Tom Steyer makes a stop in SLO ahead of governor’s race

New Times SLO (Atascadero)
May 28, 2026
Well, you know it’s getting close to election season when the campaign buses start rolling through our neck of the woods. According to *New Times SLO (Atascadero)*, billionaire gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer brought his “A California You Can Afford” tour to San Luis Obispo last week, just days before the June 2 primary. While his stop was in SLO proper, it’s worth keeping an eye on for us in Atascadero too — because when a candidate talks about affordability in this state, he’s speaking directly to the squeeze so many of us feel on the Central Coast.
Steyer’s message about making California more affordable hits home here, where housing prices have climbed and local wages haven’t always kept pace. Whether you agree with his politics or not, it’s a good reminder that our community’s voice matters in this race. The next governor will shape policies on housing, water, and wildfire prevention — issues that hit close to home for Atascadero. So if you missed him in SLO, take a moment to check where the candidates stand before you head to the polls. Every vote from our corner of the 805 really does count.
This summary was written by AI based on the original article from New Times SLO (Atascadero).
City
AtascaderoPublished
May 28, 2026
AI-curated summary from local news sources
Explore AtascaderoAll Atascadero NewsMore News from Atascadero
AtascaderoMorro Bay considers skipping November election
Morro Bay might skip its November election this year, and honestly, it’s a move that makes you stop and think. With only three candidates stepping up for three open seats—including Mayor Carla Wixom—the city is considering canceling the vote and just appointing them. That would save about $30,000, which is no small chunk of change for a coastal town. It’s a practical call, but it also raises a bigger question: what does it mean when nobody wants to run? For us here on the Central Coast, this feels familiar. Local races often go uncontested, and while saving money is nice, it also means fewer voices in the room. New Times SLO (Atascadero) reported this story, and it’s worth reading if you care about how our neighbors handle civic life. Whether you’re in Morro Bay or Atascadero, it’s a reminder that our local governments run on people stepping up—and when they don’t, we all lose a little bit of that democratic spark.
AtascaderoSLO County pays into renewed statewide coalition to combat offshore oil drilling
Remember the good old days when the biggest worry off our coast was whether the fog would burn off by noon? Well, our supervisors just made sure it stays that way. At their Aug. 18 meeting, the SLO County Board of Supervisors voted to chip into a renewed statewide coalition—the same one that fought off offshore drilling back in the Reagan era. It's been dormant for over 30 years, but with the feds eyeing our waters again, it's time to rally the troops. For us here in Atascadero, this might feel like a coastal issue, but it's not. Our creeks, our aquifers, and our small-town way of life are all tied to that ocean. A spill wouldn't just ruin Morro Bay's views—it'd ripple through our tourism, our fishing, and our local businesses. So kudos to the board for spending a few bucks to keep the big oil rigs away. It's a small price for peace of mind. Thanks to New Times SLO (Atascadero) for keeping us in the loop.
AtascaderoThree candidates vie for Paso Robles 2nd District seat
Paso Robles voters in the 2nd District have a real choice this November, and it’s about time. For the past four years, Councilmember Chris Bausch has been at the center of a storm at City Hall—one that ended with lawsuits and over $840,000 in settlements and legal costs. That’s a lot of taxpayer money, and it’s weighed on the community. Now, Bausch is asking for another term, but he’s not running unopposed this time. Two challengers are stepping up, and that’s a healthy sign for local democracy. For those of us in the 805, this race is more than just a council seat—it’s about how we want our local government to work. The Central Coast is tight-knit, and when a council race gets this contentious, it echoes beyond Paso Robles. New Times SLO (Atascadero) has been covering the fallout, and it’s worth paying attention to. Whoever wins will have to rebuild trust and focus on the basics: roads, water, housing, and keeping our small-town feel. If you live in the 2nd District, this is your chance to weigh in—don’t sleep on it.