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By Rosanne Foust and Krystlyn Giedt
Published Aug 1, 2025 by The Daily Journal
“San Mateo County is often celebrated for its innovation, quality of life and strong local economy. But beneath the surface, affordability challenges are placing enormous strain on residents and businesses alike. Under state guidelines, even a $109,700 annual salary now qualifies as ‘low income’ in our region. This is a startling reflection of how high the cost of living has become. Many households are spending more than half their income just to keep a roof over their heads.
This isn’t just a housing issue, it is an economic one. The people most affected by these rising costs are not only our neighbors, they are also the workforce that keeps our economy running: our teachers, farmworkers, lab technicians, restaurant employees and countless others.
Recent changes in California’s energy policies, while well-intentioned in their environmental goals, risk placing additional cost burdens on these very workers and the industries that employ them. On July 1, the state implemented a higher gas excise tax and revised the Low Carbon Fuel Standard. These changes coupled with decisions by the federal government are resulting in further cost increases from the gas station, to the grocery store and to the dinner table for families; and cost increases across the board for businesses of all sizes.”
