The two men vying to lead Encinitas in this year’s mayoral race don’t have too many major disagreements–except one that could decide the election. Housing is a dominant issue. And the two candidates are poles apart.
Tony Kranz, running for a second term as mayor, believes Encinitas should accede to political reality and end for good its yearslong effort to skirt state housing requirements. Until recently, Encinitas had a well-earned reputation for flouting state rules requiring cities to build enough housing, especially affordable housing, to accommodate growth.
Kranz once fought the state like other Encinitas leaders. But he said a series of expensive court losses convinced him the battle was fruitless. “The idea that we’re going to fight the state on housing laws is really a waste of time and money,” he said.
Bruce Ehlers, Kranz’s opponent, wants to keep up the fight. Ehlers was the author of a 2013 local ballot measure that sharply limited growth. He said current state housing requirements are an infringement on local control and should be fought in court and at the ballot box. He’s one of numerous local officials around the state seeking a statewide ballot initiative to restore local control over zoning.
“The state is not the primary legal entity to control local zoning laws,” Ehlers said.
Voters will decide who they agree with in November.
Big Things at Politifest
If you missed Politifest, don’t worry. Our staff had a great time getting local candidates and leaders to answer our most pressing questions on the region’s top issues.
Throughout the week, we’ll share some of what we learned and video recordings of some of the discussions and debates.
The 411 on Wage and Rent Control Propositions on Your Ballot
Out of 10 propositions on the California ballot this November, several address bread-and-butter issues including minimum wage and rent control.
Here’s a quick rundown:
- Proposition 32 would boost the minimum wage from $16 per hour to $17 now and $18 in 2025 for employers with 26 or more employees.
- Proposition 33 would reverse earlier restrictions on rent control and let cities limit prices on leased homes and apartments.
- Proposition 34 would regulate how healthcare providers use prescription drug revenue and require healthcare organizations to spend nearly all the money they earn from the sale of discounted drugs to support patient care.
Ballot beef: The last proposition on the list is aimed at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which also supports the rent control measure, Proposition 33. The foundation leases its own single occupancy hotels, but has come under criticism for poor conditions and unfair evictions.
Capitol reporter Deborah Brennan unpacks everything you need to know about those three propositions and the drama behind one of them in the Sacramento Report.
In Other News
- A man accused of threatening his ex-girlfriend with a gun and running off with their infant daughter filed a lawsuit last week claiming that San Diego police violated his civil rights when an officer shot him while he was holding the baby. The May 19 incident occurred outside a Chollas View apartment complex, where 29-year-old Steffon Nuttal’s girlfriend called police saying Nuttal was threatening to shoot his way into her apartment. Nuttal grabbed the baby and was chased by officer Robert Gladysz, who opened fire after he thought he saw Nuttal brandishing a gun. (Union-Tribune)
- San Diego County last week reported its first West Nile Virus case since 2022 after a 71-year-old who had recently traveled to rural Colorado tested positive for the disease, which can cause headache, nausea, fatigue and in some rare cases death. (Union-Tribune)
- Voters in San Diego County have been trending more Democratic in recent years, but you wouldn’t know that based on recent campaign spending. So far this election cycle, Republicans have outspent Democrats on political ads, though not by much, according to a tally by Axios San Diego. As of Sept. 20, the GOP had spent $1.4 million on ads to Democrats’ $1.3 million.
- Cuteness alert: the first baby aardvark was born last week at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Check out the adorable footage here.
Correction: The subhead and a key sentence of “Critics Allege ‘Good Old Boy Network’ at Sweetwater Authority” were updated to clarify that Sweetwater Authority board member Steve Castaneda does not have close ties to Michael Garrod.
The Morning Report was written by Jim Hinch and Deborah Brennan. It was edited by Andrea Lopez-Villafaña.