[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6550850,"mediaKeyId","5374951-d2e3d8f15228ff4dc99fcfddc93e8049","parentId",5374951,"title","Assembly hearing in San Marcos spotlights housing, permitting and workforce as top threats to regional growth","audioSeconds",4779,"startMs",1425000,"endMs",6204000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5374951-d2e3d8f15228ff4dc99fcfddc93e8049&start=1425&end=6204","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5374951-d2e3d8f15228ff4dc99fcfddc93e8049/thumbnail_1425000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6550850/California/Assembly-hearing-in-San-Marcos-spotlights-housing-permitting-and-workforce-as-top-threats-to-regional-growth","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550850-b5a257aacfaeb789dc48329dbb206e7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440032&Signature=d8mR7-3fqWPv55U-p3S49q~b9E25YigJ7vDGb0reLv57UZypTED2bbpOBnpdStB6s2Ha~CzI3Vgzd8M-cCTyupi~ioNFw-VYnK7Pz0uPMDTT1UAafkYG5yjP7hlylYb-j487yeKod6x2gn~ULVhRtSICmlUAnSNb6eSEAdUhw7QcHcW7WxUINxSihBJ~2IdrM5WDQ72BhLSKF5OLDJIFzXPHGRo5-3~7L9UakDxp0~IyaIzoFhTuS-H~~d~h4kjP25byLVbFmW69zy8ndSpAZaiOW26M-Xb0uDTaMBroVGV1l1A4JUhfYnUgIATZcf0Q3Me137N5kZkCqEEGeSrX9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","California State Assembly","date","2025-07-11T00:00:00Z","article","Assembly members and regional leaders convened an informational hearing at California State University San Marcos to examine cost pressures shaping San Diego’s economy and household finances. Assembly Chair Solace and Assemblymember Darshana Patel said the session was part of a statewide “pocketbook tour” to surface local policy priorities for Sacramento.

The hearing brought three panels: university leaders from Cal State San Marcos, economic analysts from the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC), and small-business founders and advocates. Speakers agreed that housing affordability, lengthy permitting and declines in federal research funding are immediate obstacles to business expansion and talent retention in the region.

“Even though we have these innovative companies and strong industries, the number one challenge that employers cite to us is talent attraction and retention,” Eduardo Velasquez, senior director of research and development at the San Diego Regional EDC, told the committee, linking workforce shortages to the region’s high housing costs. Multiple speakers asked the state to explore policies that speed project approvals, expand targeted technical assistance and fund local pilot programs such as small-business affordability zones.

Higher-education presenters described expansion plans and partnerships aimed at producing more degree holders for local industries; Cal State San Marcos officials said the campus will add beds and academic capacity to meet regional demand. Small-business leaders and entrepreneurs urged the legislature to direct funding through existing technical-assistance networks such as the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and to simplify application and procurement processes for culturally and linguistically diverse firms.

Speakers recommended several state actions: targeted technical-assistance funding for microbusinesses, regional cost-of-living adjustments for benefit eligibility, pilot affordability zones that pair rent or tax relief with outreach, and experimental “regulatory sandboxes” to test permitting reforms in coordination with local governments. Assemblymembers said they would take that feedback back to Sacramento for consideration.

The hearing included public comment from local small-business finance providers on the loan guarantee and technical-assistance capacity available in San Diego. No formal votes or bill actions occurred; the session was informational. The committee adjourned after nearly three hours of testimony and audience questions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact (1)","oneSentenceSummary","Assembly members and regional leaders convened an informational hearing at California State University San Marcos to examine cost pressures shaping San Diego’s economy and household finances.","taxTitle","California State Assembly, House, Legislative, California","taxId",17099,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6550836,"San Diego entrepreneurs and advocates press Sacramento for more technical assistance, targeted relief and permitting fixes",1823,3999000,5822000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5374951-d2e3d8f15228ff4dc99fcfddc93e8049&start=3999&end=5822","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5374951-d2e3d8f15228ff4dc99fcfddc93e8049/thumbnail_3999000.jpg","/articles/6550836/California/San-Diego-entrepreneurs-and-advocates-press-Sacramento-for-more-technical-assistance-targeted-relief-and-permitting-fixes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550836-8ef22e4ec8094dd1b2c72a8f070e35b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440032&Signature=kZirVBEvfZaHtIdgu8RuWzVSaxV28awOtzh6Uy8Ar7nc80y0MTsg6mA7Uj-kV-mUcbszrKB1tbMR8yBCXay9dHI9ZPuAZTVBUChCZolyEwyrS~iYNme0MrJsEv3fGFsxLqueb1b~1l8PrsmjRYA3pDUNGXgvmb10akiENyJpzPAg3S4tt4Fl5KA5CzMW6avSX6k6VJ8ciUQN3W7P3~U69Qa29kKiaf3sMokRuWKuQXbI7ybqnMq23gD8IKS2-4jCC9BElciamBZuAW-TEerlEf4hV-4OrlHVNGopQ~q7loktXmhhaCPpd7GF47cIC73wsw~EMrC0bpNp9WbZgD5sww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A panel of San Diego entrepreneurs and small-business advocates told the Assembly committee the region’s microbusinesses need faster, localized support and simpler application processes to survive rising costs and global supply-chain pressure.

Dr. Debbie Chen, founder and CEO of HydroStasis, described building a hydration-monitoring wearable and the capital barriers women founders routinely face. “Seventy-five percent of U.S. adults are chronically dehydrated,” Chen said as she explained the market need that led to her company’s Gecko Watch. She told lawmakers her company has secured non-dilutive grants and about $5 million in private investment, three U.S. patents, and public‑sector partnerships that helped move the product to market; she urged more accessible early-stage capital and mentoring programs for women and founders of color.

Sven Davison, co‑founder and COO of Amai Inc., described developing edible cups from upcycled spent grain and the manufacturing pivot caused by tariffs and global supply issues. Davison said a custom manufacturing machine he licensed was subject to layered tariffs that reached “210%,” forcing his firm to alter its production and licensing strategy.

Jason Paguio, president and CEO of the Asian Business Association of San Diego, presented survey findings showing that many local businesses are considering relocation and that hiring remains a top constraint. He urged expanded outreach through trusted local intermediaries such as the SBDC and recommended three state actions: (1) streamline and expand technical assistance funding, (2) adopt a regional cost-of-living adjustment for program eligibility, and (3) pilot small-business affordability zones that target rent stabilization, tax credits or child-care subsidies to preserve legacy and culturally significant businesses.

In public comment, Juan Carlos Hernandez of the California Southern Small Business Development Corporation said the state received about $366 million in loan‑guarantee requests last fiscal year and highlighted the challenge of financing smaller loans under $100,000. Panelists asked the legislature to route funding through established local providers rather than creating new statewide bureaucracies.

Panelists did not propose specific bill text in the hearing; they requested that lawmakers consider changes described above when crafting budget and regulatory proposals.","Small-business owners and advocacy groups told an Assembly committee that access to capital, tariffs, permitting and culturally tailored technical assistance are pressing barriers; they urged state funding routed through local providers and pilot affordability zones to retain legacy and immigrant-owned firms.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6550841,"San Diego EDC: defense, life sciences and cleantech strong — permitting, housing and federal cuts threaten growth",601,2713000,3314000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5374951-d2e3d8f15228ff4dc99fcfddc93e8049&start=2713&end=3314","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5374951-d2e3d8f15228ff4dc99fcfddc93e8049/thumbnail_2713000.jpg","/articles/6550841/California/San-Diego-EDC-defense-life-sciences-and-cleantech-strong-permitting-housing-and-federal-cuts-threaten-growth","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550841-88ad44e4e735c01ebe279e37244f904e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440032&Signature=HLH-vdizMdJOh1AHyi4hyarlXDpJJgCl0ew2AT0sTiri1dDeQ5QpKFY~3SpHQxpEqnfiVNxvUbvgCkGWH9wi735IRZHsP5HDcBElztTC2ryDiFzKntBF8UBZCqvFIPiPY5MlOO~sE6YXuGDZdt2dA6A40zCXFWoN4aGu2V6n~SYRH4-sacM8eaQzJ0zDL8MkWUdbWZ1babpyRbkLVd2Ysy1RUuyJwJ2FAC4soxltd6pVNp9eV8BjfWYPvzhFQxTN8rXtxmA5Ko6rkFBn30BnTTr55Nk9dFZ99fVc63H2xlkWLMpd41r9aMicTWY8FOgBEopGBT4tun4lACe~0BM-1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Eduardo Velasquez, senior director of research and development at the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, told the Assembly committee that San Diego is a “powerhouse of innovation” but faces structural barriers to growth.

Velasquez detailed the region’s major industry clusters and scale: he told the committee there were roughly 60,000 jobs tied to life sciences in the region, that the area received about $1.2 billion in technology venture capital in 2024 and that more than $27 billion in Department of Defense contracts flowed into the region in the last fiscal year. He said advanced manufacturing employs more than 240,000 people locally and stressed the region’s binational ties with Baja California as an asset for supply chains.

At the same time, Velasquez highlighted risks. He said proposed federal cuts to research indirect rates and broader budget reductions could produce an estimated $500 million negative impact in the region’s economy. He described permitting and time-to-market as a recurring complaint from firms and urged the state to partner with local governments on process reforms, including experimental regulatory sandboxes to test faster approvals without creating unintended consequences. Velasquez also cited housing affordability as the primary constraint on attracting and keeping talent and noted San Diego’s median home price places homeownership out of reach for most residents.

Velasquez urged state support in these areas — stabilizing research investment, supporting cross-border trade and mobility, investing in local training pipelines and addressing housing affordability — and said the region had submitted ideas through the state’s Jobs First initiative. The panel’s testimony was informational and lawmakers did not propose or vote on specific legislation during the hearing.","The San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation told an Assembly committee the region is a national leader in life sciences, aerospace and high-tech but faces headwinds from permitting delays, housing costs and potential federal research cutbacks.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6550845,"Cal State San Marcos describes expansion plans to boost regional degree output, housing and career pathways",704,1770000,2474000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5374951-d2e3d8f15228ff4dc99fcfddc93e8049&start=1770&end=2474","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5374951-d2e3d8f15228ff4dc99fcfddc93e8049/thumbnail_1770000.jpg","/articles/6550845/California/Cal-State-San-Marcos-describes-expansion-plans-to-boost-regional-degree-output-housing-and-career-pathways","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550845-50f8642b00960a5002d3a9d6185cc198/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440032&Signature=BbPTp7sajEGFLtRJBK4uIqpPkXEV7bl~BcP8FucqKtomnBxFcExwSwExkFL77lDTItWafSAcKaEdsV67UVlh6AsOlsJPG~dAADyp054Hw50w5~dVtyY04VnXHdBCmP9-kEcLEwsK-vRbGMV~86-PmiWIcd1Xtyu5aA3iA5~2O4npBIF7sNXmPTE7GNx7uLQsDrWU9DzdqJcCLwS6HurFGCa8EgufSZRbnRBOBwl6D6NUEMLXKN07QhPMz2LJrhPILO3a3a2K-XENMomFP8qYJiPA1AX4yYMgC9Bd8nXyKo5X5mHef3PMylT6i9ZAQcAH4he1m4vWyvZUT-lusTJQHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","California State University San Marcos leaders told the Assembly Committee on Economic Development that the campus is scaling programs and housing to help meet regional workforce needs.

“ We were founded only 35 years ago,” Dr. Ellen Neufeld, president of California State University San Marcos, said as she described the campus’s rapid growth and mission of social mobility. Neufeld said the university enrolls nearly 17,000 students, houses roughly 2,200 people on campus and expects to open about 550 additional student beds next year through state-supported affordable housing funding; she said roughly two-thirds of that new capacity will be designated affordable.

Neufeld and Dr. Carl Kemnitz, provost and vice president for academic affairs, emphasized partnerships with industry and community colleges to accelerate credential attainment. Kemnitz described the Innovation Hub and Affinity Lab as campus spaces that integrate students with startups and local R&D. The campus said 65% of students graduate with no debt and that the average debt for those who borrow is under $15,000, figures Neufeld cited while arguing for the long-term economic return of bachelor’s degrees.

Officials discussed targeted programs designed to produce graduates for high-demand fields. Neufeld highlighted an engineering program co-developed with industry partners that grew from about 300 engineering majors to plans supporting up to 2,000, and a three‑year Scholars, Wellness and Innovation Fast Track (SWIFT) program that combines dual enrollment, internships and embedded certificates to accelerate completion in mental-health fields. Kemnitz said that each startup renting space in the Infinity Lab is required to involve students as interns or research assistants to ensure learning aligns with regional employer needs.

University officials framed their work as regional workforce development: Neufeld said about eight in ten of their graduates stay in the region, and speakers tied expanded degree production to the EDC’s projection that the region must double postsecondary completions by 2030 to meet workforce demand.

The university did not request specific legislation during the hearing but described several partnership and funding priorities to sustain program growth and student access, including continued state investment in campus housing and workforce-aligned program development.","Cal State San Marcos officials told an Assembly committee the campus is expanding academic programs and housing capacity to supply graduates for San Diego-area industries, highlighting dual-enrollment pathways, engineering and a new wellness degree aimed at high-demand health fields.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Assembly hearing in San Marcos spotlights housing, permitting and workforce as top threats to regional growth

San Diego entrepreneurs and advocates press Sacramento for more technical assistance, targeted relief and permitting fixes

San Diego EDC: defense, life sciences and cleantech strong — permitting, housing and federal cuts threaten growth

Cal State San Marcos describes expansion plans to boost regional degree output, housing and career pathways