San Diego is already one of the most expensive places to live in the entire country — and now, some of my colleagues are considering placing two new tax increases on your ballot.
At a time when families are stretched to the breaking point, this is the last thing we need.
Everywhere you look, the cost of living keeps climbing. Electricity rates are among the highest in America. Gas prices are routinely $2–$3 above the national average. Insurance premiums, housing costs, groceries — everything keeps going up, except your paycheck. Families are cutting back wherever they can just to get by.
Yet instead of tightening government’s own belt, some politicians want to ask you for even more.
Here’s what’s being discussed:
1. A New 3% Property Transfer Tax
This would add a 3% tax on the sale of single-family homes and commercial properties.
While they claim this targets “large properties,” we all know how quickly rising home values and inflation move thresholds in San Diego. Every new housing cost increase ends up hurting families — renters, buyers, and small businesses — one way or another.
2. A New Half-Cent County Sales Tax
This proposal would increase San Diego County’s sales tax by another 0.5%.
San Diegans already pay some of the highest sales taxes in the state. Adding another half-cent means higher costs on clothing, school supplies, appliances, tools — basic items families rely on every day.
My biggest concern is this:
Public safety should be funded first — not later, and certainly not held hostage to new tax proposals.
The language in these measures talks about protecting emergency response, recruiting nurses, maintaining clean drinking water, and funding mental health treatment.
Let me be clear:
These are core, essential government responsibilities.
We should not be telling San Diegans that the only way to keep firefighters, paramedics, or clean water is to raise taxes on already struggling families.
San Diego County must prioritize public safety within the existing budget — not come back to voters again and again for more money, while families fall further behind.
Families are hurting. Government must stop adding to the burden.
When gas, electricity, groceries, and housing are already unaffordable, tax increases are not the answer. It’s time to rethink our spending priorities, not reach deeper into taxpayers’ pockets.
I’ll keep fighting to protect San Diego families and to ensure that core public safety services are funded responsibly, transparently, and without raising your taxes.
As always, thank you for staying engaged. If you have thoughts or concerns, please reach out — I want to hear from you.