The ballot measure aims to combat Tijuana River pollution and strengthen San Diego’s health care by raising the county sales tax by 0.5%.
SAN DIEGO — A coalition of health care workers, first responders and labor union leaders submitted more than 151,000 signatures Monday to a ballot measure aimed at halting the Tijuana River pollution crisis at the local level while strengthening health care.
If passed, the bill would increase the county’s sales tax by 0.5%.
The San Diego Health and Safety Act requires 102,923 valid signatures from registered voters in San Diego County and is likely to remain on the November ballot. Supporters said they wanted to take matters into their own hands after decades of failure by state and federal leaders to solve the pollution problem. It also aims to address a range of issues related to public health and safety.
“We’ve been waiting for years for someone to solve our wastewater crisis, and little has changed. Untreated wastewater is still flowing, health care costs are still rising, and families are still being asked to do more with less,” said Crystal Irving, president of SEIU Local 221. “It’s time to wait for someone else to fix it. San Diegans are stepping up to protect their communities.”
But Rep. Carl DeMaio (R-San Diego) said it would be foolish to propose tax increases at a time when costs are rising.
“San Diegans are already facing a cost-of-living crisis, and the last thing we need is a steep and unfair sales tax hike that will only make the financial crisis worse,” said DeMaio, president of the conservative political group Reform California. “That’s why I’m pledging a $1 million campaign this fall to stop this insane tax increase and hold our county’s reckless politicians accountable for eliminating wasteful spending.”
Monday’s action, in which supporters of the ballot measure delivered boxes of signed petitions to the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, was the culmination of a five-month effort.
The priorities for this measure include:
— Stopping toxic sewage pollution from the Tijuana River.
— Protect access to affordable health care.
— Preventing deep cuts at local hospitals and clinics.
— Expand child care and nutritional support for working families. and
— Strengthen 911 response and wildfire prevention.
“For years, families across South County have lived with the reality of sewage from the Tijuana River flowing through our communities,” said Waylon Matteson, community partner with the Tijuana River Coalition and director of Four Walls International. “That means contaminated water, contaminated air, and real impacts on everyday public health.
“We have been pushing for solutions across government agencies and borders, but the pace is not commensurate with the urgency. This action is aimed at ensuring our region has the resources, coordination and political will to invest in real long-term solutions and protect the health of our communities.”
Supporters say the measure includes accountability safeguards such as independent oversight, disclosure of all spending and annual audits.
This measure would help stabilize funding for local health care providers.
“Hospitals and clinics are already under tremendous stress right now, and without action, more people will be left without care,” said Dr. Nate McFarland, a pediatrician and former president of the San Diego chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “This action will help ensure at-risk working families, seniors, and children have access to affordable health care, which is urgently needed to protect the health of San Diego County.”
Another aspect of the omnibus response includes efforts to strengthen 911 response and wildfire preparedness, including hiring more firefighters, adding modern firefighting helicopters, and investing in brush clearing.
“Wildfires are getting bigger, faster and more dangerous,” said John Clark, vice president of San Diego County Fire Department Cal Fire Local 2881. “Ready to respond means more firefighters, more fire helicopters, and the latest technology. We can’t let what happened (in Los Angeles) happen here. We need to be better prepared for wildfires, and this effort will get us there.”
Finally, proponents added their intention to create a child health development program through First 5 San Diego that would focus on improving child care.
“Every parent knows the stress of finding child care and the shock of finding out how much it costs,” said Alexis Primo, a parent and community organizer with the San Diego chapter of Parent Voices. “Finding child care is too difficult and too expensive, and we want all parents in San Diego to spread the word about the positive changes this measure will make for young parents and young children.”
After petition signatures are submitted on Monday, the Registrar has 30 business days to verify them.
