News
The Policy & Innovation Center and partners share stories and data about equitable and innovative ways to create change in San Diego. For media inquiries, please email Olivia Stafford or Mariah Almasco at J. Walcher Communications, or call (619) 295-7140.
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AI Is Deskilling Your Workforce and It’s Costing More Than You Think
Read more: AI Is Deskilling Your Workforce and It’s Costing More Than You ThinkDr. Karen Boyd and Sarah Aghassi, Esq. discuss how job replacement comes up often in AI conversations: self-driving trucks putting drivers out of work or generative AI replacing programmers, graphic designers and copywriters. However, while we’ve been reading the unemployment numbers like tea leaves for signs of replacement, another, more difficult-to-observe change is happening.
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DC Explained: The Biggest Federal Housing Bill in Decades Just Passed the Senate. Should San Diego Care?
Read more: DC Explained: The Biggest Federal Housing Bill in Decades Just Passed the Senate. Should San Diego Care?PIC Senior Vice President Alan Berube shares how a new federal housing bill could impact housing affordability, including here in San Diego.
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‘The Need Is Out There’
Read more: ‘The Need Is Out There’The County of San Diego launched the $75 million Elevate Behavioral Workforce Fund, supporting education and workforce development in mental and behavioral health through zero-interest loans, paid internships and more.
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Measure limiting digital-only coupons receives mixed responses
Read more: Measure limiting digital-only coupons receives mixed responsesA new law took effect Wednesday limiting the use of digital-only coupons by grocery stores — the first of its kind in the country. According to a study cited by the Policy and Innovation Center, 86% of low-income seniors own a smartphone, compared to 98% of San Diego residents overall. Three in 10 seniors in the…
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County launches $75M program to attract thousands of new workers for mental health jobs
Read more: County launches $75M program to attract thousands of new workers for mental health jobsThe program, called the Elevate Behavioral Health Workforce Fund, will offer zero-interest loans, apprenticeships, peer support training, paid internships and nurse practitioner programs with the goal of adding 3,000 new behavioral health practitioners in the region.
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San Diego commits $75M to tackle mental health worker gap
Read more: San Diego commits $75M to tackle mental health worker gapSan Diego County is investing $75 million to address a growing shortage of mental health workers, a shortage that has left some residents waiting months to receive care. For recent graduates like David Valencia, the challenges of entering the mental health field begin long before they start working with clients. Valencia, who recently earned his…
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Environment Report: While San Diego Leaders Balk at High Rates, City Debates Less-Ambitious Sewage Recycling Plan
Read more: Environment Report: While San Diego Leaders Balk at High Rates, City Debates Less-Ambitious Sewage Recycling PlanDr. Daniel Enemark, chief economist at the San Diego Regional Policy and Innovation Center, addresses water affordability “Expensive water is annoying to me because I make enough money to be able to afford it,” “For others, it’s crushing.”
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How is San Diego’s economy doing this holiday season?
Read more: How is San Diego’s economy doing this holiday season?Daniel Enemark, chief economist of the San Diego Regional Policy and Innovation Center, discusses how the holiday season often means extra spending on gifts and travel. But amid rising costs, inflation and a weakening labor market, the financial stress can be a lot. During the Midday Edition, Daniel checks in on the state of San…
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New data confirms the lack of affordability in San Diego
Read more: New data confirms the lack of affordability in San DiegoAs seen in the KPBS Midday Edition: San Diego economist Daniel Enemark joins Midday Edition to talk about the state of the economy, as new data highlights the difficulties many San Diegans face in getting by.
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San Diego County job growth slowed in 2025, with 62% fewer jobs than the previous year
Read more: San Diego County job growth slowed in 2025, with 62% fewer jobs than the previous yearDr. Daniel Enemark, chief economist of the Policy and Innovation Center, noted the hard-hit professional and business services sector added jobs in October, November and December. In the article addressing how San Diego County’s job growth slowed considerably in 2025, with 62% fewer jobs than the year before.