As promised, PG&E is hosting a community meeting to hear your concerns and talk about power outages across District 2. Your input matters, and this is a great opportunity to share your experiences and ask questions directly.

Please save the date: Thursday, October 23, 5:30–7:00 p.m. at Seascape Resort, 1 Seascape Resort Drive, Aptos. PG&E will provide updates on local circuits and outage history and will be available for one-on-one conversations with experts.

I also want to share an update on recent federal and state budget decisions and what they mean for Santa Cruz County. Changes in funding are creating challenges for programs many families rely on, including food assistance, healthcare, and other safety-net services. Programs like CalFresh and Medi-Cal are facing cuts and new eligibility requirements, while local clinics and nonprofits are preparing to meet growing needs with fewer resources.

In addition, residents are invited to office hours with me and Councilmember Gerry Jensen on Saturday, October 25, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. at the Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf Road. This casual, drop-in gathering is a chance to ask questions, share ideas, and discuss local priorities in a relaxed setting.

As the seasons change, I hope you are finding moments to enjoy our beautiful community. I am grateful every day to work alongside neighbors who care so deeply about the place we call home.

On July 4, a new federal law (H.R. 1) was signed. Combined with recent changes to California’s budget, it’s bringing major shifts to the local programs thousands of families rely on, including food assistance, healthcare, and other safety-net services.

Here’s what it means close to home:

• Food assistance will shrink. Last year, CalFresh (SNAP) brought nearly $77 million into our community — helping families put food on the table while supporting local markets. With new restrictions, Santa Cruz could lose about $16 million a year. Nutrition programs like SNAP-Ed, which supported schools and afterschool programs, have already been eliminated. Local food banks, churches, and nonprofits are stepping in, but the need is growing.

• Healthcare access is tightening. Planned Parenthood closed its Westside Santa Cruz clinic this summer and is scaling back in Watsonville, affecting more than 2,200 Medi-Cal patients. By 2026, County health clinics expect to lose about $10 million annually, which could mean longer waits and fewer services. Covered California premiums are also rising — with some families facing doubled insurance costs.

• More hurdles for families. New work requirements and eligibility limits are being added to programs like CalFresh and Medi-Cal. Many neighbors who have long qualified for these benefits may no longer be eligible — even if their needs haven’t changed.

• Local organizations will be stretched. As state and federal funding shrinks, food banks, clinics, and nonprofits will see higher demand — but with limited resources. County leaders estimate these changes could leave a $30 million gap in our local budget within just a few years. That means fewer resources for families and more financial strain on the County itself. Healthcare leaders have compared the impacts to a “tsunami” — expected, but overwhelming.

• We know our County can’t solve this alone. It will take all of us — service clubs, churches, nonprofits, and neighbors — working together. The full impact will build over the next few years, but most of us will feel it sooner or later: through a friend losing food benefits, a family facing higher medical bills, or longer wait times at local clinics.

If you or someone you know depends on programs like CalFresh, Medi-Cal, or Covered California, now is the time to stay informed. Local groups such as Second Harvest Food Bank, Salud Para La Gente, and Santa Cruz Community Health will be critical resources as these changes take effect.

We’re in this together. This is not a time to despair —

it’s a time to lean on one another and take action as a community.

Green Valley Road Multi-Use Trail, a safer, more accessible route for walking, biking, and connecting through Watsonville, from Holohan Drive to Mesa Verde Drive is now open.

This project, led by the County of Santa Cruz Department of Community Development & Infrastructure (CDI), brings several community-focused improvements:

• A new two-way multi-use trail for walking and biking
• Five upgraded METRO bus stops with new shelters
• Safer pedestrian crossings along the corridor
• Green bike lanes to support a connected cycling network
• Five public art pieces by local artist Bruce Harman
• New landscaping and improved drainage for long-term maintenance

“This project is about more than infrastructure—it’s about people,” Matt Machado, CDI Director.

The $8.6 million project was funded by the Clean California Grant, 2016 Measure D, and the County’s general fund, reflecting a strong commitment to sustainable, multimodal transportation.

For more details, visit: sccroads.org

Find meeting dates and locations, watch meetings, read agendas and materials, comment on items, email the Board and more at the link below

Santa Cruz County Meeting Materials

The county and our city/special district partners have released a draft Hazard Mitigation Plan to better prepare for floods, wildfires, earthquakes, and other natural hazards.

📣 We need your input! Your feedback will help protect neighborhoods, strengthen recovery, and guide investments that keep our communities safe.

📅 Review the plan and share your comments by October 20. 

🔗Review & Comment on the draft plan here: Hazard Mitigation Plan Draft

Together, we can make Santa Cruz County stronger, safer, and more resilient.

The S.A.F.E.R. website with information about power outages, traffic, weather and MORE:

SAFER LINK

Road Maintenance (potholes, illegal dumping, etc.): 831-477-3999

Santa Cruz County Sheriff NON-EMERGENCY: 831-471-1121

Santa Cruz County Parks Events:  Community Events 

District Two Website: www.santacruzcountyca.gov/District2