San Francisco’s June ballot has become a referendum on how the city taxes its largest employers, with labor unions arguing that higher taxes on corporations are needed to address a $936 million budget deficit over two years and prevent cuts to public services, and business leaders warning that increased costs could accelerate companies’ exit from the city.
Author Archives: Sylvie Sturm
Sylvie Sturm is an award-winning journalist with 25 years of experience in print, primarily writing and editing for community newspapers in Canada. Since relocating to the Bay Area in 2014, she has focused on audio journalism and currently contributes to the “Civic” podcast from the San Francisco Public Press. She also mentors science writers at University of California, San Francisco in print and podcasting, and has taught media at San Francisco State University.
Posted inCity Hall, Government & Politics, Homelessness, Housing, Social Services
San Francisco Cut Longstanding Legal Aid, Then Gave One Nonprofit Millions Without Bids
As San Francisco moves to slash longstanding funding for legal aid that helps low-income residents avoid homelessness, the city granted up to $5.68 million for homelessness-prevention legal services to a single nonprofit without opening the opportunity to other providers. The award, which was approved by the department and the Homelessness Oversight Commission in February, will dispense […]
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Government & Politics, Health, LGBTQ+
Federal Pressure on Transgender Care Reaches San Francisco Clinics
A sweeping federal campaign to curb gender-affirming care for minors is testing the limits of Washington’s authority over medicine and placing San Francisco clinics at the center of a national legal battle, leaving transgender adolescents uncertain about whether their treatment will continue. Federal policy debates about transgender health care are already affecting the San Francisco […]
Posted inElections, Government & Politics
Billionaire Money, Ballot Power and the Fight Over San Francisco’s CEO Tax
While national debate focuses on the role of billionaires in politics, San Francisco voters are confronting a local test case. Six-figure checks from prominent tech investors and business leaders have fueled a ballot fight over the city’s executive pay tax.
Posted inCity Hall, Law & Justice
San Francisco Mayor Continues to Withhold Trump Call Records Despite Task Force Rebuke
Mayor Daniel Lurie’s office is resisting scrutiny over an October call with the president that he said averted a federal immigration enforcement surge.
Posted inCity Hall, Government & Politics, Law & Justice
Sunshine Task Force Finds Mayor’s Office Violated Transparency Law Over Trump Call
San Francisco’s transparency watchdog found the mayor’s office violated a city law by refusing to release records about a call with President Trump about whether to call off federal forces.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Health, Law & Justice, LGBTQ+
Health Experts Brace for Return of Conversion Therapy for LGBTQ+ Youth
Doctors and mental health experts across the country are warning of dire consequences as the U.S. Supreme Court takes up a case that could overturn a Colorado ban on conversion therapy for minors, a practice long tied to psychological harm and elevated suicide risk among LGBTQ+ youth.
Posted inHealth
San Francisco Halts Plan to Displace Dozens of Care Facility Residents With Severe Mental Illness
San Francisco health officials have reversed a controversial plan to uproot 82 long-term residents with severe mental illness from two units at a hospital-based care center. All occupants in one unit will remain in place, while those in another have been promised protections.
Posted inCity Hall, Government & Politics
Critics Say Mayor’s Secrecy Over Trump Call Undermines Public Trust
Open-government experts and civic leaders are questioning why Mayor Daniel Lurie is withholding records of a phone call with President Donald Trump that reportedly halted a federal immigration enforcement surge, saying the secrecy undermines public trust amid worries about threats to city residents’ civil rights.