North County Report: Ballot Takes from North County Leaders 

We’re only 40 days away from Election Day where residents will have the opportunity to choose their representatives and vote on a variety of local, county and statewide ballot measures.   

In the past couple of weeks, we’ve seen some of North County’s elected officials, city councils and community leaders take a firmer stance on which representatives and ballot measures they support, hoping to encourage their constituents to follow their lead. 

Here’s what North County leaders are saying about some of the measures and races we’ll see on the upcoming ballot. 

Proposition 36 

A few jurisdictions, including Escondido, San Marcos and Vista recently endorsed Proposition 36, a statewide measure California voters will see on their ballots. 

Proposition 36 would increase the penalties for certain drug and theft-related crimes. Its aim is to reverse some parts of Proposition 47, a controversial 2014 ballot measure that reduced some felonies to misdemeanors in an effort to reduce California’s prison population. 

The new proposition would crack down on theft and shoplifting. Under Proposition 47, thefts under $950 are charged as misdemeanors. But under Proposition 36, if multiple related thefts total more than $950, or if a person has two prior convictions, they could be combined and charged as felonies.  

Proposition 36 would require stricter sentences for drug trafficking offenses, including fentanyl. And it also requires courts to warn people convicted of selling drugs that they could face murder charges if they sell drugs and someone dies as a result. 

It also authorizes court-ordered treatment programs for people convicted of drug offenses. Those who finish the programs would have their charges dismissed rather than facing jail time. 

Supporters of Proposition 36 welcome stricter consequences for drug and theft-related crimes. Many of North County’s elected officials have been vocal about the increase of theft and drug use in their cities since Proposition 47 took effect, impacting local businesses. Critics of the measure say it could, once again, lead to more incarceration instead of rehabilitation. 

In Escondido and Vista, the resolutions unanimously passed, receiving bipartisan support. In San Marcos, support for Proposition 36 passed 4-1 with Councilmember Maria Nunez opposed. 

You can read more about Proposition 36 here. 

Need more info? We’re hosting a panel on whether voters should overturn Proposition 47. That’s happening on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 10 a.m. We’ll be joined by attorney and former candidate for San Diego mayor Genevieve Jones-Wright, who supports Proposition 47, and San Diego County’s chief deputy district attorney, Patrick Espinoza, who opposes Proposition 47. Get your tickets here.

Measure G 

This November, San Diego County voters will weigh in on Measure G, a proposed countywide half-cent sales tax increase. The measure has proven to be a controversial one, and in North County, local officials are split on the issue. 

The new measure would raise the sales tax by half a cent to fund road and transportation improvements like road repairs, carpool lanes and expansions to public transit. And because the measure is a citizen’s initiative, it only needs approval from 51 percent of voters to pass. 

Supporters say it could raise more than $300 million a year for transportation projects like SANDAG’s ambitious (and expensive) plan to move the train tracks that run along the Del Mar bluffs into an underground tunnel. Plus, they want the money to improve and increase access to public transit in order to relieve traffic congestion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Critics of the measure say the cost of living for San Diegans is already too high, and increasing taxes isn’t the answer. They also argue that most of the money would be put toward public transit, which isn’t a priority for most San Diego residents who rely on cars for transportation. 

Many of North County’s public officials have picked a side. 

Those opposed to Measure G include Supervisor Jim Desmond; Escondido Mayor Dane White, Poway Mayor Steve Vaus, Oceanside Councilmember (and mayoral candidate) Ryan Keim and the Vista Chamber of Commerce. 

Those supporting Measure G include state Sen. (and former Encinitas mayor) Catherine Blakespear, Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer and Vista Councilmember Corinna Contreras.  

On the Local Front 

Oceanside: The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce recently endorsed the mayor’s challenger Ryan Keim for the Oceanside mayoral seat instead of incumbent Mayor Esther Sanchez. 

It’s an unusual move as most San Diego County chambers of commerce typically choose not to endorse local candidates. Instead, they usually involve themselves in elections by hosting forums and educational events about the election. 

The chamber believes Keim aligns more with their pro-business values, the Union-Tribune reported. 

Encinitas: The two mayoral candidates in Encinitas, incumbent Mayor Tony Kranz and Councilmember Bruce Ehlers, have been vocal about their opinions on a proposed one-cent sales tax increase in Encinitas that will be on the November ballot that has been controversial among residents. 

If it passes, the measure is expected to generate about $15.4 million each year for the city.  

Kranz supports it, arguing that it could partially fund the city’s infrastructure backlog of roughly $257 million, including some much-needed stormwater infrastructure improvements. Ehlers opposes the measure, saying the city’s residents are already dealing with a high cost of living. 

Vista: I previously wrote about Vista Mayor John Franklin’s interest in Vista’s District 3 race. 

Franklin, a Republican, has publicly endorsed the challenger of incumbent Councilmember Katie Melendez, a Democrat who is running for her second term. Her opponent is Republican newcomer, and the mayor’s choice, Denise Barragan. Franklin is the one who encouraged Barragan to run. 

Whoever wins could determine the political dynamics of the council, which currently has the first Democratic majority in Vista’s history with three Democrats and two Republicans.   

In Other News 

• Members of the San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians have raised concerns that their culturally significant artifacts could be disturbed by additions to Ivey Ranch equestrian facilities in Oceanside. (Union-Tribune) 
• Plans to build 547 apartments, a 170-room boutique hotel, a multi-story office building, retail shops and more at the Oceanside Transit Center are moving forward after environmental impact studies show it will have little environmental impacts. (Union-Tribune) Related: Read about the North County Transit District’s plan to redevelop several of its transit stations into housing here. 
• Vista City Council candidates Melendez and Barragan faced off in their first in-person candidate forum on Monday. (Coast News)