The Elo-Rivera Files

The Council President's Silence

Sean Elo-Rivera, a free $425M arena offer, and the meeting he never mentioned

Silence is not neutrality.

The Progressive Brand

The SDMEA Machine

How a transparent union PAC built the council bloc that approved its $78M raise

For six years, the San Diego Municipal Employees Association ran the most transparent political operation in city history. Every dollar disclosed. Every expenditure reported. $773,000 across four council members — the same four who approved a 21 percent salary increase costing taxpayers $78 million a year. Protect Neighborhood Services Now is the name of the spending committee. We are not claiming corruption. We are showing you the cycle: your taxes fund salaries, salaries fund dues, dues fund campaigns, campaigns fund votes, votes fund raises, raises fund more dues. The machine is legal. The machine is efficient. The machine is yours.