Mayor Daniel Lurie and Superintendent Maria Su might not be confused for Julius Caesar but both have reason to follow Shakespeare’s warning, “Beware the ides of March.” Activities brewing, not in the ancient Roman Senate but in today’s United States Congress, will reach a danger point on the morning of March 15, the same day the school district takes the next key step in the teacher and administrator layoff process. Depending on the outcomes, San Francisco city government and our schools may be closer to or further from economic stability. Here’s what to expect.
More than 30 years before Donald Trump descended his golden elevator to begin his 2016 presidential campaign, the national Republican Party began to deride “San Francisco values.” Policies that often epitomize these values are sanctuary city and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). In response to Trump campaign ads and Trump Administration executive orders attacking these policies and values, San Francisco officials have renewed the city’s commitment to them. The Board of Supervisors will vote on Tuesday on two more supportive resolutions.
In court, San Francisco has been active and largely successful in challenging Trump Administration executive orders in the first term and now as judges have ruled that President Trump’s going it alone means he has acted beyond his authority as president. Over the next two weeks, the absent and compliant Congress now will start to step in. As a result, San Francisco’s resolve may be tested even more, and the city may face the prospect of losing millions of dollars in defense of these values.
School district officials have until March 15 to inform up to 559 educators and classified staff members that they may be laid off in July.
On Wednesday, the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform will hear from the mayors of New York City, Chicago, Boston, and Denver to defend their municipal sanctuary city or welcoming city policies that prohibit local enforcement of federal immigration laws or limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Whether they are able to persuade Congress that the policies foster trust and public safety or have a negative effect will drive congressional action the following week. Already, H.R. 32, the No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act is pending before the House Judiciary Committee. It could be attached to the bill Congress must approve and the president must sign to prevent a federal government shutdown on March 15.
The budget bill will apply to federal funds sent to cities after March 15 and expires Sept. 30. If passed, H.R. 32’s prohibition of federal funds to states, cities, and school districts with sanctuary policies will take effect as early as May and will cause havoc to the city’s and the school district’s budget plans for the next fiscal year starting in July. Many courts have ruled against the Trump Administration because it is up to Congress to authorize federal spending and limitations on federal spending, not the executive branch. The judicial outcomes, and future of federal funds for San Francisco, could change when a compliant Congress and the Trump Administration act together.
If courts uphold the prohibition, not all federal funds would be lost — just health care, food aid, transportation, and other expenditures intended to be used for the benefit of unauthorized immigrants. Unanswered is how a city or school would know the immigration status of those who receive the assistance. Might a Muni patron have to show both a Clipper Card and a green card? San Francisco’s budget fate rides heavily on the success of Mayor Lurie’s mayoral colleagues in Washington this week.
If passed, H.R. 32 would cause havoc to the city’s and the school district’s budget plans; it could be attached to the spending bill to avoid a government shutdown on March 15.
Here in the city, school district officials have until March 15 to inform up to 559 educators and classified staff members that they may be laid off in July. Meanwhile, the school district is providing retirement incentives for 352 other educators and classified staff members. While the school district has surpassed its initial goal of retirement incentive packages, it is not clear whether the hopes that it would substantially reduce the number of needed layoffs will be achieved. The plan being presented to the school board next week would save, under various scenarios, $7–$14 million but that still leaves $100 million to be cut from the budget by July.
Separate and apart from the budget cut threat emanating from Trump Administration and congressional opposition to sanctuary cities, the school district is in danger of what the superintendent describes as “devastating” cuts in federal education assistance as well as an uncertain ability of the State of California to take up the slack or even maintain existing funding.
In Act I, Scene 2 of Julius Caesar, Cassius tells Brutus that “Men at some time are masters of their own fates.” This year’s budget cycle may not be such a time for San Francisco.
