How to solve the sewage crisis at the border

Moderator: MacKenzie Elmer

Raw sewage and trash has been spilling into the United States via the Tijuana River from Mexico for decades. Both nations are taking forever to fix it their way. Join us in a search for creative solutions.

Speakers: Maria-Elena Giner; Carlos de la Parra; Rubén Garcia

How can we make the cost of electricity more affordable?

Moderator: MacKenzie Elmer

San Diego has some of the highest electricity rates in the country but the region and state have also made commitments to use less natural gas and fossil fuels, get more of its power from renewable sources and reverse the trend of carbon emissions. What hope can we offer to people struggling with the cost of living that their power bill will be easier to pay?

Speakers: Kellie Smith; Bill Powers; Jack McGrory

How do we build more housing in San Diego that people can afford?

Moderator: Tigist Layne

As San Diego faces a growing housing crisis, this panel will explore ideas to build more affordable homes quickly and effectively. Panelists will discuss issues like zoning, costs, and community concerns to identify the best way to expand housing options for all residents.

Speakers: Ricardo Flores; Stephen Russell; Sean Kilkenny

How do we ensure that all children receive an excellent education?

Moderator: Jakob McWhinney

Education has long been touted as the great equalizer — a way for every child, regardless of their background, to build a successful life. Too often, however, that promise has fallen flat. This panel will grapple with how best to ensure every child receives an education that sets them up for a better life.

Speakers: Richard Barrera; David Miyashiro; Scott Davison

Who has the best vision for the San Diego of the future?

Moderator: Will Huntsberry

The city of San Diego is working through a massive structural deficit and huge gap between how much money the city has put aside for infrastructure maintenance and improvement and how much it needs. Parks are falling apart, city residents routinely complain about streets and thousands of people remain homeless on the streets. What do we need to do to make San Diego a city people are proud of?

Speakers: Sean Elo-Rivera; Aimee Faucett; Mayor Todd Gloria

What do we do about street homelessness?

Moderator: Lisa Halverstadt

San Diego’s homelessness crisis has raged on for years. We’ll talk potential solutions with a doctor who led the largest survey on homelessness in decades, an advocate behind a homeless campus proposal and a top thought leader throughout North America on strategies to reduce homelessness.

Speakers: Dr. Margot Kushel; Iain De Jong; (Ret.) Marine Colonel Patrick “Paddy” Gough

What should we do when people with behavioral health problems refuse treatment?

Moderator: Jim Hinch

Helping people who struggle with addiction, mental illness and other behavioral health problems is one of San Diego’s biggest challenges. We’ll hear potential solutions from a harm reduction advocate, the leader of a sobriety-based shelter network and the city of San Diego’s chief behavioral health officer.

Speakers: Tara Stamos-Buesig; Dr. Aaron Meyer; Paul Armstrong

How do we solve the child care crisis?

Moderator: Claire Trageser

The child care industry has long been in crisis. Affordable, quality care is challenging to find and staff are not paid enough to stay in the field. This panel will offer solutions to tackle the crisis in different ways, from schools to funding to employers to making it easier for providers to expand.

Speakers: Courtney Baltiyskyy; Shana Hazan; Sara Song; Chris Cate

How do we make water more affordable in San Diego?

Moderator: Scott Lewis

San Diego residents pay the highest water rates in the country but enjoy access to more water than we currently need. This has led to calls to dissolve the San Diego County Water Authority, which itself has created backlash. What can local leaders do to contain costs and offer people struggling with the cost of living some hope?

Speakers: Dr. Daniel Enemark; Nick Serrano

Prop. 50: Vote Yes or No?

Moderator: Joey Safchik

Ballots are going out soon for voters to decide whether to approve new congressional districts that would help Democrats win more seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Gov. Gavin Newsom says it is necessary to balance other states’ gerrymandering. “We can lose the Republic,” he said. Opponents say Prop. 50 is an appalling partisan power grab that takes power from the people and a much-hailed independent redistricting system.

Speakers: Assemblymember Chris Ward; Jon Slavet

Politifest 2025 Recap: Winners, Spiciest Moments & San Diego’s Big Ideas

Voice of San Diego Podcast

A lively, game-ified wrap-up from the Solutions Showdown: the hosts crown session winners, swap quiz questions, and unpack the sharpest proposals on housing, homelessness, water rates, behavioral health, education, and Prop. 50.