Santa Cruz County’s budget for 2026-27 safeguards core services and avoids layoffs, despite a historic fiscal squeeze, writes County Executive Officer Nicole Coburn, who is in her first year in the job. The $1.29 billion plan relies on $43 million in one-time funds, reducing county reserves to 10.4%, but keeping critical programs running. Without structural change, she writes, Santa Cruz County faces a projected $67 million deficit as soon as next year. The county is asking for millions from the state for help to overcome the shortfalls caused by federal cuts. This budget buys time, she writes, but the county will likely need to make hard choices in the future. The board of supervisors will meet for budget hearings in the coming weeks.
The Trump presidency and Santa Cruz County
News and opinion coverage of reaction in Santa Cruz County to the election of Donald Trump to a second term as president, plus news from around California via Lookout’s content partners.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
The Trump administration tried to stop the national EV charging program. It has kept rolling along anyway.
President Donald Trump froze funding for the Biden-era initiative to boost electric vehicle adoption, but after court battles, some states continue to use the money.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Supreme Court ruling on voting won’t change California districts, but could hurt Democrats
The U.S. Supreme Court has narrowed the Voting Rights Act over the past decade. The law in California was primarily used to help Latinos gain political representation.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘A betrayal’: California to share data on immigrant drivers nationally
California is preparing to share with an outside organization detailed information about driver’s license-holders, including immigrants who do not have legal authorization to live in the U.S. That breaks a promise the state made a decade ago when it began issuing licenses to unauthorized immigrants, advocates say, and it means more than 1 million people could face higher risk of deportation.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Federal appeals court blocks California law requiring federal agents to wear identification
An appeals court has blocked a California law passed in 2025 requiring federal immigration agents to wear a badge or some form of identification.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Letter to the editor: No more Iran war without Congress’ authorization
In a letter to the editor, an Aptos resident pushes for Congress to weigh in on President Donald Trump’s war against Iran and urges readers to press their representatives on the issue.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California blocks Trump administration from withholding homelessness funds
California for now has prevented the Trump administration from changing priorities in homelessness funding to favor temporary shelters rather than long-term housing.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Save the Bay event targets Trump plan for offshore oil drilling
A town hall and concert event set for Sunday at Vets Hall in downtown Santa Cruz will bring local politicians, environmental activists and musicians together to oppose Donald Trump’s plans to drill for oil and mine for minerals off California’s coast.
Posted inEducation
Por miedo, menos estudiantes indocumentados de Cabrillo buscan servicios a más de un año de la ofensiva migratoria de Trump
Más de un año después de que el presidente Donald Trump iniciara una ofensiva migratoria, los estudiantes indocumentados en Cabrillo College evitan cada vez más los servicios del campus y los programas de ayuda financiera debido al temor de exponer información personal. El personal del colegio reporta una disminución en la participación y un aumento de la ansiedad entre los estudiantes, incluso cuando la escuela amplía recursos para tranquilizarlos y apoyarlos.
Posted inEducation
Out of fear, fewer undocumented Cabrillo students seeking services more than a year into Trump immigration crackdown
More than a year into President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, undocumented students at Cabrillo College are increasingly avoiding campus services and financial aid programs due to fear of exposing personal information. College staff report declining participation and heightened anxiety among students, even as the school expands resources to reassure and support them.
