PRIORITIES

Envision SLO’s Future Together

Guided by an unwavering commitment to San Luis Obispo and a shared belief in what can be achieved when we work together, Erica champions the city’s major goals while seeking to improve the way of life for all.

With a desire to openly and frequently communicate with constituents and ensure each community member is heard, respected, and valued, Erica has shown how listening and collaborating can move SLO forward.

Read more about Erica’s priorities and what has been achieved under her leadership below.

A Place Where We All Belong: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in SLO

San Luis Obispo has made great strides to implement practices in support of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals, but there is still much work to do. We must ensure everyone is made to feel welcome and safe in SLO—and that means facing uncomfortable truths, having tough conversations, and pushing each of us to do better. Erica has shown that she can lead our city as it embraces change, celebrates every community member, and infuses DEI into every facet of city life.

Together, we’ve:

Fostered the creation of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as a critical piece of our City’s infrastructure

Provided more funding for through high impact DEI grants for businesses and nonprofits.
Approved the city’s first ever DEI Strategic Plan.
Increased access to support when experiencing a hate incident or hate crime, including reporting anonymously if so desired

Access and Inequity: Addressing Affordable Housing and Supporting Our Unhoused

As the city grows, so must our resolve to confront a mounting crisis affecting the most vulnerable members of our community. Having utilized state and local resources like WIC and food banks to get by as a young adult, Erica has deep compassion for people who are unable to secure affordable housing or who are currently unhoused. She believes everyone deserves respect and will work to increase funding for community supportive services, maintain lasting partnerships to provide enriched community support, and find creative solutions for a growing need. Through a multifaceted approach, including approving more affordable housing units, making housing more accessible, soliciting valuable input from those directly impacted, and holding Cal Poly accountable to their plan of housing more students on campus, Erica is ready to address the issues of our community’s housing dilemma head-on.

Together, we’ve:

Created a mobile crisis unit to help members of our community who are experiencing physical and mental health challenges
Fostered the development of a tenant protection memo highlighting the City’s support for tenants to know their rights and responsibilities and be equipped with the tools to be housed and live safely and in good health
Facilitated increased access to tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities through the city’s housing webpages

A Sustainable SLO: Supporting the City’s Climate Goals

We must take swift action when it comes to achieving our climate goals. We need to recognize the implications locally and implement strategies to reduce the effects of the climate crisis as expediently as possible. SLO has been a sustainability leader—in the county and at the state and national level—but we can’t rest, and we can’t let up. Future generations depend on the actions we take today. Erica will remain steadfast in her commitment to increase sustainable efforts throughout the city’s operations, policies, and practices.

Together, we’ve:

Energized efforts to reach the city’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2035
Invested heavily in equipment and resources to make every part of city operations more sustainable
Conserved water amidst statewide drought mandates
Preserved and expanded open space to fortify SLO’s greenbelt
Increased the city’s 7,000 acres of open space, including the Miossi Open Space
Created the Clean Energy Program, which requires new buildings to be all-electric, leading to safer and greener households
Adapted to shifting priorities regarding Diablo Canyon Power Plant while proactively addressing safety concerns and well-being of the region

Moving Forward: Improving SLO’s Transportation System

A city without adequate multi-modal transportation denies its residents and visitors access to services, resources, and opportunities. Lack of personal transportation shouldn’t impact one’s ability to get to class or hold a job, buy groceries and other basic needs, or visit friends and family. We must increase safe and affordable alternatives to single-rider vehicles to be a more sustainable and equitable city. Whether people walk, bike, drive, or ride, the efforts SLO takes today to increase and improve multi-modal transportation options will create a more diverse, vibrant, and bustling community.

Together, we’ve:

Completed and are implementing the Active Transportation Plan - a plan and foundation for equitable and sustainable ways to walk, roll, and stroll around the city
Purchased two electric buses (and approved 8 more!) to get closer to our carbon-neutral goal and increase sustainable public transportation
Rebuilt the 100-year-old Marsh Street Bridge
Finished most of the improvements to the North Chorro Greenway
Created a multi-use Railroad Safety Trail across the railroad tracks from Taft Street to Pepper Street - a major milestone for railroad safety. (40 years in the making!)

Fostering Resilient Growth: Strengthening SLO’s Economy

As a current small business owner, Erica understands the unique challenges and opportunities presented to entrepreneurs on the Central Coast. San Luis Obispo has grown in leaps and bounds over the years. Still, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic reverberated throughout the business community, and the local economy (like most of the United States) suffered. However, the city has creatively and purposefully addressed concerns from the community, remained fiscally responsible, and maintained a sound budget under Erica’s leadership. Erica will continue to seek business growth opportunities and build a resilient economy.

Together, we’ve:

Kept our city’s budget under control
Created the Downton Summer Spending Promotion, SLO Restaurant Week, Eat Local Bonus, and Buy Local Bonus programs to incentivize shopping downtown and provide support to local, small businesses
Continued paying down the unfunded pension liability
Increased childcare slots in our city through providing childcare grants and a partnership with CAPSLO to help people open new childcare businesses in their homes
Created a new Economic Development Strategic Plan to help our businesses thrive in innovative ways and to find new businesses to continue to decrease vacancies.

Want To Know More?

If you have questions or views you'd like to share, please e-mail me at VoteEricaAStewart@gmail.com