Decline in cars and foot traffic signals uncertain future for businesses and City budget
Santa Ana streets have seen a noticeable decline in activity following federal immigration raids that began last Monday. With the National Guard maintaining a visible presence along East Fourth Street and Santa Ana Boulevard and ongoing protests, many residents are avoiding the Downtown area—a shift that is already impacting local businesses and could affect the City’s future revenue.
This month, the Santa Ana City Council unanimously approved a balanced fiscal budget for 2025–26. While no major cuts were included in the current plan—those decisions were deferred until next year—business owners across the city are now reporting significant drops in sales compared to earlier this month, attributing the decline to fewer shoppers and heightened fear of immigration enforcement.
Lower sales now mean the City could collect less in tax revenue next year. The full extent of the potential shortfall, however, remains unclear.
The Santanero reached out to the City to ask whether the newly passed budget might be reconsidered in light of the changing revenue outlook. As of publication, no response has been received.
Compounding local financial uncertainty, the Trump administration has reiterated its intention to cut millions in federal funding to California. In response, Governor Gavin Newsom posted on X that California pays the nation's bills and questioned what could happen if the state withheld its contributions to the federal government. Any loss of federal support—especially for projects that rely on that funding—could lead to delays or sudden halts in development.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 17, in the council chambers at City Hall. Those wishing to speak must submit a speaker card in person no later than 5:45 PM or the start of the meeting (whichever is last). However, with several hundreds planning to speak Tuesday, it is recommended to arrive early to submit a card. Participation via Zoom is also available. For details, visit the City of Santa Ana’s official website.
