Dear Friends,
I hope you had a good July and found some time to relax and spend time with family. The Board of Supervisors was in recess for the month of July and will fully resume its work in August.
Special Board Meetings
We did have some items that required immediate attention during special board meetings in July, among them the approval of a framework to allow Horizon Treatment Services to move a proposed sobering and rehabilitation facility to a location in Burlingame. The change of location will have to be approved by the State of California and we should know the decision within a month. In the meantime, the county will engage in more community conversations with Burlingame business owners and residents. The board also approved the purchase of property in Foster City to house the Human Services Agency. In the long run, this will save taxpayers $3.2 million a year in rent that the county is paying for a facility in San Carlos. Recently the rent was increased by 57%. It will also bring services closer to approximately 10% of Foster City residents who rely on HSA.
Both the Horizon and HSA projects were met with some community resistance and made it clear to the county that we can and need to be more proactive in partnering with our cities and communicating with residents. Both projects will provide services that are essential and that all of us support.
Vehicle License Fee Promises Broken
In early July we received mixed news on money that is owed to us by the State, $150 million of in-lieu vehicle license fee funds. Thanks to our California delegation champions Assembly Member Diane Papan and Senator Josh Becker, who led this effort, as well as Assembly Members Marc Berman and Catherine Stefani, Senator Scott Wiener, Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, Senate Budget Chair John Laird and Assembly Budget Chair Jesse Gabriel, San Mateo County and its 20 cities secured $77 million in funding for critical funding for public safety, fire, housing, health care and education services. We are deeply grateful for their steadfast advocacy.
The governor’s budget did not include another $80 million that was owed to the county and cities. We are also no closer to a permanent fix to this broken formula so that we can avoid this annual budget uncertainty and crisis.
The in-lieu vehicle license fee deal was made 22 years ago between the State and 58 counties. For almost every one of the counties and their 483 cities in California, that promise has been fully kept. For San Mateo County and its cities, it has not. We are simply asking for equal treatment.
Ironically, San Mateo County has been a leader in implementing the state’s priorities around housing, behavioral health services, safer communities and stronger neighborhoods. It’s added irony that our county is a donor county to the state, contributing 15% of its revenue in income taxes while accounting for only to 3% of the population. To continue our leadership, we depend on stable and reliable state funding.
Save the Date: Seniors on the Move is coming back
After being asked by many constituents to bring back my popular senior conference, Seniors on the Move, we are doing it! The conference will be on Thursday, September 17 at the San Mateo County Event Center.
Please RSVP HERE and share this invitation with neighbors and friends.
I started Seniors on the Move in honor of my grandmother in 1987 and have hosted it for more than 30 years. The last conference was in 2018 before COVID. I have fond memories of past speakers like Rita Moreno, Carol Channing, Patty Duke, Jack LaLanne, Betty Reid Soskin, Doug McConnell and many others who invigorated and inspired us with wisdom, humor, and practical tips for every day. We promise to deliver a stellar line up this fall. More details on that soon.
Summer Events
If you are looking for fun food, music and entertainment events, here are some great options coming up at Coyote Point and in Burlingame. Heritage Fire at Coyote Point is this Sunday, July 26 and you can get tickets here. It’s a culinary experience for foodies who vote for their favorite food of the day making its creator the Heritage Hero. Also at Coyote Point on Saturday, August 15 you can celebrate Summer Fest to enjoy food trucks, performances and activities for all ages.
Burlingame on the Avenue will return August 15-16 for its 32nd year with live music and a car show.
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Before I Go…
During my summer vacation I did some hiking, looked for waterfalls and light houses, and found a bear. When I came home, I learned how to make pizza in our new pizza oven. I would love to hear about your summer vacation. You can share your adventures at smcsupspeier@smcgov.org
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The Board of Supervisors will return from its summer recess in August. I look forward to seeing you at upcoming events and in the community.
All the best,
Jackie