Horse race. Blood sport. Relay race. Full-court press. Hunger games.
Welcome to campaign season.
We’re in the run-up to the June 5 primary and special election, and city and state politics are in overdrive.
Here’s what’s up with a few of the San Francisco mayoral hopefuls and, heck, the body politic.
- Jane Kim’s all about expanding housing and reducing homelessness. Affordable housing is a key issue in her District 6 (TL, SoMa, Treasure Island), a patchwork of the rich and housed and the poor and unhoused. “As Mayor, Kim Would Try to Expand Inclusionary Housing Citywide” (San Francisco Public Press).
- Mark Leno, the author of the city’s inclusionary housing law, is equally ambitious about homelessness – he wants to end it once and for all by 2020. Ah, the triumph of hope over experience. “In Mayoral Run, Leno Promises to ‘Get Serious’ About Affordable Housing Crisis” (San Francisco Public Press).
- Several candidates (or their representative) spouted ideas on how to help the African-American community at a recent candidates’ forum hosted by three African-American political groups. Ideas ranged from the specific (reparations) to the vague (taking the city forward). “Candidates Say How They Would Help African-American Community” (San Francisco Public Press).
- The judges’ panel at the candidates’ forum turned into an “us vs. them” rhetorical slugfest as four state Superior Court judges, all up for re-election, matched wits with the four public defenders united in their aim to unseat the incumbents. “Minority Challengers Wake Up Normally Sleepy Superior Court Races” (San Francisco Public Press).
- And speaking of talking specifics, a billboard has been sighted in which candidate Angela Alioto chalks up a win: “Accomplished. Housed 11,362 Homeless – Angela ALIOTO for Mayor” (San Francisco Citizen). Guess there are no round numbers in the Alioto universe, a universe that is mapped out in “Charting 120 Years of Aliotos in San Francisco” (move over cable cars and Rice-A-Roni) (San Francisco magazine).
- In the first competitive mayoral race in 15 years, things can get down and dirty – or apocalyptic. Is San Francisco’s immortal soul really at risk, one might ask? Some apparently think so, with progressives battling moderates on issues like development and homelessness. “San Francisco Mayoral Candidates Battle for ‘Soul’ of City” (CBS/KPIX 5).
- While living, breathing people are duking it out, politically speaking, ballot propositions are brawling, too. Propositions C and D would raise taxes on commercial property owners, but only one of these measures can win. “June ‘Poison Pill’ Ballot Duel Looks Good for Office Space Landlords” (SF Weekly).
- A caveat for noncitizen voters who can now vote in school board elections – the feds. San Francisco plans to issue a warning in 51 languages to noncitizens before they register that U.S immigration officials can obtain voter registration information. “Non-Citizens Voting in SF School Board Elections to Get Immigration Warning” (San Francisco Examiner).
About That Rent? It’s Still Too Damn High
- San Francisco is a city of renters, mostly, but many of them are stressed out because of the possibility of ending up smack-dab on the street. “Eviction Stress Reaches Far and Wide in Renter-Heavy S.F.” (SF Weekly).
- These stressed-out renters have hope, though, in the guise of Proposition F, which is on the June ballot in San Francisco. Prop. F would guarantee legal help for anyone facing eviction, regardless of income. “Proposition F: Free Legal Aid for Tenants Facing Eviction” (San Francisco Public Press).
- It’s not just the residential market being hammered by sky-high rents; the commercial section is feeling the pain, too. “Castro Not Immune to Retail Struggles” (SF Weekly).
- So, rents are ridiculous, housing prices are out of reach for most ordinary mortals, and the question is why, oh why? Some have ventured an answer — or five. “5 Reasons California’s Housing Costs Are So High” (CALmatters).
Short Takes on Toking
- So you’re aching to light that joint, but hey, not so fast. There are still rules out there in California, and here’s what they are. “To Toke or Not to Toke? 9 Questions to Ask Before Lighting Up in California” (BuzzFeed).
- About that ache — not all places are created equal in their numbers of pot shops. Here’s a list of the state’s hot spots. “The 10 Cities in California With the Most Pot Shops” (Herb).
