Tom Fudge: Politically, San Diego has been called a democratic city wrapped in a republican county. Changing demographics have caused San Diego to march in a more liberal direction lately. But in fact, the city is pretty evenly split. It has a Republican mayor and a democratic majority on the council. City Hall politics are supposed to be non-partisan, mind you. And they say there is no democratic or republican way to fill a pothole. But political philosophy does matter when it comes to deciding how much city workers should be paid, and how many amenities a city should provide. These are key questions as the city seeks to solve its profound financial problems.
Today, there are two local political think tanks that have come to symbolize the yin and yang of San Diego politics. There is the established Center on Policy Initiatives, which is liberal and labor-friendly. And there is the newly formed San Diego Institute for Policy Research. The institute calls itself non-partisan, but it does reflect the views of its conservative founder Steve Francis. Today you're going to hear from the heads of both of these think tanks as they debate the issues. And we're going to start with Steve Francis, because he's the new guy.
Guests
- Steve Francis, founder and chairman of the San Diego Institute for Policy Research
- Donald Cohen, president of the Center on Policy Initiatives
Break Music:
Hat and Beard
by Eric Dolphy, from the album
Out to Lunch
(1964)
End Music: Main Theme From Trouble Man by Marvin Gaye, from the album Trouble Man (1972)
