Today’s newsletter is presented by MTS.
Good morning, San Diego ☀️
Here’s what we have for you today:
- The average price of gas around the county is now just over $6.
- An Imperial Beach home has been vandalized with antisemitic graffiti for two consecutive weeks.
- Officials in Oceanside said three people were spotted leaving the scene after a vehicle landed in the local harbor.
Jennifer Vigil
News editor
Top story
‘Billionaires shouldn’t exist.’ Why California unions are fighting for a wealth tax
The November ballot is once again packed with statewide measures. There are 14 this year. The fight over Prop. 40, the proposed billionaire’s tax, is already intense.
And who’s right in the middle of it? San Diego’s Lorena Gonzalez. The once and future labor leader – she led the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council, then served in the state Assembly, before leaving public office to take over the California Federation of Labor Unions – is stumping hard for the tax.
She’s a known firebrand, who’s long been happy to take on foes directly via social media. She was clear and direct with one of our partners, Capital & Main. She unquestionably favors Prop. 40, both on the merits – “It doesn’t bother me in the least to tax billionaires out of existence,” she said – and as far as pleasing her membership.
But she also struck a bit of a wistful tone about our modern crop of ultra-rich tech and land barons whose wealth keeps on growing. “Even the titans of old days invested in social structures, public education, the arts,” she pointed out to Capital & Main.
A heads up: San Diego County mail ballots, sent out four weeks ahead of the Nov. 3 election, will reach voters the week of Oct. 5. That’s just two weeks away.
And a palate cleanser: This Hot Wheels story, about a veteran who became a trailblazing monster truck driver after a huge setback, is just plain fun.
Times of San Diego thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.
Stories you should know about
🦅 The National Audubon Society kept its name. These chapters are leaving it behind: The San Diego Bird Alliance is one of several groups that confronted the legacy behind the “racist, slave-owning birding god” who founded the Society.
🩺 Five ‘connected’ cases of mumps reported on SDSU athletic team: County officials are offering screening and vaccine clinics for San Diego State students who were potential close contacts of those with mumps.
🚙Opinion: San Diego’s driverless future requires a public report card.
Times of San Diego thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.
In case you missed it…
Weekdays get busy—we know. And with so much from Times of San Diego, good stories can slip by. Here are a few worth your time:
🍺 Shifting ownership, layoffs, new hires all part of Stone Brewing’s 30th anniversary. Read it here.
🪙 San Diego moves to require warning signs on cryptocurrency ATMs to prevent scams. Read it here.
🏗️ 101 Ash Street gets new name, and plan for affordable housing. Read it here.
🏈 Long snapper Joe Cardona takes pride in being prepared. As an NFL vet, the East County native’s hard work has paid off. Read it here.
🍷 A chic culinary hub is coming to La Mesa’s old Maytag Appliance Center next year. Read it here.