POLICY WATCH – February 2026
In This Issue
SMART’s Future- An Investment in the North Bay
Why California’s Early Childhood Policy Shift Raises Concerns for the North Bay
Childcare Educators are Competing for Wages
Leaders of the North Bay Awards- Last Call for Nominations
Upcoming Events
Generation Housing- 2026 Action Summit, March 5th
Leaders of the North Bay Awards Luncheon, April 24th
Members in the News
As we move further into 2026, the policy decisions being made at the local and state levels continue to shape the economic vitality and long-term resilience of the North Bay. From the future of SMART and regional transportation infrastructure to the stability of our early childhood education system, the issues before us are deeply interconnected with workforce participation, business competitiveness and quality of life.
In this edition of Policy Watch, we highlight several developments that directly impact our region including the upcoming vote on SMART’s funding renewal, the evolving landscape of California’s early childhood policies and what they mean for working families. Each of these topics reflects NBLC’s ongoing commitment to advancing practical, solutions-oriented policy that strengthens our economy while supporting children, families and employers.
We are also looking ahead to opportunities to gather as a region from Generation Housing’s Action Summit to our Leaders of the North Bay Awards Luncheon, moments that remind us of the power of collaboration and leadership.
Thank you for staying engaged in the work of building a more resilient, prosperous and equitable North Bay.
Best regards,
Joanne
SMART’s Future: An Investment in the North Bay’s Economy and Environment:
This month, the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District Board of Directors took an important and appropriate step by voting to place the renewal of SMART’s existing sales tax on the June ballot. In the coming weeks, both the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and the Marin County Board of Supervisors are expected to take similar action to ensure voters have the opportunity to decide.
There has been recent public discussion including the circulation of a newly published book critical of SMART raising familiar yet antiquated questions about the system’s history and performance. Healthy debate is part of any major public investment. But ultimately, the most important point is this: the decision about SMART’s future will be made by voters, through a transparent and democratic process.
At its core, this is not about personalities or political rhetoric. It is about whether the North Bay will continue investing in a transportation system that has become an essential part of our regional infrastructure or whether we will step backward.
SMART is working and evolving. Ridership has steadily rebounded and grown. The rail line and its parallel multi-use pathway have strengthened connections between communities, expanded commuting options, and provided safe, sustainable mobility for thousands of residents. As congestion persists along Highway 101, SMART offers a cleaner, greener transportation alternative reducing vehicle miles traveled, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and providing a sustainable option that benefits both commuters and the environment.
Importantly, the measure expected on the June ballot is a renewal tax, it would continue the existing sales tax, not increase it. Renewal ensures operational stability, protects prior public investment, and allows SMART to plan responsibly for the future. Without it, the system faces a funding cliff that would threaten service levels and long-term viability.
From a business and economic perspective, reliable regional transportation supports workforce mobility, reduces congestion-related costs, and enhances the North Bay’s competitiveness. Employers benefit when workers have dependable ways to access jobs. Communities benefit when growth is aligned with sustainable infrastructure.
At the North Bay Leadership Council, we believe in long-term, solutions-oriented policy that strengthens our regional economy while advancing environmental sustainability. That is why we have made a clear choice about the kind of transportation system and the kind of region we want and support SMART.
Why Childcare Centers are Closing:
California’s expansion of universal transitional kindergarten is an important step toward improving access to early learning for four-year-olds. Expanding opportunity in early childhood education is a goal we share.
However, recent reporting by CalMatters reporter, Jeanne Kuang “Newsom expanded free preschool. Now private daycares can’t afford to stay open”, highlights emerging challenges tied to the rapid rollout of state-funded preschool programs championed under Gavin Newsom. As more four-year-olds transition into public school-based programs, many community-based child care providers are losing a critical portion of their enrollment threatening the financial stability of centers that serve infants, toddlers and working families year-round.
For the North Bay, this is more than an education issue it is an economic one.
Local child care providers are small businesses that enable workforce participation. They offer full-day, extended-hours (nights and weekends) and year-round care that aligns with employer needs. When providers lose older preschoolers who often help subsidize the higher cost of infant and toddler care the entire system becomes more fragile. Some may reduce capacity, raise rates or close entirely.
At the North Bay Leadership Council, we have made providing high-quality early learning experiences for all children especially those most vulnerable a policy priority. But access must be comprehensive. Expanding public preschool should complement, not destabilize, the broader mixed-delivery system families depend on.
If policymakers fail to address these unintended consequences, the result could be fewer child care options, higher costs for families and added strain on employers already facing workforce shortages.
California’s investment in early learning is commendable. Now the focus must be on ensuring those investments strengthen the full birth-to-five system so the North Bay’s children, families and businesses can thrive.
Read the Full Article on CalMatters here
Child Care Centers Compete with California’s $20 Fast Food Wage:
High-quality early learning experiences lay the foundation for lifelong success socially, emotionally and academically especially for children in vulnerable communities. Yet recent data from UC Berkeley’s California Early Care and Education Workforce Study show that the adults entrusted with nurturing and educating our youngest learners face significant economic and professional challenges that undermine the stability and quality of early care and education in the state.
The latest Data Snapshot: California’s Early Care and Education Workforce in Eight Charts (see graph below) highlights persistent low wages, high turnover and systemic inequities among early educators conditions that make it difficult to recruit and retain skilled teachers and caregivers. Despite profound dedication to their work and deep experience, many early educators earn substantially less than their peers in K-12 education and are often unable to achieve economic security. These labor market realities have direct consequences for families’ access to consistent, high-quality early learning environments.
This data underscores why NBLC has elevated early learning as a policy priority: ensuring access to high-quality early education requires not only strong programs for children, but also sustainable, well-supported careers for those who deliver them. Investing in the early learning workforce strengthens educational outcomes for children, supports family economic stability and contributes to long-term regional competitiveness.
Last Call for Leaders of the North Bay Nominations:
North Bay Leadership Council annually honors outstanding organizations, individuals and teams for their leadership in contributing to the prosperity and quality of life in Sonoma, Marin, and Napa Counties. Please consider submitting a nomination to get your leader nominated today! It’s EASY! Click here to submit online.
Please let us know why they deserve to be a recognized as a Leader of the North Bay.
Honorees chosen will be awarded on April 24, 2026 at The Jonas Center at the College of Marin. Deadline to submit a nomination is February 26, 2026
Upcoming Events:
Generation Housing- 2026 Action Summit, Thursday, March 5th, 1:00pm-5:30pm,The Backdrop, 1455 Corporate Center Pkwy, Santa Rosa
Save the Date: Leaders of the North Bay. Friday, April 24th, Jonas Center, College of Marin, Novato
Members in the News
Burbank Housing Collaboration Golden Gate Village Construction Trades Program Positions Marin City Residents for Career Advancement
Golden Gate Village recently celebrated the graduation of 21 residents from its first-ever Construction Trades Program, a 12-week initiative designed to break down financial and access barriers, improving entry to careers in the trades for Marin City residents. The program is a collaboration among Marin Housing Authority, Burbank Housing, and Tradeswomen Inc., and is one of just many positive outcomes that stem from the revitalization of Golden Gate Village.
Recology Sonoma Marin’s 2026 North Bay Zero Waste Symposium
This year's event will be held on Thursday May 7th at SOMO Village Events Center in Rohnert Park from 8am - 5pm, with a cocktail hour to follow.
College of Marin Unveils $82M Student Center
College of Marin has opened its new student hub after two years of construction and $82 million in spending.
NorCal Public Media Stars of Food & Wine Awards
Get your tickets NOW for the NorCal Public Media Stars of Food & Wine Awards!
North Bay Children’s Center Welcomes Newest Board Member Betsy Scully Ricketts
Over the last 20 years, Betsy has advocated for both small business owners and Fortune 50 corporations in developing and managing policies, programs, and political activities in Northern California, in over 25 states, and in Washington D.C. Betsy was drawn to NBCC by its leadership team.