Update: San Diego's Measure C passed, with 100% of the vote in, 63.55% to 36.45% (127,431 to 73,082 votes), out of 1,671,555 registered voters, in a reported population of approx 3,340,000 residents. Sources: Ballotpedia, sdvote.com (County of San Diego) and U.S. Census Bureau, respectively.
On February 20th, 2020, Comic-Con Interational endorsed Measure C. San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer also endorsed the tax measure.
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Round One of the San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) Early Bird hotel reservations is currently in motion. If you are fortunate enough to snag a room, at very attractive Con-rates for badge-holders, well done, you!! (Note: Round One hotels are generally Shelter Island, Mission Bay, airport-close and areas outlying the San Diego Convention Ctr. However, they're all lovely hotels at bargain rates and the SDCC-provided shuttles are free and run, mostly, around the clock. Early Bird Hotel Sale Round Two usually occurs in the spring, and offers the more coveted, downtown hotels, most within walking-distance to the Convention Ctr and the historic downtown Gaslamp District.
Yet, when summer arrives, if you weren't an Early Bird, a 5-day stretch will cost you monies more likely aligned with Spacex' new satellite-distribution budget. Mind you, those last-minute hotels won't be all fabulous 5-stars within walking distance of The Con and The Gaslamp, with soothing, harbour-views and top-notch room service; some will still be Spacex budget, but will be skanky 1- and 2-stars within walking distance of Dirty Dan's and with a dumpster-view. Well, depending on how San Diego's Measure C fares in March, you might be paying extra for that dumpster- or harbour-view, or not. Either way, you'll still pay a hefty hotel-tax ... or sunshine-tax, as the more obnoxious of us San Diegans call it.
Currently, San Diego's hotel room tax is 10.5%. On the ballot, March 3rd 2020, Measure C will ask voters to boost that 10.5%: ranging from 1.25% to 3.25%, depending on how close a hotel is to the San Diego Convention Center.
So, some quick, Muppet math: If your SDCC hotel room costs $300/night, your current tax is $31.50/night. If Measure C passes, it goes into immediate effectiveness and your room will now cost extra $3.75 - $9.75/night, added to that $31.50/night fee. Thus, a $300 room could jump to a $335.25 or $341.25 room, depending on how far you are from the Convention Ctr. Ta-dahhhhh!
Tourism wonks, local pols and union folk have trumpeted a potential goldmine of tourist coins that could translate into billions of dollars for the City of San Diego and its tourism and construction industries. All monies raised are slated for San Diego Convention Center expansion and operation, homelessness reduction and road repairs; the bulk of any monies raised as a result of this new tax, 59%, is slated specifically for Conv Ctr construction and facility operation.
“We’re telling voters upfront,” explained Carol Kim, a member of the Convention Center board and the Building and Construction Trades Council, "we’re not just going to raise this tax and let anybody do what they want with it. We’re going to raise this tax and spend it specifically on three things. Three specific buckets: The convention center expansion, homelessness, streets, and roads.”
It's not all flowers and sausages, though. Community advocate Donna Frye warns voters the extended hotel-tax is "a huge, ongoing tax subsidy": 42 years from date of passage, to be precise.
“What they’ve done is they’ve tried to combine it, the hotel guys have tried to combine it with homelessness and roads,” Frye said. “And make it sound like it’s really for homeless people when there is no guarantee, there is absolutely nothing in the measure that says any housing will be built for the homeless.”
In fact, whilst Convention Center specs are outlined, Measure C does not outline how homelessness monies will be spent. Spending relies on the San Diego City Council to make all decisions regarding homeless services, housing or a combo thereof.
“I’ve been involved in a lot of campaigns and ballot measures,” said San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer. “I have never seen a more diverse and stronger coalition that cuts across all portions of San Diego because we need this funding source. We need a permanent source of funding for homeless services. We need to expand our convention center and the dollars this will mean for road improvement. These are the issues San Diegans care about. It’s the first time it is actually going to be on the ballot. And I think that’s why you’re seeing so much enthusiasm.”
So, if you are indeed headed to SDCC 2020, like Yours Truly, you know to bring extra, Earth monies. You always need extra, because, well, action figures, cosplay wigs, vintage lunchboxes, geek tees, pewter dragons, Star Wars gear, Hello Kitty hoodies and cocktails at Lou & Mickey's. Just be aware, your hotel bill, Early Bird or not, is likely going to be out of this world.
Just the facts, ma'am:
A "yes" vote supports authorizing the city to increase the tax levied on overnight lodging guests with a tiered range from 1.25% to 3.25%, with revenue dedicated to expanding the San Diego Convention Center, improving streets and related infrastructure, and funding programs to reduce homelessness.
A "no" vote opposes authorizing the city to increase the tax levied on overnight lodging guests, thereby leaving the city's hotel tax rate at 10.5%.
Because Measure C is a dedicated tax increase, the ballot measure needs a two-thirds majority vote to pass.
Good grief! I hate politics! Photo: JSDevore, SDCC 2015
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