Porsche Middleton

10/12/2026

We dropped our ballots off today. Vote signed the pink envelope and be sure to drop it off early. And you can track the status of your vote 👉  https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-status/wheres-my-ballot

09/19/2026

Final day of the Sacramento Region Study Mission in Detroit.

We closed at Michigan Central with Setting the Table: Reinventing Business Innovation, moderated by Ken Barnes, featuring Shafiq Bari of the State of Michigan's Office of Future Mobility, Scott Shireman of the U of M Center for Innovation, and Will Butler of Michigan Central. Michigan is positioning itself deliberately as a leader in mobility, technology, energy, entrepreneurship and advanced industry. Standing inside a train station that sat empty for decades and now anchors an innovation district made the point better than any slide could.

My ah ha moment: the real question isn't what we should do next. It's what has us stuck. Small business needs an entry point. Local access to contracts, technical assistance, testing, and capital.

What I'm curious about: which regional collaboration strategies can we actually implement at home?

My concern: innovation districts can raise property values and rents and push out the residents and small businesses who were already there. And outside recruitment fills the new jobs unless local training prepares our own people first.

From our closing conversation, what we can start now:
Tell the story of what Sacramento is. Agriculture. Capital of the world's fourth largest economy. Be cheerleaders for Sac. Bring young people into these conversations.

What we build on: culture, our economic position, and real anti displacement strategies. Scholarships so more people can join Study Mission and Cap to Cap.

And how we get unstuck: nothing changes if it's always the same players in the same rooms. We need more alignment among regional organizations so people can actually plug in.

Thank you to the Sacramento Metro Chamber, Kaiser Permanente, SMUD, and every host who opened a door this week. Detroit didn't get here by accident. Neither will we.

Now the work comes home.

09/18/2026

Day 3 of the Sacramento Region Study Mission in Detroit, and today was all about cultural innovation.

We opened with Setting the Table, where JJ Velez of the Gilbert Family Foundation, Elana Rugh of the Detroit Historical Society, and Omari Rush of CultureSource laid out the case that cities investing in arts, creativity, sports and culture become more economically competitive. Placemaking, public space, neighborhood identity, and above all authenticity.

The afternoon roundtable at the College for Creative Studies, From Creative Talent to Civic Identity, brought that home. Detroit's resurgence was not one big investment. Education, design, arts, culture and sports reinforced each other until neighborhoods became places people wanted to be. Thank you to Sean Mann of Detroit City FC, Melanie Markowicz of Midtown Detroit, Stefen Welch of the Detroit Pistons, Njeri Rutherford of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Catherine Susko of Henry Ford Health, Izegbe N'Namdi of the N'Namdi Center, and Shannon McParlton and President Donald Tuski of CCS.

My ah ha moment: art plays a much larger role than beautification. It impacts health, preserves culture and identity, and anchors business.

What I'm curious about: how do we bring civic talent together to build a regional identity that activates our whole region?

My concern: regionally, we tend to measure everything by direct ROI for business and the local economy. How do we move past dollars and cents to show that creative investment carries the greatest impact of all?

Sacramento, our arts and culture are not the extra. They are the infrastructure.

09/17/2026

Day 2 of the Sacramento Region Study Mission in Detroit.

This morning's session, Setting the Table: Reimagining Cities Through Civic Innovation, focused on development and adaptive reuse. The message was clear. Detroit's comeback didn't happen by chance. It was built through intentional partnerships, bold leadership, creative financing, and a commitment to reusing what already exists to create places where people want to live, work, and gather.

Thank you to Scott Ford for moderating, and to Jake Chidester of Bedrock, Gina Cavaliere of the Downtown Detroit Partnership, and Jermaine Ruffin of Invest Detroit for sharing how it came together.

My biggest takeaway: our region needs to tell the story of *what* we are, not just *who* we are. So many identities make up our regional personality, and that's our strength.

The question I'm bringing home: what is one small adaptive reuse project each community in our region could take on together, so people can see the region coming together?

My concern is real too. Change takes time. How do we keep people engaged long enough to see it?

Walking the city between sessions made it tangible. Public art on historic buildings, reclaimed green space, old industrial blocks with new life. Investment follows great places.

Citrus Heights, I'm taking notes. 📝

08/29/2026

Today I joined neighbors, City staff, and project crews to celebrate the completion of the Auburn Boulevard Complete Streets revitalization.

This project was made possible by $20 million in grant funding secured from 15 different sources. That represents years of planning, strong partnerships, and careful coordination.

The improvements include new sidewalks, safer crossings, and a more welcoming corridor for pedestrians, families, businesses, and drivers. The “Welcome to Citrus Heights” gateway now stands along a street that better reflects the community it serves.

Thank you to everyone who helped secure the funding and bring this important investment across the finish line. It was a pleasure celebrating this milestone with our community.

08/28/2026

The numbers speak for themselves. Investing in and enhancing local partnerships builds a safer community for our residents.

08/27/2026

RIBBON CUTTING TODAY at 11:30 am at Tea It. Join us as we celebrate the completion of the Auburn Boulevard Complete Streets revitalization — new sidewalks, safer crossings, a corridor built for people, not just cars.

Come meet your
neighbors, city staff, and the crews who made it happen.

Also — today is the deadline to apply for the Non-Profit
Community Support Fund. Don't miss it!

08/27/2026

This is a great opportunity for our community gardeners to learn how to compost before the season starts!

Thank you Republic Services!

Join our third compost workshop of the year to learn the foundations of compost in your garden, backyard, and organic bin!

08/20/2026

Check out this workshop on 8/22

This workshop will help plant parents of all levels create healthier, longer-lasting houseplants. Learn how to identify the right light conditions and develop watering habits that support strong growth. We’ll cover soil selection, drainage, fertilizing basics, repotting tips, and plant problems su...

08/14/2026

The Roseville Road & Butternut Drive signalized intersection safety project is in its final stretch — new
sidewalks, curb ramps, storm drainage, and upgraded signal work all underway to make this corridor safer for
drivers and pedestrians alike. Proud to see this one moving toward the finish line.