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Rialto Record 08/06/26

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W e e k l y RIALTO RECORD

Vol 25, NO. 02

August 06, 2026

Rialto Adopts Campaign Finance Changes Amid Calls for Postponement and Transparency

IECN.com

SEIU State Workers Picket in San Bernardino Over Wages, Benefits and Telework Pg. 4

San Bernardino, Caltrans Partner to Address Homeless Encampments Along Freeways

PHOTO CHRISTOPHER SALAZAR Despite calls for the council to postpone a vote on Resolution No. 8551, the measure passed in a 4-1 vote July 28.

By Christopher Salazar

geous to those running for office.

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The council adopted Resolution No. 8551 after rejecting Baca’s motion to table the item until after the November municipal elections. Mayor Pro Tem Ed Scott, Councilmembers Edward Montoya Jr., Karla Perez and Andy Carrizales voted in favor of the measure, with Baca casting the lone dissenting vote. The central issue was not whether campaign contributions would increase, as the limit remains capped at $5,900 per donor.

n a contentious 4-1 decision July 28, the Rialto City Council approved a resolution to establish campaign contribution limits by clarifying what some take to be an ambiguity in California state law regarding election cycles, specifically their start and end dates. Supporters argue the resolution clarifies existing rules while Mayor Joe Baca Sr. and community advocates consider the timing suspicious and disadvanta-

Instead, the contention was how that limit would be understood and applied. The resolution establishes a contribution limit of “$5,900 per calendar year,” a change from the former wording of “$5,900 per election cycle," according to the staff report. The contribution limits apply to candidates running for mayor, city council, city clerk and city treasurer, replacing Rialto’s reliance on California’s default campaign contribution rules. Campaign Finance cont. on next pg.

Rialto Unified Opens $8 Million Healing Garden for Student Wellness, Outdoor Learning

Pg. 4

YMCA Camp Edwards Gives Inland Empire Children a Screen-Free Mountain Adventure PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL

Pg. 8

Juanita Chan-Roden, Rialto Unified’s director of science and career programs, leads a tour of the International Healing Garden with state Sen. Eloise Gómez Reyes and Superintendent Alejandro Álvarez on Thursday, July 30.

By Manny Sandoval Inland Empire Community Newspapers Office: (909) 381-9898 Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Advertising: iecn1@mac.com Legals : iecnlegals@gmail.com

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property once covered with weeds has been transformed into an approximately $8 million educational and wellness space where Rialto Unified School District stu-

dents can learn about native plants, environmental science and the connections between nature and mental health. District leaders held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, July 30, for the International Healing Garden, located at 2235 W. Buena Vista Drive across from

Kucera Middle School. Attendees included the entire Rialto Unified Board of Education, state Sen. Eloise Gómez Reyes, San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. and Rialto Mayor Joe Baca Sr. Wellness Garden, cont. next pg.


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