SANDAG transit tax measure
It’s freeways versus public transit (or sprawl versus density) on how the San Diego Association of Governments' proposed half-cent sales tax increase will be spent.
The SANDAG board voted last Friday to put the $18.2 billion measure on the ballot despite intense opposition from environmental groups and a no vote from San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer.
They say the measure is too weighted toward cars and highways. Faulconer is said to believe the spending plan would prevent the city from reaching the goals of his ambitious Climate Action Plan.
In 1987, voters approved SANDAG's TransNet tax. It split funding evenly between roads and public transit and is still funding various projects. The new plan for the November ballot gives 42 percent of the funds to public transit, 14 percent to highways and 30 percent to local infrastructure, which is defined somewhat loosely.
This is just one of November's three big ballot measures, which includes the Chargers stadium plan and the “Citizens Plan.”
KPBS: Transit Funding Emerges As Key Issue For SANDAG Tax Increase
The San Diego Union-Tribune: More Freeways Or Mass Transit For Region?
San Diego city politics heats up
San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer is getting some aggressive heat from opponents Ed Harris and Lori Saldaña. The question is whether it will be enough to keep Faulconer from winning outright in June.
In District 1, Councilwoman Sherri Lightner, who gives Democrats a majority on the council, is termed out. The two main contestants are Democrat Barbara Bry, a high-tech entrepreneur, and Republican Ray Ellis, a small business owner. The question here involves the recent addition of three new candidates and whether their inclusion in the race amounts to something called "ballot stacking."
KPBS: San Diego Politicos Keep Close Watch On City Council District 1 Race
Democrat Dave Roberts beset by Republicans
Dave Roberts, the lone Democrat on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, is in a tough re-election campaign. His situation seems to have been mostly self-inflicted, largely due to allegations of misuse of public funds and a toxic work environment.
Escondido Mayor Sam Abed and Encinitas Mayor Kristin Gaspar, both Republicans, are vying for Roberts’ seat. Abed, far more conservative than Gaspar, has been endorsed by the San Diego County Republican Party. Political consultant Tom Shepard says this endorsement is a gift — to Roberts.
District 3 contains both "coastal Republicans" and "inland Republicans," Shepard said. He doesn't believe Abed will be able to win the entire district.
Supervisor Ron Roberts will be termed out in 2018 and Supervisor Greg Cox in 2020, and both of them are from predominately Democratic districts. Therefore, District 3 is a swing district, whose importance will loom even larger.
KPBS: Lone Democrat Supervisor Roberts Faces Two Republican Challengers
