2006 Economic Stimulus Plan for San Diego

Najjar, George R.

We can take relatively painless steps to immediately kick–start the San Diego economy.

I support raising the local sales tax, which will allow everyone in San Diego to contribute to our economic recovery at the rate in which we individually spend. This will immediately increase the City’s cash flow.

I support raising the transient occupancy tax (TOT) to 13.5%, with a designated portion earmarked for the promotion of tourism. I do not believe raising the TOT will harm the industry, and if correct, I believe we will have more revenue than anticipated. These monies need to be earmarked to a meaningful degree for environmental maintenance and city services.

CAFTA will definitely be coming to San Diego, so we must have a representative with environmental and social beliefs consistent with the party’s platform. We need to insure that the monies derived from CAFTA will not be at the expense of the environment, nor at the expense of the health and safety of the Central American workers on the other end. CAFTA will create public and private sector jobs.

Regardless of our individual positions on immigration, the truth remains that San Diego will always absorb the costs of our nation’s immigration policy. I will press the federal government to provide San Diego financial aid as a consequence of being a unique metropolitan border city. This aid can be either direct, or part of a spending program. Either way, these monies should be used to create jobs, and maintain and repair infrastructure.

I do not support raising property taxes. Raising property taxes will only further burden homeowners whose loans may be adjusting or otherwise changing in a negative way. Furthermore, if the purported real estate bubble does indeed burst, a property tax increase will only accelerate price declines and equity loss.

Resolution of the pension plan is dependent upon completion of the audits and the legal battles. Once we know the financial picture, then we can issue pension bonds. I support a longer term than fifteen (15) years, for San Diego will be around for hundreds of years and these bonds will in the long run only be a blip in the financial history of the city.