HomeMy WebLinkAboutFederal Funding for Social Safety Net Programs - City of SLO - Letter of SUPPORTOffice of the City Council
990 Palm StreBt, San Luis obispo, CA 93401 -3249
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slocity org
June 3, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey Graham
Chair, Senate Budget Committee
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 2051"0
The Honorable Susan Collins
Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee
United States Senate
Washington, D.C.20510
Re: Support for Critical Social Safety Net Programs in FY2025 Budget
Dear Members of the United States Senate,
On behalf of the City of San Luis Obispo (City), I write to respectfully urge your continued support for
essential federal programs that serve our most vulnerable residents. As the Senate moves forward
with the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, we strongly advocate for minimizing cuts to the social safety net
and ensuring sustained funding for the following foundational programs:
Head Start - High-quality early childhood education supports working families, helps break
cycles of poverty, and lays the groundwork for future academic and personal success. These
investments resonate with our local efforts to build a more equitable and inclusive
community.
Veterans Services - Our veterans have earned our full support. Local partnerships that
provide housing, health care, and employment services help ensure they thrive after
service-an outcome that reflects our City's commitment to dignity and opportunity for all
residents.
Food Assistance Programs - Nutrition programs play a key role in addressing economic
hardship and supporting working families. Ensuring families can meet basic needs not only
promotes public health, but also strengthens economic and community resilience.
Energy Efficiency and Home Weatherization Programs - These initiatives help reduce utility
burdens for low-income households, improve housing conditions, and support our climate
and sustainability goals. They offer a practical and compassionate approach to increasing
afforda bi lity a nd preservi ng housi ng sta bi I ity.
These programs are implemented locally through trusted providers like Community Action
Partnership of San Luis Obispo (CAPSLO), whose services are vital to the wellbeing of our residents.
Federal funding through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Low-lncome Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and others makes this work possible.
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As a City committed to improving quality of life, increasing access to opportunity, and supporting the
most vulnerable among us, we urge you to maintain or increase funding levels for these programs in
the FY2026 budget. Your leadership in protecting these lifelines is critical to our shared mission of
building strong, healthy, and inclusive communities.
Thank you for your continued service and consideration.
Sincerely,
Michelle Shoresman
Vice Mayor
City of San Luis Obispo
cc: Assemblymember Dawn Addis
Congressman Salud Carbajal
Senator John Laird
Dave Mullinax, League of California Cities
League of California Cities, cityletters@cacities.org