October 27, 2025
The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce strongly opposes the proposal to raise the minimum wage to $25 for entertainment event vendors in County parks. The Chamber has strongly opposed the measure, noting it would dramatically increase costs for event producers, staging companies, and nonprofits, making it harder to host community festivals, charity walks, and cultural celebrations that contribute to San Diego’s local economy and tourism. Many of these events rely on small vendors, volunteers, and limited budgets, and such a mandate would force them to cut jobs, reduce hours, or relocate to neighboring counties with lower costs. Executive Director of Public Affairs Justine Murray spoke in opposition to the proposal to raise the minimum wage at the County Board of Supervisors on October 21st, the County to prioritize compliance with existing laws and pursue alternative safety measures rather than advancing an industry-specific wage increase that undermines the region’s economic and tourism goals. Ultimately the measure passed 4-1, with County Supervisor Desmond voting no. We will continue to monitor this effort as it moves forward at the County, and thank Supervisor Desmond for his “no” vote against another industry-specific wage mandate effort in San Diego.