Advocacy in Action: November 2025 Update
Welcome to the monthly roundup of how the Business For Good Advocacy Committee is making a difference in our community.
First up, here are the local policies affecting San Diego that our committee is addressing.
Flagship Campaign* Win: San Diego City Minimum Wage Increase for Hospitality Workers Was Passed Unanimously!
Read about this policy win in our October issue of Advocacy in Action.
*The main campaign our Advocacy Committee used our voice to support this year
Issue: Supporting Immigrants, Refugees, and New Americans
What it means
The current federal administration is implementing policies that target and negatively affect immigrants, refugees, new Americans, and undocumented people.
Why we support this
We believe America thrives when our communities are diverse. As purpose-driven business owners, we understand that staying silent isn’t an option when our community’s values are under attack. Check out this blog article for more info on the BFG perspective.
How we stepped up
- Over100+ local business owners and organizations attended the County’s Updated “What to Do When ICE Comes to Your Business Rights, Actions, and Resources” Employer Training administered by the County’s Office of Labor Standards & Enforcement Department (OLSE) on November 3, 2025.
- Business For Good San Diego’s Advocacy Committee is proud to have worked with the County throughout 2025 to support the passage of this program and helped to shape the training to ensure it is easily accessible to small business owners and workers, multi-lingual, and trauma-informed.
What’s next
- Keep an eye out for our calendar events in 2026 for upcoming co-hosted Know Your Rights Trainings by OLSE + BFG
Resources
- To access recordings of the OLSE training in English or Spanish, click here (video recordings include ASL translation)
- If you’d like to request training for your workplace, please contact Mikey Knab in the OLSE office at Michael.Knab@sdcounty.ca.gov
Please see our October issue of Advocacy in Action for additional resources.
Issue: Climate Action
What it means
Addressing the climate crisis through sustainable policies and practices that reduce pollution, protect natural resources, and support healthier communities.
Why we support this
As business owners, we recognize that a thriving economy depends on a thriving environment. Reducing harmful pollutants like plastic foam helps protect public health, safeguard ecosystems, and create more sustainable supply chains. Supporting climate-forward legislation is both a responsibility and an opportunity to build a healthier, more resilient future.
How we stepped up
- BFG Advocacy Committee Members submitted e-comments in support of the City’s Updated Climate Action Implementation Plan that was presented at the City Environmental Committee on Thursday, November 13, 2025
What’s next
- The BFG Advocacy Committee looks forward to holding our city leaders accountable for implementing the plan and identifying key policies we can champion in 2026
Next, we’re sharing the federal policies affecting San Diego that our committee is addressing.
Issue: Addressing the Impact of Federal Funding Cuts on San Diego
What it means
San Diego faces threats from deep funding cuts due to the passage of H.R. 1, or the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”– a federal law that hands massive tax breaks to billionaires and big corporations while slashing the critical services thousands of our residents rely on.
Why we support this
These federal cuts will directly affect small business owners, workers, our neighbors, children, families, and seniors who rely on critical services. An estimated $300 million in federal reductions to essential San Diego County programs will impact Medicaid, SNAP, housing, Medi-Cal, and other vital services.
How we stepped up
- Multiple Advocacy Committee members submitted e-comments in support of Supervisor Monica Montgomery-Steppe’s proposal to explore options for creating a Safety Net Bridge Program to address anticipated service gaps for residents disenrolled from benefit programs. The item passed and directs County staff to research and develop a short-term bridge system to protect San Diegans who lose access to critical benefits—such as Medi-Cal or CalFresh—due to restrictive state or federal policy changes. We look forward to the presentation of their findings, which will be presented to the Board of Supervisors within 45 days.
The results to date
- The County has formed the San Diego County Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Sustainable Fiscal Planning to develop a robust fiscal strategy in response to federal cuts to essential programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, housing, and Medi-Cal
What’s next
- Our Advocacy Committee Co-Chair, Erica Castillo, continues engaging with our representatives and their staff to ensure they understand the unique challenges and limited safety nets facing small business owners and contractors in light of these cuts. She will also monitor upcoming county discussions and votes expected in 2026 to ensure our members have opportunities to make their voices heard as these important decisions are made
Take Action
Ways you can get involved with advocacy efforts this month
Send a letter to express your concerns about federal funding cuts
- Send in your concerns as a business owner to your Congressional representative; for example, send a picture of increased healthcare costs due to the expiration of Affordable Care Act Healthcare Subsidies on December 31, 2025
- Find your Congress representatives here
Events and Meetings
Advocacy Committee Meeting Calendar
December 4, 2025 | 5 – 6:30 PM | Register to attend here (open to members only)
#Advocacy Slack Channel
Members can follow our channel to get the latest news about what we’re up to!
Want to learn more? Reach out to Advocacy Committee Co-Chair, Erica Castillo.
