On Monday, San Diego County Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer was joined by top researchers, academic leaders, students, and patients in urging Congress to reconsider deep cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and increase federal investments in the region’s $57 billion life sciences sector.
The County of San Diego took another major step forward in addressing the region’s housing crisis today, voting to advance two new affordable housing projects on surplus County land that will bring 224 new deed-restricted homes to San Diego’s Mid-City neighborhood and downtown Escondido.
On Tuesday, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to support two critical legislative proposals aimed at expanding the region’s ability to confront the ongoing Tijuana River sewage crisis — a decades-long public health and environmental emergency that has severely impacted South County communities.
Today the County of San Diego, led by acting chair Terra Lawson-Remer, authorized a new permanent supportive housing project for individuals with serious behavioral health needs — approving a $12.4 million funding commitment that will strengthen the County’s application for state Homekey+ dollars to bring the project to life.
San Diego County is making real progress in the fight against gun violence — with new data showing that ghost gun seizures dropped 39% in 2024, and both firearm-related suicides and homicides have declined across the region.
In a partisan vote, Republican members of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors blocked a proposal to modernize the County’s outdated reserve policy—leaving local communities vulnerable to looming federal cuts that threaten the foundation of services that hundreds of thousands of San Diegans rely on.
Acting Chair Terra Lawson-Remer praised the County draft budget released by the CAO Ebony Shelton on Thursday for eliminating waste and closing an initial shortfall of $138 million through efficiency and belt-tightening. But she issued a clear warning: without reforming the County’s reserve policy, the proposed budget still leaves vulnerable families exposed to devastating service cuts — just as a Trump-led recession and federal safety net rollbacks loom.
I have promising news to share about the progress we’re making in the fight to reduce gun violence here in San Diego County!
San Diego, CA (April 23, 2025) — In a stunning display of denial and irresponsibility, Republicans on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors today refused to acknowledge that climate change is real — voting down a proposal that would have affirmed basic scientific fact and called for bold local action in the face of growing climate threats.
San Diego, CA (April 23, 2025) — San Diego County is making major strides in tackling the housing crisis, with new data showing that 84% of its state-mandated housing goal has already been met — just four years into the eight-year cycle.
I was honored to deliver the 2025 State of the County address this week from the beautiful San Diego Natural History Museum
SAN DIEGO, CA (April 16, 2025) — In a sweeping and impassioned address delivered tonight from the heart of Balboa Park, Acting Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer unveiled a bold local agenda to defend democracy, protect essential services, and fight back against a national tide of authoritarianism, corporate capture, and federal collapse.
The extreme federal service reductions being voted on in Congress right now aren’t some far away fight, or Washington politics as usual; if approved, they will going to directly affect you, me, and our entire region.
San Diego County leaders today warned that while the County has strategically bolstered its reserves and narrowed the gap ahead of next year’s estimated $138.5 Million annual budget shortfall with a $31 Million projected surplus at Q2’s close, the unprecedented scale and uncertainty of federal funding freezes will further destabilize the County’s ability to address our region’s challenges.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted today to enhance the County’s long-standing Unsafe Camping Ordinance—first established in 1968—by adding new fire safety measures and protections for critical infrastructure. These updates aim to reduce wildfire hazards, protect private property from fire and pollution, and improve public safety for both housed and unhoused residents.
Acting Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer today called upon the County to send a “Notification of Funding at Risk” to all federally funded program beneficiaries – many of whom may be unaware of threats to these services.
Acting Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer today called upon the County to send a “Notification of Funding at Risk” to all federally funded program beneficiaries – many of whom may be unaware of threats to these services.
Healthcare is too expensive and too hard to get for too many of us. It’s one of the main issues I hear when talking to folks. This is why I’m excited to share that the County is poised to make significant improvements to how we provide behavioral health, and nearly double our capacity to provide care.
Acting Chair of the County of San Diego Terra Lawson-Remer and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria are calling on the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans to reject proposed Medicaid cuts as part of the upcoming budget reconciliation process which could jeopardize state and local progress in tackling mental health, substance use, and homelessness.
Today, San Diego County leaders convened a Special Board Conference to unveil a five-year framework to expand behavioral health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment capacity, outlining a goal of adding nearly 16,000 additional treatment slots by 2030.
Today, San Diego County leaders convened a Special Board Conference to unveil a five-year framework to expand behavioral health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment capacity, outlining a goal of adding nearly 16,000 additional treatment slots by 2030.
For years, the number of people becoming homeless has outpaced those finding housing. But new data confirms that targeted, data-driven solutions like the Homeless Diversion Program can change that trajectory.
At a press conference today, Acting Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer highlighted new results proving that Diversion is keeping people housed, saving taxpayer dollars, and moving the needle on homelessness faster and more cost-effectively than traditional interventions.
For years, the number of people becoming homeless has outpaced those finding housing. But new data confirms that targeted, data-driven solutions like the Homeless Diversion Program can change that trajectory.
At a press conference today, Acting Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer highlighted new results proving that Diversion is keeping people housed, saving taxpayer dollars, and moving the needle on homelessness faster and more cost-effectively than traditional interventions.
Since launching in January 2024, Diversion has helped 597 people exit homelessness, supporting 489 households at an average cost of just $3,150 per household—or about $1,660 per person.
San Diego County leaders today warned that federal funding freezes and new directives from Washington are already disrupting critical local services. With billions more in potential cuts still under debate, essential programs related to healthcare, housing, disaster relief, and public safety remain uncertain.
The County of San Diego has filed a landmark lawsuit against Meta (Facebook & Instagram), Snap Inc. (Snapchat), ByteDance (TikTok), and Google (YouTube) for knowingly designing addictive platforms that harm young people’s mental health in order to maximize views and advertising profits. This lawsuit is a bold stand against the unchecked power of tech billionaires prioritizing profits over public well-being.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors today unanimously approved Chair Terra Lawson-Remer’s proposal to work with elected leaders throughout the region to convene a Tijuana River Pollution Special Meeting in Spring 2025, in a decisive step to intensify efforts to resolve the decades-long sewage and pollution crisis that has plagued San Diego communities. The special session aims to bring together federal, state, and local agencies, alongside binational stakeholders, to assess progress, identify gaps, and strengthen collaboration.
Taking decisive action to strengthen regional wildfire preparedness, Acting Chair Terra Lawson-Remer and Acting Vice Chair Joel Anderson convened public safety leaders to present a comprehensive plan on emergency preparedness during today’s Board of Supervisors meeting. Following the presentation, the Board voted unanimously to approve critical policies to enhance wildfire response, including the purchase of twin-engine helicopters, water tenders, and advancing innovative brush management initiatives.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors today received a comprehensive report detailing the potential impacts of Trump-era tariffs and trade policies on the region’s economy. Acting Chair Lawson-Remer, an economist and former senior advisor to the U.S Treasury Department raised concerns about the ripple effects on key industries and the County’s budget, calling attention to the economic risks posed by uncertain federal trade policies.
Acting Chair Terra Lawson-Remer today led the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to a unanimous vote approving the creation of the County’s first EmPATH Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center. This crucial facility will expand access to mental health care for the South Region, addressing critical gaps in the County’s behavioral health system while providing immediate, lifesaving support to individuals in crisis.
4,000 NEW beds to treat people struggling with addiction and seeking treatment in our community??
This week, I joined healthcare and community partners to announce a major step forward in our fight to improve behavioral health care in San Diego County. Together, we’ve submitted 31 Proposition 1 funding applications, seeking over $580 million from the State to build more than 4,000 new behavioral health beds across the region.
Today, Acting Chair Terra Lawson-Remer joined regional leaders, healthcare providers, and community advocates to announce the County’s support of 31 Proposition 1 funding requests, seeking over $580 million in state funding.
Acting Chair of the County of San Diego, Terra Lawson-Remer released the following statement: San Diego County is focused on prioritizing the safety and well-being of our entire community.
In my role as acting Chair of the Board of Supervisors, I’m looking forward to a fresh start in working with the public to ensure everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
I discussed that recently (more below), but first, thank you to everyone who has done so much to help L.A. fire victims. This week, I heard from the community with more ways to help. Here’s one for you to consider:
Our hearts are breaking for our friends and loved ones in L.A. Many people have asked how they can help. Options providing direct aid include the American Red Cross and the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund. Wherever you donate, make sure it's a trusted organization.
