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Policy Briefing

Biweekly Policy Briefing Issue XXXIV: Barriers & Budgets

Hello again.

On Saturday, the third “No Kings” day of action is being organized across the country with more than 20 events in San Diego and Imperial counties. Organizers have projected up to nine million participants nationwide (compared to five million and seven million participants in the first and second marches).

Here’s a look at what happened this week. (Catch up on our previous installments of this briefing here.)

 

THE FACTS

BUDGETS
  • The government has been in a partial shutdown for six weeks now. Earlier this week, both sides of the aisle rejected offers from the other party.
    • Early this morning, the Senate reached a deal to fund all of DHS except ICE and parts of Customs and Border Protection. The House will vote on the deal today.
  • With no resolution in place yet, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers across the country were set to miss their second paycheck today. Almost 500 screeners have quit since the shutdown began, causing chaos at major hubs. Along with those who have quit, some airports are experiencing up to 50 percent of TSA screening staff calling out.
  • The Trump administration sent ICE agents to 14 major airports on Monday, saying they were there to assist with the lack of TSA agents. By Wednesday, ICE agents had started checking passengers’ ID in lines—a departure from their intended role. ICE agents have also assisted with several medical emergencies at airports.
    • Despite the deployment of ICE, long lines persist, and it’s unclear whether their presence has significantly reduced wait times as the weekend travel rush approaches.
  • A rise in public transportation prices is on the horizon in San Diego. The fare increases will only partially cover the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) budget shortfall, and the remainder of the shortfall will be covered by service cuts.
  • A bill that could funnel hundreds of millions of dollars to biotech companies in San Diego is headed to the president’s desk this week. If he signs it, funds from the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs would begin flowing. In past years, San Diego’s biotech industry has received approximately $100 million annually, a source that was disrupted when the programs lapsed in late 2025.

Implications for funders: Budget uncertainty at the federal, state, and local levels may place additional pressure on safety-net systems and the nonprofit organizations that deliver essential services. Funders may see increased demand for support related to food assistance, housing stability, health care access, and other basic needs. Philanthropy can help stabilize community-serving organizations during periods of fiscal disruption and support coordination among providers as government funding fluctuates. 

 

BORDER & IMMIGRATION
  • The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Tuesday in a San Diego case that could allow the Trump administration to reinstate a policy to turn asylum seekers away if immigration officers deem the port of entry to be at capacity. A San Diego federal judge and the panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals have both ruled that the policy, called “metering,” is unlawful, but the Supreme Court seems poised to side with the administration.
  • The state of Minnesota has sued the Trump administration to get evidence they say is necessary for them to independently investigate three shootings by federal officers—including the shootings involving Alex Pretti and Renée Good. Minnesota officials say the federal government did not cooperate with their initial investigation and is withholding evidence to shield law enforcement officers.
  • Now former Senator Markwayne Mullin was sworn in as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) this week, following a Senate confirmation vote of 54 to 45. He takes on leadership of the third largest federal department at a time of significant challenge due to immigration enforcement practices and air travel disruptions. (DHS oversees both Customs and Border Protection and Transportation Security Administration).

Implications for funders: Organizations across the region are engaging in proactive planning to prepare for a potential escalation in ICE activity. Contact us to participate in coordinated efforts among funders to support legal representation, community safety, communications efforts, and more.

SAFETY NET
  • The Senate and House have still not reconciled differences in their versions of a housing affordability bill, with key disagreements over whether private investors must sell units built as rentals after seven years of operation.
  • On Thursday, the County of San Diego approved a plan for public health clinics to address the health-insurance gap caused by recent changes to Medicaid eligibility (administered in California as Medi-Cal). Up to 100,000 San Diegans may soon lose their health coverage, and the County voted to develop a plan within six months outlining how to meet residents’ health needs and fund the effort. The plan includes pairing medical care with food assistance.

Implications for funders: Continued policy activity at the federal and local levels reflects the growing urgency of housing affordability and health care access. As new legislation and local ballot measures are considered, funders may have opportunities to support research, community engagement, and policy education around housing stability. Philanthropy can also help expand resources for renters, housing counseling, and homelessness prevention, as housing costs remain a major driver of financial insecurity for many households. 

THE COURTS
  • The Supreme Court will soon rule on whether mail-in ballots can be counted if they were mailed before election day but do not arrive at the polls until after election day. While the case is specifically about Mississippi’s mail-in ballot law, more than a dozen states—including California—have similar laws that would be affected by the ruling.
  • Last week, a federal judge blocked the government from implementing the changes to the childhood immunization schedules proposed by Health Secretary and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., saying they were not based on reviews of scientific evidence. The ruling reverses all actions taken by Kennedy’s new Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices.
  • A federal judge ruled that parts of the Pentagon policy restricting access to reporters are unlawful, finding that limiting reporters based on their coverage violates the First Amendment. The court struck down the requirement that reporters sign a pledge agreeing to not obtain or use unauthorized materials.

 

OTHER
  • The Trump administration has invoked emergency powers to restart oil drilling off the coast of California. The contested pipeline has been shut down since 2015, following a major oil spill off the Santa Barbara coast. The company that owns the pipeline has been embroiled in legal battles with the state ever since.
  • UC San Diego is one of three medical schools under investigation by the Trump administration for use of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in admissions. The schools have been ordered to turn over seven years’ worth of admission data, including test scores, zip codes, relationships between admittees and alumni and donors, and any internal communications related to DEI. Schools that fail to comply by April 24 risk losing additional federal funding.
  • Senate Democrats rejected an amendment to the SAVE America Act that would have imposed a strict photo identification requirement for voters, arguing it would impose the single strictest voter ID law in America.
  • The San Diego Water Authority has authorized the sale of excess water to other communities through a deal with Riverside County. The unique deal will generate funding for San Diego that could help limit future water rate hikes while addressing the needs of the drought-prone Riverside County.

 

TAKEAWAYS & RESOURCES

  • Budget season is here: If you are a resident of the City of San Diego, you can take a budget survey here to share your priorities with the city. You can also share it with grantees and partners to provide input. Explore other opportunities to get involved in shaping the city’s budget here.
  • The Council on Foundations has put together a guide for funders on the Iran War and how to assist and support those affected.
  • Learn how the changing federal policy and funding landscape is shaping funder behavior in our region in the 2025 Pulse of the Practice.
  • Registration is now open for Catalyst’s 50th anniversary event on Wednesday, May 6. Please join us to raise a glass, share a story, and celebrate five decades of doing the work together.
  • Explore California perspectives on health care issues in the 2026 California Health Policy Survey.
  • Join us for Sacramento Day, April 7-8. Register today to join this annual educational visit, which includes legislative briefings and support for meetings with lawmakers.

 

Talk to you next week,

Megan Thomas
President & CEO
Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties