This is insane.
San Francisco officials have approved a controversial new ordinance that critics say highlights how far left-wing leadership has drifted from the everyday concerns of working Americans — especially as the city struggles with crime, homelessness, and a massive budget shortfall.
The measure, approved earlier this month by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and signed just days before Christmas by Democrat Mayor Daniel Lurie, establishes the legal framework for a future “Reparations Fund.” While the ordinance itself does not allocate money, it opens the door for potential payments tied to historical discrimination claims.
City officials emphasized that the ordinance does not authorize any immediate payouts and does not commit taxpayer dollars. Instead, it allows for possible funding through private donations, nonprofit organizations, or foundations — at least for now.
Any attempt to use public funds would require additional legislation, a clearly identified revenue source, and direct approval from the mayor’s office. Lurie acknowledged the city’s financial reality, telling Fox News Digital that San Francisco is currently facing a budget deficit approaching $1 billion.
“I was elected to focus on San Francisco’s recovery,” Lurie said, noting that city resources must remain focused on public safety, cleanliness, and essential services rather than new financial commitments.
Despite those assurances, the ordinance directly references a 2023 policy report from the San Francisco African American Reparations Advisory Committee, a city-appointed group that examined historical impacts on Black residents and proposed a wide range of remedies.
That nonbinding report argued that past government actions — particularly during the urban renewal era of the mid-20th century — contributed to displacement and economic hardship. Among its recommendations were large one-time payments for eligible individuals, along with ongoing income programs, expanded housing assistance, and the creation of new city offices to oversee reparations-related initiatives.
According to census estimates cited in the report, approximately 46,000 Black residents live in San Francisco today. The committee also called for additional investments in housing, small businesses, and community development programs.
At the state level, similar proposals have struggled to advance. Multiple reparations bills have stalled in the California Legislature, even after the formation of a state task force in 2020 tasked with studying the issue.
For many longtime residents and taxpayers — particularly older Americans concerned about rising costs, declining public safety, and government accountability — the ordinance has raised serious questions about priorities in a city already under financial strain.
