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Otto Lee warns of federal funding cuts, lays out county plans for health, housing and wildfire protection
Summary
At the March 13, 2026 State of the County, Board President Otto Lee said federal budget changes threaten roughly $1 billion a year in county funding and outlined local actions — hospital acquisition, a new behavioral health center, Measure A housing units, AI wildfire sensors and a blue‑ribbon partnerships commission.
San José — Santa Clara County Board President Otto Lee delivered the 2026 State of the County address on March 13, saying recent federal policy changes pose a major threat to county services and outlining steps the county will take to protect health, housing and safety.
Lee said federal reductions will hit the county’s budget and health programs hard. “For this alone this county will lose about $1 billion a year,” he said, and described litigation by the county counsel seeking temporary restraining orders and injunctions to preserve federal funds. He framed the county’s legal actions as efforts to protect hospitals and safety net programs relied upon by residents.
The speech highlighted specific local investments and outcomes. Lee credited the county’s acquisition of Regional Medical Center — which…
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