on these facts, the last thing that’s on Mayor Reed’s mind is protecting San Jose, but it’s the FIRST thing on Dave Cortese’s mind.
3. Cortese would represent public employees above all others: FALSE
Dave Cortese will represent all San Jose residents. But let’s be clear: teachers, firefighters, nurses, librarians and police officers are not the enemy. They devote their lives to public service. Cortese doesn’t support all of their proposals, but they should not be made the scapegoat for every bad policy put forth by current city government.
And finally, look who’s paying for this sleazy attack…the biggest landlords in California, the CA Apartment Association. If Dave Cortese is opposed by slumlords and the people who evict grandmothers to make an extra buck, he must be the candidate the rest of us should be supporting.
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