Politics

INSURANCE NON-RENEWALS CONTINUE EVEN AS COMMISSIONER RICARDO LARA INTRODUCES REGULATIONS FAVORED BY THE INDUSTRY

By Levi Sumagaysay, CalMatters
 
Photo: State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara speaks during a press conference with Los Angeles labor leaders and advocates in Commerce on Sept. 26, 2022. Photo by Alisha Jucevic for CalMatters
 
March 26, 2024 (Sacramento) -- With more California homeowners just discovering their insurance policies are getting canceled —  and hundreds of thousands of others stuck with a pricey option of last resort — state Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s efforts to fix the home insurance market can’t come quickly enough.

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SOCIAL SECURITY CUTS

"Trump has tried to walk back his support for Social Security and Medicare cuts," said the head of Social Security Works. "This budget is one of many reasons why no one should believe him."
 
 
Defenders of Social Security and Medicare on Wednesday swiftly criticized the biggest caucus of Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives for putting out a budget proposal for fiscal year 2025 that takes aim at the crucial programs.
 
The 180-page "Fiscal Sanity to Save America" plan from the Republican Study Committee (RSC) follows the release of proposals from Democratic President Joe Biden and U.S. House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington (R-Texas)—who is leading the fight to create a fiscal commission for the programs that critics call a "death panel" designed to force through cuts.

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VIEW OUR INTERVIEW: LA MESA ACTIVISTS OBJECT TO CITY COUNCIL BANNING REMOTE PARTICIPATION

 

View video of interview, which also aired on KNSJ radio: https://youtu.be/6CG6xMtEY8U

March 25, 2024 (La Mesa) East County Magazine recently interviewed La Mesa activists Janet Castaños, PhD, and Gene Carpenter, who raise concerns over La Mesa City Council’s Feb. 27 decision to end remote public comments.  The action came after anti-Semitic comments were made by several callers at the previous meeting, though the city’s stated reason for ending the public’s ability to call in with comments was that the COVID-19 pandemic is over.

Castaños calls the vote a “knee jerk” reaction without public input.  “We had built greater community activity, greater engagement in our City Council with our Zoom and call-in options,” noting that people who were sick or had childcare issues could call in from home.  She objects to the decision made “without even taking the time to look at a variety of options that are used by the City of San Diego City  Council or the Board of Supervisors...”

“It affects all boards and commissions for the city of La Mesa...You have to physically be there if you want to make a comment on anything on the agenda,” she added.


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UNOFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS SHOW FLIPS IN TWO KEY RACES HOLDING

By Miriam Raftery

March 20, 2024 (San Diego) – The San Diego Registrar of Voters this evening released unofficial results from the primary election. Final results will be certified by 5 p.m. on April 4.  

The only ballots not yet counted countywide are 3,750 mail-in ballots returned with a missing or non-matching signature. Those voters were mailed letters giving them until April 2 to provide signatures. Once verified, these “cured” ballots will then be tallied. It is unclear how many of those ballots will be cured and counted, and how many are in any given district.

Below is an update on close races in East County, where flips in two key Assembly races since election night appear to have held.


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COUNTY APPROVES 17 SAFE RV PARKING SITES FOR HOMELESS IN LAKESIDE

East County News Service
 
Photo courtesy: Google Maps
 
March 17, 2024 (Lakeside) -- Supervisors Wednesday approved construction of the Willow Recreational Vehicle (RV) Senior and Family Parking site in a County-owned site located in the unincorporated Lakeside community at the intersection of Willow Road and Ashwood Street. A concept design has been prepared showing 17 safe RV parking sites, an office space, storage, and restrooms. 

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SHARP-COLLINS SURPASSES VASQUEZ IN 79TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT

By Miriam Raftery
 
Photo: Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins
 
March 16, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – The 79th Assembly district race is still too close to call.  While La Mesa Councilman Colin Parent is still solidly in first place with 39.65% of the vote (21,745 votes). Educator Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins has overtaken Lemon Grove Mayor Racquel Vasquez to move into second place.
 
Currently Sharp-Collins has 30.27% (16,597 votes), while Vasquez has 30.08% (16,494 votes).

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SUPERVISORS APPROVE 150 SLEEPING CABINS FOR HOMELESS IN SPRING VALLEY

A similar number of hotel vouchers may be phased out in favor of less glamorous, but fully inclusive, wrap-around services
 
By Jonathan Goetz
 
March 14, 2024 (Spring Valley) -- In an effort to address the homelessness crisis, Supervisors Wednesday voted 4-0 (with Joel Anderson absent due to a medical issue) to spend $18.5 million for 150 sleeping cabins at the corner of Jamacha Road and SR-125 in Spring Valley as part of Governor Gavin Newsom's sleeping cabin effort.

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SANTEE SEEKS PLAN FOR PARK AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT BARN SITE

By Mike Allen

March 13, 2024 (Santee) -- Santee is hoping to strike a deal with San Diego County to create a new park surrounding the historic Edgemoor Barn as well as much needed affordable housing.

At its most recent meeting on Feb. 28, the city council approved a resolution supporting a collaborative effort between the city and county for a plan on some 21 acres next to the Las Colinas Women’s Detention Center.


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IT’S A NAIL-BITER IN 79TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT

By Miriam Raftery
 
Photo: Mayor Racquel Vasquez has a slim 8-vote lead over Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins, in the battle for the second-place run-off slot
 
March 12, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – If you think your vote doesn’t matter, take a look at the latest results in the 79th Assembly District, where the top two candidates will advance to a November run-off. 

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EL CAJON STATE OF CITY ADDRESS TOUTS REVITALIZATION

By Bransen P. Harper
 
Photos courtesy: City of El Cajon screenshots
 
March 11, 2024 (El Cajon) -- In his State of the City address on February 7, El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells outlined his major plans for growth in a city that has been plagued by several issues related to the post-recovery period of Covid and the homelessness epidemic. 

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REP. SARA JACOBS SECURES $13.5 MILLION FOR 15 SAN DIEGO PROJECTS

Source: Congresswoman Sara Jacobs

March 10, 2024 (Washington, D.C.) -- Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) secured $13.5 million for 15 local community projects in San Diego in an appropriations package that passed the House today. These projects were submitted by local governments and non-profits across California’s 51st district, from Lemon Grove to Grantville to Miramar. The Senate is expected to pass this package later this week, and then it will head to President Biden’s desk for his signature.

Rep. Sara Jacobs said: “Bringing home federal dollars to San Diego is one of my biggest responsibilities, so I’m incredibly proud that I secured $13.5 million for local projects across California’s 51st district – especially during such a politically fraught time in Congress. This much-needed funding will help address homelessness, support children, prevent wildfires, care for service members and veterans, build beautiful community spaces, and more. I’m excited to see all the good that this funding will do to make our community healthier, safer, and stronger.”

Rep. Sara Jacobs secured $13.5 million for these 15 San Diego projects:


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HAYES OVERTAKES JUZA IN 75TH ASSEMBLY RACE; 79TH DISTRICT NARROWS TO SLIM 183-VOTE MARGIN IN RACE FOR RUNOFF SLOTS

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Andrew Hayes has moved into 2nd place in 75th Assembly district; LaShae Sharp-Collins has pulled within 183 votes of Racquel Vasquez in the 79th district

March 9, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – Latest election results released at 5 p.m. this evening show results have flipped in the Assembly district 75—with two Republicans now in the first and second place positions poised to run-off in November, if these positions hold.

Andrew Hayes, a  Lakeside school board member and long-time aide to Senator Brian Jones and Supervisor Joel Anderson, has narrowly pulled ahead of Democrat Kevin Juza, a business consultant. Carl DeMaio, founder of Reform California and conservative talk radio host, remains in first place. Currently DeMaio has 43.21%, Hayes 18.65% and Juza 18.18%. With just 555 votes separating Hayes and Juza, however, this race is still too close to call.  Three lesser-known candidates are trailing far behind.

The race has also tightened in the 79th Assembly District, where three Democrats are vying for the two top slots to advance to the November general election.


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IN VIGOROUS STATE OF UNION SPEECH, BIDEN STRIVED TO “WAKE UP CONGRESS” ON THREATS TO DEMOCRACY AND TOUTED ECONOMIC GAINS

 

By Miriam Raftery; Jonathan Goetz contributed to this report

View video and read full text

“My purpose tonight is to wake up the Congress and alert the American people that this is no ordinary moment...What makes our moment rare is that freedom and democracy are under attack at — both at home and overseas at the very same time.” -- President Joe Biden

March 9, 2024 (Washington D.C.) – In a powerful State of the Union speech, President Joe Biden announced his intent to “both wake up Congress and alert the American people” about threats to our democracy at home and abroad.  He likened the global threat to 1941, when President Franklin Roosevelt addressed Congress with a warning while Hitler on the march and war raged in Europe. Biden warned of Russia’s threats to the free world, as well as threats to freedoms in the U.S.

In addition, Biden  touted historic economic gains, plans for a mortgage tax credit, a goal to cut more prescription drug costs, and a goal to further reduce the deficit by increasing taxes on wealthy individuals earning over $400,000  whose taxes were cut by the Trump administration.  He called on Congress to pass aid to Ukraine and a bipartisan border security and immigration reform bill, also announcing emergency orders for the military to build a pier to bring more humanitarian aid to Gaza.


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TWO STATE ASSEMBLY RACES GETTING TIGHTER

By: Jessyka Heredia

March 8, 2024 (East County) – Tonight’s update from the Registrar of Voters is showing the race for second place getting narrower in two East County State Assembly districts..


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LEMON GROVE IS FIRST CITY IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY TO CALL FOR A CEASEFIRE IN GAZA

By: Jessyka Heredia

Watch video here

This Article was edited on March 11, 2024 to express the concerns of residents who suffered storm damage and to better show the timeline of events and relationships between council members and Borderlands for Equity. 

March 7, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – Tuesday, the Lemon Grove City Council members were presented a chance to pass a resolution “calling for an immediate, and permanent ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis affecting Gaza and Israel.”


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CONSERVATIVE-BACKED JUDICIAL CANDIDATES WIN SEATS

By Miriam Raftery

March 6, 2024 (San Diego)—Republican-endorsed candidates won both contested judicial seats in yesterday’s primary election, prevailing over Democratic Party endosred candidates..

For seat 41, deputy district attorney Brian Erickson has 55.2% of the vote as of this morning, over senior assistant attorney general Jodi Cleesattle with 44.8% 

In seat 43, prosecutor Valerie Summers in the District Attorney’s office has soundly defeated family law attorney Koryn Sheppard by a 63.55% to 46.56% margin.


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SCHIFF AND GARVEY HEAD TO RUN-OFF IN PIVOTAL SENATE RACE, BUT GARVEY EDGES AHEAD FOR SHORT-TERM SPOT

Update March 6:  As of this morning, Steve Garvey has pulled ahead of Adam Schiff in the partial term Senate election.  Garvey is leading with 1,317,911 votes to 1,173,917 for Adam Schiff.  The two will run-off in November, with the winner seated as soon as votes are certified to serve the remaining few weeks in the late Senator Dianne Feinstein's term this November and December. 

Schiff  still has a narrow lead in the long-term race for the six-year term starting in January; currently Schiff leads in the long-term race narrowly with 1,247,753 over Garvey with 1,218,050 votes.  They will run-off in November as well for the long-term race to fill the next six-year term beginning in January.  

By Henri Migala

March 5, 2024 (San Diego) --With the balance of power in the U.S. Senate nearly equally split between Republicans and Democrats, the California race to replace the late Dianne Feinstein may decide the balance of power in the Senate and the Nation.

Currently, there are 49 Republicans, 48 Democrats and 3 Independents in the Senate. The Independents have chosen to Caucus with the Democrats, giving them a slight edge. Additionally, on January 20, 2021, Democratic vice president Kamala Harris took office. Her tie-breaking vote established a Democratic majority in the Senate.

With the death of long-serving Senator Dianne Feinstein, a seat that has been held by Democrats for decades is now up for grabs. Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler to fill the seat until an election could be held.

Today's ballot includes both a partial term election to complete the last two months of Feinstein's unfinished term, as well as a full-term election for the next six-year term beginning January 3, 2025.


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NIKKI HALEY SUSPENDS CAMPAIGN, BUT DOES NOT ENDORSE TRUMP

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Gage Skidmore: Nikki Haley in 2024

March 6, 2024 (San Diego) – Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley announced today that she is suspending her presidential campaign,  after losing 13 of the 14 primary races (winning only Vermont) on Super Tuesday.

Her withdrawal means former President Donald Trump is the Republican party’s presumptive nominee, with no other challengers remaining. But Haley pointedly did not endorse Trump, whom she has sharpy criticized.

In a speech this morning, Haley voiced “no regrets” adding, “I will not stop using my voice for the things I believe in.”


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MAYOR BILL WELLS TO SQUARE OFF AGAINST CONGRESSWOMAN SARA JACOBS IN 51ST DISTRICT

By Miriam Raftery

March 6, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, a Democrat, has finished first in the primary election in the 51st Congressional district, with 56.28% of the vote.  She will run-off against El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, a Republican, in the November general election. Wells captured 40.09% of the votes tallied thus far.

Wells has served as the city's mayor since 2013, when he was appointed to fill a vacancy left by resignation of Mayor Mark Lewis. He was later elected and twice won reelection. Should his Congressional bid be unsuccessful he would remain as mayor, since his term ends in 2024.*


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VASQUEZ AND PARENT SPEAK OUT AS EARLY RESULTS SHOW THEM LIKELY HEADED TO RUN-OFF FOR ASSEMBLY RACE

By Jessyka Heredia and Miriam Raftery 

March 6, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- La Mesa Councilman Colin Parent and Lemon Grove Mayor Racquel Vasquez are maintaining their first and and second place positions in the primary race for the 79th Assembly district seat. If their leads hold, the two East County elected official will run-off in the November general election, leaving their current council and mayoral positions to be filled in the November election, since both have terms of office ending after this year.

As of 11:30 p.m. on Election night, Parent has 41.01%, Vasquez 31.53% and Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins, County Office of Education’s community engagement specialist and adjunct professor at SDSU trails close behind with 27.43%. 

As last night’s Lemon Grove City Council meeting adjourned, ECM’s  reporter approached the dais to let Vasquez know she was number two in the early voting numbers so far and asked if she would like to give a statement.


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EARLY RESULTS POINT TO REPUBLICAN KRISTIE BRUCE-LANE AND DEMOCRAT DARSHANA PATEL IN 76TH ASSEMBLY PRIMARY SHOWDOWN

By Michael Howard

 

March 5, 2024 (San Diego) – As the California State Assembly primary election results begin to unfold, it appears that the race for the 76th Assembly District seat is shaping up to be a face-off between Republican candidate Kristie Bruce-Lane (photo, left) and Democrat Darshana Patel (photo, right). The departure of incumbent Brian Maienschein has opened the door to a competitive contest with the two candidates vying for the vacant seat. 

 

With 19.9% of precinct’s reporting, Kristie Bruce-Lane received 26,271 votes, and Darshana Patel 17,918. Trailing behind the two top contenders was Democrat Joseph Rocha with 9,877 votes. 


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STEPHEN HOULAHAN LEADING LONG LIST OF CHALLENGERS FOR SHOWDOWN AGAINST DARRELL ISSA

By Michael Howard

 

March 5, 2024 (San Diego's East County) - In the race for the 48th Congressional District, early results from the primary election suggest that Democratic candidate Stephen Houlahan is on track to secure a spot in the general election, where he will face off against Republican incumbent Darrell Issa for the second consecutive election. 

With 19.9% of all precincts reporting, Issa held the lead among all candidates with 41,284 votes followed by Houlahan with 11,811. The remaining candidates trailed the two top contenders. Democratic candidates Whitney Shanahan received 7,833 votes, Mike Simon 6,411, Matthew G. Rascon 1,718, and no-party preference candidate Lucinda Kwh Jahn garnered 738 votes.


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BIDEN AND TRUMP DENIED SWEEPS THIS SUPER TUESDAY, BUT MOVE CLOSER TO CLINCHING NOMINATIONS

Jason Palmer wins American Samoa, Nikki Haley wins Vermont

Update: Nikki Haley will suspend her campaign, reports Associated Press

By Jonathan Goetz

March 5, 2024 (San Diego's East County) -- On Super Tuesday, President Joe Biden won all 16 states holding Democratic contests for President, while former President Donald Trump won at least 12 of the 14 states holding Republican primaries or caucuses today. Neither secured enough delegates yet to secure their party’s nominations, though both appear on track to do so. This is Biden's first loss to primary challengers in the 2024 election cycle and Trump's second, following Haley's victory in Washington, D.C.

Jason Palmer, a venture capitalist and former staffer of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, defeated Incumbent President Joe Biden by 51 votes to 40, in American Samoa's caucus. As a result, Palmer secured all six Democratic delegates from American Samoa. Palmer told NBC news after his surprising win, “You can never expect to beat an incumbent president, but I love the people of American Samoa, and they’ve been so wonderful to me this past month.”

Trump was denied a sweep by Nikki Haley, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Governor (ret.) of South Carolina, who won the Republican primary in the State of Vermont, picking up at least 9 of 17 Republican delegates.


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INCUMBENTS HAVE STRONG LEADS IN SAN DIEGO CONGRESSIONAL RACES

By Miriam Raftery

March 5, 2024 (San Diego) – All five San Diego Congressional members have strong leads in the primary election, unsurprisingly given the power of incumbency and name recognition.

The key question is who will run off against them in November--and the early results have strong indicators of those outcomes.


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DEMAIO AND JUZA AHEAD IN CROWDED 75TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT FIELD

By Miriam Raftery

Updated March 6th with latest results.

March 6, 2024 (San Diego's East County)-- Conservative firebrand Carl DeMaio, the leader of Reform California, now has 43.8% of as of today for the 75th Assembly race.  Kevin Juza, a business consultant who is the Democratic Party’s endorsed candidate, is in second place with 19.02% of the vote, followed by Republican Andrew Hayes, a Lakeside school board member and long-time aid to legislators Brian Jones and Joel Anderson with16.28%.

Juza got a boost from deceptive campaign tactics by DeMaio, whose campaign funded full-color mailers and a website urging voters to support Juza, whom DeMaio would prefer to run off against in the November general election.


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PARENT, VASQUEZ LEAD IN 79TH ASSEMBLY RACE

By Miriam Raftery

March 5, 2024  (San Diego's East County)--Incumbency counts. That's the takeaway from tonight's early results in the 79th Assembly district race, where two prominent East County elected officials hold the lead over an educator endorsed by the Democratic Party.  All three candidates are Democrats.

La Mesa Councilman Colin Parent has a hefty lead, with 41.04% of the votes tallied so far.  Lemon Grove Mayor Racquel Vasquez has 31.53%, while educator LaShae Sharp-Collins has 27.43% of the vote. The top two vote-getters will advance to a runoff in the November general election.


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LA MESA BANS PUBLIC REMOTE COMMENTS AFTER ANTI-SEMITIC RANTS; OTHER CITY COUNCILS AROUND NATION POINT TO AI GENERATED ASSAULT


By Michael Howard

 

Screenshot from City Council video: La Mesa City Attorney Gleen Sabine advises Council on free speech rights

 

March 3, 2024 (La Mesa, CA) - The La Mesa City Council in its February 27 meeting voted 4-1 to ban remote public comments moving forward, with Councilman Jack Shu casting the dissenting vote.


The agenda item cites a memo by City Clerk Megan Wiegelman that suggested “in the aftermath of COVID, remote public comment is no longer necessary.” But the move to disallow call-in and Zoom public comments during City Council meetings seems to be in response to theFebruary 13 Council meeting, in which several remote participants listed Jewish government officials and unleashed a barrage of anti-Semetic speech. 


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ECM TALKS WITH STATE SENATE CANDIDATE DR. AKILAH WEBER ON ISSUES THAT AFFECT LOCAL RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITIES

By Jessyka Heredia

Watch Full Video here

March 2, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Dr. Akilah Weber is no stranger to serving in government. Locally she has served as a La Mesa councilmember as well as in her current role as the 79th State Assembly member. We spoke with Weber via Zoom to find out what her goals are as a State Senator if elected, covering issues including education, healthcare, reproductive rights, disaster response, and projects to help local communities.


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THREE CANDIDATES ARE RUNNING FOR THE 51ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

 

ECM breaks down their focuses, qualifications, and endorsements

By Jessyka Heredia  and Miriam Raftery

March 2, 2024 (East County) – There are three candidates vying for the 51st Congressional seat that serves several areas in the city of San Diego as well as La Mesa, Lemon Grove, El Cajon, Spring Valley and Rancho San Diego in East County. View map.

The seat is held by Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, a Democrat. The challengers are El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, a Republican, and small business owner Stan Caplan, an independent.


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COUNTY SUPERVISORS VOTE TO SUPPORT PROPERTY TAX PROPOSAL FOR FLOOD VICTIMS BROUGHT FORTH BY SHANE HARRIS

East County News Service

February 20, 2024 (San Diego) --On Tuesday, San Diego County Supervisors voted unanimously in support of a proposal that Shane Harris, President of the People’s Association of Justice Advocates, brought forth. Harris issued it to county supervisors on January 25th just three days after the San Diego floods that decimated several neighborhoods throughout southeastern San Diego, Southcrest and Barrio Logan as well.

The proposal requested that County Assessor and Supervisors establish a countywide ordinance that would defer the April 10th property tax delinquent deadline for flood victims, which would further support unincorporated areas like Spring Valley. Property taxes are usually due by April 10th before a delinquent notice is issued.


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