Last week, editor Scott Lewis reported that the search for San Diego County’s next manager was getting political. And now, there’s more.
Labor leaders had made it clear that their top candidate for the chief administrative officer job was Cindy Chavez, a supervisor on the board of Santa Clara County and the former leader of the South Bay Labor Council.
Remember: On March 29, 2023, the County offered Chavez the job. But that was the same day that then-County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher announced he was leaving the board amid accusations that he sexually assaulted an MTS employee. He has said their interactions were consensual. Because of the bombshell, the board decided to restart the search.
The news: Lewis reports in the Politics Report that Chavez did not get an interview this time around. Why? Officials refused to comment. But we did hear from one group.
“We all thought we had a new County Government, but the only thing new is now apparently a so-called Democrat is teaming up with big corporate interests and the right-wing to reinforce the status quo,” wrote Brigette Browning, the leader of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council.
Read the Politics Report here.
Also in the Politics Report: Former Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman blasted San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria Friday for not having signed on to support a ballot measure to reform Proposition 47. That’s the 2014 ballot measure that reclassified some felonies as misdemeanors. The mayor’s team told Lewis something is coming.
What State Farm’s Insurance Cuts Mean to San Diegans
State Farm plans to eliminate half its coverage to the affluent community of Rancho Santa Fe, denying renewals for 713 out of 1,421 policies. Other areas facing major cuts include Alpine, Chula Vista, Jamul, Lakeside and El Cajon.
Our Deborah Brennan reports that State Farm’s announcement marks the latest round in insurance giants’ retreat from California. Last year both State Farm and Allstate announced that they would cease writing new policies in the state. Other insurers quickly followed suit.
County supe on the cuts: “State Farm is not a good neighbor and I’m angry,” County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, who represents Rancho Santa Fe, told Brennan. “The State’s insurance system is broken and there is difficult work ahead, but instead of coming to the table to be part of the solution, State Farm left homeowners high and dry.”
Brennan dug into the reason behind these cuts and what it means to homeowners in those areas. Read the Sacramento Report here.
Also in the Sacramento Report: Brennan has the latest updates on two bills she has been following.
VOSD Podcast: The Cannabis Equity Program Got Smoked
On the latest episode of the VOSD Podcast, hosts Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, Scott Lewis and Jakob McWhinney discuss Mayor Todd Gloria’s decision to eliminate the city’s Cannabis Equity program. (Catch up here.)
Lopez-Villafaña reported last week that the cut means the city will return an $880,000 grant from the state. She spoke to the people impacted and has more on what may happen next.
Listen to the latest episode here.
Related: Our old pal and former editor Andrew Keatts reports for Axios San Diego that revenue from tax on cannabis businesses isn’t as great as city officials expected. The Union-Tribune had previously reported that businesses were struggling to compete with illegal delivery services.
In Other News
- Want more Voice stories? Our editor has more on what you need to know to start your week. Read Cup of Chisme here.
- A bill that aims to lower barriers for renters with pets is headed to the assembly floor. (KPBS)
- Snapdragon Stadium has a new sponsor. Under a three-year-agreement, Alaska Airlines will become San Diego State Athletics official airline. The agreement includes the addition of a plane replica above one of the stadium’s gates and extra perks for Alaska Airline flyers and card holders who visit the stadium. (Times of San Diego)
- Belmont Park has plans for thrilling renovations this summer. The Union-Tribune reports the Mission Bay amusement park is making upgrades including new attractions and a new restaurant ahead of its centennial next year.
The Morning Report was written by Andrea Lopez-Villafaña and Juan Estrada. It was edited by Andrea Lopez-Villafaña.