SECURING OUR FUTURE NOW
Who are we Planning For?
Most government decisions are made one budget cycle at a time.
But housing, infrastructure, workforce development, and public safety shape our community for decades.
As Supervisor, I will make decisions with today’s families and future generations in mind. Not just the next election cycle. Not just the next fiscal year. The next 30 years.
We are planning for the families who are here now — and for the children growing up in Watsonville who deserve the opportunity to stay.
A Vision for Our District 4
District 4 is home to hardworking families and is the economic gateway to our county’s future.
We cannot build a strong region if the people who grow our food, teach our children, staff our hospitals, and run our small businesses cannot afford to live here.
Leadership means aligning wages, housing, infrastructure, and opportunity so that the people who work here can continue to live here.
It means building an economy where:
- Local workers earn enough to stay
- Young people see a future here
- Small businesses can grow
- Families are not displaced
That is what securing our future looks like.
Policy Priorities
Close the Wage-Rent Gap
Attract high-growth industries like Green Tech, climate resilience, and Healthcare to shift the 57% of workers currently in low-wage tiers into middle-class careers.
Housing & Renters Protections
Housing stability is economic security. We will strengthen tenant protections and pursue rent stabilization in unincorporated communities, while enforcing Measure J’s permanent affordable housing requirements and holding negligent landlords accountable.
Infrastructure Resilience
We will use Measure K to repair potholes, improve emergency access, modernize aging water systems, and increase road safety in unincorporated areas like College Road. We will also ensure South County receives equitable investment and transparent progress.
Office of Youth Development
We will establish the Office of Youth Development to invest in education, workforce pathways, apprenticeships, mental health support, and safe spaces so young people can lead and thrive. The department will also connect local youth to opportunities created by County infrastructure and climate investments.
Youth Career Pipelines
artner with the Workforce Development Board to create 1000 new apprenticeships in high-demand sectors by 2030. Align apprenticeship opportunities with County-funded projects supported by Measure D and Measure K so that public investment builds local careers.
People Centered Budgeting
We will advance a policy that creates a transparent, accessible, and meaningful public engagement process around the County budget, so residents can better understand spending decisions and help shape funding priorities.
Climate-Ready Communities
We will dedicate $3.5 million for climate resilience, including South County flood protection, and use Measure Q to support long-term environmental stewardship, guided in consultation with Indigenous caretakers of the land to help guide environmental stewardship.
Small Business Empowerment
Small businesses are essential to building a strong and inclusive local economy. By streamlining permits, improving County navigation support, and providing business fundamentals education in English and Spanish, we help entrepreneurs create good jobs and keep dollars local.
Prevention and Response
We will decentralize Medi-Cal and CalFresh services into Watsonville to cut wait times and improve access, while preparing for the harmful local impacts of H.R. 1 and proposed budget cuts on working families, immigrants, seniors, and children.
Securing Our Future Now
Securing Our Future Now means more than passing measures. It means putting them into action equitably and transparently, with South County at the center, so families can see real progress in safer neighborhoods, stronger infrastructure, housing stability, climate resilience, and youth opportunity. By planning ahead and staying accountable, we can build a future where every community has the support and investment it needs to thrive.
The Future We Can Build
- A place where families can afford to stay.
- Neighborhoods that are safe and connected.
- An economy that supports local workers and small businesses.
- A county government that earns public trust.
- A region where children see opportunity instead of displacement.
This is what securing our future looks like.
Join Us
Your voice is essential. Together, we can create meaningful changes. Learn about volunteer opportunities and how you can help make a difference in our community.
The Reality Today
District 4 families are under real pressure:
Since we started, your support has helped us mobilize countless volunteers and raise essential funds. Every contribution and effort counts as we strive for a safer, more affordable future for everyone in our community.
Renters must earn $52.83 per hour to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment in our county — more than triple the state minimum wage.
57% of our workforce remains in lower wage tiers, while housing prices reflect a higher-income market.
Watsonville’s unemployment rate remains significantly higher than the county average. Without clear pathways into skilled trades, healthcare, green technology, and public sector careers, too many young people are left behind.
We face $4.8 million in deferred maintenance and capital needs. Aging roads, water systems, and emergency access routes threaten safety and economic growth.
Watsonville has the highest concentration of renters in the county, compared to 41.8% county-wide.
The percentage of South County renters spending more than one-third of their total income on rent.
Join Us in Building a Better Future
Ready to make a difference? Whether you want to volunteer your time or support us with a donation, every bit helps us build a brighter future for our community. Your involvement is crucial to bringing our vision to life.
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