San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chair Terra Lawson-Remer released the following statement after organizers submitted 151,000 signatures to place the San Diego Health and Safety Act on the November ballot. The citizen-led measure proposes a half-cent sales tax increase to fund things such as the Tijuana River sewage crisis, healthcare for San Diegans, and stronger wildfire response. The San Diego County Registrar of Voters has 30 days to verify the signatures. 

“As Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, I am proud to support this citizen’s measure because it takes direct action on the urgent issues our communities are facing right now—stopping toxic sewage pollution from the Tijuana River, protecting access to affordable healthcare and preventing cuts to our hospitals and clinics, and strengthening 911 emergency response and wildfire preparedness. These are core public safety and public health responsibilities, and this measure will help ensure the County can protect every San Diegan.”