The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors is moving to bar federal officials engaged in immigration enforcement from using county-owned properties. Immigration advocates and other county officials support the ban.
Government
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Supervisors to consider barring feds from using county-owned properties for immigration enforcement
At its Tuesday meeting, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors will discuss an ordinance that would prohibit federal immigration officials from using county-owned property for enforcement activities.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Survey of who serves on government commissions shows areas for improvement to reflect Santa Cruz County demographics
A demographic survey of the people who serve on government boards and committees in Santa Cruz County found gaps in representation among Latine residents, renters, South County residents and young adults — all of whom make up a greater portion of the population than are represented in these appointed, volunteer positions.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Change afoot in South County politics? Keep an eye on the upcoming county supervisor race
Longtime political observers see a shift in Watsonville’s political landscape as the 2026 election cycle gets underway. Lookout spoke with current and former elected officials and community leaders about where South County politics is heading.
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Watsonville City Council pushes discussion of extending term limits to March
The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday pushed back a discussion on extending term limits for elected officials. The proposal would allow city councilmembers to serve more than the current limit of two terms.
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Watsonville City Council to consider proposal to extend term limits
Watsonville City Councilmember Eduardo Montesino plans to propose extending current term limits for city councilmembers, who currently are termed out after two consecutive four-year stints.
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County officials work to secure nearly $13M in flood recovery for Pajaro Valley; levee project gets additional federal boost
Santa Cruz County officials say they’re applying for state funding to help support infrastructure improvements following intense storms in 2023, affecting residents around the Pajaro Valley.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Panetta, local officials and nonprofit leaders working together to protect county residents from immigration enforcement impacts
Local government officials, nonprofit leaders and U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta say they are working together to protect Santa Cruz County’s most vulnerable residents from the impacts of immigration enforcement amid federal agents’ intensifying enforcement in Minnesota.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
County supervisors prepare for possible immigration enforcement actions with subcommittee
Santa Cruz County elected officials are creating a subcommittee, led by Supervisors Monica Martinez and Felipe Hernandez, to prepare for the possible impacts of immigration enforcement on county residents.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Longtime community advocate Elias Gonzales announces bid for District 4 supervisor seat
Elias Gonzales, a Watsonville native and nonprofit leader, is running for the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors’ 4th District seat. He will face incumbent Supervisor Felipe Hernandez, who is finishing out his first term on the board.