Good afternoon, Council Members. My name is [NAME] and I live in district [CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT #]. I am part of [ORGANIZATION] and a member of the Community Budget Alliance. 

My vision for our city is one where everyone has what they need to thrive. 

[add a sentence to show what that means to you]

I appreciate and support the restorations recommended by Councilmembers and the IBA, especially to the Office of Child and Youth Success and the arts, but investing the bare minimum in youth, in public spaces, and in environmental justice, is far from what’s needed.

The contradictions in this budget are impossible to ignore. There is always more money for criminalization and surveillance, but somehow, investing in youth, working-class people, and historically disadvantaged communities is unaffordable. We reject that logic. Austerity is a choice. And now that this budget is in your hands, what choices will you make?

Here is one concrete choice we urge you to take: cancel the Flock surveillance contract. Take that money and fund youth success, libraries, parks and rec, the stormwater department, and install the pedestrian beacon near Rosa Parks Elementary. 

• And beyond this budget cycle, make corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share. Reallocate away from criminalization and toward the services and programs that help San Diegans thrive. 

Our budget is a reflection of values, make sure it reflects ours. 

Here are a few things to consider if you’d like to further personalize your comment.

Lead with vision/values:
We envision a San Diego where everyone has what they need to thrive. That is the city we are committed to building, and the budget is critical to how we get there. 

• • Add your specific vision for the City, for example: 
• – a city where workers can afford to thrive in it
• – a city where everyone has stable housing
• – a city where our youth have access to the resources, opportunities, and mentorship they need to thrive in all aspects of their lives.
• – a city that recognizes the importance of public spaces, where our parks and libraries are open 7 days a week with programming that helps people find joy and build community
•  
• Recognize restorations, but highlight that this is not enough:
• We acknowledge and appreciate the restorations proposed by council and the IBA, especially to the Office of Child and Youth Success and Arts and Culture. Those restorations matter. But investing the bare minimum in youth, in public spaces, and in environmental justice, is not enough. These are not extras, these are the things that make San Diego livable. They prevent harm, create opportunities, and make our neighborhoods safer. Why do we always have to fight for their existence?
•  
• Name the contradiction:
• The contradictions in this budget are impossible to ignore. There is always money for criminalization and surveillance, but somehow, investing in working families is unaffordable. We reject that logic. Austerity is a choice. This budget is in your hands, what choices will you make?
•  
• Our current demands:
• Fund what San Diegans need. Cancel the Flock surveillance contract and put that money where it belongs. Restore Office of Youth Success, libraries, parks and rec, and the stormwater department, and install the pedestrian beacon near Rosa Parks elementary.

   

  Long-term, make the wealthy pay, divest from criminalization, and invest in people:

What we’re fighting for is far less than what our communities need to build the San Diego we deserve. We need to make corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share. We need to stop funneling money toward criminalization and start investing in the services and programs that help San Diegans thrive and truly keep them safe.