With a final budget vote looming for Santa Cruz County supervisors, the only health services funding proposal on the table so far is the original, which includes 12 layoffs as part of the elimination of more than 74 full-time positions, service reductions and closure of medical facilities.
Government
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Cities across Santa Cruz County confront looming budget deficits as costs rise and revenues slow
Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Scotts Valley and Capitola all face mounting budget pressures, with several cities predicting budget deficits now and into the future. The cities are pinning their hopes on development projects, from luxury hotels to new downtown construction, as pension costs rise and sales tax revenues plateau.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz’s soda tax to be decided by court following lawsuit
The American Beverage Association filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging the city of Santa Cruz’s new, voter-approved sugar-sweetened beverage tax, setting the stage for a court battle that could determine the fate of similar taxes across the country.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
For Santa Cruz’s most vulnerable, this peer-run clubhouse is a lifeline. Now the county could take it away.
The Mental Health Client Action Network has, for decades, helped people reclaim their lives through a peer-run, clubhouse-style service center. Now, MHCAN might not make it through summer as a tight budget has the Santa Cruz County government threatening to pull funding, a decision that would permanently shutter the organization.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Filling second vacancy stirs Capitola City Council as process moves forward
Capitola will again fill a vacant city council seat by appointment — not election — following Alexander Pedersen’s resignation amid a residency controversy. Applications open Tuesday, with a council vote set for June 12.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘The governor is running for president’: Newsom’s homelessness critique finds few fans in Santa Cruz County
Gov. Gavin Newsom wants local jurisdictions to “take back the sidewalks” from homeless encampments; leaders in Santa Cruz County have largely pushed back against what they say is mostly talk from the state’s top political leader.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
County lawmakers bemoan erosion of social safety as state cuts, Trump’s ‘big, beautiful’ budget bill progress
Santa Cruz County faces deep cuts to health and housing programs as state and federal budget proposals threaten critical funding, compounding local strains such as FEMA’s $90 million unpaid disaster tab. Officials warn more service reductions could follow later this year.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Amid mounting vacancies, downtown Santa Cruz needed a coach, and a matchmaker
Santa Cruz hired retail coach Charles Parker to address its mounting downtown vacancies issue. Described as a “matchmaker,” Parker is now leading the effort to pitch the city’s potential to businesses — aiming to turn empty storefronts into vibrant hubs amid shifting retail trends and increasing housing stock.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Tensions start to flare as sides submit dueling Santa Cruz housing measures
With the signatures now submitted, local housing advocates and the real estate industry prepare to face off in a battle of ballot measures to go before voters in the city of Santa Cruz this November.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz City Council approves downtown expansion, but further limits building height to 85 feet
After nearly five years of community discussion and debate, the Santa Cruz City Council on Tuesday approved the city’s Downtown Plan Expansion, a vision that promises to reshape the built environment of a city facing the mounting pressures of growth.