Santa Cruz County has shelved its ambitious blockchain wallet project after two years, citing complexity and low public adoption. Officials now plan to pursue simpler digital tools they say are better suited to resident needs.
Government
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Special interests pour $260,000 into competing Santa Cruz affordable housing measures so far
As the campaigns ramp up for the dueling affordable housing measures on the November ballot in the city of Santa Cruz, nearly all campaign cash has come from special interests — with everyday residents largely sitting out of the fight.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Santa Cruz County taps Ventura assistant director to lead health agency
Connie Moreno-Peraza’s hire as HSA director comes amid a sea change that has taken shape in county leadership over the past year, from the sheriff to the county’s top bureaucrat.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
As Trump, Republicans toy with selling off public lands, is Santa Cruz’s own Cotoni-Coast Dairies national monument protected?
Nearly a decade after its designation, Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument is set to open next month — protected by deed restrictions even as threats to public lands loom in D.C.
Posted inScotts Valley
Scotts Valley secures $1 million in promised federal funding for Town Center
The City of Scotts Valley has secured $1 million funding promised by the federal government last year to help develop the Town Center property, marking a milestone in the 30 years of attempts to develop the former Skypark Airport.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
When momentum meets politics: How Pajaro River levee funding is struggling for priority in Trump’s Washington
Despite bipartisan support and urgency following the 2023 breach of the Pajaro River levee, phase-two funding for its $600 million replacement project was omitted from federal budgets, raising concerns over delays and political interference.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
A Santa Cruz feud sparked a bill to stop homelessness ‘dumping’; San Francisco’s own busing program stalled it
Assemblymember Gail Pellerin’s bill to ban homeless relocation without coordination stalled amid concerns it could affect San Francisco’s busing programs. She plans to amend and reintroduce it in 2026.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Addis bill to force California’s biggest polluters to pay climate disaster reparations is on ice, for now
A bill by Assemblymember Dawn Addis to make fossil fuel companies pay for climate disasters stalled amid heavy industry lobbying and opposition. It’s delayed until 2026 but remains “viable.”
Posted inLatest News
RTC’s rail trail deadline arrives, but mobile home parks haven’t moved, likely spurring at least one lawsuit
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission’s June 30 deadline for removing encroachments on future trail land is here. While the owners and residents of one Live Oak mobile home park are discussing alternatives, those from the other park will likely face legal action.
Posted inHousing & Development
County planning department resolves to overcome its ‘culture of no’
After fielding heavy criticism over the past several years, Santa Cruz County’s planning division is considering a major overhaul of its processes.