We figure you’re no less busy than you were during San Diego’s mayoral primary campaign.
Back then, we did a scorecard breaking down the candidates’ positions on key issues. We’ve done the same now for Carl DeMaio and Bob Filner with lots of new issues making the cut.
If you want to spend more time learning about everything on the list, we’ve linked to our Reader’s Guides, and other good background pieces below the graphic. We’ve also highlighted the candidates’ stances that have changed over time.
Click here or on the graphic to enlarge.
• Jobs. Here’s an analysis of DeMaio’s plan, which focuses on streamlining regulations, and Filner’s plan, which depends on growing alternative energy and maritime jobs. We also broke down the challenges facing the candidates’ ideas to expand the Unified Port of San Diego’s cargo terminal. And we took a closer look at Filner’s plans for solar panels on public buildings.
• K-12 education. Both candidates have released formal education plans in recent months. DeMaio focuses on public safety and after-school programs. Filner wants to start an education foundation and give free public transit to students. We broke down DeMaio’s and Filner’s ideas during the primary.
• Pensions. Both candidates say they’ll implement the Proposition B pension initiative that passed in June, though Filner was against it in the primary. Filner has now abandoned his prior plan to refinance the city’s pension debt. Here’s our latest Reader’s Guide to Prop B.
• Street Repairs. After the primary, DeMaio quickly jettisoned a proposed ballot measure designed to implement his streets plan. Filner talks about making more street repairs in the larger context of the budget.
• Public Safety. We did an overview of their public safety ideas, which haven’t been discussed much in the campaign. Both say they’ll hire more cops.
• City Budget. DeMaio has a lengthy and detailed budget plan. But his ideas have become less relevant because of reforms attempted over the last two years. Filner wants to redirect money from legal settlements, redevelopment and other spending toward frontline services.
• Water Supply. DeMaio used to oppose sewage recycling, but now he supports it. Filner said during a TV debate Wednesday night that he supports a desalination plant.
• Convention Center Expansion. Here’s our latest take on the issue, including that both candidates would seek a public vote if courts fail to uphold the current plan.
• New Chargers Stadium. DeMaio used to say he’d be willing to redirect the $12 million-plus the city now spends on the current stadium to a new one. Now he doesn’t support public funding. Filner doesn’t support public funding either, but says he’d consider a deal that includes partial public ownership of the Chargers.
• City Tax Increases. The candidates say they’re opposed to city tax increases, but there’s some they either support or might back in the future.
• Penny for the Arts. The City Council approved last week a plan that doubles arts funding over the next five years. Read more background from U-T San Diego. DeMaio used to want to cut arts spending, but now says it’s not necessary.
• Plaza de Panama. DeMaio was hot and cold on the project during the primary. Now he backs it. Filner opposed it, but says he’ll implement the project.
• City Planning. U-T San Diego reported on both candidates’ ideas to establish a new planning department. DeMaio says he’ll have a separate department and fund updates to community plans in part with private dollars. Filner envisions a new planning department with a broader mission to focus on sustainable development. The planning department had been folded into the city’s development services department in an earlier round of budget cuts.
• Medical Marijuana. U-T San Diego explained the candidates’ ideas about medical marijuana dispensaries: Both say they want a new ordinance allowing them in the city. But in the past DeMaio has favored more restrictive zoning of dispensaries while Filner has supported more permissive regulations.
• Prop. Z. The San Diego Unified School District needs voter approval to authorize a $2.8 billion bond for construction projects. The district will pay for the bond through increased property taxes. Here’s our detailed explainer on Prop. Z.
• Props. 30, 38, 32. We did guides to understanding Prop. 30 and Prop. 38, both state tax increases designed to benefit schools. They differ primarily on what taxes get hiked and whether schools get the money directly. Our Prop. 32 coverage focused on the curbing of labor influence in elections.
• District 1 Council Race. This election will determine the partisan balance of the City Council. Incumbent Sherri Lightner is a Democrat. Challenger Ray Ellis is a Republican. Here’s our overview of what’s at stake in this campaign.
• Presidential Race. Here’s video from a primary debate with the candidates talking about the presidential election. DeMaio’s and Filner’s positions haven’t changed. Filner backs President Barack Obama. DeMaio hasn’t backed Obama or Republican Mitt Romney.
Liam Dillon is a news reporter for Voice of San Diego. He covers San Diego City Hall, the 2012 mayor’s race and big building projects. What should he write about next?
Please contact him directly at liam.dillon@voiceofsandiego.org or 619.550.5663.
Disclosure: Voice of San Diego members and supporters may be mentioned or have a stake in the stories we cover. For a complete list of our contributors, click here.
Like VOSD on Facebook.