San Diego County voters approved two ballot measures on Thursday, giving the board of supervisors new powers and a dedicated revenue stream to tackle critical local issues.
Measure B: Countywide Sales Tax for Health, Safety and River Cleanup
Measure B, a half‑cent sales tax, is projected to generate $400 million to $450 million each year. The funds are earmarked for health‑care services, public‑safety programs, child‑care initiatives and, importantly, a long‑standing Tijuana River sewage crisis that has threatened beaches and public health. The measure was championed by a coalition that included the county’s largest labor union and several advocacy groups. County Board Chair Terra Lawson‑Remer praised the vote, saying the new funding will help the county offset recent federal budget cuts.
Measure A: Governance Reform Expands Supervisors’ Authority
Measure A restructures county government by giving supervisors greater control over day‑to‑day operations and the budget. The reform, also backed by Chair Lawson‑Remer, creates two new staff positions—a county auditor and a budget analyst—establishes an ethics commission, and modifies rules on interactions between board members, staff and contractors. It also allows supervisors to serve a potential third term and to remove top county officials with a four‑vote super‑majority.
Local Reactions
Lawson‑Remer hailed the twin victories, writing, “Big changes don’t happen because we wait for someone else to act. They happen when people come together and are willing to take on tough fights.” County officials say the measures will strengthen local governance and provide the resources needed to finally resolve the Tijuana River problem.
Other Election Results in the Region
In related races, District 4 City Council candidate Martha Abraham leads incumbent Henry Foster by 1,617 votes, while District 8 sees Antonio Martinez ahead of Gerardo Ramirez by 2,880 votes. Republican Chula Vista Mayor John McCann secured re‑election, and independent Imperial Beach Mayor Mitch McKay also won his race.
These outcomes reflect a broader pattern of Democratic wins in the South Bay, though Republican victories persisted in several local contests.
Original reporting: Voice of San Diego — read the source article.
