The hottest City Government Substack posts right now

San Francisco’s recent turnaround — big drops in crime and some pro-housing moves — came from a moderate mayor working with a slim moderate majority on the Board of Supervisors.
Before that, a hardline progressive board blocked housing and public-safety reforms, contributing to high crime, very low housing production, and economic decline.
A single upcoming District 4 special election could flip the Board back to hardline progressives, which would likely derail the city’s recovery and make future reforms much harder to pass.

People packed the Bronx hearing to call out bad landlords and complain about unsafe, exploitative housing; attendees were angry and demanding real change.
The event offered tenant unions, know-your-rights workshops, and free legal aid booths, showing strong grassroots organizing and practical support for renters.
The hearings are a political test for the mayor’s promise to challenge landlords, and tenants say they want concrete action, not just lip service.

Moshe Davis, the 28-year-old executive director of New York City’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, was removed after being told the administration wanted to go in a different direction.
Davis says he is a loud, proud Jewish person who wears a kippah and a proud Zionist, and he believes his identity and views led to his ouster.
The new mayor installed a controversial liberal activist to lead the office, signaling a political shift in how the city will approach antisemitism.

Traffic safety is important for protecting everyone, especially children.
City governments can enforce traffic rules through automated means like cameras.
Issues with fake, expired, or obscured car tags hinder effective traffic enforcement.

The importance of having a good scorecard over a long one
City Hall Watcher's complete Council Scorecard for John Tory's third mayoral term
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