San Diego's leaders are failing to discipline the general fund for political projects, rather than focusing on basic obligations, according to Mary Davis, a self-described government watchdog. The new Balboa Park property‑tax proposal is a perfect example: City Hall has moved to charge for parking in and around the park, offering to remove these fees if voters agree to a new permanent tax on their homes. This is not responsible budgeting but ransom politics. The city's general fund is supposed to fund core services and obligations, but has been used as an ATM for political project and branding exercises. Davis argues that the city's first duty is to provide basic infrastructure and essential services, not vanity projects. She urges voters to reject any new property tax tied to the park and urges the city to demonstrate it will prioritise these priorities.