(edit: Not paywalled!)

In 2020, Roberto's CEO (and son of the founders) Reynaldo Robledo met with President Trump at a Latinos for Trump roundtable, saying (among other things): "We love the work you're doing." Now, after a new round of social media pushback, Roberto's franchise locations in Nevada have put out a statement distancing themselves from ownership's political beliefs.

San Diego is one of the nation’s hottest housing markets, with average home prices hovering around $1 million and rents for a one-bedroom apartment topping $2,000 a month.

Yet city officials estimate that more than 5,000 properties sit empty most of the year, which some advocates argue worsens the city’s housing shortage and affordability crisis.

So California’s second-largest city is set to take dramatic action.

In a few weeks, San Diego voters will decide whether to become the latest California municipality to tax vacant homes — a revenue bid that officials insist could raise millions and return some empty residences to the housing market.

San Diego’s independent budget analysis estimates that the tax, if it’s passed by voters in June, would apply to about 5,000 empty homes and could raise up to $24 million in its first year of implementation, depending on the extent of exemptions. That money can be used by officials to fund new affordable housing projects, and proponents hope the financial blow could discourage some owners from keeping their units empty.

As these taxes on empty homes — or so-called vacation homes — have gained popularity, many property owners have pushed back, arguing the government has no right to tell them what to do with their properties. Some say it’s unfair to be taxed for not wanting to rent or occupy a home full time.

Others worry it will dissuade local real estate investment, or point out that properties can be vacant for a variety of reasons, including during renovations or transitions.

“Beyond its legal deficiencies, the proposed vacancy tax sends a troubling signal to housing providers at a time when San Diego urgently needs investment in new housing and the preservation of existing supply,” Melanie Woods, the vice president of the California Apartment Assn., wrote in a letter to the City Council.

As the article says, there's no way that they'll get this right and not charge city residents. Personally, I don't think even visitors should get charged only rich people live on the coast, now they want to keep everyone else away. Call the Mayor and City Council if you agree.

Opinion piece in the UT about the impact of charging for parking at Balboa Park. Thoughts on this?

I think many agree the parking fees are ridiculous and should be repealed. Lots of nickel and diming lately by the city and mayor. This is really the worst of it too. I went by recently and was surprised by how empty the parking lots looked (including the zoo), but I haven't wandered into the park yet since the fees went into effect. Is the homeless problem getting worse with a lack of people visiting? Sad if the fees are ruining what used to be one of the crown jewels of the city.

Thanks, Trumpama.

San Diego Police have a new gizmo that uses saliva to test for several prohibited drugs, but it definitely will cross-react with some prescription drugs as well.

I'm not a lawyer, and I'm not your lawyer, but you should never , ever do a roadside test or field sobriety test. Get a blood draw any time they are suspecting you of DUI/DWI, and never, ever talk to the police. A blood draw analysis WILL distinguish between recreational and most prescription drug use, much better to have this analysis done.

You may think, "If I just show them I can stand on one foot or recite the alphabet backwards, they'll see I'm sober and let me go!", and sometimes that does happen. However, HOWEVER, there is no guarantee that it'll work out for you and the assessment on FST's is entirely subjective. If the cop says you failed the FST, you are well and truly boned.

Much better risk:benefit ratio if you just insist on the blood draw, even though you'll be detained much longer that way. Better to take the longer detainment and remove the risk of a DUI arrest.

(If you are actually driving under the influence, I hope they nail you to the wall with incontrovertible blood analysis, screw you for being an enormous ass)

Target has backed out of its plan to open a store in the Radian apartment complex in downtown San Diego's East Village. Despite signing a 15-year lease, the company hasn't provided a clear reason but will honor the lease payments. This announcement follows Target's recent closure of stores in other cities over theft concerns.

It sucks because this would’ve been a great retail addition for those of us in downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. However, the building owner remains optimistic that another tenant will fill the prime space soon.