During its final meeting of the year, the Berkeley City Council capped off a packed legislative calendar that included developments on housing, public safety, infrastructure and immigrant protections. At the same time, the council navigated a projected $18 million budget deficit. Here’s a look at 10 of the most impactful city policies in 2025 — and what to expect in the new year.

In August, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, designated UC Berkeley as a “hostile campus” for Muslim students, citing administrative suppression and a rise in anti-Muslim harassment. A month prior, UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons testified before the U.S. House of Representatives, defending the university against allegations that it was fostering antisemitism. Within the span of a couple of months, UC Berkeley somehow found itself simultaneously accused of being anti-Muslim and antisemitic.

As the federal government entered a shutdown on October 1st, a new controversy emerged over how federal agencies communicate during political standoffs. Pop-ups and banners appeared on agency websites blaming one side of Congress for the funding lapse, prompting questions about whether such messaging violated federal rules meant to keep government communications neutral.

Mayor Adena Ishii plans to address what she considers to be the biggest issues impacting Berkeley at the State of the City Address on Wednesday. A year into her term, this will be Ishii’s first address. She plans to highlight community resilience, public safety and bold housing efforts as the city navigates a growing structural deficit and federal pressure.

On Sept. 20, 2025, two new immigration measures—Senate Bill 627 and Senate Bill 805—were signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom. Both were part of a broader package advanced in the final days of the legislative session aimed at redefining how California responds to federal immigration enforcement and public safety concerns.

Caps on federal student loans contained in President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful” bill could deter aspiring lawyers and doctors from earning professional degrees. Borrowers earning a professional degree — including medical or law degrees — may loan up to $50,000 annually and $200,000 over a lifetime.