Government is Making Life More Expensive for Families

Media
4 days ago
2 min read

Government always finds new ways to take more from taxpayers, but never a way to save them money. The latest scheme? Parking.The City of San Diego is rolling out a sweeping overhaul of parking rules that will hit families, businesses, and anyone already struggling with the high cost of living:

Doubling hourly parking rates.
Charging for parking on Sundays.
Surge pricing around Petco Park.
Credit card transaction fees.
Paid parking at Balboa Park, Mission Bay Park, and even the Zoo.

Starting in October, the City will end the tradition of free Zoo parking and charge as much as $12 a day at Balboa Park. Families who may only be able to afford one special trip a year to the Zoo or a Padres game are now being priced out.

This isn’t about safety or efficiency—it’s about money. Last year the City took in nearly $2.1 billion in tax revenue, but because of reckless spending and excessive staffing increases, San Diego faces a $240 million structural deficit. Instead of reforming government, to control and prioritize costs, the City is nickel-and-diming residents.

They’re even issuing $1.3 million worth of tickets for cars parked within 20 feet of intersections—even when curbs aren’t marked. If this were truly about safety, they would paint the curbs red first.

Meanwhile, the Mayor and City Council accepted pay raises, even as services decline and the budget deficit grows. Families are paying more while getting less.

Taxpayers deserve accountability. Without real reform—reprioritizing core services, cutting waste, and managing performance—San Diego will continue down a path toward financial crisis. The tax-spend-hire agenda ruins the fiscal health of local government.

If you live in the City, I urge you to contact your Council member and demand they stop this endless cycle of fees and hikes. It’s time for government to make life more affordable, not more expensive.