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.
Government
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.
Posted inHousing & Development
‘I’m interested in making Santa Cruz relevant again’: Mayor Fred Keeley discusses monumental downtown vote
As Santa Cruz weighs a major downtown expansion and a new housing measure, Mayor Fred Keeley faces a defining week. Years of planning come to a head as the city debates growth, change and what kind of future it wants to build.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Watsonville appoints David Brletic new community development director
The City of Watsonville has tapped David Brletic as the new community development director. Brletic, who officially began his role Monday, will lead the city’s community development department which oversees planning, zoning and building projects.
Posted inCapitola & Soquel
In Capitola, city council resignations are rare. Two in one year is unprecedented.
In a town where mid-term resignations are rare, Capitola has seen two in five months. With tensions rising and a council seat now empty again, city leaders will soon have to decide how to move forward.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Laird walks tightrope with bill to limit financial fallout from sex abuse lawsuits
State Sen. John Laird is advancing a bill aimed at easing the financial burden of sexual abuse lawsuits on public institutions, while adjusting legal standards for older claims — an effort to balance justice for survivors with the stability of local budgets.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Addis’ ambitious bill would force oil companies to pay for historic, and future, climate damage
After a tenure marked by climate disasters, Assemblymember Dawn Addis is pushing bold environmental legislation — including a revived “Polluters Pay” bill that would charge oil companies for climate damages — as California seeks new ways to fund its climate resilience.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘This doesn’t end here’: Proposed layoffs, program cuts set off fight between the county and its largest union
As Santa Cruz County considers health department layoffs and service cuts, community members and staff warn of serious consequences — including risks to suicide prevention and recovery programs — setting the stage for a contentious budget process this June.