This week, the Voice of San Diego crew was joined by Joey Safchik, host of NBC San Diego's "Politically Speaking," and there was a lot to get through! First, a bittersweet news update. Reporter Jakob McWhinney broke a story last week about an organization embedded in San Diego's law enforcement community that <a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2026/08/28/ex-deputy-convicted-of-assaulting-women-now-chaplain-for-christian-cop-group/">hired a controversial figure</a>. After the outrage, the hire <a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2026/09/02/ex-deputy-convicted-of-assaulting-women-out-at-christian-group/">got rescinded</a>. But it didn't stop there – the whole organization has since dissolved entirely. No one says you can’t redeem yourself, but in the end you have to own what got you there.  Also on the show: Our intern Naomi Granata released an article revealing <a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2026/09/08/airbnbs-spending-against-one-tax-made-up-a-quarter-of-san-diego-expenditure-lobbying-since-2019/">the staggering amount Airbnb spent on lobbying</a> in San Diego, all to kill a proposed tax on vacation rentals and vacant second homes. We dug through the numbers.  Finally, we dive into the midterm election ballot. We covered a few races worth watching: <ul> <li>48th Congressional District: Democrat Marni Von Wilpert faces Republican Jim Desmond in one of ten House races nationally that could flip control of Congress.</li> <li>State Senate, District 40: Former City Attorney Mara Elliot and nonprofit leader Kristie Bruce-Lane, who’s backed by controversial conservative Carol DeMaio, battle it out to replace termed-out Republican Brian Jones.</li> <li>San Diego City Council, District 2: Former Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey faces off against Deputy City Attorney Nicole Crosby. Bailey just confirmed he voted for Trump in 2024. Could that have an impact on voters? </li> <li>San Diego City Council, District 4: Incumbent Henry Foster is challenged by political outsider Martha Abraham, who's making the case that a Foster win could leave the council without a single woman.</li> <li>Prop 40:The billionaire tax — a one-time, 5 percent tax on California's billionaires to fund healthcare. This would be the first time the state has ever taxed assets, as opposed to income and property. It’s complicated and many people are split on it. </li> </ul>  See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

This week, the Voice of San Diego crew was joined by Joey Safchik, host of NBC San Diego's "Politically Speaking," and there was a lot to get through! First, a bittersweet news update. Reporter Jakob McWhinney broke a story last week about an organization embedded in San Diego's law enforcement community that hired a controversial figure. After the outrage, the hire got rescinded. But it didn't stop there – the whole organization has since dissolved entirely. No one says you can’t redeem yourself, but in the end you have to own what got you there. Also on the show: Our intern Naomi Granata released an article revealing the staggering amount Airbnb spent on lobbying in San Diego, all to kill a proposed tax on vacation rentals and vacant second homes. We dug through the numbers. Finally, we dive into the midterm election ballot. We covered a few races worth watching: 48th Congressional District: Democrat Marni Von Wilpert faces Republican Jim Desmond in one of ten House races nationally that could flip control of Congress. State Senate, District 40: Former City Attorney Mara Elliot and nonprofit leader Kristie Bruce-Lane, who’s backed by controversial conservative Carol DeMaio, battle it out to replace termed-out Republican Brian Jones. San Diego City Council, District 2: Former Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey faces off against Deputy City Attorney Nicole Crosby. Bailey just confirmed he voted for Trump in 2024. Could that have an impact on voters? San Diego City Council, District 4: Incumbent Henry Foster is challenged by political outsider Martha Abraham, who's making the case that a Foster win could leave the council without a single woman. Prop 40:The billionaire tax — a one-time, 5 percent tax on California's billionaires to fund healthcare. This would be the first time the state has ever taxed assets, as opposed to income and property. It’s complicated and many people are split on it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the Voice of San Diego crew was joined by Joey Safchik, host of NBC San Diego's "Politically Speaking," and there was a lot to get through! First, a bittersweet news update. Reporter Jakob McWhinney broke a story last week about an organization embedded in San Diego's law enforcement community that&nbsp;<a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2026/08/28/ex-deputy-convicted-of-assaulting-women-now-chaplain-for-christian-cop-group/" rel="noopener noreferrer">hired a controversial figure</a>. After the outrage, the hire <a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2026/09/02/ex-deputy-convicted-of-assaulting-women-out-at-christian-group/" rel="noopener noreferrer">got rescinded</a>. But it didn't stop there – the whole organization has since dissolved entirely. No one says you can’t redeem yourself, but in the end you have to own what got you there.&nbsp; Also on the show: Our intern Naomi Granata released an article revealing <a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2026/09/08/airbnbs-spending-against-one-tax-made-up-a-quarter-of-san-diego-expenditure-lobbying-since-2019/" rel="noopener noreferrer">the staggering amount Airbnb spent on lobbying</a> in San Diego, all to kill a proposed tax on vacation rentals and vacant second homes. We dug through the numbers.&nbsp; Finally, we dive into the midterm election ballot. We covered a few races worth watching: <ul> <li>48th Congressional District: Democrat Marni Von Wilpert faces Republican Jim Desmond in one of ten House races nationally that could flip control of Congress.</li> <li>State Senate, District 40: Former City Attorney Mara Elliot and nonprofit leader Kristie Bruce-Lane, who’s backed by controversial conservative Carol DeMaio, battle it out to replace termed-out Republican Brian Jones.</li> <li>San Diego City Council, District 2: Former Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey faces off against Deputy City Attorney Nicole Crosby. Bailey just confirmed he voted for Trump in 2024. Could that have an impact on voters?&nbsp;</li> <li>San Diego City Council, District 4: Incumbent Henry Foster is challenged by political outsider Martha Abraham, who's making the case that a Foster win could leave the council without a single woman.</li> <li>Prop 40:The billionaire tax — a one-time, 5 percent tax on California's billionaires to fund healthcare. This would be the first time the state has ever taxed assets, as opposed to income and property. It’s complicated and many people are split on it.&nbsp;</li> </ul> &nbsp;See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener" rel="noopener noreferrer">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

'I Don't Recall, Saying That'

On this episode of the VOSD Podcast, host Scott Lewis sits down with Michael Zucchet, general manager of the San Diego Municipal Employees Association. They get into pension underfunding and the failed 2024 sales tax measure. (Oh yeah, this is a very nerdy episode.) They also unpack a heated debate over whether San Diego’s workforce is bloated — as some critics claim — or stretched thin by hundreds of new parks and services added since 2015. Also on the show: They also get into labor costs and pensions, a trash-bin “lid lifter” mandate and questions over the Port Commission’s handling of Harbor Island. 0:00 Intro 1:10 The City's Pension Underfunding History 5:25 Revenue Measures: Trash Fee & Hotel Tax 7:57 Sales Tax Attempts & the 2024 Measure 11:25 Debating the City's Workforce Size 15:50 Budget Cuts in the "Era of Austerity" 24:15 Clarifying What Layoffs Really Mean 27:20 The City's Reactive Budget Cycle 30:31 New Revenue Ideas & Rollout Growing Pains 35:46 Labor Costs, Pensions & Wages 43:58 The "Lid Lifters" Trash Bin Controversy 47:10 New Parks Without New Staff 50:24 Port Commission & Harbor Island 52:58 Closing & CreditsSee <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

On this episode of the VOSD Podcast, host Scott Lewis sits down with Michael Zucchet, general manager of the San Diego Municipal Employees Association. They get into pension underfunding and the failed 2024 sales tax measure. (Oh yeah, this is a very nerdy episode.) They also unpack a heated debate over whether San Diego’s workforce is bloated — as some critics claim — or stretched thin by hundreds of new parks and services added since 2015. Also on the show: They also get into labor costs and pensions, a trash-bin “lid lifter” mandate and questions over the Port Commission’s handling of Harbor Island. 0:00 Intro 1:10 The City's Pension Underfunding History 5:25 Revenue Measures: Trash Fee & Hotel Tax 7:57 Sales Tax Attempts & the 2024 Measure 11:25 Debating the City's Workforce Size 15:50 Budget Cuts in the "Era of Austerity" 24:15 Clarifying What Layoffs Really Mean 27:20 The City's Reactive Budget Cycle 30:31 New Revenue Ideas & Rollout Growing Pains 35:46 Labor Costs, Pensions & Wages 43:58 The "Lid Lifters" Trash Bin Controversy 47:10 New Parks Without New Staff 50:24 Port Commission & Harbor Island 52:58 Closing & Credits See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the VOSD Podcast, host Scott Lewis sits down with Michael Zucchet, general manager of the San Diego Municipal Employees Association. They get into pension underfunding and the failed 2024 sales tax measure. (Oh yeah, this is a very nerdy episode.) They also unpack a heated debate over whether San Diego’s workforce is bloated — as some critics claim — or stretched thin by hundreds of new parks and services added since 2015. Also on the show: They also get into labor costs and pensions, a trash-bin “lid lifter” mandate and questions over the Port Commission’s handling of Harbor Island. 0:00 Intro 1:10 The City's Pension Underfunding History 5:25 Revenue Measures: Trash Fee &amp; Hotel Tax 7:57 Sales Tax Attempts &amp; the 2024 Measure 11:25 Debating the City's Workforce Size 15:50 Budget Cuts in the "Era of Austerity" 24:15 Clarifying What Layoffs Really Mean 27:20 The City's Reactive Budget Cycle 30:31 New Revenue Ideas &amp; Rollout Growing Pains 35:46 Labor Costs, Pensions &amp; Wages 43:58 The "Lid Lifters" Trash Bin Controversy 47:10 New Parks Without New Staff 50:24 Port Commission &amp; Harbor Island 52:58 Closing &amp; CreditsSee <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener" rel="noopener noreferrer">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Mike Zucchet Wants to Cut City Services

KUSI investigative reporter Michael Turko joins this week to discuss his brand of outraged journalism on behalf of the little man.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/vosd-podcast/~4/1YGyEypP7wA" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

KUSI investigative reporter Michael Turko joins this week to discuss his brand of outraged journalism on behalf of the little man.

Inside the Turko Files

NBC 7's Wendy Fry joins us to chat about the big allegations against County Supervisor Dave Roberts by a former staffer.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/vosd-podcast/~4/9p6oNcq_q88" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

NBC 7's Wendy Fry joins us to chat about the big allegations against County Supervisor Dave Roberts by a former staffer.

Turmoil in County Supervisor Dave Roberts' Office

One on one: Scott Lewis with Mickey Kasparian, the president of the United Food and Commercial Workers and the Labor Council in San Diego.  <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/vosd-podcast/~4/jzwsbTxwYGg" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

One on one: Scott Lewis with Mickey Kasparian, the president of the United Food and Commercial Workers and the Labor Council in San Diego.

One on one:&nbsp;Scott Lewis with Mickey Kasparian, the president of the United Food and Commercial Workers and the Labor Council in San Diego.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Special Edition: Mickey Kasparian on Why Dems Should Get in Step

Economist Lynn Reaser goes past the headline findings of her study on the high costs regulation adds to housing. <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/vosd-podcast/~4/KPRNrAJd0nY" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

Economist Lynn Reaser goes past the headline findings of her study on the high costs regulation adds to housing.

Economist Lynn Reaser goes past the headline findings of her study on the high costs regulation adds to housing.&nbsp;

'There's No Incentive to Be Efficient'

Michael Brunker, executive director of the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA in Southeastern San Diego, joins us this week. Plus, Chargers <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/vosd-podcast/~4/El7L4MoDKag" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

Michael Brunker, executive director of the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA in Southeastern San Diego, joins us this week. Plus, Chargers

Michael Brunker, executive director of the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA in Southeastern San Diego, joins us this week. Plus, Chargers&nbsp;

Three Vs to Activate Southeastern San Diego

City Councilman Todd Gloria talks with Scott Lewis about his ambitions for state Assembly and the city's future in infrastructure and more.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/vosd-podcast/~4/yK0n4snxuIA" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

City Councilman Todd Gloria talks with Scott Lewis about his ambitions for state Assembly and the city's future in infrastructure and more.

Special Edition: Todd Gloria's Next Steps

On this week's show, Scott Gruby of SaveSanDiegoNeighborhoods.org and attorney Omar Passons weigh in on the regulatory confusion surrounding short-term vacation rentals in San Diego. <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/vosd-podcast/~4/1g51FxsRggw" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

On this week's show, Scott Gruby of SaveSanDiegoNeighborhoods.org and attorney Omar Passons weigh in on the regulatory confusion surrounding short-term vacation rentals in San Diego.

On this week's show, Scott Gruby of SaveSanDiegoNeighborhoods.org and attorney Omar Passons weigh in on the regulatory confusion surrounding short-term vacation rentals in San Diego.&nbsp;

On Either Side of the Airbnb Debate

The Vox.com cofounder joins us on a special #bosslady edition of the podcast. Plus, Boltman, Charger Stadium update and more.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/vosd-podcast/~4/tZ98T2IXiG4" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

The Vox.com cofounder joins us on a special #bosslady edition of the podcast. Plus, Boltman, Charger Stadium update and more.

Vox's Melissa Bell and the New Approach to News

A years-long battle between the county's Water Authority and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Plus, a dramatic interpretation of a tense meeting between Qualcomm and stadium boosters and more on this week's podcast.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/vosd-podcast/~4/vSNWrTVA6qE" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

A years-long battle between the county's Water Authority and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Plus, a dramatic interpretation of a tense meeting between Qualcomm and stadium boosters and more on this week's podcast.

Radio: The High Drama of California's Epic Drought

Can Qualcomm Stadium be renovated? Don't get your hopes up. Plus, Bruce Reznik of the San Diego Housing Federation and more.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/vosd-podcast/~4/LQIHV_QXPq8" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

Can Qualcomm Stadium be renovated? Don't get your hopes up. Plus, Bruce Reznik of the San Diego Housing Federation and more.

Radio: What's a Few Hundred Million Dollars Between Friends?

This is Voice of San Diego&rsquo;s weekly spitfire roundup of news. We cover local and regional politics, the environment, education, the border and more. This show features our investigative reporting and interviews with lawmakers and other special guests.

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This is Voice of San Diego’s weekly spitfire roundup of news. We cover local and regional politics, the environment, education, the border and more. This show features our investigative reporting and interviews with lawmakers and other special guests.

This is Voice of San Diego’s weekly spitfire roundup of news. We cover local and regional politics, the environment, education, the border and more. This show features our investigative reporting and interviews with lawmakers and other special guests.

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