Media, transcripts and reports from Politifest 2023: Water and Housing
LA Times reporter Liam Dillon, and Voice of San Diego journalists MacKenzie Elmer, Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, Jakob McWhinney and Scott Lewis during the final panel of Politifest 2023 
Reporter MacKenzie Elmer with panelists (left to right) Holden Leslie-Bole, Terry Gaasterland, Laura Walsh, Ed Spriggs 
California Attorney General Rob Bonta at the University of San Diego for Politifest 2023 on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. / Vito Di Stefano for Voice of San Diego 
Voice of San Diego environment reporter MacKenzie Elmer 
Amy Reichert and San Diego City Councilmember Monica Montgomery Steppe debating during Politifest 2023 
Adel Hagekhalil speaking at Politifest 2023 Credit: Vito Di Stefano 
Voice of San Diego CEO Scott Lewis introducing the first Politifest 2023 panel at Novo Brazil Brewing in Imperial Beach 
Voice reporter MacKenzie Elmer with panelists at Politifest 2023 
Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey (left) speaks at the University of San Diego for Politifest 2023 on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. / Vito Di Stefano for Voice of San Diego 
Left to right: Pacific Institute Senior Associate Michael Cohen, General Manager and CEO, Metropolitan Water District Adel Hagekhalil, Voice of San Diego CEO and Editor-in-Chief Scott Lewis, Imperial Irrigation District Water Department Manager Tina Shields and San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Dan Denham at the University of San Diego for Politifest 2023 on Oct. 7, 2023. / Vito Di Stefano for Voice of San Diego Credit: Vito di Stefano
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VIDEOS + TRANSCRIPTS
The Biggest Water Deal in CA History: Did it Work?
It’s been 20 years since the largest water agencies in Southern California agreed to the Quantification Settlement Agreement. A look back at San Diego’s biggest water security deal on the Colorado River. Moderated by Voice CEO Scott Lewis.
Panelists:
- Adel Hagekhalil, general manager and CEO, Metropolitan Water District
- Dan Denham, general manager, San Diego County Water Authority
- Tina Shields, water department manager, Imperial Irrigation District
- Michael Cohen, senior associate, Pacific Institute
Note: This panel (and transcript) includes welcome messages to kick off Politifest 2023.
Transcript: The Biggest Water Deal in California History: Did It Work?
Transcripts may contain errors and are subject to updates.
The Colorado River: How Will States Learn to Share?
Can western states share the Colorado River and thrive? A critical conversation with water representatives from across the American west discussing one of the country’s most valuable resources: the Colorado River. Moderated by Voice environment reporter MacKenzie Elmer.
Panelists:
- Jeff Kightlinger, Acequia Consulting, consultant, Imperial Irrigation District
- Brenda Burman, general manager, Central Arizona project
- Adel Hagekhalil, general manager, Metropolitan Water Authority of Southern California
- JB Hamby, chairman of the Colorado River Board
Transcript: The Colorado River: How Will States Learn to Share?
Transcripts may contain errors and are subject to updates.
San Diego County Supervisor District 4 Debate
A discussion with the candidates for the Board of Supervisors District 4 special election. Moderated by NBC San Diego’s Priya Sridhar.
Panelists
- Monica Montgomery-Steppe, San Diego City Councilwoman
- Amy Reichert
Transcript: San Diego County Supervisor District 4 Debate
Transcripts may contain errors and are subject to updates.
What We Know About Homelessness
A conversation with Dr. Margot Kushel of UC San Francisco and Voice senior investigative reporter Lisa Halverstadt about causes of homelessness.
Transcript: What We Know About Homelessness
Transcripts may contain errors and are subject to updates.
Live VOSD Podcast: AG On The Spot
A live recording of the Voice of San Diego Podcast featuring the Attorney General — focused on housing laws and what we learned from the water panels during this year’s Politifest.
Panelists:
- Rob Bonta, California Attorney General
- Liam Dillon, LA Times reporter
- Scott Lewis, Voice CEO and editor-in-chief
- MacKenzie Elmer, Voice environment reporter
- Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, Voice managing editor
- Jakob McWhinney, Voice education reporter
Transcript: Live VOSD Podcast: AG On The Spot
Transcripts may contain errors and are subject to updates.
When the Sea Swallows San Diego’s Coasts, Where Will We Live?
Audio only
From Oceanside to Imperial Beach, local leaders are considering ways to preserve their iconic shores from erosion, including sand retention projects and moving homes and structures from the shoreline. Moderated by Voice environment reporter MacKenzie Elmer. (Audio only)
Panelists
- Terry Gaasterland, Del Mar City Council
- Ed Spriggs, former Imperial Beach City Councilman
- Laura Walsh, California policy Manager, Surfrider Foundation
- Holden Leslie-Bole, physical oceanography researcher at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Transcript: When the Sea Swallows San Diego’s Coasts, Where Will We Live?
Transcripts may contain errors and are subject to updates.
Is The Rent Too Damn High?
Why is the rent so high? Sustained rent hikes in major metro areas like San Diego are now driving up housing costs in formerly affordable cities like Fresno, Bakersfield and Santa Maria. Will these trends continue or is relief in sight? Moderated by CalMatters reporter Jeanne Kuang.
Speakers:
- Sahanti Singh, Legislative Director, Tenants Together
- Corey Smith, Executive Director, Housing Action Coalition
- Tina Rosales, Policy Advocate, Western Center on Law and Poverty
- Gilberto Vera, Senior Attorney, Legal Aid Society of San Diego
Transcript: Is The Rent Too Damn High?
Transcripts may contain errors and are subject to updates.
Cost of Water Smackdown
Representatives from San Diego’s biggest and namesake city and one of its smallest cities go head-to-head over the region’s wildly high water prices. Moderated by Voice managing editor Andrea Lopez-Villafaña.
Panelists:
- Nick Serrano, Vice Chair of San Diego County Water Authority board
- Jack Bebee, General manager, Fallbrook Public Utilities District
Transcript: Cost of Water Smackdown
Transcripts may contain errors and are subject to updates.
Understanding Sacramento: How Your State Government Works
States are the foundation of government in the US. In populous states like California, state governments play an especially prominent role in making decisions that affect your daily life. But how much do you really know about California’s government and how the state legislature works? CalMatters’ Capitol Reporter Sameea Kamal and CEO Neil Chase will talk you through the essential functions of the legislature and the tools CalMatters offers to better understand California’s government.
Panelists:
- Sameea Kamal, CalMatters Capitol Reporter
- Neil Chase, CalMatters CEO
Transcript: Understanding Sacramento: How Your State Government Works
Transcripts may contain errors and are subject to updates.
SB 10 and an Unaffordable City
San Diego was the first city to try to implement SB 10 but it provoked a resistance that led the mayor to pause one of the moves he hoped would address the housing supply and affordability crisis. What is SB10? This panel will explore it and the political limits of policies that would make it easier to build in neighborhoods that the city has, so far, reserved for single-family homes. Moderated by Voice CEO Scott Lewis.
Panelists:
- Saad Asad, Board member, YIMBY Dems
- Geoff Hueter, Chair, Neighbors for a Better San Diego
Transcript: SB 10 and an Unaffordable City
Transcripts may contain errors and are subject to updates.
How Can California Boost Its Water Supply?
Where can California get enough water to survive the next inevitable dry stretch? Can it pump more water from the salty Pacific Ocean? Treat waste flushed down toilets and washed down drains? Capture runoff that flows off streets into storm drains? Tow Antarctic icebergs to Los Angeles?
Every time another drought rolls around, an array of suggestions rise to the surface. This panel will look at the strategies that could work — along with the more outlandish ones — and the obstacles they face. Moderated by CalMatters editor Yousef Baig.
Panelists:
- Heather Cooley, Director of Research – Pacific Institute
- Alvar Escriva-Bou, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, UCLA
- Gregory Pierce, Human Right to Water Solutions Lab Director, UCLA Water Resources Group Director
Transcript: How Can California Boost Its Water Supply
Transcripts may contain errors and are subject to updates.
Why Are Home Insurers Fleeing California and Should The State Step In?
A look at the factors that affect the price and availability of home insurance in California, featuring experts, policymakers, and consumer advocates. It will tackle the question of what, if anything, California can do to make sure people have affordable home insurance options. Moderated by CalMatters CEO Neil Chase.
Panelists:
- Valerie Brown, Deputy Executive Director – United Policyholders
- Lloyd Dixon, Senior Economist at RAND Corporation and Director, RAND Center for Catastrophic Risk Management and Compensation
Transcript: Why Are Home Insurers Fleeing California and Should The State Step In?
Transcripts may contain errors and are subject to updates.
Sacramento v Small Cities: The Housing Battle
A conversation about the challenges state housing policies create for smaller cities. Moderated by Voice reporter Tigist Layne.
Panelists:
- Richard Bailey, Coronado Mayor
- Tony Kranz, Encinitas Mayor
- Catherine Blakespear, State Senator
- Ricardo Flores, Executive Director, Local Initiatives Support Council
Transcript: Sacramento v Small Cities: The Housing Battle
Transcripts may contain errors and are subject to updates.