As we turn our attention to 2025, we must ask a critical question: What’s next for SANDAG?
The November failure of the half-cent sales tax initiative, designed to fund public transportation projects, was a pivotal moment. It underscored a growing public sentiment—SANDAG has lost the trust of San Diego County residents.
In the past year alone, the agency has faced profound internal turmoil. Its top leadership, including the CEO, interim CEO, CFO, COO, and Chief Legal Counsel, have all either resigned or been dismissed. Additionally, SANDAG has been entangled in a toll collection scandal on the 125 freeway, an issue it sought to conceal from both the public and its own board.
Beyond these controversies, SANDAG’s track record speaks volumes. The half-cent sales tax approved in 2004, which will remain in effect until 2048, was intended to deliver critical improvements to highways such as I-5, SR-78, and SR-67. These projects were meant to alleviate congestion and improve transportation infrastructure across our region. Yet, 20 years later, these promises remain unfulfilled. Our highways remain clogged, our communities underserved, and we are left paying a tax for another 23 years with little to show for it.
Despite these challenges, I believe there is hope. SANDAG is at a crossroads, and this moment presents an opportunity to reset and refocus. It’s time for the agency to fulfill its mandate and serve the entirety of San Diego County—not just the city center.
Moving forward, SANDAG must prioritize transparency, accountability, and equitable solutions that work for everyone. This includes:
Delivering on Past Promises: Completing long-overdue projects that voters were promised in 2004.
Addressing Regional Needs: Ensuring that investments benefit all parts of the county, from urban centers to suburban and rural areas.
Rebuilding Public Trust: Establishing clear communication and demonstrating a commitment to fulfilling its mission.
San Diego County deserves an agency that works for its people—one that balances investments in public transit with the needs of our highways and roads. Together, we can ensure a future where our transportation infrastructure meets the demands of our growing region.
Let’s work to rebuild SANDAG into the agency it was meant to be: a true advocate for all of San Diego County.
San Diego County District 5 Supervisor Jim Desmond
https://www.supervisorjimdesmond.com/
San Diego County District 5 Supervisor Jim Desmond · 1600 Pacific Highway, #335, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
