Borrego Sun - Since 1949

This November, San Diego County voters will face a critical decision: whether to approve Measure G, a new half-cent sales tax to fund public transportation projects for SANDAG (San Diego Association of Governments). I strongly oppose this measure, and here’s why.

Measure G asks you to pay more taxes to fund buses and trolleys. This is not the time to add to the financial burdens of hardworking San Diegans. We’re all feeling the pinch – electricity, gas, fire insurance, and housing costs have skyrocketed. Instead of easing the strain, Measure G would pile on, doubling the tax we’re already paying for SANDAG.

Let’s be clear: SANDAG’s existing sales tax doesn’t expire until 2048, and this new tax has no end date. Even more concerning is SANDAG’s track record of broken promises. In 2004, San Diegans approved a half-cent sales tax with the promise of improved freeways, such as expanding I-5 and adding an HOV lane to SR-78. Instead, funds were redirected primarily to public transportation projects focused on downtown. Road projects like Highway 67 and SR-78 were left behind, and now SANDAG wants more of your money for a new set of promises. Measure G is just the first of three additional sales tax increases we could see in the coming years.

The crux of this measure is that the majority of public tax dollars will continue to go toward mass transit, not roads. While public transportation is important, especially for our urban core, this unbalanced approach neglects the broader needs of our county. Over two-thirds of the funds are earmarked for downtown-centric transit projects, leaving crucial road improvements for I-5, SR-78, and other areas in North County on the back burner.

Even more concerning is the impact on our most vulnerable residents. This is a regressive tax that hits low-income families hardest, making everyday essentials even less affordable. Is this really the right time to saddle our communities with more taxes, especially when many families are struggling just to get by?

I believe we need to focus on reducing the cost of living and providing relief to our residents, not increasing the financial burden. SANDAG’s history of failed promises and misallocated funds should give every voter pause. Measure G doesn’t just ask for more money; it asks for more trust – trust that they haven’t earned.

San Diego needs balanced, responsible planning that considers all residents, not just those using public transit. We need solutions that genuinely relieve traffic congestion and improve our infrastructure. This measure, however, falls short of that goal.

I urge you to join me in opposing Measure G. Now is not the time to raise taxes on San Diegans. Our focus should be on making life more affordable, not imposing new burdens. Vote no on Measure G, and let’s send a clear message: We deserve better.

Jim Desmond

– San Diego County District 5 Supervisor