A few weeks ago, I launched what I called a “Dumb Laws” contest. I asked San Franciscans to tell me about the city rules and regulations that frustrated them most. The permits that took too long. The fees that made no sense. The codes that seemed designed to make life harder instead of easier.
In 30 days, San Francisco residents will begin to receive their vote by mail ballots for the June 2 primary election. This midterm primary election carries a significant importance for our City and state’s future.
Last week, I convened an oversight hearing to get answers. PG&E’s CEO came to City Hall. So did representatives from our Fire Department and the Department of Emergency Management. What we learned was troubling.
This year we have seen more and more attacks and violence from the President Donald Trump’s administration on our rights and our communities. He is a threat to our immigrant community, to our access to health care, our education system, our most vulnerable and so much more. Locally we have been pushing back, making our voices heard and allocating additional funds to offset federal cuts, but we have so much work left to do.
Last month, a ballot measure that would have restored weekday vehicle access to the Upper Great Highway (UGH) fell one supervisor’s signature short of making it onto the ballot.
In December of last year, the Richmond District experienced six blackouts, lasting more than 40 hours for most residents and almost twice that for others.
I first took office as District 1 supervisor in 2021, first became a member of the Board of Supervisors’ Budget Committee in 2022 and became the Committee chair in 2023. Since then, I have overseen three fiscal years of the City’s budget during some of the most volatile times in San Francisco – from COVID-19 recovery through the attacks and funding cuts from the Trump Administration.
There is nowhere in San Francisco quite like the Sunset District. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean, Stern Grove and Golden Gate Park, it’s the kind of place where fog softens the mornings, small businesses know their customers by name and neighbors look out for one another. This is a community built by working families – immigrants and longtime San Franciscans alike – who put down roots and stay.
You have all heard me say it before, but small businesses are the backbone of our neighborhoods. They are where we find community and gather for celebrations. We rely on them for everyday essentials, delicious meals, special treats, local artisan products and so much more. Which is why I have been working to find ways to both protect and support our small businesses and neighborhood commercial corridors.
Last month, Marc Benioff, the billionaire owner of Salesforce, decided to put his own wealth above the residents of San Francisco and declare that the Trump administration should send the National Guard to San Francisco, creating chaos and jeopardizing our immigrant community. He has since walked back his comments, but at what cost to our City?
When I gave the commencement speech for political science graduates at San Francisco State University last year, I told the class:
“You are charged with analyzing and navigating some of the world’s most intractable issues. But if you want to practice your skills for the State Department or the United Nations, go to any neighborhood association meeting in San Francisco and ask the following questions: ‘Should the Great Highway be a highway for cars or a park for people? Where should we build housing? How high can the buildings be?’”
Last month the San Francisco Planning Commission voted to advance Mayor Daniel Lurie’s upzoning plan with a 4-3 vote. This split vote shows that there are clearly concerns with the plan and reinforces what we have heard from community, housing advocates and stakeholders throughout the last year – that we must do more to protect our tenants, aging homeowners and small businesses from displacement while advancing legislation to support more housing.
Last month the San Francisco Planning Commission voted to advance Mayor Daniel Lurie’s upzoning plan with a 4-3 vote. This split vote shows that there are clearly concerns with the plan…
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie’s housing and upzoning plan is getting a lot of attention. The SF Planning Commission will consider it this month, and the SF Board of Supervisors will vote on it later this fall.
We have legislation to establish further protections for small businesses as well as empowering workers to engage with their employer when a business is up for sale. In the Richmond, we are lucky to have the most amazing neighborhood commercial corridors, filled with legacy businesses, outstanding restaurants, unique shops and vital services. The Richmond is defined by shops like Green Apple Books, Toy Boat, Tantrum, New May Wah Supermarket, New World Market, Cinderella, Schubert’s, the Balboa Theatre and too many more independent businesses to name.
Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon 