San Diego council member pledges to bring tax hike back to 2026 ballot

Driving the news: During his inauguration speech Tuesday, council member Raul Campillo started his second term by pledging to bring back the proposed 1-cent sales tax for general city services in two years.

• In the meantime, he said, the city will aim to prove to the 3,506 voters who made up the losing margin that San Diego would be a good steward of their money.
• "The truth is, Measure E would have single-handedly solved our budget woes for the first time in decades," Campillo said.

Between the lines: Campillo also used his speech to criticize the county, arguing that it has forced the city to shoulder the financial responsibility of homelessness.

• "The county should be building shelters and units to address homelessness," he said.

The intrigue: Campillo's promise not only kicks off the 2026 election cycle, it also vaults him into discussion for the 2028 mayoral race, when Gloria will be termed out.

• In his speech, Campillo also placed blame for the city's ongoing budget woes on the pension crisis that has defined city politics for a generation, specifically on the 2002 decision to underfund the system — a decision that included Rep. Scott Peters, widely seen as another mayoral hopeful, who was then on the council.

What's next: The city's budget analyst is delivering a five-year financial outlook to the council Wednesday, kicking off a budget cycle that will culminate in June.