Daily Business Report: May 1, 2026
How tariffs and war are hurting California small businesses
by Levi Sumagaysay | CalMatters
Small businesses already navigating the costs and chaos of tariffs must now also contend with the effects of the war in Iran.
“It just feels like things keep getting piled on top,” said Nichole MacDonald, owner of a San Diego business that sells women’s bags. “Not just for businesses, but for consumers. And what is a business without consumers?”
Since her customers are feeling financial pain just like her, they’re spending less money on discretionary items, she said. If they are still buying, they’re choosing denim bags over leather because they’re cheaper.
Learning Curve: Senator Wants New Math Screenings
By Jakob McWinney | Voice of San Diego
San Diego-area state Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson wants to assign California educators some new homework: screening kids for math competency.
A new bill authored by Weber would require schools to perform math testing for students in kindergarten, first or second grade. It would also require educators to offer extra support to students whose math skills are behind where they should be.
A number of safeguards to more narrowly focus the screenings are also written into the bill. Those include the stipulation that scores could not be used to evaluate teachers or identify students for gifted programs. Students’ math skills are already tested in third grade. But in pitching the bill, Weber Pierson argued that disparities begin even earlier than that.
The Giant Meteor Heading Toward the City of San Diego’s Budget
By Mariana Martinez Barba | Voice of San Diego
Forget the current budget deficit.
If voters repeal San Diego’s trash fee, city leaders say their only option would be to cut up to $150 million from city services like stormwater, fire and police departments.
“Outside of new revenue coming in, there’s no other option,” said Charles Modica, the city’s Independent Budget Analyst.
