Advocacy in action: July 2025 update
Welcome to the monthly roundup of how the Business For Good Advocacy Committee is making a difference in our community.
Flagship Campaign
The main campaign our Advocacy Committee is using our voice to support this year
Issue
San Diego City minimum wage for hotel, event center, and janitorial service workers
What it means
The city is proposing a minimum wage for these categories in order to provide a living wage to these workers. Currently, the minimum wage is $17.25; this bill would raise that to $25.
Why we support this
This bill would positively impact hotel, event center, and janitorial service workers in the City of San Diego so that industries like tourism and entertainment benefit the people who work in them—not just people visiting.
Excerpt from the City of San Diego Council District 9 staff report:
“According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Living Wage Calculator, a single-person household would need to earn $30.71 per hour in San Diego County to support themselves while working full-time. A two-adult and two-child household would need to earn $53.40 per hour.
This means a single San Diegan earning minimum wage would need to earn 78% more to properly support themselves in San Diego. A family of four would need to earn more than 200% more.”
3 reasons business owners should support this
- Employee Retention: Offering a livable wage can reduce turnover, saving businesses on recruitment and training costs
- Increased Productivity: Employees earning a livable wage are more likely to be engaged and productive
- Community Impact: Higher wages contribute to economic growth, as workers have more spending power, benefiting local businesses
How BFG stepped up
- Sean Elo-Rivera, District 9 City Councilmember, joined our last Advocacy Committee meeting to share why he put forth this measure in the first place and how business owners can get involved this year to address the cost of living
- Met with Councilmembers Elo-Rivera, Foster, and Von Wilpert to voice BFG support of this bill ahead of the June 25 meeting (see next bullet)
- Attended The City of San Diego’s Cost of Living Committee meeting on June 25 in person and via Zoom; 8 BFG members made a public comment supporting the measure
- Attending full council meeting once announced for this fall
Results to date
Thanks to the direct advocacy work of BFG, The City of San Diego’s Cost of Living Committee unanimously passed the draft minimum wage ordinance for tourism workers on June 25!
It will now move to a full City Council vote later this year—likely in September. We encourage BFG members to attend the next Advocacy Committee meeting or the upcoming BFG General Member Meeting to learn how to get involved.
Watch our public comments
More issues we care about
Other policies, measures, and causes our Advocacy Committee is raising awareness about
Issue
Supporting immigrants, refugees, and new Americans
What it means
Taking local action in San Diego to support and protect immigrants, refugees, new Americans, and undocumented people in response to harmful federal policies
Why we support this
We believe America thrives when our communities are diverse.
Our action steps
- Advocacy Co-Chair Erica Castillo, owner of Unita Solutions, provided public comment at the June 3 County Budget Hearing. She called on the Board to:
- Fully fund the Immigrant Legal Defense Program
- Invest in Innovative Adult Housing Services and Enhanced Housing
- Pass a fair contract for San Diego County workers
- Improve budget transparency and accessibility for the public
- Published When it comes to immigration, belonging is good business (a “know your rights” article), with key information on how businesses can support immigrants
- Created graphics for use on social media and brick-and-mortar storefronts
Partnering with purpose
How we support other organizations making a positive difference in San Diego
Organization
How BFG supported
Attended the San Diego350 Climate March in May 2025 and provided a quote for the associated press release:
“As local business owners, we understand that a healthy economy depends on a healthy planet. That’s why Business For Good San Diego is proud to march with our community on May 3rd—to demand urgent, accountable climate action from our leaders. We are deeply committed to advocating for bold, equitable climate policies, and we continue to monitor whether our city, state, and federal leaders are meeting the climate goals our communities—and our future—depend on. The time to act is now.”
– Mikey Knab, Co-Founder + Advocacy Committee Co-Chair, Business For Good San Diego
Organization
How BFG supported
Attended the Make Polluters Pay press conference on Thursday, June 5, 2025, to support the largest piece of climate legislation this year: The Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Bill (SB 684 and AB 1243).
This simple bill would require the biggest fossil fuel polluters from 1990-2024 to pay their fair share of climate mitigation efforts for the climate damages they have caused. The money from the superfund would go towards cleaning up after climate disasters, making communities more climate resilient, and expanding clean energy projects—all creating jobs along the way.
Take Action
Here are ways you can get involved with advocacy efforts this month.
Events and meetings
Monthly Advocacy Committee Meetings
We meet virtually on the first Thursday of every month.
Advocacy Committee Meeting Calendar
Next meeting: July 10, 2025 | 5:00-6:30 PM | Register to attend (open to members only)
Join our Civics 101 book club
Interested in learning more about how government works? Email Mikey Knab, Advocacy Committee Co-chair, to help us put together curriculum to educate BFG members by reading books our committee selects.
Want to learn more? Reach out to Advocacy Committee Co-Chair, Erica Castillo.
