The Usual Suspects
Every Wednesday, I do a round-up of SF political news!
Every Wednesday, I do a round-up of SF political news for a venerable SF institution, The Usual Suspects, San Francisco’s political homepage since 1995. I figured it might be of interest to my readers. Let me know what you think, and please share this newsletter with your friends!
Mo’ Mo’ Nuru, Mo’ Problems for SF Mayor
The Mohammed Nuru scandal fallout continues, as reports suggest the Mayor has received a gift from another FBI suspect and the Mayor explains that her relationship with the disgraced former head of Public Works may have clouded her judgement. However, despite this, Supervisor Mandelman refused to join Supervisor Ronen in calling for Breed’s resignation.
(Emails reveal another FBI suspect may have given Mayor Breed a gift / Mandelman opposes calls for Breed to resign / SF Mayor Breed regrets letting Nuru friendship influence her judgement)
SF’s City Attorney thinks whistleblower is wrong, may appeal
San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera announced that he disagreed with a court’s ruling, which upheld a $5 million whistleblower verdict in favor of a former employee in his office, but hasn’t yet decided whether to appeal it or not.
(City Lawyers Disagree With $5M Whistleblower Ruling, Have Not Decided On Further Appeal)
BOS pushing to halt Muni fare hike
SFMTA’s proposal to hike Muni fares to $3.25, which officials say is key to preventing service cuts, is facing pushback from the BOS, lead by Supervisor Dean Preston, who argue that the increased fares would reduce ridership.
($3.25 to ride Muni? Not so fast, SF supervisors say)
Taking over PG&E
The New York Times dives into San Francisco’s push to take over PG&E, highlighting both Mayor Breed’s local efforts and Senator Wiener’s statewide legislation.
(What’s Happening With Plans to Restructure PG&E?)
Class cuts at City College spark debate over equity in education
City College recently cut hundreds of class offerings without consulting key stakeholders, triggering a debate over who the college is for and what its goals are.
(Is City College Still For Everybody? Abrupt Class Cuts Spark SF Debate)
Following Superbowl humiliation, 49ers face another embarrassment: Trump pardon
Amongst a string of recent pardons, Donald Trump issued a pardon for Eddie Bartolo Jr., the long-time owner of the San Francisco 49ers, for a 90s era bribery scandal.
(Trump issues pardon to Eddie DeBartolo Jr., others)
Man shot by FBI agent tells his side of the story
Tad Crane, who was shot by an off duty FBI agent earlier this month, speaks out about the shooting, claiming the incident was triggered by a set of misunderstandings.
(Musician shot by off-duty FBI agent on Haight Street speaks out)
Transportation report tells the sad story of the Bayview
A transportation report about the Bayview neighborhood tells a story of race and class inequity; while it remains a diverse working class community, its African-American culture has begun to dissipate.
(San Francisco has done everything to the Bayview except fix problems)
California set to apologize for Japanese internment
The California State legislature is expected to pass a resolution formally apologizing for California’s role in interning over 100,000 Japanese Americans during the second World War.
(California expected to apologize to Japanese Americans for WWII incarceration)
Planning Commission approves 8 stories of housing, replacing what used to be a thrift store
After 3 rounds of proposals, a 100 unit project proposed on Polk and California Streets finally won approval at the Planning Commission.
(Eight stories of housing approved to replace former S.F. thrift store)