Politics Report: Politifest Brain

My politics mind has been focused on Politifest this week.

When we started Politifest in 2011, I envisioned an idyllic outdoor party – beer garden, tug of wars (tugs of war?), dunk tank, exhibits — where politics could be the central feature. Over time, it evolved into a day-long collection of debates and panel discussions.

The tugs of war didn’t draw the crowd but the debates did.

This year, we have taken another step in its evolution. You’ll have to help us decide if this mutation survives.

Solutions Showdown: We made each session a problem and asked participants to present their solution. They will present their solutions and then the moderator will manage a good discussion between them and then the audience will vote on a winner.

You should check it out and secure your tickets.

Here are the problems we’re solving:

• How do we get the city we want?
• How will we solve the cross-border sewage crisis?
• What do we do about street homelessness?
• How to build more housing?
• How can we make the cost of electricity more affordable?
• What should we do when people with behavioral health problems refuse treatment?
• How do we solve the child care crisis?
• How do we ensure that all children receive an excellent education?
• How do we make water more affordable in San Diego?

The last session of the day is traditionally the live podcast. This time, we will feature the winners of the showdowns.

Will it work? The tugs of war didn’t last. It didn’t last as an outdoor event at all. (September and October are quite hot around here!) Will focusing on solutions last in some form? I hope so. I have done a lot of panels in my career. I’ve moderated panels. I’ve spoken on panels. I have organized panels. So many panels.

I love panels. But maybe there’s a more informative and interesting version of them out there. Maybe this is it. I don’t know but I’d love to hear what you think.

Boxing gloves, really? The other day, we got some pushback about our branding of the event. We used boxing gloves to illustrate the showdowns.

Was that the right call as we see political violence and fears about it escalating across the country? Absolutely.

This is how we should fight: We should have contests about solutions. We should pit one political idea against another. Politics is the democratic alternative to violence.  

The mayor is coming: We’ve got some news. For the “How do we get the city we want?” discussion we have a late entry: San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria will make a presentation. I was already looking forward to hearing from Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera and Aimee Faucett, the former chief of staff to former Mayor Kevin Faulconer.

We have a Proposition 50 debate: There is one session that’s not about solutions. It’s just straight electoral politics and debate. Assemblymember Chris Ward will debate Jon Slavet, host of the relatively new podcast State of Gold. NBC 7 San Diego’s Joey Safchik will moderate.

All Eyes on the City Council Tuesday

You can feel the tension build for the vote Tuesday on four years of future water rate increases at the city of San Diego. Friday, MacKenzie Elmer did a story about a new report from the City Council’s independent budget analyst who revealed the dire situation the city’s water department would be in if the Council doesn’t approve the rate increases.

But as I wrote last week, this comes after a gnarly series of fee increases that have residents aghast. The new trash fee, the parking fees, the user fees at rec centers, on and on it has raised awareness of City Hall in a not positive way. People don’t like paying more for the same thing — the city continues to crumble and the only argument in response is about how bad it could have been without the new collections.

Months ago, before this series of tough decisions, the Council reluctantly passed water rate hikes. One of them, Marni von Wilpert, was so frustrated, she suggested the city should leave the San Diego County Water Authority. Later, her colleague Elo-Rivera turned it into a thing with an official letter and a couple waves of backlash from the Water Authority’s allies.

So what happens Tuesday? We are promised fireworks. Which usually means someone will say something slightly unexpected.

Again, get your tickets to Politifest. You don’t have to spend the full day with us. I know Saturdays are precious. But this will be good. And if it isn’t, I know some of you enjoy nothing more than letting us know when we’ve come up short. Have at it! If you have any feedback or ideas for the Politics Report, send them to scott.lewis@voiceofsandiego.org.

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