Michael Smolens
The Union-Tribune
San Diego, CA, United States
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Past articles by Michael:
Mueller report doesn't make 2020 any easier for San Diego Republicans
The 2020 election was already shaping up as another rough one for San Diego County Republicans. The Mueller report doesn't change that. → Read More
Even from the grave, McCain still gets under Trump's skin
It's a safe bet John McCain would probably be enjoying this. Seven months after his death, the Arizona senator and war hero hasn't lost his knack of getting the president's goat like no earthly being can. → Read More
San Diego again loses housing for people living on the edge
There they go again. San Diego officials, developers and property owners continue the city's history of destroying cheap downtown hotels to build more upscale establishments. Those old hotels provide inexpensive housing that can help people from being homeless. → Read More
Can San Diego strike a pension deal while the market is hot?
With an eye on the stock market, city and union negotiators might want to reach a pension deal sooner than later. The market has been going up, and up and up pretty much for the last decade and it has got to tank some time. That could affect the city's costs. → Read More
San Diego: A city of big thinking, big risks, big controversies
San Diego has history of big thinking and risk-taking. Those traits would come in handy as big ideas emerge in a city now often viewed as one that thinks small and plays it safe. → Read More
San Diego contemplates cannabis lounges. San Francisco set the standard
San Diego may allow cannabis businesses to open lounges, where people can smoke the product on site. In San Francisco, they already have become part of the cultural landscape. → Read More
San Diego transportation agencies struggle to get in sync on big plans
As San Diego awaits visionary transportation plan, agencies to carry it out are "not in sync," according to one official. → Read More
Faulconer: California Republicans shouldn't be 'carbon copy' of national GOP
Mayor Kevin Faulconer has a blunt message for California Republicans: Divorce the national GOP. → Read More
How San Diego's mayoral candidates became politically 'woke'
A slap in the face. A recession. A presidential candidate. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things. That's what San Diego's four candidates for mayor said factored into their political awakenings. → Read More
San Diego looks to the far north for guidance on parking, housing
Changing a city into something it is not is no easy task. San Diego is embarking on a long and likely bumpy road to transform from a car-centric sprawling city to a more transit-reliant metropolis with much more dense housing. → Read More
An ode to border wall prototypes: It wasn't fun while it lasted
The border wall prototypes in San Diego provided some show-and-tell theater for the raging debate over the future of President Donald Trump's central political and policy goal. But they gave insight into how Trump operates. → Read More
San Diego's plans for housing, homeless, transportation run into resistance
San Diegans increasingly are told they need to do more — and pay more — to increase the housing stock, help the homeless and expand street and trolley systems. It's clear a lot of them don't like it. → Read More
Campaigns can track you, seek your vote via cellphone
Like so many commercial enterprises, political campaigns have the ability to mine your digital data — not just about what you like but where you go. → Read More
San Diego officials take 'good cop, bad cop' approach in border sewage fight
San Diego's local, state and congressional representatives have teamed up on a two-front effort to get federal funding to resolve the border sewage pollution "once and for all." Call it the good cop, bad cop approach. → Read More
Border wall fight gives little hope for sweeping immigration overhaul
Compared to longer-term, complex immigration problems, dealing with the border wall dispute shouldn't have even been heavy lifting. But the struggle and shutdown suggest no prospects for comprehensive immigration reform. → Read More
San Diego County takes the stage in housing crisis
Mayor Kevin Faulconer and the city of San Diego have made a splash with ambitious proposals to address an affordable housing crisis. County leaders, meanwhile, have been moving the ball forward with less fanfare. → Read More
Stormy Daniels vs. Lorena Gonazlez and California labor law
Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez has faced off against plenty of corporate representatives, but none quite like this one. → Read More
Male politicians fit to be tied on wardrobe
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s appearance in San Diego last week kicked up quite a bit of commentary. Sure, his discussion of funding for asylum shelters rightly drew most of the attention. But his literal appearance triggered a rare, and somewhat lighthearted, online discussion. → Read More
A glimmer of movement on border security is buried under the shouting
Let's hear from the experts on border security. What a thought. → Read More
In San Diego, the busiest border around had a very busy day
San Diego has the busiest border crossing in the Western Hemisphere. One day last week, the politics surrounding the border matched that reputation. → Read More