THIS WEEK AT THE VOICE FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2026
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by Mike Ege
Editor in Chief, The Voice of San Francisco
At Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Mayor Daniel Lurie previewed what could be a bruising budget fight, warning that federal and state cuts may push San Francisco’s deficit to $1 billion in coming years.
Lurie said Washington’s recent reconciliation bill could cost the city roughly $300 million annually, threatening Medi-Cal, SNAP, and homelessness services. He argued the city must stop relying on one-time fixes and confront its structural deficit directly.
San Francisco still faces a projected $644 million shortfall this budget cycle and up to $1.4 billion by 2027.
District 11 Supervisor Chyanne Chen, organized labor’s designated hitter on the board, pushed back, questioning why Lurie is pursuing $100 million in city worker cuts if revenues are improving and Proposition D could bring in up to $300 million annually.
That assumes voters approve Proposition D, the June measure to increase the so-called “Overpaid CEO Tax.” So I guess it all depends on how affluent we still feel when we’re in the voting booth.
Chen has also taken up some of the slack left by the sudden absence of her colleague, progressive Jackie Fielder. In addition to requesting a hearing on the budget impacts on the city’s homeless services, she’ll be taking on Fielder’s plans for a municipal public bank, sending the city attorney a drafting request for a charter amendment to establish one.
The District 9 member has requested medical leave until at least June 30, due to a still unspecified behavioral health issue, which coincided with reports (first broken right here, by the way) she was being investigated by City Attorney David Chiu for illegally disclosing a confidential memo. Fielder had initially considered resigning; however, the City Hall consensus appears to be that a hiatus should be enough to keep things running smoothly.
After all, it’s not like she’s going to be able to vote against the budget again.
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Top News
REYNOLDS RAP
Attorney General Rob Bonta’s wife, Mia, is pushing a journalism chill bill to stop corruption reports like the one I wrote about them
by Susan Dyer Reynolds
California Assembly Bill 2624, authored by Assemblywoman Mia Bonta, cleared initial committee and is set for review by the Assembly’s Judiciary Committee. Building on California’s Safe At Home Program, Bonta says it will “shield addresses of immigrant service providers from public records” and ban online posting of their personal data when intended to “threaten or incite violence.” Some opponents are informally calling AB 2624 the Stop Nick Shirley Act after the controversial influencer’s December 2025 gonzo-style video alleging fraud at Somali-run daycare centers in Minnesota went viral. While Shirley’s fans believe he “broke the story,” fraud in Minnesota was covered by print media, including the New York Times, prior to his video. In fact, Minnesota’s Star Tribune newspaper featured a cover story on Somali fraud over 25 years ago.
ELECTIONS 2026
Assistant district attorney kicks off campaign for San Francisco Superior Court Judge, Seat 16
by Erica Sandberg
ELECTIONS 2026
The fight for a safer San Francisco: Hurabiell vs. Wiener vs. Chan
The race for California’s 11th Congressional District in 2026 is rapidly intensifying.
by Liz Le
Quote of the week
“The preferred storyline demanded framing every incident through the lens of systemic racism, mental health, or ‘root causes’ rather than straightforward criminal accountability. So the hour-long interview with my terrified 14-year-old son sat on the shelf and never aired.”
— Liz Le on the failed narratives around hate crimes against Asian elders, in “Why justice keeps failing Asian hate victims”
Nomi toon
In Case You Missed It
VOICE BOX
The shot that gave me seven days
For years, the first thing I did every morning was find my cooker and get high.
by Amber Reid Richmond
EDUCATION
San Francisco schools unable to meet educational goals for students
In a near-empty room, school board extends deadlines for improvements
by John Trasviña
A&E
Legacies, scams, and pitfalls
An ailing artist tries to thwart the plans of his assistant in ‘The Christophers’; an empire torn apart by murder, betrayal in a modern ‘Hamlet.’
by Michael Snyder
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EVENTS
Out and about April 16–22, 2026
What to do this weekend and beyond.
By Lynette Majer
Managing Editor, The Voice of San Francisco
Enjoy art fairs, the Cherry Blossom Festival, lectures, and more this week. Here are my picks for the weekend and into next week.
Thursday, April 16
“Making History Fun Again Speaker Series” at the legendary Redwood Room will present John Martini, a historian, author, and National Park Service ranger, who is a respected authority on the Big Earthquake and Fire. The monthly program is designed to bring the city’s colorful history to life, “while connecting generations through storytelling, culture, and spirited conversation.” Themed specialty cocktails will also be available for purchase like a Pisco Punch, martinis (including one with a nod to the Buena Vista), and one called Maiden Lane. 6 p.m. at The Clift Hotel. Free with RSVP here.
The 14th edition of the San Francisco Art Fair aims to bring together a cross-section of modern and contemporary art and will feature over 80 leading galleries from around the world in addition to public programming. This year’s fair will focus on the cultural contributions of the AAPI communities to support the creative impact of immigrants and the AAPI community. Watch for the Voice’s coverage of the fair next week. Through Sunday at Fort Mason’s Festival Pavilion. Tickets from $35.
Friday, April 17
Spend your midday break at Friday Park Yoga: Flowing In Nature, (featured as part of S.F. Climate Week). Enjoy music and guidance through wireless headphones to enhance your immersive experience. Following the class will be an optional group conversation. 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Robin Williams Meadow, Golden Gate Park. Tickets: $20
I love the concept of the Startup Art Fair where the hotel rooms are turned into individual galleries — it’s so clever. Browse over 80 independent artists from Mexico and South America to Europe and China while enjoying food, drinks, and poolside music. Through Sunday. Tickets from $17.
Saturday, April 18
If you didn’t catch the 58th Annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown last weekend, it’s still on this weekend, with numerous cultural programs and the Grand Parade on Sunday. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Post Street (between Laguna and Fillmore streets), Free admission.
When the Fisher family loaned over 700 works from their private collection to SFMOMA, part of the agreement stipulated that the museum would display a representative selection every 10 years in an exclusive exhibition. Reimagined: The Fisher Collection at 10 opens today, spanning four floors of the museum and featuring nearly 250 artworks in galleries designed to deepen the viewer’s connection to the art and artists. Special opening weekend activities include dance and music performances, among others. Tickets from $23.
The weather forecast looks great for Saturday, so brewski lovers will want to check out the Bay Area Brew Fest, featuring over 70 breweries offering hundreds of beers (you don’t need to taste every one), food trucks, live music, and more. Noon to 4 p.m. on the Presidio Main Parade Lawn. Tickets from $73 and change.
Listen to our podcasts
- Now eBay is closing its S.F. office and we must deal with the ever changing economic landscape.
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