San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer is facing mounting criticism for her support of the controversial 2021 Regional Transportation Plan, which includes a mileage tax on drivers. As a voting member of the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Board of Directors, Lawson-Remer cast her vote in favor of the plan, which aims to economically burden automobile drivers in an effort to shift commuters toward public transportation.
The 2021 Regional Transportation Plan imposes a mileage tax on drivers requiring them to pay a fee for every mile driven on San Diego roads. Additionally, per-trip fees would be assessed on ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft. The plan, which was sold as a way to cut carbon emissions, has instead sparked outrage from everyday drivers who see it as a direct assault on their wallets.
Critics argue that the mileage tax disproportionately impacts working-class families who rely on their cars for work, school, and daily errands, especially in areas where public transportation options are limited. Lawson-Remer’s vote in favor of the plan is particularly controversial given that it was opposed by a vast majority of voters—60 percent against to 23 percent in favor. Even her hometown of Encinitas, a city she is supposed to represent, officially condemned the plan through a City Council vote.
For someone who frequently touts her commitment to economic justice, Lawson-Remer’s support for a tax that hits drivers hardest feels like a betrayal. Voters are now asking why she voted for a measure that directly contradicts the will of her constituents and economically burdens the very people she claims to fight for.
As more San Diegans become aware of the long-term financial consequences of the plan, the backlash against Lawson-Remer continues to grow. In the next election, voters will have to decide whether she truly represents their interests or if her priorities are out of sync with those of her constituents.
