San Diego County passes sales tax and governance reform measures

San Diego County voters approved two significant measures that will impact county governance and funding priorities, Voice of San Diego reported. Measure A reforms county government by increasing supervisors' power, allowing them to approve and remove top officials with a supermajority vote, and creating new oversight positions such as an auditor and budget analyst.

Measure B, a half-cent countywide sales tax, is projected to generate between $400 million and $450 million annually. The funds will support health care, public safety, child care, and efforts to address the ongoing Tijuana River sewage crisis, which has caused health concerns and beach closures.

The passage of Measure B was backed by a coalition including the county's largest labor union and advocacy groups. It aims to offset budget cuts previously expected from the Trump administration and commits the county to taking ownership of the Tijuana River problem with substantial annual funding.

County Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer expressed support for the measures, highlighting the importance of collective action to achieve significant changes. The governance reforms also allow supervisors to serve a potential third term and introduce an ethics commission to oversee board conduct.

These measures mark a shift in county governance and budgeting, with supervisors gaining more direct control and responsibility over county operations and finances. The increased funding for environmental and public health challenges signals a new phase in addressing longstanding issues in the region.