Progressives have long wanted the county to raid its large reserve account.
Now, facing possible federal cuts and a $138.5 million budget deficit, our Lisa Halverstadt reports that the two Democrats on the county Board of Supervisors are urging two key policy tweaks they argue could unleash cash to shield county residents from losing access to services.
Supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer and Monica Montgomery Steppe, who plan to take their proposal to fellow board members next month, are likely to face a tough audience with the two Republicans on the board. That could kick the reserve debate to late July, when a new District 1 supervisor is seated.
Halverstadt detailed how the two supervisors propose unleashing an estimated $355 million windfall from the county’s large reserve account.
ICYMI: As our Jim Hinch reported Monday, Democratic South Bay supervisorial candidate Paloma Aguirre argues the county should rethink its reserve policies while Republican contender John McCann argues the county should cut spending before dipping into the rainy-day fund.
Water Authority Past Chairs: Whoa, There
Saturday, Scott Lewis wrote about the stunning suggestion from some leaders of the city of San Diego that the city should leave or dissolve the San Diego County Water Authority.
Today, we have a response from 10 past chairs of the Board of Directors of the Water Authority. They took on several major claims that San Diego City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera and city Chief Financial Officer Matt Vespi.
They defended their decisions to enter into historic deals to secure a diversified portfolio of water resources, the cost of which is now pushing ratepayer bills up.
“The water we enjoy in San Diego County comes at a higher cost – but having no water at all or having no regional decision-making body looking out for San Diegans is even more costly,” they wrote.
Read the full commentary here.
Death of Mexican Police Commander Demonstrates Cross-Border Bond
Earlier this month, an escaped American convict gunned down a Baja California state police commander. The death of the officer, 33 year-old Abigail Esparza Reyes, has hit the crow-border law enforcement community hard. American officers have helped raise funds to support the two children Esparza left behind. Representatives of a handful of U.S. law enforcement agencies also attended Esparza’s funeral.
The cross-border impact demonstrates the uniquely close relationship developed between members of some United States and Mexican law enforcement agencies. That’s because as a so-called Gringo Hunter, a member of a highly-publicized unit focused on apprehending U.S. fugitives, Esparza worked closely with counterparts just north of the border.
Voice contributor Sandra Dibble writes that even given the outpouring of support, there are signs that relationship might be fraying.
Also in the Border Report: Are fewer people crossing from Tijuana to San Diego? Dibble dug into the data.
Live! From Soda Bar
Brews and News is back.
Join your favorite VOSD Podcast hosts on May 7 at Soda Bar for a night of laughs, audience games and special guests.
If you attend, you’ll get the opportunity to win a baseball signed by Padres Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill. Click here for more details.
In Other News
- Surprise! Amtrak and Metrolink trains headed north from San Diego will be suspended for a month and a half as crews work to stabilize San Clemente tracks. (Union-Tribune)
- With San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria softening his stance on the city’s ADU density bonus program, Community Planners Committee-members are floating their own changes. (Union-Tribune)
- The Navy poured $601 million into San Diego-based cruiser USS Cape St. George, but a report released by the U.S. Government Accountability Office in December casts doubts on whether that investment will pay off. (Union-Tribune)
The Morning Report was written by Lisa Halverstadt and Jakob McWhinney. It was edited by Andrea Lopez-Villafaña.