Daily Business Report: Tuesday, March 25th, 2025
New Poll Finds Half of All Californians Now Considering a GOP Candidate For Governor 2026
By Evan Symon | The California Globe
A new David Wolfson/Madison McQueen poll released this week found that nearly half of all Californians are now considering voting for a Republican for Governor in 2026, a significant boost up from the 40.8% garnered by then Senator Brian Dahle (R) in the 2022 Gubernatorial election.
According to the poll, which surveyed 700 Californians earlier this month, a general shift towards more conservative viewpoints was also seen:
- A whopping 73% of Californians were found to be in favor of Prop 36, a proposition voted in favor of last year that makes multiple changes to California drug and theft laws.
- 72% still see homelessness as a huge problem in the state after years of actions by Democrats on the issue.
- 71% stated that they didn’t think that Democratic leadership addressed California’s high cost of living.
- 60% said they opposed free healthcare for illegal immigrants.
- And finally, only 24% think transgender males should compete in female sports.
Parents can’t figure out how California schools are doing. Newsom’s plan to fix that stalls
By ADAM ECHELMAN | CalMatters
In his first year as governor, Gavin Newsom made the creation of a comprehensive, statewide education data system one of his top priorities, but its debut is behind schedule.
In 2019, he launched the Cradle-to-Career Data System, a multi-year initiative to collate data from preschools, K-12 districts, colleges and job training programs, culminating in a series of public dashboards that track students’ progress. A few years later, during his 2022 re-election campaign, “cradle to career” was the tagline of his education platform.
“This was a signature initiative by the governor,” said Alex Barrios, the president of the Educational Results Partnership, an education data nonprofit. “You’d think taxpayers would be asking: “Where is this thing?’”
City Heights CDC Receives $100,000 for CHOPPED Program to Support Food Entrepreneurs
City Heights Community Development Corporation (City Heights CDC) will receive a $100,000 AHEAD Program grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco) in its collaboration with Mission Fed Credit Union (Mission Fed). Proceeds will sustain City Heights CDC’s CHOPPED program through 2026, serving San Diego entrepreneurs in food and catering businesses.
The eight-week business training program focuses on entrepreneurs across the County of San Diego, including sidewalk vendors, caterers and immigrant-owned restaurants.
“We’re excited for CHOPPED to grow and meet the needs of San Diego’s vibrant food industry,” said Alexis Villanueva, president and CEO of City Heights CDC. “We want to see these businesses thrive and tap into their economic potential with fewer barriers to their success.”
AHEAD Program grants support projects that benefit low- to moderate-income (LMI) communities. This includes delivering job training or education programs that support small businesses, and microlending and microenterprise incubation for low-income entrepreneurs.
The spring 2025 cohort, which began earlier this month, includes participants who are 95% people of color, 95% women and 80% are LMI individuals. The business owners are a diverse mix of entrepreneurs, including coffee vendors, chocolate importers from Mexico, Mexican snack food vendors, Filipino pastries and Somali-American fusion cuisine.
“These grants will help boost economic opportunity and create access to vital services and support that can be life-changing for people living in underserved communities,” said Eric Cicourel, community investment officer for FHLBank San Francisco. “We’re proud that for 20 years and counting, the AHEAD Program continues to make a positive impact throughout the communities we serve.”
Mission Fed applied for the grant in partnership with City Heights CDC and helped navigate the competitive selection process with over 300 applicants.
“Being able to support and distribute funds on behalf of the AHEAD Program is such an honor for Mission Fed, and connecting directly with the City Heights CDC perfectly aligns with our goals of fostering economic empowerment in our local communities,” said Doug Wright, president and chief executive officer at Mission Fed. “We are grateful for the investments made by FHL Bank of San Francisco and look forward to working alongside City Heights CDC as they foster economic opportunities for their residents.”
City Heights CDC will invite business professionals to its weekly sessions to connect with program participants and mentor them through the process. Small-business owners will graduate with a polished business plan, business resource partners and networks, covered permitting costs, and a micro-grant to launch or expand the intended business.
About City Heights Community Development Corporation
Instrumental to the culturally diverse San Diego neighborhood of City Heights, City Heights Community Development Corporation (City Heights CDC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1981. Dedicated to positive change, City Heights CDC works closely with the City Heights community on multiple fronts, with core areas including economic development, affordable housing and transportation & planning. For more information, visit www.CityHeightsCDC.org.
About Mission Fed Credit Union
Mission Federal Credit Union (Mission Fed) is the largest member-owned, not-for-profit, full-service financial institution exclusively serving San Diego County. Mission Fed enhances the lives of its members through financial education and services, with a focus on financial empowerment and fostering economic inclusion. Banking at Mission Fed means doing good for San Diego. Mission Fed gives money back to our local communities, has helped hundreds of nonprofits and important causes, and builds deep relationships with community partners.
Mission Fed has served the financial needs of San Diegans for over 60 years through checking, savings, loans, credit cards, investment and insurance services, and other financial offerings. Mission Fed has more than $6.5 billion in assets, over 300,000 members, 34 convenient local branches, 30,000 fee-free CO-OP ATMs nationwide and free mobile and online banking services. The credit union is regularly named a Top Workplaces USA winner, and has placed in the top five California credit unions on Forbes’ Best-In-State Credit Unions list. Mission Fed is also the first San Diego-based credit union to receive the “Juntos Avanzamos” designation, honoring its commitment to serving and empowering Hispanic consumers. Federally insured by NCUA and Equal Housing Lender. To learn more, visit www.MissionFed.com.
