Morning Report: Federal Cuts Chaos
EM - News Moderator 
Service providers across the nation were shocked by late Tuesday notices that the Trump administration was immediately instituting an estimated $2 billion in cuts to mental health and addiction programs.
One local nonprofit – Family Health Centers of San Diego – told Voice of San Diego it received a termination notice for two federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grants after 9 p.m. Tuesday.
The notices declared that the two programs didn’t align with current agency priorities. One program provides outreach, HIV testing, case management and addiction treatment. The other links homeless residents with addiction and mental health treatment and other support.
Both Family Health Centers programs relied on five-year grants and expected to receive roughly $2.5 million in additional funding.
“We are exploring all available options to retain our staff and maintain continuity of these critical services for our patients,” said Erin Brennan-Burke, the nonprofit health center network’s director of government relations.
What about the county? As of late Wednesday, county spokesperson Tim McClain said the county had yet to receive any notices about three SAMHSA grants it relies on for behavioral health and homelessness programs.
McClain said the county’s behavioral health department is consulting with a state association and the California Department of Health Care Services to “determine any further impacts.”
But wait: Roll Call reported late Wednesday that the Trump administration would reverse the cuts.
County Updates: AI Centers and Cannabis Shops
County supervisors on Wednesday unanimously approved Supervisor Jim Desmond’s proposal that county officials analyze how future large artificial intelligence centers in the county could impact local utility rates and infrastructure and suggest measures to protect San Diegans.
The county board’s Democratic majority directed county staff to work on draft cannabis program regulations that align with state rules and allow cannabis facilities at least 600 feet from schools, day cares and youth centers, among other recommendations.
This summer, the board will hear a broader set of proposals from staff, including an option to bar new cannabis businesses. Times of San Diego laid out more of the options that supervisors considered on Wednesday.
Opinion: Environmentalists and developers have long tangled over development in unincorporated San Diego County. But in a new op-ed for Voice of San Diego, Dan Silver of the Endangered Habitats League and Aimee Faucett of the San Diego Building Industry Association teamed up to highlight steps they think county government could take to facilitate more sustainable homebuilding.
North County Report: Early Election Previews
We’re months away from election season but big races are shaping up in North County.
Our Tigist Layne broke down the latest slate of candidates to replace termed-out County Supervisor Jim Desmond and termed-out state Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones in the 40th state Senate. She also explains what’s happening with the 48th District Congressional race that got a lot more interesting following Gov. Gavin Newsom’s successful redistricting push in November.
Also in this week’s North County Report: U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement arrests are surging in North County.
Read the full North County Report here.
In Other News
- The county last week inked a $320,000 contract with consultants to help assess the county government’s funding needs and the public support of a potential tax measure. (Union-Tribune)
- A special assistant to Mayor Todd Gloria wants the City Council to sign off on using nearly $119 million in newly increased hotel-tax collections to make infrastructure improvements to the Convention Center. (Union-Tribune)
- The Legal Aid Society of San Diego says federal funding cuts are forcing it to close its Southeastern San Diego office. (CBS 8)
- Carlsbad City Councilmembers voted earlier this week to give themselves a raise. (Union-Tribune)
- Under an expanded initiative, Cal State San Marcos will directly admit high school seniors with at least a 2.5 GPA. (Fox 5 San Diego)
- The Coronado Ferry fleet is expected to be fully electric by the end of this year. (CBS 8)
The Morning Report was written by Lisa Halverstadt. It was edited by Andrea Sanchez-Villafaña.
The post Morning Report: Federal Cuts Chaos appeared first on Voice of San Diego.
