San Diego Faces Large Budget Deficit, Mayor Cites Failure of Sales Tax Measure

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria speaks at a press conference at H Barracks site to be converted into a Safe Parking Site for the homeless on June 6, 2024. Jane Yang/The Epoch Times

SAN DIEGO—Mayor Todd Gloria announced a hiring freeze Wednesday, along with restrictions on non-essential funding and a reassessment of the city’s leases and contracts as San Diego faces a $258 million deficit in the coming fiscal year.

Gloria, who won reelection for another four years governing the city, cited voters’ rejection of a proposed sales tax increase in last month’s election.