Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 105
I wanted to share some good news regarding our ongoing battle for fair electricity rates. You may recall the recent uproar surrounding the proposed changes to the fixed rate portion of our SDG&E electric bills. Many of you joined me in expressing concern about the unfairness of tying this fee to household income rather than actual electricity usage. Your voices were heard loud and clear, and I am thrilled to report that our pressure has made a difference. Thanks to the...
The issue of homelessness is not just about lacking shelter; it's about individuals grappling with mental illness. In our pursuit of solutions, it is crucial to recognize that a significant portion of the homeless population is affected by Serious Mental Illness (SMI), with estimates suggesting that 21% fall into this category. Placing individuals with SMI in environments ill-equipped to meet their needs not only undermines their potential for success but also poses risks to...
A few weeks ago, we made a significant stride by expanding our proactive tree planting program in the unincorporated area. The Board of Supervisors allocated $2 million towards procuring around 4,000 trees from various vendors. Alongside tree acquisition, these funds will be utilized for essential tasks such as removing dead or diseased trees and installing watering systems and necessary equipment. These trees are scheduled to be planted between spring and winter 2024. In the...
I recently held a meeting to discuss the transition from SDG&E to Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) in our region. This initiative, led by the Clean Energy Alliance, aims to provide cleaner and potentially more affordable energy options for our communities. San Marcos and Escondido have adopted CCA and Vista and Oceanside are set to join on April 1. Residents need to know that they have the option to opt out if they prefer to stay with SDG&E. This opt-out provision ensures...
The chaos at our border has reached alarming levels, with over 90,000 border encounters in San Diego alone in the past five months. This surge is not just a matter of numbers; it's a symptom of a system failing to enforce the laws designed to protect our nation's borders. The Federal Government's failure to effectively enforce immigration laws has tied the hands of Border Patrol agents, exacerbating the crisis we are witnessing. Despite having clear laws in place, we are...
As a supervisor for San Diego County, I've had the opportunity to witness firsthand the alarming situation at the Iris Avenue transit station, where Border Patrol agents are dropping off thousands of migrants. In just the past 16 days, over 11,000 migrants have been released at this site, adding to the staggering total of over 108,000 migrants dropped off in San Diego County since last September. The scene at the transit station is one of controlled chaos. As the Border...
Earlier this week, I stood as the lone dissenting voice against looking into a Long-Term Migrant Transfer Site and Respite Shelter in San Diego. My decision stems from a deep concern about the implications of supporting such a facility in our community. I refuse to be complicit in perpetuating a failed and broken immigration system. Accommodating the overflow of individuals crossing the border unlawfully is not a sustainable solution. Rather than addressing the root causes of...
During our Jan. 23 Board of Supervisors meeting, we delved into the details of Proposition 1, which is on the March ballot. I want to provide a recap of our discussion. I expressed reservations about Proposition 1's approach despite recognizing some potential benefits. The proposal seeks to rearrange funds from the county and give them to the state. This reallocation would decrease funding to our county, as highlighted by the analysis from the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's...
The County of San Diego is on the brink of depleting the $6 million in local tax dollars utilized to fund transportation and other items for migrants entering the country. I have consistently opposed using local funds for federal responsibilities, as I firmly believe that local tax dollars should not be used to compensate for federal ineptness. These funds should have been directed toward tackling urgent issues within our county, such as homelessness and public safety. The...
A few months ago, I brought to your attention the concerning proposal in California regarding a socialistic approach to electricity pricing based on income. This plan aimed to charge households fixed rates for electricity, irrespective of their actual consumption, with charges varying according to income levels. It was met with understandable outrage from many. I want to provide an update on the plan and your collective efforts for speaking out. Your pushback has not gone...
A few weeks ago, I shared the unfortunate news that a judge deemed a Sexually Violent Predator, Alvin Quarles, for placement back into San Diego County. For over three years, Mr. Quarles terrorized our communities, committing heinous acts of rape against a dozen women. Last week, we had a Board meeting and I brought forward an item to support Congressman Darrell Issa's federal legislation, "Stopping Sexually Violent Predators Act." This bill would prevent Sexually Violent...
It has already been a wet winter, with more rain expected. Witnessing the impact of the recent storm on our region, we are determined to minimize potential damage. I wanted to give you information to help prepare you for the next time a storm arrives. The County Office of Emergency Services urges everyone to take proactive steps by devising a plan, assembling an emergency go-kit, and staying informed through alerts. Here’s what you can do. · Have a go-kit to keep necessary it...
With the chaos continuing, I'm highly displeased to see the State roll out a program incentivizing more people to enter the country illegally. Beginning Jan. 1, the State of California is giving free healthcare to undocumented immigrants. Against numerous challenges in California with a staggering homeless population, the highest gas prices in the country, exorbitant utility costs, crumbling infrastructure, and while facing a $68 billion budget deficit, the decision for free...
As we head into fall (where did the time go) I wanted to give you some updates at the County of San Diego. We have made a major step in our fight against COVID with the introduction of monoclonal antibody treatment. This treatment prevents the virus from attaching to the cells and replicating or spreading. The one-time treatment typically has people feeling better by 24 hours and studies have shown a reduction of hospitalizations and deaths by 85%! The key is to catch it...
Last week, the State of California Department of Public Health released new guidance stating the mandate will continue for all students in California to wear masks for in-person schooling. This came the same day the federal government (Center for Disease Control) released new guidelines saying vaccinated students and teachers no longer need to wear masks in the classrooms. Throughout the pandemic, we’ve heard ‘follow the science,’ but now the state has decided to not follo...
A lot has happened during my first three years on the Board of Supervisors, but there is nothing that I’m prouder to be a part of than the Family Justice Center, coming to San Marcos. Over the last year, I’ve worked with District Attorney Summer Stephan to bring this unique and life- saving center to North County. The Family Justice Center is safe haven for those suffering from domestic violence, sexual assault, and sex trafficking. Victims and their children can come to the...
Last week, the Board of Supervisors voted to allocate over $600 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. These dollars, which have been distributed by the federal government, are intended for COVID-19 relief. The way I approached this: these are taxpayer dollars and I believe it should be given back to the people who were most impacted by the pandemic. As we all know, the past 15 months have been incredibly difficult, but my hope is these dollars will help San Diegans as we...
The federal government is taking advantage of San Diego County and it shows no sign of stopping. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been briefed on the situation at our Southern Border. After seeing the heartbreaking pictures of kids in cramped quarters and the increased risk of being sexually trafficked, I’ve been deeply troubled by many aspects. After learning that the state and the federal government are also refusing to test those entering the United States for COVID-19, I’m wo...
The federal government has allocated over $300 million to San Diego County for COVID-19 recovery efforts. Each Supervisor has submitted their plans to the Chief administrative officer for how they would like the money to be used. The CAO will then take all the requests and the board will vote on the allocation of dollars on Tuesday, June 8. Some of my requests include helping our restaurants, assisting our first responders and military families, and mental health services for...
We are blessed to live in a County that is home to many beaches and pools, which we can enjoy all year long. Unfortunately, along with the beauty and fun of swimming, tragedy can strike. Drowning is among the leading causes of deaths for children under the age of 5. My family has experienced the tragedy of a loved one drowning and I want to do all I can to make sure no family has to experience that same pain. In 2020, data showed that in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, mo...
For the last 14 months, like many around the country, the Board of Supervisors has held their meetings on Zoom. Prior to COVID-19, like many, I’d never heard of Zoom; now I wonder how did we ever function without it? At the time of writing this, over 87% of the population in San Diego has received at least one dose of the vaccine and over 64% are fully vaccinated. The County is expanding its vaccine efforts making it easier for businesses and community organizations to host m...
We’ve learned a lot over the last year. While there’s been tragedy, we’ve also adapted as a society and hopefully we can use some of that knowledge going forward to help those in need. The COVID-19 pandemic brought to light the limits of healthcare access in our rural San Diego County communities. There are many homebound seniors who struggle to get the proper care they need and we are taking steps to bring services to them. At the beginning of the pandemic, the County began t...
San Diego County restaurants have suffered greatly over the last year. We’ve all seen the out-of-business signs on many of our favorite local establishments and I want to make sure we do all we can to help those holding on. I have proposed to my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors that we waive all restaurant permit fees for the upcoming year. Before the pandemic, there were 8,131 restaurants with over 126,400 workers in San Diego County. We know many of these employees l...
We’ve all heard the phrase, ‘Follow the science,’ over the last year. While it may sound good, at times I’ve questioned if those at our state level truly are following the science. A study released this week examined more than 48,000 Kaiser Permanente patients in Southern California and the effects regular exercise has on their COVID-19 complications. The results, “Patients with COVID-19 who were consistently inactive had a greater risk of hospitalization, admission to the IC...
A lot has been happening recently in San Diego County, and progress continues to be made. On April 15, everyone 16 years and older became eligible for the coronavirus vaccine. While the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been put on pause, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are still available in San Diego County. I know the vaccine appointment websites can be confusing, so if you have any problems, 211 can help schedule an appointment, or you can contact my office at 619-531-5555....
