Despite jeers, Gloria sticks to the script at State of the City, spotlighting progress but not the deficit

In last year’s State of the City address, a stern Mayor Todd Gloria harped on buckling down to address a sizable budget deficit. This year, he told residents “the markers of our progress are all around, and I’m here to tell you there are even more ahead.”

Yet the city still faces a projected $110.6 million deficit in the upcoming fiscal year. He acknowledged the need for more cuts just once after describing the past year’s efforts to shrink the deficit from $318 million.

“I know that that’s not easy to hear, and I know that none of it has been easy to live through, I hear the frustrations and I share them. But the truth is, we cannot build a stronger San Diego on a fragile foundation,” he said.

He did not say what those cuts might consist of, instead pointing to the impact of federal cuts and suggesting the city might need to fill the void.

The city is two weeks into charging for parking at Balboa Park, after a confusing rollout that caused council members to call for a halt on enforcement. But Gloria held to the sentiment that “you’re seeing a city that is finally choosing long-term strength over short-term comfort.”

His address, after completing the first year of his second term as mayor, touched on issues from housing and law enforcement to infrastructure and homelessness.

For the most part, the mayor spent his time on housing and development, calling San Diego’s strategy “one of the most ambitious housing agendas in California.”

He touted that the city issued 7,500 permits for new homes last year, down from the last two years but above the city’s recent average production, and community plan updates that added capacity for 105,000 new homes. He promoted his vision to transform underused city land into housing.

And he doubled down on his commitment to Midway Rising, despite the California Supreme Court’s ruling to retain the coastal height limit that was long believed to be an obstacle to the plan to redevelop the Sports Arena area

“Now legal challenges have caused some to doubt the future of the project known as Midway Rising. So let me be very clear: The redevelopment of Sports Arena will be moving forward,” Gloria said.

On homelessness, the mayor acknowledging his request last year that San Diegans blame the county if see someone struggling on the street. He took a milder tone Thursday, but again called on the county to fund behavioral health services.

Multiple times Gloria urged other agencies to spend more on the crisis. He challenged the state to make permanent funding of Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention grants a priority, and to fund Proposition 36, the measure voters passed in 2024 increasing penalties for certain drug and theft crimes.

He also pledged to kick start two revitalization projects that have fallen into limbo. He said he’d renew efforts to redevelop the Civic Center by asking the council to an agreement with the San Diego Community College District to rebuild Golden Hall. And, he said he’ll soon ask the council to soon approve a five-year, $118 million modernization plan for the San Diego Convention Center.

Council President Joe LaCava, in response, said the city tackled tough choices last year, and this year will be even harder.

“My primary focus is on the state of our budget,” he said. “I strongly believe budget cuts must minimize impact on residents and businesses, and our revenue forecasts must be achievable and sustainable.”

Protesters in the crowd interrupted Gloria’s address five times. The last two were muffled by the audience clapping loudly to drown out the jeers.

One person yelled, “You’re afraid of us. All we’re trying to do is meet with you and you won’t meet with us. You won’t meet with us, Todd.”

Another referred to ICE and the recent killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. The person yelled, “please do not let them shoot me.”

Gloria would eventually get to this subject, briefly.

He referred to Good’s death as a “murder” resulting from the “callous and reckless actions of a federal agent.” Citing the raid on South Park’s Buena Forchetta, he assured San Diegans the city would continue to follow state law prohibiting local law enforcement from participating in immigration enforcement.

He concluded the address by touching on top-of-mind topics for San Diegans, Gloria committed to prioritizing basic infrastructure needs around the city — acknowledging residents’ complaints about clogged storm drains and pothole filled roads.

“When you connect all of those dots, step back and take it all in, what you’re seeing is more than progress on those individual issues,” he said. “You’re seeing a city that is aligning its ambitions with action. You’re seeing a city that is matching its responsibilities with resources.”