Quick Take: Although the new 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act simplifies regulations and boosts tax credits, local officials say it won't provide immediate relief to Santa Cruz County's housing shortage. Instead, the bill’s benefits are expected to unfold... See more
Quick Take Santa Cruz County homeowners embraced backyard cottages after state and local reforms made accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, far easier to build, but that boom is already fading. Rising construction costs, high interest rates and other economi... See more
Quick Take The city of Santa Cruz has lost 1.3% of its population since 2024 and 3.7% since 2020, a Lookout analysis of the latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau finds. The decline is part of a broader exodus from expensive places in California whe... See more
Quick Take After the Department of Justice eased medical marijuana's legal status, full reclassification could come as early as this year – a move industry participants say would help level the playing field for cannabis businesses by lowering taxes and f... See more
Quick Take: This year, some Santa Cruz homeowners were able to save thousands of dollars when filing taxes. That's due to an increased cap on state and local tax deduction referred to as SALT. Lauren Leff was excited to file her taxes this year. The reaso... See more
