The San Diego City Council's Rules Committee Wednesday will consider several proposed measures for the Nov. 6 ballot, including a Housing Federation bond, school board election term limits, a polystyrene ban and a hotel tax increase that would fund homelessness services.
The Housing Federation's $900 million affordable housing bond, which would be funded through a property tax increase, could fund construction of an estimated 7,500 new homes for low-income and homeless San Diegans.
Detractors believe the measure could make for a crowded November ballot, however, considering voters may also decide whether to approve a hotel-tax hike that would fund expansion of the Convention Center as well as pay for road repairs and homeless services.
SPECIAL COVERAGE: San Diego Council Committee To Consider Ballot Measure Proposals
Another tax increase under consideration: City Councilman David Alvarez's proposal to raise city hotel taxes by 1 percent for homelessness programs. The measure would bring in an estimated $24 million each year.
The committee will also consider a measure from San Diego Unified trustee Sharon Whitehurst-Payne that would institute a limit of three four-year terms for board members. The measure emerges from months of discussion among education stakeholders and a dozen discarded proposals. A survey conducted by San Diego Unified indicates public support for term limits.
The same survey found overwhelming support for term limits of eight years or less, however, and the elimination of citywide runoffs, possibly in favor of district elections.
The committee will also take a look Wednesday at City Councilman Chris Ward's proposal to ban products made with Styrofoam, whose generic name is polystyrene.
Citing adverse effects on local waterways and the coastline, the proposal would restrict the sale and distribution of food service wares, fish and meat trays, egg cartons, coolers and beach toys made with expanded polystyrene, also called EPS. Take-out food containers made with the plastic foam would also become restricted.
