Gavin Newsom Takes on San Francisco In Court
Suppose you were running for governor of California. You’re ahead in the polls thanks to landslide support in the Bay Area — but the mayor of Los Angeles is gaining on you fast. If you’re counting on San Francisco to help you win the election, would you sue San Francisco?
That’s what Lieutenant Governor and former San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is considering as he runs for governor. Newsom is not personally suing San Francisco, but the California State Lands Commision — of which he’s the chairperson — is suing the city over height restrictions on waterfront development, and the case is likely to head to trial in a San Francisco Superior Court in September.
The State Lands Commission is an obscure three-person panel that manages California public land policy. Newsom did not file this lawsuit, but he’s not dropping it, either. Former State Lands Commission chair John Chiang brought the suit, though Newsom did sit on the commission when the suit was filed. Chiang currently serves as state treasurer. (And ironically, he’s also running for governor in 2018).
The reason: The commission is not pleased over San Francisco’s passage of a 2014 measure called Proposition B.
Read more: http://www.sfweekly.com/news/suckafreecity/gavin-newsom-takes-on-san-francisco-in-court/
