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 June 2025
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Dear Friends,
On the Fourth of July, we celebrate our independence and our freedom. As America turns 249, let’s remember that our democracy is fragile and that we can never take our freedoms for granted. Most democracies around the world lasted less than 50 years.
When people ask me what they should do right now, I say, ‘Do something. Silence is tacit approval.’ I think of the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt: “In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.” I was thrilled to see the “No Kings” protests on June 14th brought out hundreds of thousands of people across the country using their first Amendment right to speak out for freedom and democracy.
As federal actions are causing economic uncertainty and fear, I want you to know that the leadership of our county is deeply committed to protecting and serving you and our diverse population. More than 35 percent of the people in our county are foreign born, my late father included, and they are an integral part of our community. In San Mateo County freedom means freedom for all.
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Planning For Uncertainty
San Mateo County is not immune to economic uncertainty, but we are prepared. After three days of budget hearings filled with excellent presentations from the county’s department heads, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a balanced $4.9 billion budget to fund essential services and programs for the county’s 740,000 residents through the next fiscal year. However, uncertainty about potential federal and state cuts are requiring all of us to be ready to make adjustments later in the year based on both the state and federal budget. I want to thank our County Executive, Mike Callagy, and his team and Chief Financial Officer, Robert Manchia, and his team for their expertise and diligence in creating this budget.
All of us in San Mateo County did suffer a painful blow from the state which is facing a projected deficit of $14 billion and the same uncertainty from potential federal funding cuts. For the first time ever, the county will not be fully reimbursed for the Vehicle License Fees it is owed. It’s an outrageous act by the state and I feel strongly that we should sue. With the stroke of a pen the state arbitrarily cut $23 million of critical funding for the county and our cities. This money is usually used to help provide public safety, health, housing and other vital local services. Nothing like this has ever happened before in the state. San Mateo County often suffers from being a donor county to the state which means we pay more in state taxes than is returned to us.
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Hearing From You
I continue to meet with you in person in our communities. At the very end of May, I held a town hall in South San Francisco, my hometown. The city graciously hosted us at the beautiful Library/Parks & Recreation Center. I spoke about the impacts of the federal budget on our budget and our ability to provide services. We know painful cuts are coming and we need to be prepared. One constituent shared her fear of losing coverage for her mental illnesses. She would be one of about 17 million people who could lose healthcare if the President’s current reconciliation bill passes in Congress this week. It’s important to point out that half the children in this country receive healthcare through Medicaid. Ironically, this administration will be responsible for the largest loss of healthcare in our county’s history and should change its slogan to make America unhealthy again.
If you couldn’t make it to the town hall, you can watch it here:
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North County Wellness Center
Locally, we will continue to provide the best healthcare possible. In early June, I visited the construction site of the new North County Wellness Center. You can already see that this will be a gorgeous facility that will deliver primary patient care for residents of North San Mateo County when it opens in 2027.
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To me, one of the fascinating features of the center is the Mass Timber and Cross Laminated Timber construction. This technique makes construction cheaper and lighter than steel and concrete, it reduces the carbon footprint, and it is also fire-resistant, even though it’s wood. Plus, it looks beautiful! |
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The medical center will also house the Human Services Agency, satellite offices of the District Attorney’s office, and the Treasurer-Tax Collector. My dream is to also add a childcare center. |
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Save the Date: Childcare Listening Tour
Childcare is a major crisis in our county and across the country. In San Mateo County, the cost for one infant can easily be over $30,000 a year. The impacts in our county are significant, the birth rate is decreasing, and the outmigration is increasing. In August, I will make a presentation to the board to provide some relief for families in San Mateo County.
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Supervisor Lisa Gauthier will join me for a listening tour with parents and service providers to hear their stories about how childcare is impacting their lives. We will host three town halls in South San Francisco, East Palo Alto, and San Mateo. The first one will be on Wednesday, August 13 at 6 pm at the South San Francisco Library / Parks & Recreation Center. |
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SAVE THE DATE:
Childcare Town Hall
Wednesday, August 13th, 2025
6:00pm-8:00 pm
South San Francisco Library | Parks & Recreation Center
901 Civic Campus Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080
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I will soon share the details in my next newsletter and on social media. Please save the date and join us. We can’t do this without you and really need your participation. |
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Removal of the Sheriff
The board continues to go through the process of removing Sheriff Christina Corpus from office. During a board meeting on June 24, we voted unanimously to accept the recommendation from a hearing officer to proceed. As I said before the vote, this is a very regrettable chapter in the history of San Mateo County and the taxpayers are paying a very heavy price.
On June 5, the board had voted unanimously to approve the Notice of Intent to Remove and deliver it to the sheriff. Voters gave the board the authority to develop and implement these removal procedures with the passage of Measure A on March 4.
On June 27, San Mateo County Superior Court rejected a second attempt this month by the sheriff to halt the removal process and to request a restraining order. Separately, a civil grand jury issued an accusation against the sheriff for willful or corrupt misconduct. For that case, she is scheduled to appear in court on July 15.
If the sheriff appeals the June 24th board decision to remove her, an evidentiary hearing must be completed within 60 days. An investigation prepared for the county by the law firm Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP concluded that the sheriff engaged in multiple acts of misconduct, including violation of law related to the performance of her duties, flagrant and repeated neglect of her duties, and obstruction of an investigation.
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Fighting Human Trafficking
The board unanimously passed district discretionary Measure K funding that I requested to re-establish a human trafficking pilot program in San Mateo County.
Supervisor Ray Mueller and I requested $80,000 each to allow for the District Attorney’s Office to establish a Human Trafficking Cybercrimes Unit. Human trafficking for sex and labor are among the world’s fastest growing criminal enterprises. With the Superbowl and World Cup happening in the Bay Area next year, law enforcement is expecting an increase in trafficking activities. We need to be prepared to combat modern-day slavery, not just for major sporting events, but for the trafficking that takes place in our county behind closed doors every day. I initiated a similar task force in 2012 and think it is important to reinstate it.
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Bringing Community Programs To Our Libraries
I also requested $50,000 in funding to give county libraries grants to create programs that will bring people of all ages and backgrounds together in trusted environments where they can explore and learn together, find common ground, and build connections.
My hope is that these programs will draw people who may feel disconnected from the larger community due to age, isolation, language barriers, economic disparities, or disability. About 20 percent of people over 65 live alone in San Mateo County. Activities typically not expected at libraries like fixit clinics or senior afternoon teas can help reduce isolation. It is easy to talk to strangers at libraries and build social connection. Evidence shows that people engaged in their community are healthier and have increased chances of weathering emergencies.
I was very pleased to learn that 550,000 residents in San Mateo County have library cards, so these programs have the potential to reach many people.
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Before I Go…
Did you know that the county’s Environmental Health Services Department will take hazardous household items off your hands for free? If you have an old half empty can of oil-based paint or paint thinner, expired fertilizers or pesticides, or a container with leaking old batteries, it’s time to get them out of your basement. You can easily make an appointment to drop them off near your home.
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Have a safe Fourth of July!
All the best,
Jackie
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