San Francisco Mayor's Key Allies, Business Executives, Present Test

SAN FRANCISCO Riding a wave of popularity and promising a city revival, Mayor Daniel Lurie of San Francisco faces scrutiny over his reliance on influential business leaders to drive the citys recovery. The Levi Strauss heir defeated the previous mayor last year amid voter frustration over public safety, homelessness, and downtown decline, marking a return of moderate Democrats in a city long dominated by progressives with complex ties to tech billionaires.

Lurie has consistently emphasized that San Francisco is open for business, assembling a network of CEOs to guide the citys revival. This has included supporting AI company expansions, integrating autonomous vehicles into main commercial streets, and negotiating deals for driverless taxis to reach the airport.

My goal as mayor is to create conditions where companies and workers want to be here, Lurie stated during OpenAIs office expansion earlier this year. Public polling has shown strong support for his approach to public safety and business-friendly policies. His connections in the tech industry helped secure $50 million for downtown revitalization and $1 million for police recruitment, funded by corporate leaders.

Despite these efforts, city progressives remain skeptical of Luries business-focused approach. City Supervisor Connie Chan is supporting a labor-backed ballot initiative to increase taxes on high-earning executives as companies and autonomous vehicles return to city offices and streets. Chan, who is running for Congress next year, aims to showcase her liberal credentials through this effort.

Chans proposed initiative follows her earlier attempt to tax ride-hailing companies and executives, highlighting concern over the influence of tech billionaires. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has been a notable figure in this dynamic, previously intervening to prevent the deployment of the National Guard in the city.

Luries close ties to wealthy tech leaders are evident in his administration: former Twitter CFO Ned Segal serves as chief of housing and economic development, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman joined Luries transition team. Lurie personally contacted tech executives to appeal to former President Trump regarding National Guard deployment, demonstrating the depth of these connections.

The outcome of the competing ballot measures may signal voter sentiment toward Luries relationship with corporate leaders and the citys political direction. Political consultant Sam Singer noted, The stakes are high for both sides and will determine if San Francisco will continue its liberal/moderate shift or return to progressive control.

Progressive and labor groups view the wealth tax initiative as a way to counterbalance corporate influence. Peter Finn of the Teamsters union emphasized, Big corporations and their billionaire owners are making San Francisco unaffordable. Its time they pay their fair share. Notably, the union-backed initiative excludes ride-hailing taxes, despite concerns about autonomous vehicles displacing jobs.

Chans initial plan faced criticism from tech figures like Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan, who argued it was anti-business. Meanwhile, Luries transit-focused tax plan has not provoked the same backlash from progressives, though some believe it does not go far enough in addressing inequality.

Lurie is unlikely to support labors proposal, as it could strain relations with business leaders critical to his city revival strategy. Board President Rafael Mandelman suggested that additional taxes on wealthy executives or corporations might complicate Luries pitch to attract businesses. Former progressive leader Aaron Peskin argued that taxing executives directly could be more effective than Luries real estate tax, which might ultimately impact renters and tenants.

Author: Grace Ellison