Airbnb spent more than $672,000 across a four-month span to help keep a proposed vacation rental tax in San Diego off the ballot, according to municipal lobbying disclosures. The heavy expenditure, which represented roughly a quarter of all lobbying spending reported in the city since 2019, followed a decision by the San Diego City Council Rules Committee not to move forward with the tax proposed by Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera.
San Diego Considers Faster Lobbying Disclosures After Airbnb Spending
Much of the corporate lobbying effort remained invisible until after the legislative defeat, prompting Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera to propose changing San Diego’s municipal lobbying rules. The push aims to require faster and more detailed disclosure of spending so voters and officials can track financial influence while policy battles are actively underway.
Lemon Grove Mayor Takes New County Legal Post
In county personnel updates, Lemon Grove Mayor Alysson Snow started a new role Friday as a lawyer leading the county’s Consumer Fairness and Public Protection unit within the County Counsel’s Office, according to county spokesperson Tammy Glenn. Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer pushed for the creation of the unit to protect consumers and businesses from predatory and harmful practices. Glenn stated that Snow’s annual salary in the new position will be $311,210, while she continues to earn $1,405 a month as Lemon Grove mayor.
County Public Safety Leadership Transition Underway
Andrew Strong, the top unelected official overseeing public safety in county government, announced his departure from the role effective October 1, according to county officials. Strong previously served as the first director of the county’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice during his more than 18 years at the county. County spokesperson Tammy Glenn noted that the county will begin the transition process to fill the position as the county manages increased costs and bookings tied to state criminal justice reform measure Proposition 36 alongside challenges facing its probation department.
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