I want to share an important update from the County that directly affects your family’s cost of living.
Yesterday, I brought forward a proposal calling on the County to take a clear stand against new taxes. Unfortunately, my colleagues rejected it. I was disappointed — but not discouraged.
Families across San Diego County are already being hit from every direction. Electricity bills are higher. Water rates are higher. Housing costs are higher. And yet, some continue to believe the answer is asking you to pay even more.
Here’s the reality: when I first started as Supervisor, the County budget was about $6.2 billion. Last year, the County approved a record $8.6 billion budget — a nearly 40% increase in just seven years. Despite that massive growth in spending, there are still proposals moving forward to raise taxes we simply do not need.
Some of these ideas are extreme — including proposals that would dramatically increase taxes on home sales or allow new payroll taxes that would hurt workers, small businesses, and job growth. At a time when families are just trying to make ends meet, that is unacceptable.
Proposed & Pending at the County of San Diego
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A proposed half-cent countywide sales tax for the 2026 ballot, backed by labor unions
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A proposed one-time transfer fee on the top 1% of real estate transactions
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A proposal to raise the Documentary Transfer Tax from $0.55 per $500 to as much as $30.55 per $500 — a more than 5,000% increase
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Efforts to change state law to allow counties to impose a new payroll tax on employers and workers
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Additional unknown fiscal mechanisms being developed by the County’s Ad Hoc Fiscal Sustainability Committee and hired consultants — potentially another sales tax or a version of Los Angeles’ failed “mansion tax” — all requiring four supervisor votes to reach the ballot
Proposed & Passed at the City of San Diego
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A proposed Vacation Home / Short-Term Rental Tax, which could appear on the 2026 ballot
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A proposed one-cent citywide sales tax pushed by labor unions for infrastructure spending
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Balboa Park parking fees — already approved and taking effect in early 2026
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Water rate increases of 14.7% and wastewater increases of 6%, effective January 1, 2026
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New trash collection fees, already imposed, with costs expected to rise in coming years
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Higher recreation and user fees adopted as part of the City’s FY 2026 budget
We do not have a revenue problem. We have a spending problem.
That’s why I brought this item forward — to send a clear message that San Diegans cannot afford more taxes and deserve relief, not more pressure. Even though my colleagues chose not to take that stand, I will not stop fighting.
I will continue standing up for families, seniors, workers, and small businesses who are being priced out of the community they call home. You deserve a County government that lives within its means — just like you do every day.
Thank you for staying engaged and for holding government accountable. I’ll keep fighting for you.