San Diego’s state legislators are at the center of a contentious debate over two bills that could reshape the Midway Rising waterfront development. Assemblymember Chris Ward introduced SB 958, a measure that would limit the ability of opponents to sue developers for insufficient environmental review of building height impacts. Ward argued that once all other environmental impacts have been fully analyzed and mitigated, a height‑impact review alone should not derail a project.
Assemblymember Carl DeMaio opposed the bill, warning that it would effectively allow a high‑rise condo tower to rise along California’s coastline without proper height‑impact scrutiny. Despite his opposition, the Assembly passed SB 958 with a 55‑5 vote, and Ward voted in favor while DeMaio voted against.
Local Representation Missing
The district that includes the Midway Rising site is represented by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner, who has not spoken publicly about either bill. Reporters reached out to Boerner for comment but received no response, and she also did not cast a vote on SB 958.
In addition to SB 958, a companion bill, SB 344, seeks to shield the Midway Rising project from all environmental lawsuits. The bill is co‑sponsored by State Senator Steve Padilla, Assemblymember Ward, and State Senator Akilah Weber‑Pierson. Like SB 958, none of the sponsors represent the Midway district, and Boerner has remained silent on this legislation as well.
Legislative Outlook
Both bills still require a final vote in the Senate, where a two‑thirds majority is needed for passage. The lack of input from the district’s own representative raises concerns among local stakeholders about transparency and accountability.
Related San Diego Issues
While the Midway legislation dominates headlines, other local matters surfaced this week. The San Diego Police Officers Association accused the city’s independent police oversight body, the Commission on Police Practices (CPP), of bias after the commission posted a news story about recent officer arrests. The union’s president, Jared Wilson, called for unbiased oversight, noting CPP’s limited subpoena power and ongoing disputes over its authority.
In a separate development, Kalshi, a digital platform that offers futures contracts on sports outcomes, announced a brand partnership with the San Diego Padres despite a recent Ninth Circuit ruling that the platform operates an illegal sports‑betting service in California. The case may eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court, with President Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., reportedly urging state attorneys general to stay out of the dispute.
Finally, Councilmember Raul Campillo’s proposal to ban parking fees at city beaches and Mission Bay was amended in committee. The revised measure now calls for a perpetual ban on parking fees for residents only, pending full City Council approval.
Original reporting: Voice of San Diego — read the source article.
