Budget Fight Was About Politics – Not Policy

On June 28th, the Budget Committee made $22 million in cuts to the Mayor’s Budget plus $13 million in other adjustments, including more cuts to the Police Department than Daly had originally proposed. The Committee restored most (but not all) of the Mayor’s public health cuts and added $10 million for affordable housing. But rather than complain, Newsom sent out a press release gloating that the Budget Committee had approved 99.25% of the Mayor’s Budget. Newsom’s outrage was not about policy differences within the budget – but rather about scoring political points against Chris Daly.

“The Budget Committee approved 99.25% of the budget I proposed on June 1st,” said Newsom in a June 29th press release. “Board President Aaron Peskin and the Committee deserve credit for supporting our shared priorities: paving our streets, strengthening public safety, improving Muni service and combating homelessness.”