Follow the Money

Mark Twain once explained to readers in the 19th century: “I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.”

President Ronald Reagan imparted such education, which is applicable after the Nov. 5 presidential election: “Freedom is never more than one generation from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected and handed down for them to do the same.”

With Donald Trump in the White House, crazier but wilier than ever, we must fight the self-effacement at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington D.C., 20500.

There could perhaps be a new award nationally for the worst presidential appointment of all presidential administrations. I nominate Pete Hegseth, who paid a woman money in 2020 to settle a sexual assault claim from 2017 where he had a speaking engagement in Monterey, and last month became by default Mr. Trump’s next nominee for secretary of Defense. The default was by former Congressman Matt Gaetz of Pennsylvania who withdrew from the fray amidst a House of Representatives Ethics Committee investigation of him of sexual assault. The Wall Street Journal instantly questioned the wisdom of that nomination, declaring the secretary of Defense “must have the president’s trust.” Amen!

We’ll know after Hegseth’s hearing whether another Trumpster’s nomination is withdrawn amidst White House musical chairs. Add Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of Health and Human Services for ignominious recognition as cabinet secretaries. I was the late Bobby Kennedy’s Lawyers Committee chairman for San Francisco in his 1968 primary campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination and met him at the Fairmont Hotel the night before he was assassinated in Los Angeles on primary day. He was a smart, tough, Harvard-educated leader. His son, ex-Santa Monica mayor, is an embarrassment to the Kennedy family and scientific advancement in medical care and treatment.

Maybe President-elect Trump can surprise us in foreign affairs. Otherwise, I anticipate his obsequiousness and association with Putin who manifestly seeks reiteration of the Soviet Union, first by conquering Ukraine, then by abandoning Israel to its historic enemies while NATO withers. I forecast no or little good from Trump’s presidency and hope we survive as a free, fruitful and democratic nation of law, order, economic opportunity and source of aid to democratic nations.

Apropos my informing readers of SFMTA’s (the “Muni,” to old-timers like this columnist) budgetary gift of $11 million over two budget years (2024-2025 and 2025-2026), reader John Daniels notes a San Francisco Examiner story about SFMTA’s $322 million expected 2026-27 deficit and preparation to cut Municipal Railway service now. Simultaneously, the City and the County confronts a budget deficit of almost $800 million for fiscal year 2025-2026.

Speaking of rail transit, the California High-Speed Rail Authority continues to bamboozle the tax-paying public, legislators and print media. A personal inspection by State Sen. Dave Cortese, a San Francisco Democrat and chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee revealed the myth that the Authority is actually building 171 miles of electrified tracks between Merced and Bakersfield. It can’t. It hasn’t, after 15 years of expending more than $16 billion of federal and state taxpayer money, laid any track and its current plan consists of regular tracks which would (if ever built) not be electrified.

As Sen. Cortese confirmed to me, it’s only building viaducts to enable track to be laid. In November 2008, state voters approved a $9.95 billion general obligation bond issue promising San Francisco to Los Angeles electrified train service in less than three hours by 2020. I chaired the campaign as the president of the Authority governing board and author of 1996 legislation, as a state senator, establishing such Authority. Voters approved the bond by 52% to 48%. It has turned out to be one of California’s memorable boondoggles, while the Authority committed “to delivering passenger rail service between 2030 and 2033” in a public “briefing” by staff on May 16. The Authority concedes, however, it has no funding. The 2008 bond money has been exhausted; there’s no Barack Obama or Democratic Congress to appropriate federal taxpayer money.

Trump and his acolytes despise California – so, do Congressional Republican leaders. I apologize to California voters for persuading them to support a rail system built and operating successfully in Japan, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Great Britain, Spain and, of course, the Chinese Communist dictatorship. It’s possible the Authority will close shop next year, although our governor will be a presidential candidate and may generate some political pap to prevent the flop from being associated with him as he rules the circuit from Maine to Oregon and points in between.

As we welcome Daniel Lurie, a native son, as our next mayor in January and a few changes on the Board of Supervisors, including the departure of Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, the most knowledgeable supervisor concerning our local government, I reflect on the July 18 online reporting by the Chronicle’s Nami Sumida about S.F.’s highest-paid city employees. The highest compensated isn’t Mayor London Breed, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins or Police Chief Bill Scott, all favorites of mine: It’s Alison Romano, chief executive and investment officer in the Retirement Services, our pension office, with $842,000. Police Sgt. Frank Harrell received $765,000 of which some $450,000 constitutes overtime. It’s more than twice his regular salary. Mayor Breed received $469,000 (God bless her), including $373,000 regular pay, $57,000 in retirement pay, $22,000 for medical and dental benefits and $17,000 for unemployment insurance and Social Security. Chief Scott obtained $547,000, Fire Chief Jeanine Nicholson secures $540,000 and Sheriff Paul Miyamoto earned $532,000. About 200 employees received more money than Mayor Breed, who is the highest paid California mayor. Supervisors receive $163,000 and are worth every penny thereof as District 4 voters contemplate recalling Supervisor Joel Engardio, the magistrate of closing the Upper Great Highway to private motor vehicles.

I conclude until 2025, as follows: “As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day, the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire and at last the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.” That was H.L. Mencken’s “On Politics: A Carnival of Buncombe.” That’s fitting.

Meanwhile, my family and I convey warm wishes to all San Franciscans for a Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas and healthy, happy new year.

Quentin Kopp is a former San Francisco supervisor, state senator, SF Ethics Commission member, president of the California High Speed Rail Authority governing board and retired Superior Court judge.