Local builders in San Diego have expressed growing frustration regarding the vehicle miles traveled (VMT) fees imposed by the county for new home projects. These fees are designed to account for environmental impacts, particularly the longer distances new developments create in terms of commuting for residents. Builders argue that these fees significantly hinder construction, particularly in areas farther away from work and shopping centers, and they claim that the financial burden is contributing to a slowdown in home building.
Recent developments in California’s environmental legislation, particularly potential reforms to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), have given builders hope. They believe that these changes could offer a chance to persuade state leaders to reevaluate the VMT fees. Builders contend that unless legislative measures address fee structures, any efforts to ease the building process will be ineffective.
The VMT fees are intended to fund transportation projects and affordable housing through a state bank fund; however, such funding initiatives are being questioned by industry leaders. The Building Industry Association of San Diego and the San Diego Chamber of Commerce are actively advocating for legislative modifications to these fees. They argue that the current fee system contradicts the goals of CEQA reforms aimed at making housing more accessible and affordable.
In a related report, Lisa Halverstadt analyzed the impact of the VMT policy in San Diego last year. She noted that the county decided to exempt projects aligned with its existing general zoning plan from additional fee requirements.
In political news, Ammar Campa-Najjar and San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert recently discussed their prospective contests to unseat U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa. The stakes could be raised significantly depending on the outcome of Proposition 50, a measure that could alter the district boundaries to incorporate a larger Democratic voter base. Campa-Najjar indicated that he might reconsider his candidacy if Proposition 50 were to fail, although he remains optimistic. Conversely, von Wilpert pledged to continue her campaign regardless of the proposition’s fate but also maintains confidence in its passage.
Scott Lewis provided insights into the ongoing negotiations among local entities seeking to find ways to circumvent a potential increase in the minimum wage for tourism workers, a measure set for a vote by the San Diego City Council.
In another significant political development, Will Rodriguez-Kennedy has returned to lead the San Diego County Democratic Party after a hiatus during which he faced sexual assault allegations. With a civil lawsuit recently dismissed, Rodriguez-Kennedy discussed his vision for the party’s future with KPBS, focusing on the challenge of regaining Democratic support in areas like southeastern San Diego, which saw a decline in voters during the previous elections. He underscored the importance of rallying support for Proposition 50 ahead of the upcoming special election on November 4.
On the labor front, city officials are gearing up for the upcoming debate surrounding a proposed $25 minimum wage for the tourism industry. Host Scott Lewis dove into the various stakeholders attempting to fend off the financial implications of this potential wage increase in a recent podcast episode.
In other local news, Rick Wanne, the director of Public Safety Net Programs for the county, is set to retire in December after an extensive career spanning over three decades in public service. His tenure saw significant expansions in the county’s self-sufficiency services, particularly in response to rising needs among Medi-Cal and food stamp recipients. County spokesperson Tim McClain confirmed that preparations for Wanne’s successor are already underway as the county anticipates federal cuts that could affect thousands of residents’ access to essential services.
Recent projections indicate that the county may need to implement additional eligibility checks for approximately 96,000 CalFresh recipients as well as 130,000 Medi-Cal participants. Changes could also introduce new work requirements affecting more than 325,000 Medi-Cal beneficiaries, prompting concerns about increased workloads for county staff.
Lastly, in transportation news, the Metropolitan Transit System has announced fare increases for the first time since 2009, part of broader measures to address a significant budget crisis. The plan also entails drawing from capital funds and making cuts to bus and trolley services to help manage operational expenses. Residents are also being informed of new special event parking rates in Downtown, which will reach $10 per hour near Petco Park; notably, parking tickets are cheaper, costing $55 each despite the high hourly rate.
The Morning Report was crafted by Mariana Martínez Barba and Lisa Halverstadt, with editorial guidance from Andrea Sanchez-Villafaña and Scott Lewis.
image source from：voiceofsandiego
