The Weekly Digest (August 25, 2024)
Happy Sunday, Brionies! Here’s what you need to know about local politics this week and beyond:
San Francisco City Hall
The Board of Supervisors continues its August recess. Its next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Tuesday, September 3.
Happenings around town
Briones Society events
2024 Asian American Republican Dinner
Tuesday, September 17 at 6pm, location in the Sunset provided upon RSVP
Whether longtime citizens or recent immigrants, Asian Americans understand the value of hard work, family, responsibility, and community. The Briones Society’s Jennifer Yan, the highest vote-getter in the latest Republican County Central Committee elections, is hosting dinner in the Sunset to discuss how the Republican Party can be a powerful advocate for these values in races on your ballot this November.
Other events of interest
Thursday, August 29 at 530pm, Taube Family Auditorium (110 Embarcadero)
Mt. Diablo Republican Club Annual Fundraiser, featuring Tom Del Beccaro
Wednesday, September 11 at 530pm, Zio Fraedo’s (611 Gregory Ln., Pleasant Hill)
Pacific Research Institute Sir Antony Fisher Dinner, featuring Kimberley Strassel
Saturday, September 21 at 6pm, Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley (East Palo Alto)
What we’re reading
As the November election draws near, maneuvering for endorsements is at fever pitch. To the dismay of some union members, London Breed snagged the support of San Francisco’s POA – a significant win for the incumbent mayor and a setback for challenger Mark Farrell, who was hoping to build on his endorsements from the Deputy Sheriffs Association and Fire Department Local No. 798.
SFUSD’s school board president, Lainie Motamedi, abruptly resigned last week, citing health and personal reasons. Motamedi was appointed to the position by Mayor Breed after the February 2022 Board of Education recall that booted three far-left commissioners, then won election to the board in her own right that November. San Francisco faces the likely closure of public schools across the city, and painful budget cuts seem inevitable to stave off insolvency and a state takeover. 34-year-old educator (and two-time BOE also-ran) Phil Kim will replace Motamedi.
The left-leaning MacArthur Foundation rescinded a $625 thousand grant to the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, citing rising jail populations in the city. DA Brooke Jenkins clapped back hard, saying she would no longer work with the foundation and accusing it of racism.
What we’re listening to
If you’ve ever been frustrated while trying to find what should be easily accessible public information, check out this SF Public Press podcast featuring a conversation with Miranda Spivack about her upcoming book, Backroom Deals in Our Backyards: How Government Secrecy Harms Our Communities and the Local Heroes Fighting Back.
What we’re watching
City of Dreams. Inspired by true events, this movie tells the story of Jesús, a Mexican boy whose dreams of becoming a soccer star are shattered when he’s trafficked across the border and sold to a sweatshop in downtown Los Angeles. While watching, keep in mind that in the past four years alone the Biden-Harris administration has “lost track” of 320 thousand children who were apprehended at the border and released to “qualified sponsors.”
Quick hits
If this National Affairs article is too long, you can always use ChatGPT to summarize it: The Case for AI Optimism
For a great overview of the constitutional right to free speech, check out the always unconventional Jonathan Turley’s new book, Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage
Court workers blame staffing woes after 70 criminal cases tossed
Do SF Mayoral Candidates Have Strategies To Tackle The City's Rampant Graffiti?
Very on-brand behavior from Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao
Palate cleanser (literally)
This year’s Michelin Guide was just published, and the Bay Area continues its reign as a global dining destination, with 51 starred restaurants (out of a total of 85 across California) and the highest concentration of three-star restaurants in the world. Who’s hungry?