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Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 12h

After five years, the courts have finally decided that San Diego’s 2020 hotel tax did, in fact, pass.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/06/a...

Appeals Court Just Gave San Diego a Major Boost by Upholding Measure C

The city of San Diego began collecting the hotel tax in May but could not spend those dollars.

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Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 16h

With Councilmember Henry Foster’s re-election bid looming, questions are arising about the city’s decision to fire him from a program manager role in 2016.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/03/n...

Now up for Re-Election, Councilmember Faces Past Firing from City He Now Helps Lead

Henry Foster just launched his campaign for re-election and now one of his former bosses and former colleagues are speaking out about his previous job at the city, and why the city fired him.

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Reposted by Voice of San Diego

Lisa Halverstadt @lisahalverstadt.bsky.social · 23h

🧵Tuesday's @voiceofsandiego.org news blast is packed with interesting stuff.

First up: my story revealing that San Diego County will dig into department budgets - rather than reserves - to pay nearly $25M in staff bonuses this month.

Morning Report: County Relying on Budget for $25 Million Staff Bonuses

Weeks ago, our Lisa Halverstadt revealed that Democratic county supervisors’ affirmative vote to change the county’s reserve policy would trigger bonuses for county employees. County officials initial...

voiceofsandiego.org

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Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 3d

Politifest 2025 is finally here!

Don't have tickets? Come buy some at the door or sign up to stream the event for free ☀️
voiceofsandiego.org/event/politi...

Politifest | Oct. 4, 2025

Politifest 2025 is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the University of San Diego's Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies. This annual public affairs summit, organized by Voice of San Diego,…

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Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 4d

It’s not too late to grab your ticket to tomorrow's Solutions Showdown at USD!

Hope to see you there 👀 🎟️
voiceofsandiego.org/event/politi...

Politifest | Oct. 4, 2025

Politifest 2025 is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the University of San Diego's Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies. This annual public affairs summit, organized by Voice of San Diego,…

voiceofsandiego.org

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Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 4d

San Diego County’s chief pharmacy officer also advises pharmaceutical companies for a New York-based law firm.

Officials refuse to release documents meant to disclose any potential conflicts of interest.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/02/c...

County’s Pharmacy Chief Also Works at a Law Firm

San Diego County’s full-time chief pharmacy officer also works as a partner at a New York-based law firm that advises pharmaceutical companies.

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Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 4d

San Diego Unified’s plan to transition the district to a new class schedule was put on ice following rocky meetings with staff and parents.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/01/t...

The Learning Curve: San Diego Unified Kicks 4x4 Can Down the Road

After weeks of rocky meetings with school staff and parents, district officials' plan to transition its high schools to a controversial new class schedule is on hold – for now.

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Reposted by Voice of San Diego

MacKenzie Elmer, journalist. @journomack.bsky.social · 5d

Sweetwater Authority, which already buys very little water from @sdcwa, is looking to get completely off the teat with a groundwater desalination project reports @voiceofsandiego.org @jimhinch voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/01/s...

Sweetwater Authority Joins Stampede Away from County Water Authority

The agency supplying drinking water to a large swath of South San Diego County is exploring a groundwater desalination project that could reduce or even eliminate the agency’s dependence on expensive…

voiceofsandiego.org

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Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 5d

East County Supervisor Joel Anderson is considering a bid for county treasurer-tax collector — paving the way for a potential opening on the Board of Supervisors.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/09/30/j...

Joel Anderson for Treasurer-Tax Collector?

East County Supervisor Joel Anderson is mulling a run for county treasurer-tax collector.

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Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 5d

The Sweetwater Authority is the latest agency to express interest in distancing itself from the region's main water supplier.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/01/s...

Sweetwater Authority Joins Stampede Away from County Water Authority

The agency supplying drinking water to a large swath of South San Diego County is exploring a groundwater desalination project that could reduce or even eliminate the agency’s dependence on expensive…

voiceofsandiego.org

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Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 6d

Voters will soon receive ballots to vote on Proposition 50, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s partisan redistricting scheme.

Here’s what you need to know.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/09/30/e...

Everything You Need to Know About Prop. 50

Our friends at CalMatters have created a helpful voter guide with everything you need to know about Proposition 50, California’s redistricting measure. Check it out below. Bonus! On Saturday, Oct. […]

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Reposted by Voice of San Diego

MacKenzie Elmer, journalist. @journomack.bsky.social · 7d

Hearing a lot of concerns from San Diegans about the high cost of rent, electricity, water and childcare at City Council today. - If that speaks to you, join us for @voiceofsandiego.org Solutions Showdown this Saturday at #Politifest2025 voiceofsandiego.org/event/politi...

Politifest | Oct. 4, 2025

Politifest 2025 is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the University of San Diego's Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies. This annual public affairs summit, organized by Voice of San Diego,...

voiceofsandiego.org

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Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 6d

Amid a slew of fee increases, the San Diego City Council postponed consideration of a major water rate hike until the end of the month.

But it’s still unclear how they plan to get around it.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/09/30/m...

Mayor’s Water Rate Increase ‘Dead on Arrival’

San Diego city councilmembers join forces to stall a proposed rate increase even though city staff warn too much delay could risk staff layoffs or falling behind on debt repayments.

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Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 6d

These candidates vying to replace Rep. Darrell Issa if Proposition 50 passes don’t live in the district they hope to represent.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/09/26/t...

Top Candidates for the 48th Congressional District Live Outside Its Borders

While members of Congress aren’t required to live in their districts, most San Diego-area representatives do, and one candidate says home base matters.

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Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 6d

County data shows 30 percent of new homes in the region’s unincorporated areas are accessory dwelling units.

Some local officials are questioning whether this is the right approach.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/09/29/a...

ADU Construction Is Fueling the County’s Housing Production

At a time when traditional developers deem county policies hostile to development, granny flats are fueling county progress on state housing goals.

voiceofsandiego.org

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Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 7d

California’s Coastal Commission, an increasingly controversial state agency, is standing in the way of UC San Diego’s growing housing ambitions.

A new bill aims to change that.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/09/26/s...

Sacramento Report: The State Agency that Punches Above its Weight Class

This week, I set out to learn about the California Coastal Commission, the 49-year-old governing body responsible for hundreds of miles of the state’s coastline that has an outsized importance […]

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Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 7d

San Diego’s top finance official just got a new job at the port.

Meanwhile, the city's still grappling with the fallout of this summer’s budget negotiations.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/09/25/a...

All Eyes on Mayor as San Diego’s Chief Financial Officer Gets Job at Port

The city of San Diego’s chief financial officer, Matt Vespi, is headed to the Port of San Diego.  Vespi will be joining the Port as its new chief administrative officer […]

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Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 7d

What happens if the San Diego City Council refuses to increase water rates today, or even decides to stop paying its water bills entirely?
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/09/29/e...

Environment Report: San Diego ‘Better Have My Money’

What happens if the City Council decides to go nuclear on a proposed water rate increase Tuesday?

voiceofsandiego.org

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Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 7d

How do we build more housing that people can afford?

Three local housing leaders will hash out one of the biggest questions facing our region at this year’s Politifest on Oct. 4.

Buy your tickets now: voiceofsandiego.org/event/politi...

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Reposted by Voice of San Diego

MacKenzie Elmer, journalist. @journomack.bsky.social · 8d

Amid handwringing at San Diego City Hall over next week’s vote to hike water rates, city analysts dropped a harrowing report revealing how easily the department that handles water and wastewater could collapse without them. voiceofsandiego.org/2025/09/26/s... @voiceofsandiego.org

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Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 11d

What should we do when people with behavioral health problems refuse treatment?

Three local experts will debate the best approach at this year’s Politifest on Oct. 4.

Buy your tickets now: voiceofsandiego.org/event/politi...

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Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 11d

The Escondido City Council rejects Gov. Gavin Newsom’s redistricting plan, which would pave the way for the area's Republican representative to get ousted.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/09/24/n...

North County Report: Escondido Council Opposes State’s Redistricting Measure

Escondido’s council majority voted to oppose Prop. 50, but residents say it’s none of their business.

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Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 12d

How do we give all children an excellent education?

Join us at Politifest on Oct. 4 to hear three local leaders debate the best ways to support San Diego’s students.

Buy your tickets now: voiceofsandiego.org/event/politi...

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Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 12d

As a big vote on water rate increases looms, San Diego officials are torn on who's to blame for the rising costs and how to proceed.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/09/24/c...

City Staff Deflect Blame Away from Pure Water Before San Diego’s Big Water Rate Vote

City staff dropped updated costs of a huge wastewater-to-drinking water recycling project showing that its water would be cheaper than buying from the Water Authority.

voiceofsandiego.org

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Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 12d

Chula Vista police will soon begin using a suite of AI tools to generate near-instantaneous police reports and transcribe body camera footage.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/09/24/c...

Chula Vista Becomes First in County to Embrace AI in Policing

The City Council voted Tuesday to begin using artificial intelligence in police officers’ body-worn cameras and police reports. Civil liberties advocates warn the technology is too new and…

voiceofsandiego.org

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