The city of San Diego has not seen the incumbent purges seen elsewhere in California, most notably the defeats of the San Francisco mayor and the Los Angeles County District Attorney. But city leaders are kidding themselves if they think this week’s election results are a pat on the back for contented San Diegans. Late Friday afternoon, Mayor Todd Gloria, City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera and Councilman Stephen Whitburn all attended the ceremony. below 60% He won a majority of the vote despite challengers entering the race with little name recognition, money or corporate support. This suggests that Gloria’s opponent, San Diego police officer Larry Turner, appeared to be a legitimate threat to unseat the mayor after he began receiving rich donations from Gloria skeptics. The fact that someone as unqualified as Turner received 45% of the vote suggests Gloria was likely doomed against a better, more traditional candidate.

Attention now turns to the fate of Measure E, a 1-cent increase in sales tax collected within city limits, which would provide $400 million annually in additional funding (an 18 percent increase) for any perceived city needs. With nearly 390,000 votes counted, that leaves 7,032 votes behind. But citing recent voting patterns, some key supporters are expressing confidence it will pass.

If that happens, Gloria has repeatedly promised to follow through on her campaign promises and use the funding in a focused way to address the city’s backlog of infrastructure needs, which exceeds $9 billion, especially stormwater improvements. But 14 October UT report The statement — in which a majority of council members publicly drool over non-essential programs for which the new revenue could be used — underscores this narrative. So is the mismanagement of the city government over the last 30 years. Trusting City Hall is asking for trouble.

Therefore, if Measure E passes, taxpayers must immediately begin efforts to qualify on the 2026 ballot for a measure that would end the sales tax increase no later than 2031. Handle revenue growth responsibly; knowing that if they don’t he may disappear.

This appears to have happened in Chula Vista, where voters could easily vote this week. approved A. 10 year extension The sales tax increase was first approved in 2016 after seeing evidence that the extra revenue was being used properly. San Diegans need the same protection.