Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007 | I see the City Council has approved a new “tax” on visitors to San Diego in the form of a “private” tourism marketing district (TMD). Fine. But if recollection serves, the voters turned down an increase of the transient occupancy taxes (TOT) twice in one year. So the council in all its wisdom says to heck with will of the people, they really don’t know what’s good for them. We’ll tax them anyway. Is this what representative government has come to?
I also read the new TMD will generate in the neighborhood of $30 million every year. OK, then $30 million dollars or a dollar-for-dollar match of TOT funds must be redirected to a general fund for necessary infrastructure, public safety and improvements. Not a single penny should be spent on some council person’s pet projects. Well Mr. Strong Mayor, what are you going to do?