It’s been said that “there is nothing quite as permanent as a temporary government program.” And, as we enter income tax month, I’m reminded of someone who observed: “Patrick Henry ought to come back and see what taxation with representation is like.”

“A Voter-Created Task Force Moves to Cut Commissions”

Meanwhile, a City Hall task force has begun recommending the elimination of dozens of boards and commissions — bodies established to provide public oversight and advice on municipal subjects ranging from public school funding and street sweeping to art, the status of women in San Francisco, and youth representation.

This effort began with voter approval in 2024. A Commission Streamlining Task Force was then created, with five San Franciscans appointed by the mayor, Board of Supervisors, city administrator, city attorney, and city controller.

Former City Controller Ed Harrington chairs the task force, which held more than 25 meetings in 2025 while evaluating the need for 152 such citizen bodies. Some are advisory only; others wield actual authority. Last month, the task force filed a list of the 36 easiest groups to abolish with the Board of Supervisors. The law requires eight or more supervisors to approve all 36 eliminations. Failing that, the Board can prepare its own version of 36 by a simple six-vote majority. That process could reach commissions previously created by San Francisco voters. Supervisors will decide which of those bodies they want to send to voters on Nov. 3.

Here’s the kicker: the 2025 task force has also recommended term limits for some commissions, a change that could likewise go before voters in November. The 27-member Art Commission, for example, with three-year terms, could become a target. Its members currently must be San Francisco residents. Maybe that should be changed.

These commissioners are mostly San Franciscans of means who underwrite arts events in the City, just as the War Memorial Board of Trustees’ 11 members — of which I am one of only two military veterans — include patrons of the opera, symphony, and ballet. Some commissions haven’t met in years or have no members at all because they are obsolete. Angela Yip, the city administrator’s spokesperson, says “having bodies on the books that effectively do not exist makes government more confusing and more difficult to navigate.” The Board of Supervisors has until July 24 to submit any measure for the Nov. 3 election, including charter changes. The task force itself goes out of business in 2027.

quotes

... our presidential draft dodger with his “bone spurs” has now gotten the U.S. Mint to approve a commemorative coin featuring himself. That rarely happens with a sitting president, but the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, on March 19, acted unanimously under Trump appointees — or “lackeys” — urging the Mint to make it as large as possible.”

“More City Workers, Bigger Deficits, Less Patience”

For readers who already deplore the size of city government, consider this: in 2005 there were 26,900 city employees. By last year, that number had climbed to 34,800. Salaries and benefits accounted for 43% of the 2025–2026 city budget, even as San Francisco’s population reportedly declined to about 827,000. Meanwhile, Mayor Daniel Lurie and the Board of Supervisors face a 2026–2027 deficit of $877 million. Over the past 20 years, city payroll has risen while public confidence has not.

“SFPUC Rate Hikes Arrive With Little Room for Protest”

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, pursuant to the newly amended California Constitution, mailed property owners notice of a public meeting on Tuesday, April 28, regarding proposed water and sewer rate increases. The hearing begins at 1:30 p.m. in Room 400 at City Hall.

Only written protests will be considered by the SFPUC, and those must be received either at the April 28 hearing in Room 400 or beforehand at SFPUC headquarters, 525 Golden Gate Ave., 13th Floor. Only objections — distinct from “protests” — received by April 2 at 4:30 p.m. will be treated as formal objections.

The “fix” is probably already in for a 12.6% rate increase in fiscal year 2027 and 12.5% in 2028. The SFPUC insists the average San Francisco water and sewer bill will still remain below 2026 bills in Los Angeles and Santa Clara, and “just slightly more than Oakland and San Jose.” How reassuring. Hand-delivered objections may be placed in the box labeled “2026 Water and Sewer Rates Written Objections Only” at the SFPUC Customer Service Bureau, 525 Golden Gate Ave. E-mail, fax, or other means will not be accepted as an objection or protest.

“From Santa Clara to Washington: Taxpayers Keep Paying”

Speaking of Santa Clara, the 49ers-cheerleader “SF Comical” neglected to tell readers that 49ers owners — ever eager to pick taxpayers’ pockets for gold — are now forcing Santa Clara taxpayers to absorb the leasehold cost of the team’s new business office on Great America Parkway, at $1.7 million annually.

This is the second year the 49ers — who once played in San Francisco — have tried to sock it to those taxpayers. Why not demand removal of “San Francisco” from their name? Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor was warned by me what would happen if the city council permitted such arrangements. The council never approved the 49ers’ move of their business offices from the stadium Santa Clara taxpayers effectively handed them.

Speaking of gold, our presidential draft dodger with his “bone spurs” has now gotten the U.S. Mint to approve a commemorative coin featuring himself. That rarely happens with a sitting president, but the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, on March 19, acted unanimously under Trump appointees — or “lackeys” — urging the Mint to make it as large as possible. Previously, Trump’s waterboys had proposed a one-dollar coin to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States. The bipartisan Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee, which by statute must review such proposals, has refused to place a Trump coin on its agenda. But federal law allows the Treasury secretary to create a gold coin — which is how “Bone Spur” is proceeding. Incidentally, the only sitting president ever to appear on U.S. currency was Calvin Coolidge in 1926, for the nation’s 150th anniversary.

And don’t forget: “Bone Spur” is the same presidential “genius” who on March 7 claimed the war on Iran was “already won,” even as the United States escalated its bombing while he complained about NATO not joining him. At the same time, Trump unilaterally lifted oil sanctions on Russia and ignored six European nations allied with us through NATO.

“Street Names, Civic Memory, and Cultural Whiplash”

Finally, society — and especially California — now confronts sexual revelations involving Cesar Chavez, after whom public events, roads, and buildings are named. Politicians are already scrambling to replace his name with Dolores Huerta. I want Army Street restored as that thoroughfare’s moniker, not Huerta or some other non-San Franciscan. Of course, “Air Force Street” would satisfy me.

Last month, a letter to the editor in The Wall Street Journal caught my eye: “In 100 years of public education, we have gone from teaching Latin and Greek in high school to teaching remedial reading in college.” Thomas Paine, our country’s foremost pamphleteer, wrote in 1775: “Nothing can settle our affairs so expeditiously as an open and determined declaration for independence.”

I wish you all a happy Passover of eight days commencing April 1, a happy Easter on April 5, and a meaningful Earth Day — a holiday recognized by Act of Congress and associated with the work of the late U.S. Sen. William Proxmire of Wisconsin and the late Congressman Paul N. “Pete” McCloskey.

Quentin Kopp is a former San Francisco supervisor, state senator, SF Ethics Commission member, president of the California High Speed Rail Authority governing board and retired Superior Court judge. 

April 2026