Morning Report: State of the City Primer
EM - News Moderator 
Mayor Todd Gloria is set to deliver his State of the City speech on Thursday at City Hall.
Last year, he declared 2025 the city’s “era of austerity.” We’re expecting a similar message this week as the city’s leaders continue to grapple with their economic reality.
You can watch the speech on Thursday, Jan. 15, at 3 p.m here.
How it went last year: Gloria vowed to make tough decisions to tackle the city’s budget deficit. That meant cutting services, freezing hiring for non-essential positions and asking city departments to reduce their spending.
But not all of those promises panned out. The budget deficit is still wreaking havoc on city government.
The mayor called out the county: Last year, Gloria railed on the county to do their part to tackle homelessness. The rest of the year he continued pushing that message.
Gloria said that when people see a homeless person experiencing mental health issues or addiction, they should think of the county government — and how it’s not doing its part.
Will he continue to blame the county for the region’s homelessness crisis?
Gloria wants a big year on housing: Last year, Gloria promised to push a new policy that would lead to the creation of row homes that would be more affordable to everyday San Diegans within months. That didn’t happen. In December, Gloria still didn’t have a plan — but he did renew his calls that one needed to be created.
We’ll follow up on all these promises and pledges for you at the State of the City Thursday and have updates in Friday’s Morning Report.
Border Report: County Dems Seek to Further Restrict Immigration Officials’ Access
Today, County Supervisors will vote on a proposed ordinance that places new restrictions on immigration enforcement officials and requirements on local cops.
The ordinance, based on a policy in the city of San Diego, would ban immigration officials from accessing non-public areas of county property unless they have a judicial warrant.
The ordinance also places new requirements on the Sheriff’s Office to notify supervisors when deputies respond to calls for assistance from immigration officials engaging in enforcement actions. Additionally, it would require yearly reporting on any task forces with which the county participates.
The ordinance, which was proposed by Chair Terra Lawson-Remer, has already received the support of some of her Democratic colleagues. It’s just the latest ordinance restricting cooperation with immigration enforcement considered by Supervisors. The board in 2024 passed a policy that restricted county agencies from collaborating with immigration enforcement officials that ignited a national firestorm.
The vote also comes as ICE enforcement operations in cities like Minneapolis have elicited fierce pushback from local residents. That pushback has only become more widespread following an ICE agent’s killing of an unarmed U.S. citizen.
City Unveils Changes to Rose Canyon Safe Parking Lot
On Monday, city officials unveiled improvements to a safe parking lot near Pacific Beach that offers families overnight parking.
The lot, known as Rose Canyon, is operated by Jewish Family Service. The improvements include a revamped communal space, new furniture, books and a kitchen area with new amenities.
Rose Canyon is one of five safe parking lots run by Jewish Family Service in San Diego, and one of two parking lots open 24 hours. According to JFS, since the lot began in 2023, approximately 66% of families have moved into more stable housing.
“There’s a physical space improvement – that is true – but it is so much more than that,” said Mayor Todd Gloria at the ceremony. “It’s a place of dignity, it’s a place of connection, and for families experiencing homelessness, this is a place of stability in a time where stability can feel out of reach.”
Song of the Month
Systems Office, “Temble”: There are few musicians who’ve left a bigger mark on San Diego’s music scene than Armistead Burwell Smith IV. Whether with Three Mile Pilot, Pinback or his solo project Systems Officer, Smith’s music is almost always imprinted with his virtuosic basslines that are as mesmerizing as they are busy. It’s a baffling combination that never seems to get old.
Luckily for us all, Smith’s rebooted Systems Officer has put out two stellar albums of hazy, melodic indie rock in just the past two years. Throw it on and get lost.
Like what you hear? Smith’s pulling a double header at Casbah on Jan. 22 when he’ll play with both Systems Office and Pinback. Unfortunately, the show’s sold out. That was mean of me. Sorry.
In Other News
- County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer is weighing tapping a $224 million pot of money amassed via litigation victories by the district attorney’s office to do consumer protection work. There’s just one problem: DA Summer Stephan says her team has the work under control. (Union-Tribune)
- Former San Diego County Congressmember Duncan D. Hunter, who famously blew up his career by spending hundreds of thousands in campaign funds on personal expenses, was pardoned years ago by President Donald Trump. New lobbying reports show he’s working behind the scenes to secure a pardon for Raymond Liddy, the son of White House Plumber, G. Gordon Liddy. The younger Liddy was convicted of possessing child pornography in 2020. (Union-Tribune)
- Fedora-loving Poway Councilman Tony Blain, who was recalled by voters last fall after a scandal-plagued year in office, on Monday pleaded not guilty to criminal charges, including soliciting bribes. (KPBS)
- A little-known SANDAG database may be granting federal law enforcement access to information that helps the Trump administration’s deportation onslaught. (KPBS)
The Morning Report was written by Mariana Martínez Barba, Will Hutsberry and Jakob McWhinney. It was edited by Andrea Sanchez-Villafaña.
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