>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

WITH THE ELECTION A FEW DAYS AWAY, THIS WEEK WE ARE SHOWCASING OUR COVERAGE OF THE RACES, ISSUES, AND CANDIDATES.

COMING UP, WHAT IS PROJECT 2025?

CONSERVATIVE ACTIVISTS THEY HAVE A PLAN FOR SWEEPING CHANGES TO THE GOVERNMENT OF DONALD TRUMP RETURNED TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

IT IS THE RACE THAT COULD SHIFT POLITICAL POWER IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

A FORMER SAN DIEGO MAYOR IS HOPING TO UNSEAT THE CURRENT COUNTY SUPERVISOR IN DISTRICT 3.

IT IS ONE OF THE EXPLAINERS WE HAVE ARE YOU IN THIS NEWSCAST.

IN THE ELECTION IS NOT JUST ABOUT PEOPLE.

IT IS ALSO ABOUT MONEY HERE FROM SCHOOL BONDS TO TAX HIKES, VOTERS HAVE SOME DECISIONS TO MAKE ABOUT HOW TO FUND THEIR COMMUNITIES.

LAST MONTH KPBS HOSTED A DEBATE BETWEEN THE CANDIDATES FOR SAN DIEGO MAYOR AND YOU CAN WATCH IT IN FULL ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE .

HERE IS A RECAP FROM THAT EVENT.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN 600 AND OR SHELTER BEDS ARE SET TO CLOSE BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

THEY ARE ALL CANDIDATE LARRY TURNER SAID HE WOULD STOP THAT FROM HAPPENING.

>> ON DAY ONE, WE HAVE TO PUT TOURNIQUETS ON ALL OF THE BEDS WE ARE LOSING.

HE HAS HAD TEMPORARY BAND-AID APPROACHES TO THIS.

MANY OF THESE BETS WILL BE GONE IN JANUARY.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE AT TWO SHELTERS SET TO CLOSE.

TURNER DIDN'T SAY HOW HE WOULD STOP THEM FROM CLOSING.

>> THERE WAS NO PLAN AND THAT ANSWER A MOMENT AGO.

HER MAC THE CITY IS RESPONDING TO THE INTO THE PAINTED LOSS OF BEDS BY EXPANDING CAMPGROUNDS FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS CRITICS SAY THE CAMPGROUNDS, AMENITIES, AND CASE MANAGEMENT ARE INADEQUATE.

CITY COUNSELORS ASSAYED IS BETTER THAN NOTHING WHILE THE CITY SIEGE LOCATIONS FOR NEW SHELTERS.

>> HE HAS CHANGED THE DEFINITION OF THAT TO LIVING IN A PARKING LOT AND LIVING IN YOUR CAR IS SOMETHING THAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY.

THAT IS NOT HELPING HOMELESS PEOPLE.

>> OVER 80% OF THE FOLKS ACCESSING OUR SLEEPING SITES ARE ACCESSING THE HOMELESS SHELTER SYSTEM FOR THE FIRST TIME.

THIS IS HOPING TO REACH FOLKS WE HAVEN'T REACHED, GET THEM OFF OF THE STREETS TO FIND THE UNDERLYING CAUSE OF HOMELESSNESS AND HELP US ADDRESS IT.

>> Reporter: THE CANDIDATES ALSO DEBATED SAN DIEGO'S UNSAFE CAMPING ORDINANCE, WHICH PROHIBITS TENT CAMPING IN PUBLIC AREAS.

>> WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH POLICE TO CONTACT THEM FOUR TIMES BEFORE WE TAKE ENFORCEMENT.

>> WHAT I HAVE DISCOVERED IS INCONSISTENCY AND A CHAOTIC APPROACH FOR MY OPPONENT, SAYING IT CRIMINALIZES HOMELESSNESS, BUT IS HERE TONIGHT TELLING YOU HE WANTS TO END THE PROGRESSIVE ENFORCEMENT MODEL, SOMETHING HE SHOULD KNOW IS NOT POSSIBLE TO DO BECAUSE IT IS THE SUBJECT OF A PIECE OF LEGAL SENTIMENT.

>> Reporter: GLORIA POINTS TO A DROP IN THE MONTHLY COUNT OF HOMELESS PEOPLE DOWNTOWN IS A SINUS SUCCESS, BUT ADVOCATES FOR THE HOMELESS SAY MANY PEOPLE ARE JUST BEING MOVED OUTSIDE OF THE CITY LIMITS.

THE CANDIDATES ALSO DISCUSSED POTENTIALLY ALLOWING HOMEOWNERS TO SELL THEIR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS.

GLORIA SAYS HE SUPPORTS THE IDEA.

>> I'M GOING TO USE AN APPROACH TO TRY TO BUILD MORE HOUSING ATTAINABLE TO WORKING AND MIDDLE-CLASS PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: TURNER OPPOSES IT.

HE SAYS THE CITY SHOULD FOCUS ON LOWERING THE PRICES OF EXISTING HOUSING INSTEAD.

>> EVERY PLACE YOU GO TO IN THE CITY IF YOU DRIVE AROUND HIS LEASING.

THE PROBLEM IS IT IS NOT AFFORDABLE.

SO TO CONTINUE TO BUILD MORE IN THE HOPES THAT IT IS GOING TO LOWER THE PRICES, THAT'S NOT HAPPENING IN SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: TURNER AND GLORIA ALSO DEBATED PUBLIC SAFETY, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND CITY FINANCES.

A RECORDING OF THE FULL DEBATE IS ON OUR WEBSITE KPBS.ORG.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> THIS ELECTION CYCLE, KPBS LAUNCHED A PARTNERSHIP WITH 9NEWSERS OR SEND VOICE OF SAN DIEGO CALLED PUBLIC MATTERS .

IT IS ABOUT THE ISSUES AT THE HEART OF OUR DEMOCRACY INCLUDING THE UPCOMING ELECTION.

AMITA SHARMA RECENTLY TALKED WITH SCOTT LEWIS ABOUT SOME OF THE RACES THAT HAVE HIS ATTENTION.

>> ♪ ♪ >> Reporter: SCOTT, ON ELECTION NIGHT WHEN THE POLLS CLOSED, THE RESULTS ARE COMING IN, WHAT RACE WILL YOU SCROLL DOWN TO FIRST?

>> THE FIRST ONE I WILL LOOK AT IS THE COUNTY SUPERVISORS RACE, DISTRICT 3.

THE INCUMBENT A DEMOCRAT IS TRYING TO HOLD HER SEAT AGAINST THE REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER, KEVIN FAULKNER, FORMER MAYOR OF SAN DIEGO.

EVERYONE IS WATCHING THAT.

MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FLOWING INTO THAT RACE.

IT WILL BE A REAL NAILBITER.

EVERYBODY IS INTERESTED BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH AT STAKE ESPECIALLY FOR HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS UNTIL THE COUNTY IS GOING TO GO FORWARD.

THE OTHER ONE AM INTERESTED IN, OBSESSED WITH IT, I MAY BE THE ONLY ONE IN THE STATE, BUT THAT IS PROP FIVE.

I THINK IT WILL BE CLOSE, 50- 50.

IT WILL HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON CITIES AND COUNTIES GOING FORWARD, WHETHER THEY CAN RAISE PROPERTY TAXES TO BUILD STUFF.

>> Reporter: LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT DISTRICT 3 COUNTY RACE A LITTLE BIT.

YOU HAVE BEEN ON THE PROGRAM RECENTLY AND YOU HAD SAID LINKING A CANDIDATE TO TRUMP IS SHOWING THAT IT COULD HURT THE CANDIDATES CHANCES.

TALK TO ME A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT.

>> SEVERAL YEARS AGO, 2018, LORI ZAPPA WAS RUNNING FOR REELECTION AS A CITY COUNCILMAN IN A DISTRICT.

SHE HAD NO SCANDALS, NO BIG PROBLEMS.

PEOPLE SEEMED TO APPRECIATE HER LEADERSHIP.

SHE LOST BY 15 POINTS BY THE MOST TENUOUS CONNECTIONS THAT LABOR AND DEMOCRAT WERE ABLE TO MAKE BETWEEN HER AND TRUMPETER KEVIN FAULKNER ON THE OTHER HAND HAS REALLY STRONG CONNECTIONS.

HE ENDORSED HIM.

HE WENT TO THE OVAL OFFICE WITH A SUPPOSEDLY NOTORIOUS SODA PHOTO.

IT HAS BEEN A POWERFUL POINT OF THE DEMOCRATS HAVE MADE, AND THEY HAVE BEEN ON TV DURING THE PADRES PLAYOFF GAMES.

THEY'VE BEEN ALL OVER THE MAIL WITH THIS SIGN OF HE STOOD WITH TRUMP.

BILLBOARDS, TOO.

THAT IS THEIR MAIN CASES THAT THE OUTSIDE GROUPS ARE PUTTING $2 MILLION IN, BUT THREE ORDERS OF IT IS SUPPORTING KEVIN FAULKNER.

THE REST IS GOING TO SAY KEVIN FAULKNER SAID WITH TRUMP.

THAT IS THE THEORY.

WOULD SINK HIM NO MATTER HOW GOOD HIS ATTACKS ARE.

>> Reporter: IF BY CHANCE KEVIN FAULKNER WINS,, THAT VICTORY IMPACTS SAN DIEGO COUNTY AS A WHOLE?

>> THE BIGGEST AREA IT WILL IMPACT IMMEDIATELY IS HOUSING IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

THERE IS A GENERAL PLAN IN PLACE WHERE YOU CAN BUILD HOUSING, THOUSANDS OF THOUSANDS OF UNITS.

THE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY OF THE COUNTY RIGHT NOW ARE REALLY PUTTING CONSTRAINTS ON THAT HOUSING, AND KEVIN FAULKNER WANTS TO LET THOSE BE BUILT IN THOSE AREAS THAT ARE PLANNED UNDER THE GENERAL PLAN.

THOSE ARE THOUSANDS OF UNIT AND WOULD MAKE A BIG DEAL.

THAT IS WHY SO MANY BUILDERS ARE INVOLVED IN THE RACE RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: LET'S TURN OUR ATTENTION TO THE SAN DIEGO MAYOR'S RACE.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF MONEY THROWN INTO THAT RACE RECENTLY.

THERE IS THE $1 MILLION GIVEN BY THE LINCOLN CLUB.

MUCH OF THAT IS GOING TO BE SPENT ON CHALLENGER LARRY TURNER.

THERE'S ANOTHER $300,000 SUPPORTING MARITIME GLORIA, THE INCUMBENT.

WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT THAT RACE RIGHT NOW?

>> THAT IS ABOUT WHAT YOU WOULD NEED TO MAKE THE CASE FOR ANY CANDIDACY FOR MAYOR.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO RUN FOR MAYOR, AND HAVE TO MAKE THE CASE THAT, A, THE INCUMBENT HAS TO GO, THAT THEY NEED TO LOSE THEIR JOB, AND, B THAT YOU ARE THE ONE THAT DESERVES TO REPLACE THEM.

THE SECOND PART WAS REALLY WHERE THEY REID TURNER WAS STRUGGLING, BECAUSE NOBODY, OR VERY FEW PEOPLE KNEW WHO HE WAS.

AT $1 MILLION COMING IN FROM AN OUTSIDE GROUP TO SUPPORT HIM AND PUT ADS ALL OVER YOUTUBE IN SUCH SHOULD HELP HIM GET HIS NAME RECOGNITION UP.

THE PROBLEM IS WE HAVE ALREADY HAD TWO WEEKS OF VOTING AND PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY MADE THEIR CHOICES AND EVERY HOUR THAT GOES BY THAT HE DOESN'T CHANGE PEOPLE'S MINDS IS AN HOUR THAT BENEFITS THE INCUMBENT.

>> Reporter: THERE IS ALSO A CONTENTIOUS COUNSEL RACE IN CHULA VISTA, THE EFFORT TO REPLACE ANDREA CARDENAS WHO PLED GUILTY TO TWO COUNTS OF FELONY GRAND THEFT.

WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON THERE?

>> BROODING RAMIREZ, WHO HAS BEEN ON THE CHULA VISTA CITY COUNCIL BEFORE, AND CAESAR FERNANDEZ.

IT IS KIND OF THIS OLD, SOUTH BAY ALLIANCE WITH THE NEWER ONE THAT IS THERE.

IT IS DEMOCRATIC, BUT THEY ARE ALWAYS GOING AT EACH OTHER.

AND THEY ARE TRADING JUST AWFUL ACCUSATIONS BACK AND FORTH.

CAESAR FERNANDEZ ACCUSES RUDY RAMIREZ OF NOT PAYING TAXES, NOT TREATING HIS EMPLOYEES WELL.

RUDY RAMIREZ ACCUSES FERNANDEZ OF, YOU KNOW, A DUI, AND THERE IS A RECALL EFFORT FOR HIM.

HE IS ON THE CHULA VISTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BOARD.

IT IS A REALLY NEGATIVE CAMPAIGN, BUT I THINK IT REPRESENTS THAT SORT OF, YOU KNOW, NOT OLD GUARD IS IN OLDER PEOPLE, BUT JUST AN ESTABLISHMENT, MORE CONSERVATIVE VERSUS THIS SORT OF ROWING, MORE PROGRESSIVE GROUP THAT IS TRYING TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE CHULA VISTA CITY COUNCIL.

4 THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE PROGRAM.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> A QUICK REMINDER THAT YOU CAN FIND ALL OF THE PUBLIC MATTER STORIES, EVENTS, AND WERE ONLINE.

JUST GO TO KPBS.ORG/PUBLIC MATTERS.

PART OF THE PUBLIC MATTERS COVERAGE INCLUDES PROJECT 2025, ONE OF THE MANY UNDERCURRENTS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE.

AMITA SHARMA HAS A SERIES OF STORIES ON THE CONSERVATIVE PLAN FOR GOVERNMENT.

HERE IS ONE OF THOSE REPORTS ON PROJECT 2025 AND HOW IT MIGHT AFFECT REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

>> Reporter: PROJECT 2025 WAS CRAFTED BY THE CONSERVATIVE THINK TANK HERITAGE FOUNDATION.

THE HALLMARK OF THE DOCUMENT IS REVIVING THE 1873 LAW CALLED THE COMSTOCK ACT.

MAN'S MAILING ITEMS THAT COULD BE USED FOR AN ABORTION.

UC DAVIS LAW PROFESSOR MARY ZIEGLER SPECIALIZES IN THE POLITICS OF REPRODUCTION.

SHE SAYS BECAUSE ALL ABORTIONS IN THE U.S.

INVOLVE THE MAIL, THIS WOULD AMOUNT TO INSTITUTING A NATIONAL ABORTION BAN.

SHE ADDS THAT PEOPLE MAY NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT IS AT TAKE BECAUSE THEY STILL BELIEVE THAT EXTREME OUTCOMES ARE UNLIKELY TO HAPPEN.

>> UNTIL THEY HAPPENED, THAT WAS TRUE WITH THE OVERTURNING OF ROE V WADE.

THE OTHER THING I THINK THAT PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND IS THAT THIS KIND OF OUTCOME COULD BE ENGINEERED WITHOUT CONGRESS, WITHOUT VOTERS.

IT WOULD REQUIRE CONTROL OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND THE FEDERAL COURTS.

IN FACT, THAT SEEMS ACHIEVABLE, EVEN IF AMERICAN VOTERS DON'T WANT IT TO HAPPEN.

OR MAKE AN ASSOCIATED PRESS POLL IN JUNE FOUND THAT MANY PERCENT OF AMERICANS BELIEVE ABORTION SHOULD BE LEGAL.

ZIEGLER SAYS SHE IS UNCERTAIN ABOUT WHAT A CHALLENGE TO THE COMSTOCK ACT WOULD LOOK LIKE.

>> WE HAVEN'T REALLY SEEN ANYONE ATTEMPT TO ENFORCE AN 18TH-CENTURY CRIMINAL LAW IN THE PRESENT DAY.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW SUCCESSFUL THEY WOULD BE OR HOW DETERMINED THEY WOULD BE TO ENFORCE IT, BUT IT IS SAFE TO ASSUME THE CONSEQUENCES WOULD BE REALLY SERIOUS AND KIND OF HARD TO IMAGINE, YOU KNOW, FROM WHERE WE STAND NOW.

>> Reporter: FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS DENIED HE WOULD IMPLEMENT PROJECT 2025 IF HE WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

A CNN REPORT FOUND 140 PEOPLE WHO WORKED IN THE FIRST TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HELPED WRITE THE PLAN.

AMITA SHARMA, KPBS NEWS.

>>> NOW LET'S DIVE INTO SOME OF THE OTHERS IS UP FOR GRABS STARTING WITH A COUPLE OF HIGH- PROFILE RACES IN NORTH COUNTY.

TANIA THORNE IS COVERING A CLOSELY WATCHED CONGRESSIONAL RACE.

BRUCE HERE IS JOHN CARROLL WITH A PIVOTAL RACE FOR COUNTY SUPERVISOR.

HER BACK IF YOU LIVE IN ANY OF THESE LOCATIONS, YOU ARE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S DISTRICT 3 AND YOU HAVE A CHOICE OF SELECTION WHETHER TO KEEP YOUR CURRENT COUNTY SUPERVISOR OR ELECT A NEW ONE.

TARA LAWSON REAMER IS A CURRENT BOARD MEMBER RUNNING FOR A SECOND TERM.

>> I'M A SERVER AND A MOM, MAKING SURE WE HAVE A CLEAN WATER AND A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT IS MY TOP PRIORITY.

>> Reporter: OTHER BIG TOPICS ARE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS.

>> WHEN I WAS ELECTED WE HAD ZERO COUNTY SUPPORTED SHELTER BEDS.

WE NOW HAVE OVER 900.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS SHE SUPPORTS BANNING AND CAMERAS AS LONG AS THE FOCUS IS ON GETTING PEOPLE THE HELP THEY NEED TO GET OFF OF THE STREETS.

MENTAL HEALTH CARE AND BRINGING DOWN GUN VIOLENCE ARE ALSO HIGH ON HER TO DO LIST.

SHE IS BEING CHALLENGED BY FORMER SAN DIEGO MAYOR KEVIN FALCONER.

>> IN THE HEART OF OUR SUPERVISOR DISTRICT.

>> Reporter: HE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES IN DIFFERENT WAYS TO GET AN INTERVIEW WITH KEVIN FAULONER BUT WE NEVER HEARD BACK.

HIS CAMPAIGN WEBSITE THAT HE WILL AGGRESSIVELY BUILD SHELTERS AND ENCOURAGE BUILDERS TO CREATE NEIGHBORHOOD APPROPRIATE HOUSING.

HE ALSO PROMISES TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT AND MAKE IT LESS ANNOYING FOR PEOPLE TO WORK WITH THE GOVERNMENT.

THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IS NONPARTISAN, BUT LAWSON-REMER'S ELECTION IN 2020 MADE IT MAJORITY DEMOCRAT.

FAULCONER IS REPUBLICAN AND IF HE IS ELECTED THE BOARD WOULD GO BACK TO REPUBLICAN CONTROL.

JOHN CARROLL .

KPBS NEWS.

>>> I AM KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORTED TANIA THORNE.

THE RACE FOR THE 49th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SEAT HAS BEEN A HOT ONE.

REDISTRICTING BROUGHT IN MORE ORANGE COUNTY CITIES WHICH IN THE PAST HAVE LARGELY VOTED REPUBLICAN, SO REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES ALWAYS FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT FLIPPING THE 49th.

THE SEAT IS CURRENTLY HELD BY DEMOCRAT MIKE LEVIN.

IF REELECTED THIS COULD BE HIS FOURTH TERM.

>> WE ARE GOING TO WORK ON EVERYTHING FROM THE COST OF GOODS, WHETHER IT IS GAS, GROCERIES, HOUSING, OR INSURANCE.

GETTING NUCLEAR FUEL OFF OF OUR COAST, DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN FOR OUR VETERANS, CONTINUING TO ADVANCE BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION FOR THEM, AND TRYING TO GET BIPARTISAN IMMIGRATION REFORM.

OR MAKE TRANSPORTATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE ARE ALSO KEY ISSUES FOR HIM.

WORKING ON SECURING THE CORRIDOR AS WELL AS KEEPING SAND ON OUR BEACHES.

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE THAT GUNDERSON DID NOT RESPOND TO OUR REQUEST FOR INTERVIEWS, BUT HE RECENTLY LAUNCHED HIS FIRST POLITICAL AD AND STARTED IT OFF WITH HIS STANCE ON ABORTION.

>> ON A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE, I AM PRO-CHOICE.

I BELIEVE ABORTION SHOULD BE SAFE, LEGAL, AND RARE.

I DON'T WANT POLITICIANS DICTATING HOW TO CARE FOR MY DAUGHTERS.

>> Reporter: AND HIS PRIORITIES -- >> LOWERING HOUSING, GROCERIES, AND GAS PRICES.

SECURING THE BORDER AND PROTECTING SOCIAL SECURITY.

WE CAN END THE OVERHEATED POLITICAL RHETORIC AND FOCUS ON FIXING A BROKEN WASHINGTON.

McKEE IS AN AUTO DEALERSHIP OWNER AND LIVES IN LADERA RANCH.

>>> THERE ARE A COUPLE OF STATE ASSEMBLY RACES IN EAST COUNTY THAT WE HAVE OUR EYE ON.

HARRIS' WILL TELL US ABOUT THIS?

79 WHICH INCLUDES PLACES LIKE EL CAJON.

FIRST HERE IS SCOTT ROHDE WITH DISTRICT 75 WHICH INCLUDES MUCH OF SAN DIEGO'S BACK COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: REPUBLICANS CARL DEMAIO AND ANDREW HAYES ARE FACING OFF TO REPRESENT ASSEMBLY ADDITION DISTRICT 75 PICKETT ENCOMPASSES MOST OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY INCLUDING A 50 MILE STRETCH OF THE SOUTHERN BORDER.

DEMAIO IS A FAMILIAR FIGURE IN THE SAN DIEGO POLITICAL SCENE.

HE PREVIOUSLY SERVED ON SAN DIEGO'S CITY COUNCIL, AND HAS SINCE RUN ON'S SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGNS FOR CITY MAYOR AND TWO CONGRESSIONAL SEATS.

HE CAST HIMSELF AS A POLITICAL MAVERICK WHO IS NOT AFRAID TO RUFFLE FEATHERS ON THE RIGHT AND THE LEFT.

>> I THINK THAT WHAT WE NEED IS MORE TRANSPARENCY ON WHAT IS GOING ON BEHIND CLOSED DOORS IN THE STATE CAPITAL.

OUR STATE LEGISLATURE DOES NOT OPERATE IN AN OPEN MANNER WITH TRANSPARENCY, AND THE SPECIAL INTERESTS DOMINATE ALL OF THE DECISIONS.

THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE IS REALLY HEARD.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HIS TOP ISSUES ARE ADDRESSING THE HIGH COST OF LIVING IN THE REGION, REDUCING CRIME, AND PASSING LAWS THAT SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES.

HAYES IS CURRENTLY PRESIDENT OF THE LAKESIDE UNIFIED SCHOOL BOARD.

HE PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS DISTRICT DIRECTOR FOR STATE SENATE MINORITY LEADER BRIAN JONES.

HE SAYS HIS EXPERIENCE AUTOMATIC GET THINGS DONE, EVEN WHEN HE IS IN THE MINORITY.

>> I WANT TO FIND ISSUES WHERE WE HAVE COMMON GROUND.

THAT IS GOING TO TAKE ME WORKING THE PAVEMENT WHEN I FIRST GET REELECTED AND GOING AND INTRODUCING MYSELF TO ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES WHO ARE NOT REPUBLICAN AND SAYING WHERE DO WE AGREE, AND THAT WILL HELP MY DISTRICT ON NUMEROUS ISSUES.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HIS TOP ISSUES INCLUDE ADDRESSING THE HIGH COST OF LIVING IN THE REGION, IMPROVING FIRE INSURANCE OPTIONS FOR HOMEOWNERS, AND REDUCING THE PLACEMENT OF SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATORS IN EAST SAN DIEGO COUNTY AFTER THEIR RELEASE FROM PRISON.

THE WINNER WILL REPLACE REPUBLICANISM REMEMBER MY WE WALDRON WHO IS SAID TO TERM OUT.

SCOTT ROHDE, KPBS NEWS.

>> Reporter: DISTRICT 79 IS ARGUABLY THE MOST DIVERSE DISTRICT IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY PICKETT ENCOMPASSES THE CITIES OF LEMON GROVE AND LA MESA, ALONG WITH PARTS OF BONITA, EL CAJON, SPRING VALLEY, AND A BIG PART OF SOUTHEAST SAN DIEGO.

DR. AQUILLA WEBER'S DEPARTURE FROM THE DISTRICT 79 ASSEMBLY SEAT THROUGH THE RACE WIDE OPEN.

DR. J SHARP COLLINS AND LA MESA CITY COUNCILMAN COLIN PARENT EMERGED AS THE TWO TOP VOTE GETTERS IN THE PRIMARY.

PARENTS CAME OUT ON TOP GETTING NEARLY 40% OF THE VOTE.

SHARP COLLINS DECEIVED A LITTLE OVER 30%.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT I AM A LEADER WHO IS FROM THE DISTRICT, FOR THE DISTRICT.

>> Reporter: SHARP COLLINS SAYS HER LIFELONG ASSOCIATION WITH THE DISTRICT MAKES HER A BETTER FIT THAN HER OPPONENT.

>> I HAVE WORKED FOR THE FORMER DISTRICT DIRECTOR FOR THIS PARTICULAR SEAT.

SO OVER THE NINE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS DISTRICT DIRECTOR, I HAVE EFFECTIVELY OVERSEE THE DAILY OPERATIONS OF THIS PARTICULAR LEGACY OF OFFICE, THEREFORE I HAVE A STRONG TRACK RECORD OF IMPLEMENTING SOCIAL JUSTICE, EQUITY AND INCLUSION PLANS.

>> Reporter: BUT COLIN PARENT SAYS HE IS ALSO INTIMATELY FAMILIAR WITH THE DISTRICT.

HE POINTS TO HIS NEARLY 8 YEARS ON THE LA MESA CITY COUNCIL AND THE FACT THAT HIS MOM STILL LIVES RIGHT HERE IN LA MESA IN THE HOUSE HE GREW UP IN JUST A FEW BLOCKS OUTSIDE OF THE DISTRICT BOUNDARY.

BUT PARENT IS THERE ARE MOST MORE IMPORTANT THINGS IN WHERE CANDIDATE IS FROM.

>> HOMELESSNESS, TOP ISSUE FOR SO MANY PEOPLE.

AND THE CITY OF LA MESA, WE ACTUALLY DOUBLED THE NUMBER OF HOMELESS OUTREACH WORKERS THAT REFUND JUST IN OUR LAST BUDGET.

BEFORE I GOT ELECTED TO THE COUNCIL WE DID NOT HAVE ANY OF THAT.

ALSO ROAD REPAIR.

WE HAVE A REAL, SERIOUS UNFAIRNESS IN THE QUALITY OF OUR ROADS AND PARTS OF THIS DISTRICT, ESPECIALLY PARTS IN THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO.

OR MAKE OTHER ISSUES SHARP COLLINS SAYS SHE WOULD TACKLE INCLUDE MAKING CHILD CARE MORE AFFORDABLE AND ADDRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL AND I MET ISSUES THAT SHE SAYS IMPACT THE 79th DISTRICT MORE THAN OTHERS.

PARENT IS AS PART OF ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS, IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE HOUSING MORE AFFORDABLE, AND HE POINTED OUT THAT MUCH OF THE DAMAGE DONE IN THE JANUARY 22 FLOODS HAPPENED IN THE 79th DISTRICT.

HE SAYS STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE MUST GET SERIOUS ATTENTION AT THE LEGISLATURE.

LOTS OF ISSUES FOR VOTERS TO THINK ABOUT AS THEY CONSIDER WHO TO SEND TO SACRAMENTO TO REPRESENT DISTRICT 79.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>> THOSE ARE JUST A FEW OF OUR ELECTION EXPLAINERS.

MANY MORE ARE AVAILABLE AT THE KPBS VOTER HUB.

WE ALSO HAVE A SPANISH VERSION.

LOOK FOR THE LINK AT KPBS.ORG .

THERE IS ALSO PLENTY OF INFORMATION ON VOTING LOCATIONS IN YOUR AREA.

>>> MONEY IS AT THE HEART OF ANY OF THE DECISIONS MADE BY POLITICIANS AND VOTERS.

OUR PUBLIC MATTERS PARTNER SCOTT LEWIS EXPLAINS SOME OF THE BOND MEASURES THAT WILL AFFECT LOCAL SCHOOLS.

>> ♪ ♪ >> THE WORD "BOND" IS ALL OVER THE PALACE OF SAN DIEGANS THIS YEAR.

IN SAN DIEGO, VOTERS WILL HAVE TO DECIDE ON SEVEN DIFFERENT SCHOOL BONDS.

IF THEY APPROVE THEM, DISTRICTS WILL FOLLOW BILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND RAISE PROPERTY TAXES TO PAY THEM OFF.

LET ME SHOW YOU HOW IT WORKS.

TAKE A TYPICAL BALLOT FROM CHULA VISTA.

MEASURE SW IS A BOND FOR THE SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT.

MEASURE RR IS A BOND FOR THE SWEETWATER UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT.

CAN'T MEASURE AA IS A BOND FOR THE CHULA VISTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT.

LOOK CLOSER AT THE LANGUAGE OF EACH OF THOSE BONDS.

MEASURE RR WILLOUGHBY $30 PER $100,000 OF ASSESSED VALUATION.

MEASURE SW WOULD LEVY AN AVERAGE OF $25 PER $100,000 OF ASSESSED VALUATION.

AND MEASURE AA WOULD LEVY $29 PER 100,000 OF ASSESSED VALUATION.

WHAT THE HECK DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?

IT MEANS THAT YOUR PROPERTY TAXES WILL GO UP BY A CERTAIN AMOUNT DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH THE COUNTY VALUES YOUR PROPERTY.

IF YOU OWN A HOME THAT THE COUNTY VALUES AT $100,000, THEN YOU WOULD PAY $30 MORE PER YEAR IF MEASURE RR PASSES.

OBVIOUSLY HOMES ARE WORTH A LOT MORE THAN THAT HERE, BUT WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS KNOW WHAT THE HOME CONSOLE FOR, BUT WHAT IT IS VALUED AT BY THE COUNTY.

IN CALIFORNIA, OFFICIAL PROPERTY VALUES DO NOT GO UP WITH THE MARKET.

THEY STAY PEGGED TO AN A HOME WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED.

IF YOU BOUGHT A HOME FOR ABOUT $500,000.10 YEARS AGO, IT'S ASSESSED VALUE IS NOT MUCH HIGHER THAN THAT.

IF YOU HAVE AN ASSESSED VALUE HOME A $500,000 IN CHULA VISTA AND THOSE THREE BONDS PAST, YOU WOULD PAY $320 MORE PER YEAR IN PROPERTY TAXES.

MEANWHILE THERE IS MEASURE HH, A BOND TO SUPPORT SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGES.

IF IT PASSES THAT YOU HAVE A $500,000 ASSESSED HOME, YOU WOULD PAY $125 MORE PER YEAR IN PROPERTY TAXES.

UNLIKE OTHER SPECIAL TAX INCREASES, THESE BONDS ONLY NEED APPROVAL FROM 55% OF VOTERS.

IF APPROVED, DISTRICTS IMMEDIATELY BORROW MONEY, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE TO BORROW THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE BOND RIGHT AWAY, SO THEY MAY NOT INCREASE TAXES AT THE SAME RATE RIGHT AT FIRST.

THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM THE STATES PROPOSITION TWO AND FOUR.

THOSE ARE NOT TAX INCREASES.

THOSE MEAN THE STATE CAN BORROW $10 BILLION EACH AND PAY IT BACK.

THE STATE MAY LATER WANT TO INCREASE TAXES TO BE ABLE TO PAY THOSE BONDS OFF, BUT THE LEGISLATURE WOULD HAVE TO APPROVE THEM.

RIGHT NOW ALL OF THOSE PROPOSITIONS DO IS AUTHORIZE THE LEGISLATURE TO BORROW THE MONEY.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS SPEND MOST OF THEIR MONEY ON TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS, BUT SCHOOL BONDS CANNOT BE USED TO PAY TEACHERS MORE.

THEY CAN ONLY BE USED TO BUILD AND REPAIR THINGS.

AND THAT IS WHY BUILDERS AND LABOR UNIONS FOR WORKERS THAT BUILD THINGS LIKE THEM SO MUCH.

I AM SCOTT LEWIS AND THAT IS WHY IT MATTERS.

>>> AND OTHER MONEY MEASURE ON THE BALLOT IS MEASURE E. THIS IS FOR ALL VOTERS IN THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO.

WE EXPLAIN WHY THE MAYOR IS ASKING TO RAISE THE LOCAL SALES TAX AND WHERE THAT MONEY WOULD GO.

>> Reporter: HEY, CITY OF SAN DIEGO, WHY THE LONG FACE?

I'M FACING A $200 MILLION STRUCTURAL DEFICIT.

I'M NOT BRINGING IN ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY MY BILLS.

>> WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

>> I'M ASKING VOTERS TO DECIDE WHETHER TO INCREASE SALES TAX IN THE CITY TO BRING ME MORE MONEY I CAN SPEND.

>> RIGHT OF THE SALES TAX IN THE CITY IS 7.75%.

I GET 1% OF THAT, OR ONE PENNY ON EACH DOLLAR SUBJECT TO SALES TAX.

THIS MEASURE WOULD INCREASE THE RATE TO 8.75% AND GIVE ME ANOTHER PENNY.

>> OKAY, HOW MUCH MONEY WOULD THAT GIVE YOU?

>> $360 MILLION TO 400 MILLION MORE DOLLARS IN THE FIRST YEAR ACCORDING TO THE INDEPENDENT BUDGET ANALYST.

I CAN SPEND THAT ON THINGS LIKE STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE AND FIXING POTHOLES.

>> IT IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS LONG-STANDING SHORTAGES THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR DECADES, AND HAVE HELD OUR CITY BACK AND CAUSED OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC ASSETS TO FALL INTO DISREPAIR.

>> HOLD ON.

HOLD ON.

HOLD ON.

WHO ARE YOU?

>> I AM A CONCERNED TAXPAYER.

>> THAT YOU WANT BETTER PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE?

>> YEAH, BUT I THINK THE CITY NEEDS TO DO A BETTER JOB OF MANAGING THE MONEY AND ONLY GETS, EVEN IF IT MEANS MAKING TOUGH BUDGET CUTS.

HERE'S THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION.

>> WHAT IS CHANGING IN OUR SPENDING HABITS?

IF OUR SPENDING HABITS ARE CHANGING, IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY IS ON THE TABLE, THE PROBLEM WILL NOT GET ADDRESSED.

>> THIS IS A TOUGH ONE.

I GUESS WE WILL HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN NOVEMBER.

REMEMBER, SOME OTHER CITIES HAVE SALES-TAX MEASURES ON THE BALLOT THIS YEAR, SO BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE FULL VOTER GUIDE AT KPBS.ORG.

>>> AFTER VOTERS DO THEIR JOB, A TEAM ABOUT COUNTERS WILL DO THEIRS.

RECENTLY THE REGISTRAR OF VOTERS OFFICE TESTED ITS BALLOT COUNTING EQUIPMENT AND GAVE THE PUBLIC A LOOK AT THE PROCESS.

JACOB AERE SHOWS US HOW IT WENT.

>> GOT UP ALL OF THE VOTES THAT ARE ON ALL THOSE BALLOTS YOU JUST FILLED IN.

>> Reporter: IT IS CALLED THE PUBLIC LOGIC AND ACCURACY TEST AND WHAT IT IS IS AN INSIDE LOOK TO INSTILL CONFIDENCE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AHEAD OF ELECTION DAY.

>> I DON'T HAVE A LACK OF TRUST, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE ABOUT WHY THEY CAN TRUST ELECTIONS.

>> Reporter: IT WAS SAN DIEGO RESIDENT KATIE ALEXANDER'S FIRST TIME TAKING PART.

SHE WAS ONE OF A HANDFUL OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND LOCAL OFFICIALS WHO ATTENDED THE EVENT.

THEIR ROLE IS TO FILL OUT MOCK BALLOTS AND THEN OBSERVE AS THEY ARE TALLIED.

>> THEY HAVE ALL OF THESE PROTOCOLS IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE BALLOTS ARE COUNTED, AND THAT SIGNATURES MATCH, AND THAT THE ELECTIONS ARE FAIR.

FOR MAC SEAN BRAUM IS THE ASSISTANT SAN DIEGO COUNTY REGISTRAR OF VOTERS.

HE SAYS THE FULL PUBLIC LOGIC AND ACCURACY TEST TOOK PLACE A FEW WEEKS BACK WITH OVER 150,000 BALLOTS, BUT THIS IS A CONDENSED VERSION FOR ANYONE IN THE PUBLIC TO TAKE PART IN.

>> WHAT WE WILL BE DOING TODAY IS CASTING BALLOTS OR BOATING ON BLANK BALLOTS, TABULATING THEM BY HAND, AND THEN USING THEM TO SCAN IN THE TABULATION SYSTEM TO COMPARE THE TWO.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE TESTS ARE TO ENSURE ALL THE EQUIPMENT FUNCTIONS AS EXPECTED TO PROPERLY COUNT VOTES.

>> SO IT IS ANOTHER MEASURE OF CLEAR AND TRANSPARENT ELECTIONS , SHOWING THE ACCURACY AND THE VALIDITY OF THE TABULATION SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: ALEXANDER SAYS IT ALSO HELPS TO DISPEL FALSE NARRATIVES ABOUT ELECTION SECURITY.

>> THERE WAS NEVER ANY DISCUSSION OF CANDIDATES.

THERE WAS NEVER ANY DISCUSSION OF POLITICS.

IT WAS ALL ABOUT HOW TO MANAGE BALLOTS AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE ALL COUNTED.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE COUNTY REGISTRAR HAS OFFERED THE PUBLIC LOGIC AND ACCURACY TEST AND OTHER RECENT ELECTIONS, TOO.

THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IS NOVEMBER 5.

JACOB AERE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A REMINDER TO JOIN US ON ELECTION NIGHT AS THE RESULTS ROLL IN.

10:00 P.M. WE WILL HAVE A SPECIAL BROADCAST ON KPBS WITH MANY OF OUR REPORTERS AND COMMENTARY FROM POLITICAL EXPERTS.

WE WILL ALSO LIVE STREAM THE PODCAST ON KPBS.ORG AND ON YOUTUBE , KPBS FM.

WE WILL HAVE REGULAR UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND AS WELL.

WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.