BART and Muni have a scheme to save themselves: Scare the crap out of you

<p>If the near-constant warnings about a doom loop of BART station closures and deep cuts to Muni service  have you on edge , well, that’s part of the plan.  A life preserver for the two agencies —as well as 10 other Bay Area public transit operators — is in the hands of the public. In November, voters will decide on a regional sales tax measure that would raise funds to close severe transit budget shortfalls due to a lagging post-pandemic recovery.  The masterminds of the campaign, known as Connect Bay Area, have centered on a clear strategy to encourage taxpayers to pull the lever: scare the crap out of them. It’s intense but effective. Political experts say campaigns that lean hard on the worst-case scenario can be extremely persuasive if the stakes are high enough. Here, the threat is stark: Without new revenue, transit agencies face deep cuts — or even complete closure.  Similarly, last year’s Proposition 50 campaign leaned on  grave warnings  that congressional district lines must be redrawn to prevent them from further entrenching right-wing power and hamstringing Democrats in upcoming elections.  BART is particularly screwed. The agency faces a roughly $350 million budget deficit in the next fiscal year and has warned that if it doesn’t get a windfall of cash, it will likely have to close 10 stations by January and five more by July 2027. While it has secured a  $590 million loan  from the state, it can spend the money only if the tax measure passes, since the revenue will be used to pay back the loan. If it can’t safely run a scaled-back train system with 15 closed stations, the agency warns, BART service could cease altogether within  two years . “That isn’t political messaging; it’s budget balancing facts,” BART spokesperson Alicia Trost said. While it is legal for BART to endorse ballot measures, the SFMTA cannot under city policy, according to the City Attorney’s office. However, both can share information about dire financial realities. BART has raised public awareness about what could happen if the measure fails through social media posts, public hearings, and news coverage. During a public meeting, BART staff described to the board of directors what would be needed to balance the shrunken budget: massive service cuts — including eliminating the Blue line — and station closures. BART directors reacted with alarm. “The way I see this entire scenario is kind of putting BART on life support,” Barnali  Ghosh said. “It’s been, to put it bluntly, a bummer to contemplate such draconian measures,” said Robert Raburn. The SFMTA has stopped short of endorsing any ballot measure to fund itself — neither the regional sales tax nor a  local parcel tax  that is slated to go before San Francisco voters at the same time — but has  announced  the severe consequences of a failure to secure more money. Among the predictions: halving service to some Muni routes while eliminating others, no free Muni for youth, and the elimination of cable cars. “The future of Muni is at stake,” an SFMTA  blog post  reads. Media coverage of the transit death spiral has been appropriately apocalyptic. The Chronicle  used the word  “doomsday” in a headline to describe the possible BART station closures. The terminology has been borrowed by  Oaklandside ,  The Sun , and Garry Tan’s  nascent media projec t .  BART said balancing its budget will require a combination of service cuts, station closures, fare increases, and laying off some 1,200 employees. But the fear of doubled commute times, killed lines, and traffic chaos is the point. Think of it as a carrot-and-stick strategy that’s pretty much all stick.  “People react to threats more than rewards,” said political consultant Jim Ross. “Negative messaging is always more powerful than positive messaging.” Muni has a similar deficit — $307 million — and has taken a similar  fire-and-brimstone  tack, predicting that it will run up to half as many buses or trains on some lines, shut down lines that have low ridership, end cable car service, and operate dirty trains. “ Devastating ” and “ terrifying ” are among the most popular descriptors of the potential cuts.  “We have a responsibility to be transparent with our customers and constituents about financial information, impacts, and outcomes as they relate to our budget planning process,” said an SFMTA spokesperson. Via public meetings and reports, transit agencies can tacitly make the case for why voters should support the ballot measures, without running afoul of laws that prohibit them from campaigning.  “They can lay down the situation to make it easy for the campaign to connect voters to the answer,” said John Whitehurst, a partner at BMWL Public Affairs. The website of the  Connect Bay Area  campaign, which is in favor of the new sales tax, has banners warning of BART slashing trains from 4,200 a week to 500, 50% Muni service cuts, and Caltrain eliminating weekend trains.  Stoking fears of a BART shutdown is especially effective while recent transit  meltdowns  are fresh in voters’ minds, Ross said. Reminding voters what they stand to lose can broaden the message beyond core transit riders to suburban motorists who fear increased congestion.  “They may want to go to a Giants game and not pay $100 for parking,” Ross said. The tax measure’s campaign calls public transportation “the heartbeat of the Bay Area.” “It’s about the Bay Area, and this is what you’ll lose if it doesn’t pass,” said SF State political scientist Jason McDaniel. “They’re trying to appeal to a broader identity.” A  November poll  on the regional tax measure from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission found that 58% of respondents agreed with the idea that public transit is important to the Bay Area, versus 47% two years prior. The survey also found that 56% of voters said they’d support the regional measure — more than the simple majority needed for passage.  Political campaign expert Jason Overman said Bay Area voters are generally fatigued by tax measures. But messaging that can break through functions to convince the electorate that the stakes are really that high. “The campaign’s job is to communicate with voters that this is not a drill,” he said. “Then voters can ask themselves, is this a doomsday situation or not, and do I want to find out?” Correction :  This article has been updated to amend an earlier statement that BART cannot endorse ballot measures.</p>

Planning commissioner fined for ethics violations after Standard investigation

<p>Planning Commissioner Kathrin Moore has been fined $12,000 after city officials determined that she engaged in “severe violations” of conflict-of-interest laws involving her previous employer. The fines come after   The Standard   reported  in July that Moore had voted to approve projects involving Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, or SOM, while simultaneously receiving $15,000 in yearly retirement payments from the internationally renowned architecture firm.  The Ethics Commission charged Moore with four counts of violating conflict-of-interest rules for votes she participated in between 2021 and 2025.  “Although there is no evidence to suggest that [Moore] deliberately intended to benefit her financial interest by participating in the votes, her failure to recuse herself from the matters constitute severe violations of the conflict-of-interest laws for which she must be held accountable,” charging papers from the Ethics Commission state. Moore, who retired as an associate partner at SOM in 1999, has been on the Planning Commission since 2006. The seven-person governing body is one of the most influential commissions in the city, overseeing the approval or rejection of major development projects. “I made an unintentional, honest mistake in forgetting to recuse myself from the SOM-related votes,” Moore said in a statement. “And while I take full responsibility for the oversight, in hindsight, it’s vital to note that each project was unanimously approved, I was never a swing vote, no harm was done, nor did I benefit monetarily.” The Ethics Commission found that Moore had violated ethics rules based on votes involving developments at 1750 Van Ness Ave., 98 Franklin St., and 530 Sansome St./447 Battery St. The buildings totaled nearly $900 million in project costs. “Given the large scale of these developments and their substantial impact on community space in the City, Respondent’s participation in these matters despite a conflict of interest risked public confidence in the integrity of City decision-making,” the Ethics Commission wrote. In two instances, Moore recused herself from projects involving her former architecture firm, though it is unclear why she did not step away from other votes. City officials and commissioners are prohibited from making decisions involving an entity in which they received $500 or more over the previous year. Commissioners regularly recuse themselves from votes, often to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. City attorneys had warned Moore that her votes on SOM could constitute a breach of local ethics laws, according to a 2012 memo. The memo cited Moore’s claim that she had been told by the city attorney that she did not have to include SOM’s retirement income in her required financial disclosure Form 700. “This office does not have any record of that advice,” an attorney wrote in response.  Moore has reported her SOM income since 2012. After The Standard’s reporting on the memo, Moore said she would no longer vote on SOM projects. The architecture firm is behind some of the world’s most famous buildings, including the Burj Khalifa in Dubai and the Sears Tower in Chicago. SOM also designed One Maritime Plaza and the trusses at San Francisco International Airport. Moore was appointed to the Planning Commission by former Supervisor Aaron Peskin, and then reappointed by former Supervisors David Chiu and Malia Cohen. She was most recently reappointed by Supervisor Shamann Walton. Her term will end in July.</p>

Controversial SF judge to face last-minute challenger in June election

<p>A former state attorney, now in private practice, is running to unseat a controversial judge on the San Francisco Superior Court. Anthony Tartaglio, 39, a workers rights attorney who spent five years as a deputy attorney general, filed paperwork Tuesday morning to challenge Judge Michelle Tong, a frequent target of complaints from the San Francisco district attorney’s office and advocates for tough-on-crime judicial rulings. “I’m running for Superior Court judge because justice and the rule of law are essential to keeping San Francisco safe and vibrant,” Tartaglio said in a statement.  A graduate of UC Law San Francisco, Tartaglio began his legal career as an intellectual property lawyer before serving under state Attorneys General Xavier Becerra and Rob Bonta. As a workers rights attorney, he has clients that include municipal employees who blow the whistle on public corruption. Tartaglio’s wife, Natassia Kwan, also a private practice attorney, previously worked for the city attorney’s office and was active in the Stop Asian Hate movement. Tong’s controversies Tartaglio said his decision to run was inspired in part  by a November story in The Standard  detailing a child’s abduction that occurred after Tong ruled that the child could travel to Kazakhstan with his mother for two weeks. They never returned, and the child’s father blamed Tong for the abduction. The Chronicle  first reported  on the case in 2024. During Tong’s brief assignment to criminal court, she faced more challenges from the district attorney’s office than any other jurist, according to public records obtained by The Standard. The DA can challenge judicial assignments in the hopes of being assigned someone else — a strategy known as “judge-shopping.”  But Ellen Chaitin, a retired judge, wrote in  an op-ed  that the district attorney’s “blanket disqualification” of Tong would undermine the independence of the judiciary. Tong spent 17 years at the San Francisco public defender’s office before being elected to the bench in 2020. She handles  civil harassment and traffic court cases , considered the least desirable assignments in the city’s court system. “It’s a privilege and an honor to serve San Francisco and its constituents,” Tong said Tuesday. “I am looking forward to serving another six-year term.” Tong has opened a committee for her reelection campaign with $100,000, half from her and half from family members. Facing Tartaglio’s campaign, she will begin fundraising efforts, she said.  Tong has faced criticism from moderate political groups. The nonprofit Stop Crime SF, which runs a judicial watch program, gave Tong its lowest score on a late-January  report card . Tartaglio’s entry is likely to make this the only contested judicial race on the June ballot. All recent efforts to unseat sitting judges have been unsuccessful. In the 2024 election cycle, amid heightened public-safety concerns, two attorneys challenged two incumbent judges  but failed . In 2018, four progressive attorneys sought to unseat incumbent judges, and  all fell short. More than a dozen judges are up for reelection this year; if they face no challengers, they will be automatically reelected to six-year terms and will not appear on the ballot.</p>

Guns, meth, slot machines: Contraband in Tenderloin stores spurs call for expanded curfew

<p>More than $10,000 in cash. Methamphetamine. Gambling machines.  This is just a taste of the contraband found in Tenderloin shops — evidence San Francisco officials say is proof that a late-night store curfew should continue and be expanded within some of the city’s most troubled neighborhoods. Launched in 2024 , the curfew aims to curb public drug use and other illegal activity outside of shops after dark. Now the net could widen to stores in SoMa, which faces similar street issues.  “It’s infuriating for local businesses that we’re doing a good job of enforcing laws when it comes to plastic straws, but the things that are having a material effect on the success of their business, and sometimes their safety, we’re failing at,” said Supervisor Matt Dorsey, who this week introduced legislation to re-up the curfew for 18 more months.  “This is a Band-Aid,” he said. “But sometimes we need Band-Aids.” Dorsey’s bill would expand the curfew — which requires Tenderloin corner stores to close from midnight to 5 a.m. — north to Geary Street, east to Powell Street, and west to Polk Street. It would also cover a chunk of SoMa, from Third Street down to South Van Ness Avenue, where Market and Folsom run parallel.  The rules do not apply to restaurants or bars. Stores that violate the curfew are subject to fines of up to $1,000. Dorsey and advocates of the crackdown say the curfew is having a positive impact.  Researchers in Italy  who dug into police data before and after the curfew found that drug crimes have fallen, according to a  study  published in November.  The strategy has not been without controversy:  Store owners have spoken out  against the curfew, claiming that it could negatively impact jobs and the shop’s income.  But on Tuesday, multiple residents, businesses, and organizations came out in support of the expansion during a public hearing. “The data speaks for itself,” said  Rhiannon Bailard, chief operating officer at UC Law San Francisco, during Tuesday’s hearing. “We see how this has been working.”   Law enforcement officials point to a series of busts suggesting that some corner stores perpetuate the crime problem.  Police have found drugs, stolen goods, and firearms at Tenderloin shops, according to documents shared with The Standard by the city attorney’s office. The office has sued or shuttered nine stores that have violated the nighttime curfew or engaged in other illicit activity in the last year and a half. Some busts have been sizable: SF Discount Market at 238 Leavenworth St. was found by authorities to have nine gambling slot machines, a high-capacity magazine and ammunition for a Glock, 17 iPhones, and sheets of aluminum foil used to smoke fentanyl. The city attorney sued the shop in October 2024, and the court ordered it closed as the legal case continues.  TL Market and Deli at 200 Leavenworth was found to have a loaded firearm, $6,153 in cash, and seven slot machines. The shop also stocked glass pipes and Brillo pads, which are used to smoke methamphetamine and crack cocaine. The city attorney sued in October 2024. Eviction proceedings initiated by the landlord will likely wrap up this year.  A handful of other stores have been evicted after the city attorney’s office notified landlords of illegal activity occurring on the premises, including Sing Sing Cafe at 309 Hyde St., IG Mini Mart at 5123 Ellis St., and Fullmoon Gift & More Inc. at 258 Taylor St.  “These convenience stores were magnets for drug activity, and, in some cases, the stores were selling illegal drugs themselves,” said City Attorney David Chiu. “Most businesses contribute positively to our neighborhoods, but a handful of late-night retail establishments, like the ones we have shut down, attract significant criminal activity. The nighttime safety ordinance has been helpful in putting these stores on our radar and giving us additional tools to shut down problematic businesses.” Dorsey’s bill was unanimously approved Jan. 22 by the Board of Supervisors’ Public Safety Committee. It is expected to be voted on by the full board in February.</p>

In fiery interview, former Gov. Jerry Brown blasts SF term-limit ballot measure

<p>Former Gov. Jerry Brown doesn’t often speak up about local issues these days. But something spurred him to break his silence this week — and it had nothing to do with Minneapolis. Brown, 87, who lives on a ranch in Colusa County, is speaking out against  a proposed San Francisco charter amendment  that would bar anyone who has served two full terms as a supervisor or mayor from ever running for those offices again. “I think a lifetime ban is a bad idea,” Brown said in a fiery phone interview with The Standard. “It’s a proposal that doesn’t deserve the dignity of the whole process of a charter amendment.” Brown was first elected as California’s governor in 1975, serving two terms, and returned to office after winning two additional terms in the 2010s. The San Francisco proposal would not affect the governor’s office or state-level races. Brown said it is rare for an elected official to serve, leave office, pursue other work, and then decide to run again. He argued that the proposal from Supervisor Bilal Mahmood stigmatizes people simply because they choose to serve, effectively declaring them “unworthy to ever submit yourself to the voters again.” “That doesn’t seem like a normal charter amendment process,” he said. “It seems very odd.” He emphasized that experience matters in governing. “As somebody who’s done that — coming back to the governorship after many years — I brought a wealth of knowledge and experience that was very valuable,” Brown said. “To just throw that away for some ideological preference makes no sense to me.” Brown also dismissed the proposal’s stated goal of  boosting younger representation  as “total nonsense,” saying San Francisco has openings for supervisors in every election cycle. Brown was born in San Francisco and still cares about local issues and reads local news. “I’ve got a lot of family in San Francisco. I go to San Francisco a couple times a month, and of course, I know a lot of people that I grew up [with] there,” he said. His father, Pat Brown, served as San Francisco District Attorney and as Governor. Mahmood’s proposal has a majority of the Board of Supervisors as cosponsors, making it likely to advance to the June ballot. The Rules Committee voted Monday to forward the measure to the full board, which is expected to vote on it next week. At the Rules Committee hearing, Supervisor Shamann Walton proposed expanding the provision from just supervisors and mayor to include other major citywide elected offices, such as district attorney and city attorney. His effort failed to get two votes to progress to the full board. In a statement, Mahmood defended the proposal. “I respect the 50 years of service that Gov. Brown gave to the state of California,” the supervisor said. “But right now San Francisco needs new ideas and new leaders and that will come when we close the term-limit loophole.” In recent history, only former Supervisor Aaron Peskin has left the board and returned, successfully winning reelection in 2015. Mahmood has denied that the proposal is intended to block Peskin from running again, but the former board president said he feels targeted — if not flattered by the attention. “Of all of the important things going on,” Peskin said, “it’s embarrassing to watch these supervisors behave like vindictive, anti-democratic Republicans.” Brown said if voters want to reelect Peskin, they should be able to do it. “Who’s the board to say they can’t?” Brown said.</p>

Undercutting Lurie, YIMBY group to sue city over Family Zoning Plan

<p>Neighborhood NIMBYs aren’t the only ones up in arms over San Francisco’s Family Zoning Plan.  The pro-development advocates at YIMBY Law plan to file suit against San Francisco next month, claiming Mayor Daniel Lurie’s upzoning scheme fails to fulfill the city’s state-mandated allowance of housing, the organization’s executive director, Sonja Trauss, told The Standard. In response to the decades-long housing crisis, California officials have in recent years been pressuring local governments to loosen zoning requirements or risk losing state funding or land-use control. San Francisco is mandated by state officials to plan for 82,000 new homes by 2031. Of that, the city must rezone to reasonably allow for about 36,000 homes in the next six years.  The Board of Supervisors  approved  San Francisco’s rezoning strategy — dubbed the Family Zoning Plan — in December.  The Planning Department, which has been developing the Family Zoning Plan since before the Lurie administration, created  its own projections  using various models that estimate rezoning would allow for the creation of up to 64,000 homes. (That doesn’t mean all those homes will be built, as  planners often note .) However, an  analysis from Ted Egan , San Francisco’s chief economist, found that even in the most optimistic scenario, rezoning could create about 14,600 units over the next 20 years — a fraction of the benchmark set by the state. The report provided ammo for those pushing for more aggressive housing policies.  “Why do planners always make promises they can’t keep? They’re addicted to it,” Trauss said.  The plan met with fierce opposition from some residents who argued that wide-scale upzoning would change neighborhood character and function as a developer handout. Responding to those complaints, supervisors debated and approved a slew of amendments that included carve-outs and exemptions for specific areas. The potential lawsuit mirrors litigation filed by YIMBY Law and Californians for Homeownership against Los Angeles, claiming  the city  was not doing enough to rezone for new housing capacity as laid out under state law. If successful, the lawsuit could force sweeping rezoning or trigger the “builder’s remedy,” under which a city loses the ability to approve or deny housing developments. In a  preliminary review , California’s Department of Housing and Community Development found that the Family Zoning Plan meets state requirements, based partly on the Planning Department’s projections. City Attorney spokesperson Jen Kwart said the City Attorney would review any lawsuits once served and respond in court. She added Trauss said YIMBY Law would not push the city to repeal its rezoning plan but rather to expand it by increasing height limits in specific areas. She added that YIMBY Law will be seeking individual residents to sign on as plaintiffs in the case.  Charles Lutvak, a spokesperson for the mayor, emphasized maintaining local control in a statement. “As the cost of housing continues to rise, the Family Zoning Plan is going to help ensure that the next generation of San Franciscans can afford to raise their kids here,” Lutvak said via text message. “But our administration is not going to hand the keys to Sacramento—we’re going to meet state requirements while protecting what’s so special about our neighborhoods and our city.” Those on the other side of the issue — who think Lurie’s proposal means too much development —  filed a lawsuit against the city this month  over the state-mandated plan. The legal challenge was filed by the NIMBY-aligned groups Neighborhoods United SF and Small Business Forward. San Francisco has a deadline of Jan. 31 to adopt a finalized rezoning plan. Trauss said her organization plans to file its lawsuit challenging it in February. As for cost? “We’ll spend as much money as it takes,” she said.</p>

SF court smacks down lawsuit against Prop. K — big win for Sunset Dunes

<div class="content-grid article-content"><div class="Metadata_container__fxAzw"><div class="flex flex-row gap-x-md"></div><div class="Metadata_metadata__W_0LF"><span>By <a class="" href="https://sfstandard.com/author/han-li/">Han Li</a></span><time datetime="2026-01-06T01:25:49.599Z">Published Jan. 05, 2026 • 5:25pm</time></div></div><div class="floats"><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">A San Francisco judge has ruled that Proposition K is valid under state law, rejecting a legal challenge to the 2024 ballot measure that closed part of the Great Highway to vehicle traffic.</p><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">Judge Jeffrey Ross issued his initial ruling in the case last week, detailing his reasoning for why Prop. K likely complies with state law. But he invited attorneys from both sides to present arguments at a hearing Monday. At the end of the hearing, he made the decision to deny the lawsuit.</p><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">About 50 people packed the courthouse Monday. City Attorney David Chiu’s office defended Prop. K’s legality in court.</p></div><div class="!p-0 !m-0"></div><div class="floats"><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">Chiu’s spokesperson Jen Kwart said that the office is glad the court affirmed the will of the voters in passing Prop. K and closing the Upper Great Highway to private vehicles.</p><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">Lucas Lux, president of the group Friends of Sunset Dunes, applauded the ruling.</p></div><div class="w-full bg-warm-gray-50 border border-warm-gray-300 rounded-xl flex flex-col gap-md px-lg py-[20px]"><div class="flex flex-row text-medium leading-[1.1] text-black font-inter gap-xs"><span class="italic font-normal">More about</span><a href="https://sfstandard.com/tag/great-highway/"><span class="font-bold underline decoration-highlight decoration-[3.2px]">Great Highway</span></a></div><ul class="flex flex-col gap-md"><li class="flex flex-row gap-sm pb-md border-b border-warm-gray-300"><a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/12/31/san-francisco-war-on-cars-political-shift/" tabindex="-1"><div class="flex-none w-[90px] h-[60px] overflow-hidden"><img alt="A busy city street with multiple lanes of cars, some stopped at a red light and others moving forward, with buildings 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stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=='/%3E%3C/svg%3E&quot;)" width="1000"/></div></a><a class="h-fit" href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/12/28/waymo-great-highway-tech-raves-2025/"><h3 class="text-medium sm:text-lg leading-[1.3] font-medium text-warm-gray-900 font-ivar-headline">Four stories we’re tired of covering</h3></a></li><li class="flex flex-row gap-sm"><a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/12/26/san-francisco-politics-2025/" tabindex="-1"><div class="flex-none w-[90px] h-[60px] overflow-hidden"><img alt="Four people with varied expressions stand against a red and blue abstract background, each wearing business attire, two men and two women." class="object-cover w-full h-full lazyloaded" data-nimg="1" decoding="async" height="2000" loading="lazy" src="https://assets.sfstandard.com/image/994911177489/image_on663emmc524r8afdor1r6jo2f/-S3840x2560-FPNG" srcset="https://assets.sfstandard.com/image/994911177489/image_on663emmc524r8afdor1r6jo2f/-S3840x2560-FPNG 1x" style="color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(&quot;data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 3000 2000'%3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=='/%3E%3C/svg%3E&quot;)" width="3000"/></div></a><a class="h-fit" href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/12/26/san-francisco-politics-2025/"><h3 class="text-medium sm:text-lg leading-[1.3] font-medium text-warm-gray-900 font-ivar-headline">The 5 stories that defined San Francisco’s crazy politics in 2025</h3></a></li></ul></div><div class="floats"><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">“While our volunteers are giving their time to bring a coastal park to life, the anti-park zealots continue to waste more public resources in their attempt to overturn the will of the people and close a coastal park,” Lux said. “Now that they’ve lost two lawsuits and two elections, we invite them to accept the will of San Franciscans and work with us to make the most of our collective coastal park.”</p><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">Prop. K passed with 55% of the vote after being placed on the ballot by five supervisors. About 64% of Sunset residents voted against the measure. Sunset Supervisor Joel Engardio <u><a data-post-id="28c91d9e-075a-4ff8-939e-72393d900366" href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/10/07/joel-engardio-exit-interview-recall-sunset-dunes/">was recalled</a></u> over his support for Prop. K. But on Monday night, Engardio relished what was, for him, a moral victory. “It’s time to consider Sunset Dunes settled,” he said. “Too many people have seen how the park is good for the environment, local businesses, and the physical and mental health of every visitor.”</p><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">The lawsuit challenging the measure’s legality <u><a data-post-id="63b90e9d-acb5-4fcf-af78-4fdceced16b3" href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/03/10/prop-k-lawsuit-great-highway-closure/">was filed in March</a></u>. The plaintiffs include Matthew Boschetto, a leader of the “No on K” campaign and a former supervisor candidate; Lisa Arjes, a Sunset resident and <u><a data-post-id="07b8c34c-ac18-4ac2-9ca2-65c0a25cd23d" href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/09/09/unveil-recall-campaign-joel-engardio/">top donor to the recall effort</a></u>; Albert Chow, a candidate for Sunset supervisor; and Livable SF, a new nonprofit led by <u><a data-post-id="74dfa48e-ddfc-46e4-aee5-fa55136b9ba6" href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/05/13/engardio-recall-leader-resign-great-highway/">Vin Budhai</a></u>, another leader of the Engardio recall campaign.</p><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">The lawsuit, filed by attorney Jim Sutton, argues that local voters did not have the authority to close the roadway; that the city should not have partially closed a road that remained in active use; that the measure improperly bypassed the California Environmental Quality Act; and that the closure conflicted with the <u><a href="https://generalplan.sfplanning.org/Western_Shoreline.htm#WES_GHW_2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">city’s General Plan<span class="sr-only"> (opens in new tab)</span></a></u>, which designates the Great Highway for “slow pleasure traffic.”</p><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">A contentious issue was whether the five supervisors who placed the measure on the ballot constituted a “public agency.” The city attorney’s office argued that because the supervisors represented a minority of the 11-member board, they did not meet the definition of a public agency, and the action was therefore exempt from the CEQA.</p><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">The judge is expected to issue a written ruling within days.</p><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">Boschetto said the plaintiffs plan to appeal to a higher court and accused Ross of bowing to political pressure from the city.</p><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">“It is clear that Judge Ross is trying to justify the city’s action so that he does not have to make a politically difficult choice,” Boschetto said. “We believe that our arguments held. We think there was, at best, a misunderstanding from Judge Ross, or he disregarded an objective process to do what is politically expedient.”</p><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">Separately, newly appointed Sunset Supervisor Alan Wong, who attended Monday’s hearing, <u><a data-post-id="dbc53c43-c606-4278-af5e-40db80c78ab0" href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/12/19/alan-wong-sunset-dunes-great-highway-reopening/">last month announced</a></u> his support for a ballot measure to undo Prop. K.</p></div></div>

The power keeps going out. How would San Francisco take over PG&E assets?

DA alleges nonprofit staffers pocketed money meant to repair homeless shelter

<div class="content-grid article-content"><div class="Metadata_container__fxAzw"><div class="flex flex-row gap-x-md"></div><div class="Metadata_metadata__W_0LF"><span>By <a class="" href="https://sfstandard.com/author/joe-fitzgerald-rodriguez/">Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez</a></span><time datetime="2026-01-02T22:56:37.669Z">Published Jan. 02, 2026 • 2:56pm</time></div></div><div class="floats"><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">Two staffers connected to a San Francisco homelessness nonprofit have been charged with defrauding the city, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins’ office announced Friday.</p><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">The DA’s office charged Kenisha Roach, former client manager for the nonprofit Providence Foundation, with felony counts of misappropriation of public monies and grand theft, and Robert Lacy, the owner of Will Do It Construction, with presenting a false claim and incorrect use of a contractor’s license with intent to defraud. </p><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">The Providence Foundation received millions in city funds to operate housing sites, including the Oasis Inn, a navigation center, and a support center for formerly homeless seniors.</p></div><div class="!p-0 !m-0"></div><div class="floats"><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">The pair allegedly pocketed $115,000 intended for the repair of the Oasis, a homeless shelter for families. </p><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">Roach and Lacy on Friday pleaded not guilty to the charges.</p></div><div class="w-full bg-warm-gray-50 border border-warm-gray-300 rounded-xl flex flex-col gap-md px-lg py-[20px]"><div class="flex flex-row text-medium leading-[1.1] text-black font-inter gap-xs"><span class="italic font-normal">More about</span><a href="https://sfstandard.com/tag/nonprofits/"><span class="font-bold underline decoration-highlight decoration-[3.2px]">Nonprofits</span></a></div><ul class="flex flex-col gap-md"><li class="flex flex-row gap-sm pb-md border-b border-warm-gray-300"><a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/12/29/poor-magazine-homefulness-project-sf-cesar-chavez/" tabindex="-1"><div class="flex-none w-[90px] h-[60px] overflow-hidden"><img alt='A diverse group of people stand close together outdoors, some smiling and making gestures, with a "For Sale" sign and graffiti on a wall behind them.' class="object-cover w-full h-full lazyloaded" data-nimg="1" decoding="async" height="5197" loading="lazy" src="https://assets.sfstandard.com/image/994911177489/image_6h8ok4cuhl3tjaet88h2gnge0t/-S3840x2561-FPNG" srcset="https://assets.sfstandard.com/image/994911177489/image_6h8ok4cuhl3tjaet88h2gnge0t/-S3840x2561-FPNG 1x" style="color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(&quot;data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 7791 5197'%3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=='/%3E%3C/svg%3E&quot;)" width="7791"/></div></a><a class="h-fit" href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/12/29/poor-magazine-homefulness-project-sf-cesar-chavez/"><h3 class="text-medium sm:text-lg leading-[1.3] font-medium text-warm-gray-900 font-ivar-headline">An Oakland nonprofit just bought a ‘pizza slice’ of land in SF. Here’s why </h3></a></li><li class="flex flex-row gap-sm"><a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/12/10/decentered-arts-folsom-st-nonprofit-space/" tabindex="-1"><div class="flex-none w-[90px] h-[60px] overflow-hidden"><img alt="Two women stand smiling in a bright room with green floors, surrounded by potted plants and colorful abstract paintings on the white walls." class="object-cover w-full h-full lazyloaded" data-nimg="1" decoding="async" height="1739" loading="lazy" src="https://assets.sfstandard.com/image/994911177489/image_3je625kl3d3k3bm2hv4ehrog0v/-S3840x2560-FPNG" srcset="https://assets.sfstandard.com/image/994911177489/image_3je625kl3d3k3bm2hv4ehrog0v/-S3840x2560-FPNG 1x" style="color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(&quot;data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 2608 1739'%3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=='/%3E%3C/svg%3E&quot;)" width="2608"/></div></a><a class="h-fit" href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/12/10/decentered-arts-folsom-st-nonprofit-space/"><h3 class="text-medium sm:text-lg leading-[1.3] font-medium text-warm-gray-900 font-ivar-headline">This arts org lost venues, so it decided to open its own</h3></a></li></ul></div><div class="floats"><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">The purported scheme was a two-person job: After city officials approved contracts between Providence Foundation and the city to improve the Oasis in 2022, Roach approved Lacy to conduct the work. Lacy later presented to Roach invoices for those services from his construction company, the DA said. Roach allegedly knew that the work, which included replacing deadbolts and repainting exterior walls, hadn’t been completed.</p><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">Whenever Lacy’s firm was paid, he would allegedly send Roach thousands of dollars in what the DA’s office called “kickbacks.” Lacy was later hired by Providence as a client manager.</p><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">City Attorney David Chiu moved to bar Providence Foundation <u><a data-post-id="bea6ebf6-5879-4219-bf7c-38909f8e3196" href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/05/06/san-francisco-homelessness-scandal-providence-foundation/">from doing business with the city</a></u> in 2024 after the alleged scheme was discovered. But late last year, after the foundation removed its executive director and other employees and <u><a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/troubled-homeless-shelter-operator-20824187.php" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">admitted to wrongdoing<span class="sr-only"> (opens in new tab)</span></a></u>, the city backed off. As of 2022, the organization had $7.2 million in city grant agreements.</p><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">“The individuals referenced were former employees and are no longer affiliated with the Providence Foundation,” Dexter Hall, interim executive director of the organization, said in a statement. “Today, Providence is focused on the future.”</p><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">In its statement, the foundation committed to conducting third-party audits, recruiting board members who are experts in government compliance, and overhauling its policies to prevent fraud. It also reached a $1 million settlement with the city.</p><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">The dust-up at Providence was the latest in a slew of nonprofit scandals in San Francisco. </p><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">Sheryl Davis resigned in 2024 as executive director of the Human Rights Commission <u><a data-post-id="17e9ce56-6e1a-4b2c-ab4a-70d02ae1a664" href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/08/25/san-francisco-sheryl-davis-dream-keeper-initiative-criminal-investigation/">amid allegations of financial misconduct</a></u> in disbursing funds for the multimillion-dollar Dreamkeeper Initiative. Last year, the nonprofit Parks Alliance dissolved <u><a data-post-id="d6b719ce-5b88-4a68-92a9-a0154a78ce66" href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/06/18/san-francisco-parks-alliance-nonprofit-scandal-justin-probert/">amid allegations of financial malfeasance</a></u>, walking away from thousands of dollars it owed to community groups.</p><p class="paragraph-block article-body undefined text-left">Roach and Lacy’s next court date is scheduled for mid-February.</p></div></div>

He left his hate in San Francisco: Trump’s year of hurled threats, heated tweets

Asian Art Museum

Office of the City Administrator

Adult Probation Department

Airport

Arts Commission

Office of the Assessor-Recorder

Board of Appeals

Office of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors

Office of the City Attorney

Department of Children, Youth and Their Families

Controller's Office

Planning Department

Civil Service Commission

District Attorney's Office

Department of Building Inspection

Department of Early Childhood

Department of Emergency Management

Department of Police Accountability

Department of Public Health

Department of Public Works

Office of Economic and Workforce Development

Environment Department

Ethics Commission

Fine Arts Museums

Fire Department

Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing

Human Rights Commission

Department of Human Resources

Human Services Agency

Health Service System

Juvenile Probation Department

Public Library

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Office of the Mayor

Public Defender's Office

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Port

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Recreation and Park Department

Department of Elections

Retirement System

Rent Board

Sheriff's Department Office of Inspector General

Sheriff's Department

Department of Technology

Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector

War Memorial

Department on the Status of Women

General City Responsibilities

General Administration & Finance

Culture & Recreation

Community Health

Human Welfare & Neighborhood Development

Public Works, Transportation & Commerce

Public Protection

SF Civil Grand Jury

The Abatement Appeals Board provides a final review process for City permitting decisions. It ensures fair and efficient adjudication of permit-related disputes before an impartial panel. The board holds authority to make binding decisions on appeals concerning notices of abatement.

Abatement Appeals Board

Abatement Appeals Board Commissioner 1

Abatement Appeals Board Commissioner 2

Abatement Appeals Board Commissioner 3

Abatement Appeals Board Commissioner 4

Abatement Appeals Board Commissioner 5

Abatement Appeals Board Commissioner 6

Abatement Appeals Board Commissioner 7

The Access Appeals Commission provides final reviews for a wide range of City permitting decisions. It ensures an efficient, fair, and expeditious permit issuance process through an impartial panel. The commission holds authority to make binding decisions on appeals related to City permits.

Access Appeals Commission

Access Appeals Commission Commissioner 1

Access Appeals Commission Commissioner 2

Access Appeals Commission Commissioner 3

Access Appeals Commission Commissioner 4

Access Appeals Commission Commissioner 5

The Adult Day Health Care Planning Council advises on the development and improvement of adult day health care services. It provides expertise in healthcare planning, policy recommendations, and program evaluation. Key responsibilities include assessing community needs and advising on service delivery enhancements.

Adult Day Health Care Planning Council

Adult Probation Department supervises individuals on probation and facilitates their reintegration into the community. It provides reentry and rehabilitative services, including victim restitution and financial assistance for crime victims. The department values public safety, offender rehabilitation, and community partnerships.

Cristel Tullock

The Advisory Committee of Street Artists and Crafts Examiners evaluates arts and crafts applicants and monitors program compliance. It conducts studio visits and public screenings to ensure adherence to established criteria. Members also revise program criteria and undertake additional tasks as needed.

Advisory Committee of Street Artists and Crafts Examiners

The Advisory Council on Human Rights advises on anti-discrimination laws and racial equity initiatives. It provides expertise on reparations and public policy impacts on Black communities. It guides efforts to establish partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities in San Francisco.

Advisory Council on Human Rights

San Francisco Airport manages air traffic operations and ensures safe aircraft movement. It provides parking facilities and maintains airport infrastructure to accommodate travelers and staff. The department oversees ground transportation and coordinates with airlines for efficient passenger services.

Mike Nakornkhet

The Airport Commission oversees policy and strategic planning for San Francisco International Airport. It makes key decisions on airport development projects and financial management. It ensures compliance with regulations and collaborates on initiatives like terminal naming.

Airport Commission

Airport Commission Commissioner 1

Malcolm Yeung

Jose F. Almanza

Mark Buell

Susan Leal

Airport Director

Animal Care and Control Department manages animal sheltering, adoption, and emergency response services. It enforces animal-related laws and regulations, ensuring the humane treatment and safety of animals. The department also provides public education on responsible pet ownership and animal welfare.

Animal Care and Control Department

Virginia Donohue

Animal Care and Control Department, Director

The San Francisco Arts Commission oversees the integration of arts into city life and ensures public access to cultural experiences. It makes decisions on public art programs and allocates grants to support local artists and performances. The commission actively shapes policies affecting the arts ecosystem in San Francisco.

Arts Commission Commissioner 1

Arts Commission Commissioner 2

Arts Commission Commissioner 3

Arts Commission Commissioner 4

Debra Walker

Suzanne Ferras

Jessica Rothschild

Seth Brenzel

JD Beltran

Marcus Shelby

J Riccardo Benavides

Nabiel Musleh

Charles (Chuck) Collins

Lydia So

Arts Commission Commissioner 15

San Francisco Arts Commission invests in a vibrant arts community and shapes cultural policy. It enlivens the urban environment through public art programs and supports diverse artistic expressions. The commission facilitates meetings and discussions to engage the community in cultural development.

Ralph Remington

Arts Commission, Director of Cultural Affairs

The Asian Art Commission determines policy and administers the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. It oversees museum operations and collaborates with the Asian Art Museum Foundation on fundraising efforts. Commissioners ensure the museum's strategic direction and financial sustainability.

Asian Art Commission

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 1

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 2

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 3

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 4

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 5

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 6

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 7

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 8

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 9

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 10

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 11

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 12

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 13

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 14

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 15

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 16

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 17

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 18

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 19

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 20

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 21

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 22

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 23

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 24

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 25

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 26

Asian Art Commission Commissioner 27

Asian Art Museum showcases Asian art and culture through exhibitions and educational programs. It offers diverse collections and hosts special events to engage the community. The museum fosters cultural appreciation and understanding by providing access to its extensive art collections.

Dr. Soyoung Lee

Asian Art Museum, Director

The Assessment Appeals Board #1 hears property tax assessment appeals in San Francisco. It evaluates evidence presented by taxpayers and the Assessor to determine property values. The Board has the authority to make final decisions on assessments regardless of property type or value.

Assessment Appeals Board #1

Assessment Appeals Board #1 Commissioner 1

Assessment Appeals Board #1 Commissioner 2

Richard Lee

Stephen Wasserman

Adena Gilbert

Paul Bellar

Quirina Mitchell

Hilary Winslow

The Assessment Appeals Board #2 adjudicates property tax assessment appeals for San Francisco taxpayers. It evaluates evidence presented by taxpayers and the Assessor to determine accurate property values. The Board exercises authority to render final decisions on residential properties and specific real estate assessments.

Assessment Appeals Board #2

Assessment Appeals Board #2 Commissioner 1

Assessment Appeals Board #2 Commissioner 2

Assessment Appeals Board #2 Commissioner 3

Claire Ervin Lee

Louisa Mendoza

Joyce Lewis

Nicholas Goldman

Michelle Domingo

The Assessment Appeals Board #3 provides a platform for San Francisco taxpayers to contest property tax assessments. It conducts hearings where evidence from both taxpayers and the Assessor is evaluated. The Board makes binding decisions on property assessments based on presented evidence.

Assessment Appeals Board #3

Assessment Appeals Board #3 Commissioner 1

Assessment Appeals Board #3 Commissioner 2

Assessment Appeals Board #3 Commissioner 3

Marc Dickow

Assessment Appeals Board #3 Commissioner 5

Assessment Appeals Board #3 Commissioner 6

Assessment Appeals Board #3 Commissioner 7

Assessment Appeals Board #3 Commissioner 8

Assesses property, applies exemptions, collects transfer taxes, and records official documents.

Assessor-Recorder

Joaquín Torres

The Ballot Simplification Committee ensures voter materials are clear and understandable. It reviews and revises ballot language to accurately reflect propositions and measures. The committee advises on simplifying complex legal and technical terms for voter comprehension.

Ballot Simplification Committee

The Bayview Hunters Point Citizens Advisory Committee provides policy advice on planning and land use matters in Zone 2 of Bayview Hunter's Point. It offers expertise in land use policies, zoning issues, and urban development. The committee advises the Board of Supervisors, City Boards, and commissions on relevant projects and initiatives.

Bayview Hunters Point Citizens Advisory Committee

The Behavioral Health Commission advises on mental health policy implementation and quality service delivery. It reviews and advocates for effective mental health services, ensuring policies meet community needs. It educates stakeholders to integrate mental health considerations into broader health strategies.

Behavioral Health Commission