San Francisco’s Vacancy Tax Was Struck Down. Taxpayers Wasted Millions. Why Would San Diego Risk the Same Fight?

San Francisco already tried this.

Its vacancy tax was challenged in court.

And it was struck down. After taxpayers wasted millions in court defending it, and it ended up accomplishing nothing.

That should matter to San Diego voters.

Even Councilmember Raul Campillo saw the legal risk. He was the only City Councilmember to vote against placing Measure A on the ballot, saying he had not received the robust legal analysis needed to know whether the tax could survive a lawsuit.

He was right to be concerned.

City Hall Is Gambling With Taxpayer Money

Measure A would create a new $10,000 tax, a new bureaucracy, new enforcement powers, and new legal risk.

And if it ends up in court, who pays?

San Diego taxpayers.

The San Diego Union-Tribune editorial board called Measure A “City Hall’s latest reckless gamble.”

That is exactly right.

No guaranteed lower rents.

No guaranteed new affordable housing.

No dedicated housing fund.

Just another City Hall tax scheme that could drag San Diego into an expensive legal fight.

Don’t Repeat San Francisco’s Mistake

San Diego should learn from other cities, not copy their failures.

San Francisco’s vacancy tax was struck down.

Councilmember Campillo warned the legal risk was real.

San Diego voters should not let City Hall gamble with taxpayer money.

Vote No on Measure A.

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