The San Diego Tourism Marketing District said Tuesday it has reached no deal to end a lawsuit against the city’s hotel tax or to support a new downtown stadium for the Chargers.
“The San Diego Tourism Marketing District directors have not taken any action in regards to a settlement with San Diegans for Open Government,” said William L. Evans, chair of the district’s board.
“We have had and will continue to have productive conversations with [San Diegans for Open Government] but there has been no action taken by the board,” said Evans, adding that “all our efforts are aimed at preserving” the tourism district and its “demonstrated results” in generating revenue for the city from the tax on hotel stays.
Attorney Cory Briggs, who represents San Diegans for Open Government, said at a press conference that a deal had been reached and included a requirement for the district to support his stadium initiative that backers expect will qualify for the November ballot.
His initiative, which is similar to one supported by the Chargers, calls for an increase in the hotel tax from 12.5 percent to 15.5 percent to fund a combination football stadium and convention center space.
The tourism district uses a share of the proceeds from the hotel tax to promote and advertise San Diego as a tourism and convention destination.
Brigg’s group sued the district in 2012 over the hotel tax, contending it was not by the general voting public.
