\t\t\t\t\tWhy this matters<\/p>\n
The Office of Race and Equity aimed to \u201caddress all forms of disparities experienced by individuals in San Diego\u201d by dismantling any unfair policies, procedures and budget decisions that perpetuate systemic racism, according to its mission statement.<\/p>\n
San Diego city councilmembers may save the Office of Race and Equity.<\/p>\n
The council will consider today whether to override any of Mayor Todd Gloria\u2019s budget vetoes, including his decision to continue with the elimination of the Race and Equity office<\/a> he created in 2020 to dismantle what officials call unfair policies, procedures and budget decisions \u201cthat perpetuate inequity and systemic racism.\u201d<\/p>\n In a statement<\/a>, Gloria said restoring $450,000 for two race and equity management positions \u2014 a department director and a coordinator \u2014 was \u201cunnecessary.\u201d He had initially proposed eliminating the office as a standalone department and moving its positions to the city\u2019s Human Resources Department.<\/p>\n \u201cThe important work of advancing equity and breaking down systemic racism in city processes continues as part of the City\u2019s Human Resources Department, which is integrated throughout the organization,\u201d Gloria said in a statement last week.\u00a0<\/p>\n But councilmembers chose in their budget to fund the office, along with restoring other cuts Gloria made to the budget, such as council district discretionary funds; arts and culture festivals; the chief operating officer position; some stormwater contingency funding; brush management enforcement money; a study on short-term rentals; and more.<\/p>\n The council last week also suggested taking the Race and Equity office, and moving it to the city\u2019s Office of the Independent Budget Analyst. Gloria vetoed the idea, citing in his memo to councilmembers concerns of potentially \u201cpoliticizing the IBA.\u201d<\/p>\n The move comes after a contentious back-and-forth between Gloria and the City Council over how they aim to balance a <\/strong>$258 million deficit<\/a>.<\/p>\n Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera last month called Gloria\u2019s originally proposed budget cuts \u201cirresponsible and cruel,\u201d and he specifically criticized the elimination of the Race and Equity office.\u00a0<\/p>\n The department already took a financial hit last year, too. About $3 million was pulled <\/a>from its Community Equity Fund \u2014 set up to support local groups serving under-resourced communities \u2014 and redirected to help residents recover from the January 2024 floods<\/a>.<\/p>\n