Saturday, October 6, 2018

University of San Diego   [ic fa-star]   12:00‑6:30 p.m.

What is Politifest?

Politifest is a San Diego public affairs summit produced by Voice of San Diego. The event focuses on the issues and candidates that will dominate the November ballot. We’ll have a full schedule of debates, panels and one-on-one interviews with experts, and provide a platform for residents to raise their voices, ask tough questions and delve into important issues. Politifest serves as a crash course in politics and policy, and provides insights into how our local government works.

Event Program

Politifest 2018 event program

Download the program
Download the addendum

Schedule of Events

Confirmed Sessions

Mayors in the Middle

12:00-1:15 p.m. • Shiley Theater [ic fa-mobile]

Moderated by Scott Lewis, VOSD CEO & Editor in Chief

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg come from different political perspectives but they’re both grappling with thousands of people living on the street and the health and safety problems that creates. In Tijuana, Mayor Juan Manuel Gastelum is dealing with similar problems – and some very different ones.

SoccerCity, SDSU West or None of the Above, a Debate

1:30-2:30 p.m. • KIPJ Theater [ic fa-mobile]

Moderated by Scott Lewis, VOSD CEO & Editor in Chief

The Chargers moved from San Diego, and took part of its heart with them. But their departure created a golden opportunity to do something special with the Mission Valley stadium land that hosted the team for so long. San Diegans have three choices on this November’s ballot. Measure E would direct the city to sell and lease the land to investors who promise to bring in a Major League Soccer team, a park, thousands of homes and an entertainment district. Measure G would direct the city to sell the land to SDSU, which itself has outlined a plan for a new stadium, a park, a campus expansion and thousands of homes. Or, San Diegans could reject those options and insist on something different.

Panelists:
  • Nick Stone, partner FS Investors
  • Marcela Escobar-Eck, land-use consultant
  • Howard Blackson, urban designer
  • Jack McGrory, trustee, California State University
  • Laura Fink, political consultant

The Future of California

1:30-2:30 p.m. • KIPJ Rooms AB

Moderated by Sara Libby, VOSD Managing Editor; and Ry Rivard, VOSD Reporter

Despite incredible economic growth, California is dealing with widespread poverty, struggling schools, concerns about public safety and justice and an extremely high cost of living. What will the state’s leaders do to grapple with these problems? What is the future of politics and what are the short- and long-term debates we’ll see in Sacramento? Three leaders from the state Legislature will get into it all.

Panelists:
  • Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego)
  • Assemblyman Chad Mayes (R-San Bernardino)
  • Assemblywoman Shirley Weber (D-San Diego)

Exit Interview With Assemblyman Rocky Chavez

1:30-2:30 p.m. • KIPJ Rooms CD

Interview by Dan Morain, CALmatters Senior Editor

Hear from Assemblyman Rocky Chavez about what it means to be a Republican who supports an overhaul of immigration law, opposes President Donald Trump’s border wall, and bucked his party by voting for the cap-and-trade program. He’ll also discuss being the target of Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ads that attacked from the right, and what he sees as the future of the Republican Party.

HuffPost Town Hall: Life, Undocumented, in the Trump Era

2:45-3:45 p.m. • KIPJ Theater

Moderated by Amanda Terkel, HuffPost Washington Bureau Chief

More than 11 million undocumented people currently live in the United States, nearly a quarter of whom are in California. This panel explores what life is like for undocumented immigrants at a time when the president regularly vilifies them, the administration has made immigration enforcement a priority and lawmakers can’t agree on comprehensive immigration reform.

Panelists:
  • Tom Wong, UCSD Professor
  • Elise Foley, HuffPost Reporter
  • Dulce Garcia, immigration attorney
  • Maya Srikrishnan, VOSD Reporter

Crash Course: California Ballot Measures

2:45-3:45 p.m. • KIPJ Rooms AB [ic fa-mobile]

Led by Sara Libby, VOSD Managing Editor

Dive into the state propositions on the ballot, from gas tax repeal to housing bonds. Understand the pros and cons of each, and be ready to vote in November.

Interview With Mike Levin, Democrat, Candidate for the 49th Congressional District

2:45-3:15 p.m. • KIPJ Rooms CD

Interview by Alex Presha, NBC 7 San Diego Reporter

Interview With Nathan Fletcher, Candidate for San Diego County Supervisor

3:15-3:45 p.m. • KIPJ Rooms CD

Interview by Scott Lewis, VOSD CEO & Editor in Chief

Debate: Rep. Susan Davis and Morgan Murtaugh, Candidate for the 53rd Congressional District

2:45-3:45 p.m. • KIPJ Rooms HI

Moderated by Lynn Walsh, Trusting News Project Manager

Rep. Susan Davis has represented the 53rd Congressional District since 2001. Challenger Morgan Murtaugh is making her first run for office this election cycle. Come hear why each thinks she deserves your vote.

VOSD Live Podcast: The Future of San Diego

4:00-5:15 p.m. • KIPJ Theater

Hosted by Scott Lewis, Sara Libby, and Andrew Keatts

Voice of San Diego’s live podcasts have become riotous opportunities to see local leaders let loose a bit while also discussing important issues. For this special cap to the Politifest day, we’ll have a discussion with three of the people rumored to be considering running for mayor in 2020: Rep. Scott Peters, Assemblyman Todd Gloria and Councilman Chris Cate. We will not, however, talk about the 2020 race at all. Not one bit. We will explore what the city is going to do about homelessness, infrastructure, police and public safety. Plus, some games with the audience.

Crash Course: San Diego Ballot Measures

4:00-5:00 p.m. • KIPJ Rooms AB [ic fa-mobile]

Led by Lisa Halverstadt, VOSD Reporter

Dive into the local measures on the ballot, from the Mission Valley stadium site to city council term limits. Understand the pros and cons of each, and be ready to vote.

Prop 10: Can Rent Control Do What the Market Can’t?

4:00-5:00 p.m. • KIPJ Rooms CD

Moderated by David Lesher, CALmatters Editor & CEO

California has a statewide moratorium on rent control laws. And cities are banned from applying existing rent regulation ordinances to new units. Now that the state is facing an affordable housing crisis, some housing advocates want to give cities a tool to put a legal lid on rents. Prop 10 would allow cities to introduce new restrictions on market rents or expand existing rent control policies.

Candidate Roundtable

4:00-5:00 p.m. • KIPJ Rooms HI

Moderated by Casey Dominguez, Ph.D., USD Associate Professor

Seize the chance to meet in a small group with candidates for state and local offices. Come prepared to ask questions and get the inside scoop.

Participants:
  • Dr. Jen Campbell, Candidate for San Diego City Council District 2
  • James Elia, Candidate for State Assembly, 71st District
  • Nathan Fletcher, Candidate for San Diego County Supervisor
  • Nicole Jones, Candidate for Southwestern College Board Seat 4
  • Mike Levin, Candidate for the 49th Congressional District
  • Mark Meuser, Candidate for California Secretary of State
  • Monica Montgomery, Candidate for San Diego City Council District 4
  • Morgan Murtaugh, Candidate for the 53rd Congressional District
  • Marcia Nordstrom, Candidate for San Diego Unified School Board District C
  • Valeri Paul, Candidate for Solana Beach City Council
  • Omar Qudrat, Candidate for the 52nd Congressional District

Community Led Panels

  • The Case for California Independence
    Led by Ken Brucker, Chairman, San Diego Central Committee of the California National Party
  • Ways to Get Involved in Your Community
    Led by Mary McKenzie, Adjunct Professor, University of San Diego
  • Addressing the Affordable Housing Crisis
    Led by San Diego Deliberation Network
  • Measure Q: Chula Vista Cannabis Tax
    Led by High Tech High Chula Vista students
  • United States/Mexico Relations
    Led by David Shirk, Professor, University of San Diego
  • Civility in Politics
    Led by USD Ashley McGuire, Restorative Specialist, National Conflict Resolution Center