Dear candidates running to be California’s next governor:
As a member of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and president of the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), I know supervisors across the state are deeply invested in working with a governor who understands how vital the partnership is between California’s 58 counties and the state administration.
Change in California happens county by county. Counties, as subdivisions of the state, operationalize and implement the governor’s and Legislature’s agenda, and your success is largely dependent on counties having the resources, authority and flexibility to implement those priorities.
Counties deliver health care, behavioral health, public safety, elections and safety net services for all Californians — a breadth of responsibility unmatched by any level of government beyond our constitutional officers.
One of the gravest challenges you’ll face if elected is H.R. 1 (aka the One Big Beautiful Bill Act), which will shift up to $9.5 billion in safety net costs to counties each year. Counties simply aren’t equipped to carry that burden.
Nearly 1.5 million Californians could lose Medi-Cal coverage under new re-enrollment requirements, yet counties will remain legally obligated to provide indigent care without proper funding. Cuts to federal Medi-Cal financing will destabilize public hospitals, lengthening emergency room waits and reducing services. Counties will be forced to cut programs and staffing, putting California’s health, safety and economic stability at risk.
Stabilizing the safety net and allowing counties to meet this critical need depends on reliable state support. That’s why there’s an urgent need for the governor and Legislature to fund public hospitals and indigent care, and to ensure Californians remain enrolled.
Behavioral health care is also being challenged. Counties provide mental health and substance use disorder services – both within and outside Medi-Cal. As people lose coverage under H.R.1, demand will rise, and counties will need significant resources to avoid gaps in care. Santa Clara County has made significant efforts to expand treatment capacity, but the influx of residents seeking care due to H.R.1 will strain the system. Meeting this challenge will require coordinated attention and support at all levels of government.
Homelessness is another of California’s most urgent crises, touching every community and straining every county’s capacity. Unclear responsibilities and one-time, unpredictable funding hinder long-term solutions. You can fix this broken system by partnering with state and local leaders to define clear roles for counties, cities and the state – an approach reflected in CSAC’s AT HOME framework.
We also join our city colleagues in asking you to permanently fund the Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program. The recent progress in reducing homelessness on the ground will only continue if the state provides a stable, multi-year commitment so we can plan and invest effectively. And while more housing is essential, prevention must be a priority. Counties like Santa Clara have shown that targeted investments keep thousands housed and reduce costs over time.
California is quickly falling behind other states in identifying solutions to the lack of a robust, publicly funded childcare system. Accessible, affordable childcare alleviates poverty, prevents homelessness, improves employer productivity and retention, increases the tax base, supports small businesses and keeps young families in our communities. It’s an investment dwarfed by the impact on the California economy, which loses $24.9 billion every year because we don’t have a comprehensive, affordable childcare system.
So, here is my final note for the gubernatorial candidates:
If California is serious about delivering results, counties must be partners from the start, not an afterthought in implementation. That means engaging with counties early, funding programs fully and trusting local leadership to serve their communities.
Seeking the highest office in the state is a monumental opportunity and responsibility. Counties look forward to a strong partnership with whoever is sworn into this office in 2027.
Susan Ellenberg is president of the California State Association of Counties. She also is a member of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors representing District 4, which includes the unincorporated community of Burbank, much of west San Jose, and the cities of Campbell and Santa Clara.