Ducking questions
‘Out of this World’
White House press secretary refers inquiries about cocaine discovery to Secret Service - A3
Sunken Garden film series starts Friday, and this time, it’s all about the aliens and their friends - B1
Our 167th Year
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T H U R S DAY, J U LY 6 , 2 0 2 3
NEWS-PRESS EXCLUSIVE
Opposed to State Street closure
DAVE MASON/NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
Inflation continues to tick upward By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE
(The Center Square) – Recently released inflation data shows prices continue to rise in the U.S. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis released its monthly Personal Consumption Expenditure Index, a favorite marker of the Federal Reserve to track inflation, which showed prices rose 0.3% in May when excluding food and energy. When taking into account food and energy prices, prices rose 0.1%. “Disposable personal income (DPI), personal income less personal current taxes, increased $86.7 billion (0.4 percent) and personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $18.9 billion (0.1 percent),” BEA said. The increase is less than previous months during the Biden administration, when inflation soared to the highest levels in decades. Republicans have hammered President Joe Biden for his role in inflation. “We would not be in this inflation crisis if not for Democrats’ big spending bills that fueled the labor shortage and gave billions in special interest tax breaks to the wealthy and well-connected, billion-dollar corporations, and big banks,” House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., said in response to the PCE data. President Biden, though, has touted his economic successes, pointing to relatively low unemployment, the recovery from COVID shutdown-related
economic troubles, and the slowing of inflation in recent months. “When I took office, unemployment was over 6 percent,” President Biden said during a speech in Chicago last week where he touted “Bidenomics,” his rebuttal to trickle down economics. “With the American Rescue Plan, we’ve provided relief and support directly to working-class families. Our economy came roaring back. Unemployment dipped below 4 percent by the end of my first year in office. Now it’s been below 4 percent for the longest stretch in 50 years in American history.” While inflation’s increase has slowed, prices are still much higher than when President Biden took office. “From the preceding month, the PCE price index for May increased 0.1 percent…” BEA said. “Prices for goods decreased 0.1 percent and prices for services increased 0.3 percent. Food prices increased 0.1 percent and energy prices decreased 3.9 percent.” And price increases in the last year are still far higher than what economists consider healthy for the economy. “From the same month one year ago, the PCE price index for May increased 3.8 percent,” BEA said. “Prices for goods increased 1.1 percent and prices for services increased 5.3 percent. Food prices increased 5.8 percent and energy prices decreased 13.4 percent. Excluding food and energy, the PCE price index increased 4.6 percent from one year ago.”
A bicyclist goes past the parklets Tuesday on lower State Street, which has been closed to traffic since 2020.
Cars Are Basic President Scott Wenz talks about allowing traffic back on downtown Santa Barbara street Editor’s note: This is the second of a three-part series on parklets and the closure of lower State Street in Santa Barbara. By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS COUNTY EDITOR
At least two dozen speakers appeared before the Santa Barbara City Council last week to voice their opinions about whether part of lower State Street should continue to be closed to traffic past Dec. 31 so that the outdoor dining parklets could remain on the downtown promenade. The speakers were divided. Some voiced strong enthusiasm for keeping the status quo so they and others could continue to eat and shop and just walk around the promenade without having to dodge traffic. Others opposed the idea, citing a drop in retail sales, staff reductions in stores, and increased storefront vacancies. One voice, however, was conspicuously absent, that of Scott Wenz, president of Cars Are Basic Inc., an all-volunteer advocacy group for motorists.
One would think it would have been the perfect opportunity for him to take advantage of the public spotlight and argue passionately on behalf of a driver’s right to cruise down State Street, maybe not even to shop or dine but simply to take a gander at the historic architecture along both sides of the city’s main artery. But he didn’t show up. “To what benefit would it have been for CAB to have waited in the gallery, listen to what the staff and council have already stated is their position?” he said Sunday in response to a News-Press query. “We have submitted letters (before) based upon fact and never been given the courtesy of a ‘thank you for your input and public works data.’ “You will see that CAB has shown repeatedly before council. Commented on failed bike, street narrowing, and closing projects. Not once has the council or any member of the council used their prerogative to open their mic, asked us specific questions as to Please see STATE STREET on A4
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Awards announced for Solvang parade By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR
Speakers at Santa Barbara City Council meetings have been divided on whether the city should continue to keep lower State Street closed and allow dining parklets.
It’s not every day the owner of Solvang Skate Shop jumps over Mayor Mark Infanti. But that stunt happened Tuesday as part of the Fourth of July parade in Solvang. The stunt was enough to win the shop the Most Amusing Award. Here are the other awards for the parade. Sweepstakes Award: Flat Fender Friends. Best Use of Parade Theme: Alisal Ranch. Most Patriotic: Daughters of the American Revolution La Purisima and Refugio Del Cielo, chapters. Most Original: Hi Way One Hooligans. Most Unique: Zaca Coffee Co. Most Creative: Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital. Best Band: Santa Ynez Valley Jazz Band. Best Singing Group:
Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. Best Singing: Single: Andaluz Santa Cecilia. Best Family Group: The Urban Clan & “52 Blue,” Best Church Group: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Best Senior Group: Solvang Senior Center. Best Animal Group: New Generation Cowgirls. Best Wagon Group: Summerset Farms. Best Wagon: Single: Steve Berman’s Mule Wagon with Alice Olla’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Best Automobile Group: Vapor Trail Vettes. Best Automobile: Single: Michael & Elizabeth Snyder’s 1964 Cadillac de Ville. Best Automobile: Restored: Paula Albrect’s 1961 Patriotic Corvette. Best Automobile: Antique: Please see PARADE on A4
INSIDE
L O T T E RY RESULTS
Classified................. A7 Life/Arts........... B1-2, 4 Obituaries............... A4
Wednesday’s SUPER LOTTO: 11-12-15-32-40 Meganumber: 22
Wednesday’s DAILY 4: 4-8-0-8
Tuesday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 21-33-54-61-67 Meganumber: 12
Wednesday’s FANTASY 5: 21-33-34-35-37
Wednesday’s DAILY DERBY: 11-06-10 Time: 1:44.95
Wednesday’s POWERBALL: 17-24-48-62-68 Meganumber: 23
Sudoku................... B3 Weather................. A4
Wednesday’s DAILY 3: 3-4-7 / Wednesday’s Midday 4-5-4