This week, Mayor Todd Gloria announced some cost-cutting measures ahead of the projected budget deficit this year, including significant structural changes and the elimination of 31 city positions. All told, these changes will save the city approximately $5.3 million annually.

My take: with the budget deficit that we are facing, we have to prioritize public safety and infrastructure, ensuring that those two key areas do not face cuts. In accordance with that logic, to be able to save $5 million without touching public safety and infrastructure is a good thing.

However, we know that more cuts will be needed to close the $250 million budget deficit. I will continue to be a steadfast voice to protect public safety and infrastructure funding so we can continue to be the second safest large city in the United States.

Read more about all this here.

One of the best things about District 7 is its welcoming and inclusive community. Last week, my team joined Ascension Lutheran Church to help dedicate their new LGBTQIA+ banner—a symbol of love, acceptance, and equality for all. Thank you to Ascension Lutheran Church for your commitment to making sure everyone feels supported and valued!

What an honor to join the torch lighting ceremony this week for the United States Police and Fire Championships (USPFC). If you've never heard of these games before, they were founded in 1967 by Duke Nyhus, a San Diego Police Officer and later Deputy Chief, as the 'Police Olympics'.

According to the USPFC: "Duke formulated the idea of the Police Olympics and created the competition with an eye towards promoting physical fitness and sport as both a means for officers to, improve their overall fitness, reduce stress, and to increase their professional abilities."

Today, the USPFC brings together police officers and firefighters from across the country to engage in athletic competition. There's even a worldwide version, known as the World Police and Fire Games.

If you'd like to learn more, navigate to the USPFC's website here. I'm proud to stand with our first responders!

Congratulations to San Carlos resident Wanda Honeycutt for winning the Best of Theme award at the February 2025 San Diego Watercolor Society (SDWS) exhibition, Vibrations! Selected out of 259 submissions, her captivating painting Adira was honored by local artist Richard Hawk, who praised its spiritual depth and vibrant use of color.

Wanda’s work, known for its intuitive process and emotional resonance, has been showcased across San Diego and beyond, with pieces held in private collections worldwide. You can explore more of Wanda’s stunning work at wandahoneycutt.com.

As a big soccer fan, I couldn’t be more excited for San Diego FC to kick off their first MLS match this Sunday against the LA Galaxy. In this week’s Roundup, I thought I’d share an article that caught my eye recently about one of the most interesting aspects of San Diego FC: the Right to Dream Academy.

Pioneered by clubs in Denmark and Ghana, this unique and innovative model involves a residency program, long-term investments in youngsters’ success, and a privately operated school. It will train the next generation of kids in San Diego and Tijuana to not just become better soccer players, but better people – providing a pathway to the many for whom a professional career will not end up working out.

And if you're curious about why the title of the article has a reference to Miami, it's because Inter Miami, another MLS team, essentially represents the exact opposite of what SDFC is all about -- in that they have spent tons of money to bring in big-name, aging stars like Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. In contrast, SDFC is betting on their academy to pay dividends in the long run.

Check out the article to read more about the Right to Dream model. And tune in Sunday at 4pm for SDFC's first-ever match!