An open letter from Lani Lutar, President & CEO of The San Diego County Taxpayers Association:

July 1, 2008

Mr. Michael Bixler
Board of Port Commissioners
Port of San Diego
P.O. Box 120488
San Diego, CA  92112-0488

Re:  Expenditure of Public Monies on Political Advocacy

Dear Chairman Bixler:

The June 29, 2008 advertisement in the San Diego Union-Tribune and planned future ads in other media sources conveying "An Important Message From the Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners" represent a source of concern for the San Diego County Taxpayers Association (SDCTA).

While the letter specifically calls the message "educational" and urges readers to "examine the facts" and "learn about the Port," the underlying assertions expressed in the letter encourage readers to oppose the "Marine Freight Preservation and Bayfront Redevelopment Initiative." Simply omitting a statement that explicitly urges voters to support or oppose a ballot measure does not qualify the message as "educational" when its implications clearly represent an argument for one side only.

SDCTA's opposition to publicly funded advocacy does not reflect its position on either side of the 10th Avenue Marine Terminal initiative.  Over the past six decades the Association has been active in the San Diego region on behalf of taxpayers promoting accountable, cost-effective and efficient government, and its position on this matter has been consistent.  SDCTA strongly urges the Board of Port Commissioners to consider the concerns listed above and to halt the expenditure of public monies on any type of political advocacy campaign.           

Sincerely,

Lani Lutar
President & CEO