Dear Neighbor, 
 
Last week, I was in Washington D.C. for the 90th United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) Winter meeting. This is an annual gathering of U.S. Mayors where we discuss and collaborate on our country's most pressing issues and share some of the strategies and solutions we're implementing in San Diego.

This visit and participation in the conference were particularly important as we continue to advocate for our share of infrastructure funding as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and address our housing and homelessness crises.

To that end, I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to meet with the Biden-Harris Administration and Members of Congress to discuss these issues.

Here's a recap: 
 

Advancing San Diego’s Infrastructure Needs  

Throughout the week, I met with officials in Washington to prepare San Diego to be competitive for federal funding for our region’s infrastructure needs.

• White House Infrastructure Czar Mitch Landrieu: On Thursday, I sat down with newly appointed Infrastructure Czar Mitch Landrieu to discuss San Diego’s priorities for the bipartisan infrastructure law and hear how we can best prepare to compete for these federal funds to improve our roads, increase transit options, and invest in climate resilient infrastructure. I followed that up by addressing the USCM and Department of Transportation’s session on Increasing Equity and Mobility through Infrastructure, highlighting how San Diego is centering equity in our citywide infrastructure improvement deployment.   

• Speaker Nancy Pelosi: I had the pleasure of meeting with the Speaker of the U.S House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, to discuss federal legislation that can further our Pure Water San Diego efforts to deliver 50% of our clean drinking water by 2035. 

• SD Congressional Delegation: We’re fortunate to have a great congressional delegation representing our city in Washington, D.C. During my visit, I sat down with Rep. Scott Peters and Rep. Mike Levin, thanked them for delivering the bipartisan infrastructure law and highlighted our appropriations priorities.  

Strengthening our Binational Border Region 

We are truly one, proud binational mega region. I had the opportunity to meet with Mexican Ambassador to the United States, Moctezuma Barragan to discuss the ongoing issues of the cleaning up the Tijuana River Valley, migration, and our working relationship with the Baja Region.  
 
I also had the opportunity to meet with the new Commissioner of Border Protection, Chris Magnus, to discuss the standing issue of wait times at our ports of entry and the exciting development of our new port of entry at Otay Mesa opening in 2024. 

Latino Leaders Meeting at The White House 

I was honored to be a part of a delegation of Latino Mayors invited to the White House to meet with President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. I had the opportunity to speak with the First Lady on how we are working with our community colleges to ensure all San Diegans have an opportunity at an affordable college education and how we continue to support our military, veterans and their families.   

Check out this video posted by the President.

As always, it’s an honor to serve as your Mayor.

Sincerely,