Another stab at a sand tax 

By Heather McRea

This week in Coast Lines: A sales tax to fund sand replenishment fell shy of votes needed in November, but sand advocates are hoping a citizen initiative in 2026 would pass in San Clemente.

Plus, Rancho Palos Verdes leaders are appealing to FEMA to send more financial help and the first sidewalk vending carts of a new Long Beach program have been awarded to small businesses.

Here’s what’s happening along the Southern California coast.

Funding beaches

Save Our Beachs in San Clemente is preparing a measure for the 2026 ballot to add a local sales tax to fund beach replenishment.

Voters in November knocked down a proposal for a half-cent tax, but by a small margin, so the advocates are going to try a local sales tax with different parameters that would require a lower threshold of support to pass.

But the city’s mayor wonders if people are going to agree to be taxed more. 

See more.

Federal help

Rancho Palos Verdes are trying to convince FEMA officials the land movement tearing about the town is an emergency and not a pre-existing disaster.

“The city position,” City Manager Ara Mihranian said, “is that there was a significant change in the rate of movement as a result of the rain event.”

The federal agency has denied the city’s request for more aid, but officials have options to appeal that decision.

Read the story.

Taking it to the streets

A new Long Beach program is helping small businesses get out about the people, from the coast to the heart of downtown, with carts that lets them take their business to the streets.

“Here in Long Beach, we want small business to thrive,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement. “The Sidewalk to Success program provides a much-needed hand-up for local microbusinesses.”

The first carts are going to be helping folks enjoy more cakes and cookies, and hotdogs and pastrami sandwiches.

Read the story.

What else?

Beaches and the ocean are closed in the LA area as public health officials warn again about toxins and chemicals from the fires. 
Read the story.

At annual address, leaders of the LA port report things have been nice and busy, but with looming tariffs challenges are likely on the horizon and more changes are coming.

Read the story.

Battleship Iowa to host “Rock for Responders” benefit concert in February.

Read the story.

In the water

Break time was nice, they said, but it’s over and the competition jersey is back on for the new season of the World Tour and the hunt for titles. Several Southern California surfers are packing onto the elite tour and they stopped to chat with our Laylan Connelly before hitting the water for the Pipe Pro in Hawaii. 

Read the story.

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