San Onofre State Park isn’t actually the state’s land and the lease for it is set to expire this summer. Renewing it is not going to be cheap.
Our Tigist Layne reports that the state’s parks department and the military are negotiating new lease terms that could lead to a major rent hike. The state park is part of Camp Pendleton.
A bit of history: In the late 1960s President Richard Nixon wanted the public to have access to the beach so he helped pull together a deal. For $1 a year, the state’s parks department would lease and operate the San Onofre State Park for the next 50 years.
That deal is no longer an option because federal laws now mandate fair market value leases for military land. A member with the San Onofre Parks Foundation who has served as a liaison between the involved parties said it could be as high as $5 million a year.
For now, a spokesperson for Camp Pendleton told Layne that the park will remain open to the public regardless of lease renewal, but the uncertainty regarding the terms of the new agreement persists. San Onofre State Park, renowned for its surf spots and campgrounds, attracts more than 2 million visitors annually.
How Raising Taxes Could Get Harder or Easier or Both or Neither
We’ve been all over the tax proposals trying to make their way before voters.
Here’s a little reminder: There’s a half-cent sales tax increase for the county. Then there’s a 1-cent sales tax hike for the city of San Diego. And finally, a proposal to raise money for stormwater infrastructure. Read more about those here.
But, as our Scott Lewis has been reporting, there are three statewide propositions that could change everything we know about raising taxes. On the latest VOSD Podcast episode, our hosts break down each proposition and explain how they could have major ramifications to California taxes.
Listen to the full episode here.
The Mayor’s Top Cop Pick
We told you last week that San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria had picked the city’s new top cop. He appointed Assistant Chief Scott Wahl to replace Chief David Nisleit who is set to retire in June.
The VOSD Podcast crew weighs in on the city’s “nationwide” search and goes into Wahl’s history in the San Diego Police Department he is now set to lead.
Extra: The Politics Report learned that there really was a nationwide search for the new police chief and one candidate had a strong chance of getting the job.
That was out-of-towner Oakland Interim Police Chief Darren Allison. He interviewed well and has gotten praise for his 14-month stint as the head of the department there.
The Politics Report gets into why Gloria’s choice is interesting. Read the Politics Report here.
Fentanyl Overdoses Are Leveling off, but Still Lethal
Fentanyl deaths in San Diego County appeared to have stabilized.
That’s what San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan told community members at a town hall in Encinitas. Deaths from overdoses of the drug soared from 14 in 2013 to more than 800 by 2021. They are staying closer to the 800 mark now.
Our Deborah Brennan attended the town hall hosted by state Sen. Catherine Blakespear to learn more about what lawmakers are doing to address addiction and drug trafficking. Blakespear spoke about legislation that could deal with the crisis.
Read the Sacramento Report here.
In Other News
- The Union-Tribune reports that San Diego’s unemployment rate is holding steady at 4.7 percent for two months in a row. That is below the California average of 5.6 percent.
- The son of a Yale-educated scientist, who filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the county in federal court, was awarded $825,000 on Friday. Dr. Yan Li was experiencing a mental breakdown when she was fatally shot by police who were serving an eviction notice. (CBS 8)
- Stacy Michelle Walker, a Mount Carmel High School teacher, pleaded not guilty to 17 felony charges. ABC10 reports that Walker allegedly had a yearslong inappropriate relationship with a 15-years old victim.
- Big sports day coming up: If you have sports fan employees Thursday, maybe give them a break. Last year, San Diego State University’s men’s basketball team made it the championship game after a memorable run. The UConn Huskies, though, won that game big. Now, SDSU has earned a trip back to the Sweet 16 only to face, yes, UConn again, on Thursday. That day will also be the Padres home opener at Petco Park. That stadium, by the way, has a new Gallagher Square. The Padres have completed construction of the revamp of the concert venue and grassy hill.
The Morning Report was written by Andrea Lopez-Villafaña and Juan Estrada.