SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – The San Diego City Council voted 6-3 today to confirm Measure C — a 2020 hotel occupancy tax ballot measure — which failed to pass despite winning 65.24% approval from voters last year.
The measure, which proponents claimed could generate $6.8 billion in additional hotel tax revenues, including approximately $4 billion for the San Diego Convention Center, $2.1 billion for homelessness and $700 million for street repairs, was listed on ballot materials sent to voters as needing two-thirds of votes to pass. It fell short of that threshold.
Members of the council majority claimed the state constitution overrules the city-written ballot material. According to the California constitution, tax hikes can be approved with a simple majority.