Voices Of The Voters: These Two Didn't Like Sales Taxes

By Tigist Layne, the Voice of San Diego

November 12, 2024

For many San Diegans, the region’s high cost of living is a top issue. They are already finding it difficult to manage the everyday expenses of living in San Diego, so the idea of higher taxes doesn’t seem very appealing.

That’s why voter Ashley Rodriguez in Point Loma voted “no” on both proposed sales tax increases on this year’s ballot.

Measure E would increase the sales tax within the city of San Diego by 1 percentage point, starting in April 2025. If approved, Measure E the sales tax in the city would be 8.75 percent and the city expects it to bring in up to $400 million each year.

Proponents of the measure say the sales tax revenue will help stabilize the city’s budget, which is currently facing a structural budget deficit of around $200 million. Supporters are also hoping the revenue could fund critical stormwater infrastructure improvements throughout the city, especially in areas most impacted by flooding earlier this year.

Measure G is a proposed countywide sales tax increase that was put on the ballot as a citizen’s initiative. It would fund public transit infrastructure, including a plan to move the train tracks that run along the fragile Del Mar bluffs into an underground tunnel, new rail connections, road and highway projects, new bus routes and more.

If approved, the measure would raise the sales tax rate across San Diego County by a half percentage point. It’s projected to bring in around $350 million each year.

Rodriguez, though, isn’t sold on either measure.

“We can’t afford higher taxes,” she said.

She voted in person on Tuesday and was confident in her decision to vote against both tax measures. She said the cost of living in San Diego is way too high to ask residents to pay even higher taxes than they already are.

“Rent is high, everything is high and now they want us to pay more?” Rodriguez said. “What more do they want from us?”

Summer Edwards, who was sporting a “Larry Turner 4 SD Mayor” t-shirt while voting, said she also voted against both Measure E and Measure G, echoing Rodriguez’ sentiment.

“I can barely afford to live in San Diego. The cost of living is already so high in this city,” Edwards said. “Plus, the revenue for Measure E isn’t earmarked for anything, so how can we even be sure where that money will go.”

She added that there’s no way to predict how San Diego’s leaders will choose to spend the tax revenue.

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