My Transparency and Accountability Proposals were Killed at Council’s Rules Committee

On Wednesday, I brought two proposals, aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in regard to fees, to the Rules Committee. When I first brought these proposals forward in November, a San Diego Union Tribune Editorial and a separate Opinion piece both supported my proposals, noting that “these two reforms should be the first step toward a culture change at City Hall” and that “the mayor and City Council should join with Campillo in a sincere effort to regain credibility lost following the trash-fee fiasco by adopting these three reforms.” Further, after receiving feedback from former City Attorney Jan Goldsmith, I even strengthened the proposal and closed a potential loophole.

Unfortunately, four of my City Council colleagues rejected not just my proposals, but the very notion that the City Council should operate differently than it did over the past 3 years. And this morning, the Union Tribune’s Editorial quoted me as being “spot-on” in my response to my colleagues’ criticism that my policy would slow down the City Council as we put forth ballot measures with new fees: “Shouldn’t we be extremely thorough, to know how policies are going to impact people?” I said. “I don’t think speed is more important than diligence.”

Here is my full statement on my local fee transparency initiative being rejected by the Rules Committee:

“I voted no on the Trash Fee last year, and I even called it what it was: a bait and switch. My intent was to pass a policy that would make sure a bait and switch never happens to San Diegans again, but my four colleagues on the Rules Committee just buried that idea.

“I am frankly shocked that my colleagues didn’t support my proposal to require the City Council to transparently inform the public of exactly what the fees are prior to voting on them.

“San Diegans, who live in one of the most expensive places in the country, deserve leaders that go above and beyond on transparency and accountability. This is common sense. This Council should not hide fees from the public. And today, they ran and hid.”

Jackson Drive to Receive Safety Enhancements

This week, my advocacy for increasing safety measures along Jackson Drive paid off as improvements to reduce the speed limit and number of lanes were approved by the City Council’s Active Transportation and Infrastructure (ATI) Committee and forwarded to the full City Council for final approval.

The improvements to Jackson Drive will improve safety along the roadway by reducing the speed limit from 40 to 35 mph between Cowles Mountain and Lake Muray boulevards. Additionally, the number of lanes on Jackson Drive will be reduced from four to two lanes between Lake Shore Drive and Lake Murray Boulevard. Both improvements are expected to significantly slow traffic on the street.

I’m very proud of the action taken at today’s ATI committee meeting and look forward to gaining full City Council approval so the work can begin a soon as possible. These are necessary improvements that will make the surrounding community safer for everyone in District 7 and beyond. This series of safety improvements follows my request to install a new all-way stop sign at the intersection of Jackson Drive and Lake Badin Avenue in October 2025.

What You’re Saying

"Your proposal is _exactly_ what is needed in SD's current situation where citizens have essentially no faith in the Mayor or the City Council (yourself excepted!) after Garbage fee/tax and Balboa Park parking debacles. We are similarly shocked that your colleagues on the Rules Committee are so tone deaf to the complete lack of trust they have inspired. PLEASE keep fighting the good fight for this measure and feel free to share our shock and outrage and with your colleagues' response to your common sense proposal.” - D.B. from Tierrasanta

I’m sorry to hear that you do not have faith in the City administration. Your faith is exactly what I am trying my best to restore through common sense policy and open ears to you, the residents; It’s what I attempted to restore with my transparency proposals, and it is what I will continue to try to earn with more transparency proposals this Spring.

Most Recent Jeopardy Tournament of Champions Winner a San Diegan

The Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions Winner?

Who is: San Diego resident Paolo Pasco!

San Diego resident Paolo Pasco clinched a narrow win in the Jeopardy Tournament of Champions, winning a $250,000 prize on top of the money he earned throughout the tournament. He claimed his victory by wagering “just $143 in Final Jeopardy!, and used his response to deliver a heartfelt message to his fellow Tournament of Champions competitors: “What an incredible ride with the best ToC group I could ask for ♡ you all,” Paolo wrote, securing the tournament win with a game total of $33,057.”

Congratulations, Paolo! San Diego is proud to be home to such talent.

Last Reminder: Town Halls Start Next Week!

As a final reminder, I kick off my town hall event series next week on Tuesday, February 24 at 6:00 PM. It will be hosted at the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center (1 Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego, CA 92119) and will be one of four town halls available to District 7 and city residents to attend. I’ve also partnered with SAY San Diego to provide free Narcan and fentanyl testing strips for attendees.

I’ve hosted over 50 town halls since taking office and look forward to them every year—they are my favorite part of the job. Good governance starts with listening.

If you cannot make the first town hall, consider stopping by one of the others. Those dates and times are below:

Wednesday, February 25 at 6:00 PM: Tierrasanta Recreation Center (11220 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. San Diego, CA, 92124)

Monday, March 2 at 6:00 PM: San Diego Baha’i Faith-Center (6545 Alcala Knolls Dr. San Diego, CA, 92111)

Tuesday, March 3 at 6:30 PM: Serra Mesa-Kearny Mesa Library (9005 Aero Dr. San Diego, CA 92123)

Sincerely,