Differences Over Homeless Crisis Emerge In San Francisco’s Mayoral Race
The front-runners share many of the same progressive ideas, but two of the candidates are speaking about using a harder edge when it comes to restoring order to the streets.
The New York Times:
San Francisco’s Homeless Crisis Tests Mayoral Candidates’ Liberal Ideals
In the bluest of blue cities, it can be hard to tell political candidates apart. The four front-runners in the June 5 San Francisco mayoral election, all Democrats, talk about the importance of protecting immigrants and the pernicious effects of income inequality. It goes without saying that they support gay rights, legalized marijuana and more funding for public transportation. Ron Turner, a book publisher and longtime San Francisco resident, compares the election to “trying to pick a leader at a family picnic.” (Fuller, 5/30)
In other elections news —
KPCC:
Why Tiny Brains Are Getting Massive Attention In The California Governor's Race
One million neural connections are made every single second of life until the age of 3, according to current research, and the preschool years have a long-term influence on outcomes in health and education. ...But during the recession, state funding for programs like infant toddler care and preschool was severely cut — and those funds have not been restored under Gov. Jerry Brown. (Neely, 5/30)
California Healthline:
In Health Care Arena, The Prize For Calif. Insurance Commissioner Is A Bullhorn
The person who wins the four-way race to become California’s next insurance commissioner will inherit a job with broad authority over policies that cover homes, businesses, cars and even airplanes. But medical insurance? Not so much. The commissioner’s direct control over health insurers is limited, because the California Department of Insurance — headed by the commissioner — regulates only a small slice of the market.Still, the job carries the power of the bully pulpit, amplifying the commissioner’s voice on matters of regional, statewide and national importance. (Bartolone, 5/30)