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Steve Hilton lays out his agenda for California and San Francisco

The Republican discusses income taxes, $3 gas and the housing crisis.

Election

It&#x27;s time to vote for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="governor in California" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/06/03/san-francisco-california-self-funded-candidates-chakrabarti-steyer-election-results" data-vars-content-id="93c77c2b-0e6b-4b42-b811-122b09e65109" data-vars-headline="Steve Hilton lays out his agenda for California and San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/06/03/san-francisco-california-self-funded-candidates-chakrabarti-steyer-election-results" target="_self">governor in California</a>.The big picture: Democrat Xavier Becerra is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="squaring off against" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/10/california-governor-race-runoff-steve-hilton-xavier-becerra-election-2026" data-vars-content-id="93c77c2b-0e6b-4b42-b811-122b09e65109" data-vars-headline="Steve Hilton lays out his agenda for California and San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/10/california-governor-race-runoff-steve-hilton-xavier-becerra-election-2026" target="_self">squaring off against</a> Republican Steve Hilton. Axios sent questions to both candidates and here are Hilton&#x27;s responses.

San Francisco Fleet Week is back. Here's what to know

Expect packed waterfronts, transit changes and plenty of jet noise.

News

Love it or hate it, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fleet Week" data-vars-click-url="https://fleetweeksf.org/air-show/" data-vars-content-id="6813eb34-c7f6-46c8-bdf4-26958942d2aa" data-vars-headline="San Francisco Fleet Week is back. Here&#x27;s what to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fleetweeksf.org/air-show/" target="_blank">Fleet Week</a> has descended on San Francisco once again.Why it matters: The annual celebration, which began Sunday and runs until Oct. 12, brings thousands of spectators to the waterfront for one of the city&#x27;s loudest and busiest weekends of the year.<ul><li>For fans, this week means prime time for Blue Angels flyovers and ship tours. For everyone else, consider this your warning to expect plenty of noise and traffic. Here&#x27;s what to know.</li></ul>

Throwback Thursday: The San Francisco landmarks built over forgotten graves

As San Francisco expanded, cemeteries gave way to development — but not every grave was relocated.

Culture

San Francisco is famously short on cemetery space today, but that wasn&#x27;t always the case.The big picture: Before parks, homes, museums and college buildings filled much of the city, people were buried across San Francisco — sometimes beneath places we now visit without a second thought. And some of them might still be there.

How Ben Davis became a symbol of San Francisco's identity

For nearly a century, the brand has crossed generations without chasing trends.

For nearly a century, San Francisco&#x27;s own <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ben Davis" data-vars-click-url="https://bendavis.com/" data-vars-content-id="70c77473-945d-41e2-8d14-ed6c3bcf3b64" data-vars-headline="How Ben Davis became a symbol of San Francisco&#x27;s identity" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bendavis.com/" target="_blank">Ben Davis</a> has kept making variations of the same tough, utilitarian clothes, even as the city has cycled through <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="various identities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/08/13/san-francisco-ai-hiring-rent-spike-housing-shortage" data-vars-content-id="70c77473-945d-41e2-8d14-ed6c3bcf3b64" data-vars-headline="How Ben Davis became a symbol of San Francisco&#x27;s identity" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/08/13/san-francisco-ai-hiring-rent-spike-housing-shortage" target="_self">various identities</a>. Somehow, that refusal to keep up has become part of the brand&#x27;s appeal.Why it matters: In a city reshaped by tech booms, soaring housing costs and displacement, Ben Davis has endured as a wearable link to an older, more working-class San Francisco.

Xavier Becerra's gubernatorial agenda for California

The Democrat wants faster home building and says he'll protect Californians from federal Medicaid cuts.

It&#x27;s time to vote for governor in California.The big picture: Democrat Xavier Becerra is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="squaring off against" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/10/california-governor-race-runoff-steve-hilton-xavier-becerra-election-2026" data-vars-content-id="2fa77988-4005-4baa-b296-7438175dbe9e" data-vars-headline="Xavier Becerra&#x27;s gubernatorial agenda for California" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/10/california-governor-race-runoff-steve-hilton-xavier-becerra-election-2026" target="_self">squaring off against</a> Republican <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Steve Hilton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/10/06/steve-hilton-lays-out-his-agenda-for-california-and-san-francisco" data-vars-content-id="2fa77988-4005-4baa-b296-7438175dbe9e" data-vars-headline="Xavier Becerra&#x27;s gubernatorial agenda for California" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/10/06/steve-hilton-lays-out-his-agenda-for-california-and-san-francisco" target="_self">Steve Hilton</a> to succeed termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom.

How San Francisco aims to limit banked rent increases 

Advocates say the proposed limit could still leave longtime renters at risk of displacement.

Politics

San Francisco wants to put a ceiling on one of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="biggest rent hikes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/09/10/sf-rent-spike-tenant-protections-lurie" data-vars-content-id="c14c0987-8009-4811-9099-83ca28fe0eb7" data-vars-headline="How San Francisco aims to limit banked rent increases " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/09/10/sf-rent-spike-tenant-protections-lurie" target="_self">biggest rent hikes</a> some longtime tenants can face, but tenant advocates say the proposed limit may still leave renters vulnerable to displacement.State of play: Supervisor Danny Sauter recently proposed legislation that would cap annual increases from &quot;banked&quot; rent and certain capital improvement costs at 10% annually for rent-controlled tenants through 2029.

California explores "kill switch" for powerful AI systems

The state is studying how to shut down advanced models and independently verify companies' safeguards.

California is exploring an emergency off switch for its most powerful <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI systems" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" data-vars-content-id="4ef19365-52c7-4322-8e6e-a31641008528" data-vars-headline="California explores &quot;kill switch&quot; for powerful AI systems" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" target="_self">AI systems</a> as concerns grow about what happens when the increasingly autonomous technology escapes its intended controls.Why it matters: The move marks a notable shift in how California is approaching the tech powering much of its current economic boom — moving beyond requiring AI companies to disclose their safety practices and toward potentially independently verifying that their safeguards actually work.

Newsom's 2028 plans could hinge on Harris' decision

The California governor says he won't run for president if Harris launches another White House bid.

Gov. Gavin Newsom says there&#x27;s one person who could keep him out of the 2028 presidential race: Kamala Harris.Why it matters: Newsom&#x27;s announcement that he won&#x27;t run if Harris does puts the former VP in an unusual position: Her decision could help determine whether another of California&#x27;s most prominent Democrats enters what is expected to be a crowded Democratic primary.

Mayor Daniel Lurie declares rent emergency as prices soar

The measures target evictions and steep increases as one-bedroom rents climb above $4,300.

Mayor Daniel Lurie is declaring an emergency amid a sharp rise in rents across the city.Why it matters: San Francisco&#x27;s economic rebound — fueled in part by the AI boom — is colliding with a familiar problem: The city still doesn&#x27;t have enough housing to absorb a sudden surge in demand, the San Francisco Standard <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://sfstandard.com/2026/09/10/lurie-declares-san-francisco-rent-emergency/" data-vars-content-id="e17d4503-a315-4fc7-9c73-e2a693a6244d" data-vars-headline="Mayor Daniel Lurie declares rent emergency as prices soar" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sfstandard.com/2026/09/10/lurie-declares-san-francisco-rent-emergency/" target="_blank">reports</a>.

Apartment hunting with a pet could get easier in California

Landlords would have to share pet restrictions up front under a bill on Newsom's desk.

California renters could soon know whether their pet is welcome before spending money on a rental application.Why it matters: Apartment hunting with a pet can be filled with uncertainty since listings don&#x27;t always disclose pet policies, restrictions or fees up front.

Bay Area leaders roll out $85M a year for home electrification

Residents may be able to stack rebates as new water heater rules approach in the region.

San Franciscans are about to have more options for replacing their gas water heater as regional officials roll out about $85 million a year in rebates and incentives across the Bay Area, including $41 million for heat pumps.The big picture: Residents facing the eventual replacement of a gas water heater could have more financial help paying for an electric alternative as the Bay Area moves towards electrifying homes and buildings to reduce its carbon footprint.

San Francisco overhauls how it contracts for homelessness services

The city plans to set stronger performance standards as it re-awards contracts through May 2029.

San Francisco is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="overhauling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sf.gov/hsh-procurement-overview" data-vars-content-id="12496ee0-0097-4e07-89c6-7ca15498b220" data-vars-headline="San Francisco overhauls how it contracts for homelessness services" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sf.gov/hsh-procurement-overview" target="_blank">overhauling</a> every contract it uses to provide homelessness services, putting more focus on whether the city&#x27;s programs are effective in helping people move toward stable housing.Why it matters: The city spends <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hundreds of millions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/lurie-prop-c-homeless-funding-22272859.php" data-vars-content-id="12496ee0-0097-4e07-89c6-7ca15498b220" data-vars-headline="San Francisco overhauls how it contracts for homelessness services" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/lurie-prop-c-homeless-funding-22272859.php" target="_blank">hundreds of millions</a> of dollars annually on homelessness, but officials and critics have long questioned whether that money is translating into better outcomes.

California vows to fight Trump's mail-in voting order

State officials are preparing for another legal fight before the midterms.

California&#x27;s vote-by-mail system faces new uncertainty less than three months before the midterms after the Supreme Court on Monday allowed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Trump&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="8c7fd8f6-8d27-4eb1-9aca-2f3e7e35107b" data-vars-headline="California vows to fight Trump&#x27;s mail-in voting order" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">President Trump&#x27;s</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="executive order" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/25/trump-mail-in-voting-order-blocked" data-vars-content-id="8c7fd8f6-8d27-4eb1-9aca-2f3e7e35107b" data-vars-headline="California vows to fight Trump&#x27;s mail-in voting order" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/25/trump-mail-in-voting-order-blocked" target="_self">executive order</a> restricting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mail-in voting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/23/mail-in-voting-trump-pew-poll" data-vars-content-id="8c7fd8f6-8d27-4eb1-9aca-2f3e7e35107b" data-vars-headline="California vows to fight Trump&#x27;s mail-in voting order" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/23/mail-in-voting-trump-pew-poll" target="_self">mail-in voting</a> to move forward.Why it matters: The decision could upend the midterms, but the legal battle is far from over and the exact effect on California&#x27;s upcoming elections remains unclear.

Scott Wiener's AI chatbot controversy, explained

The campaign experiment became a warning about the political risks of generative AI.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="State Sen. Scott Wiener&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/10/22/scott-wiener-pelosi-congress-run" data-vars-content-id="7d625565-55c0-4aca-813b-445d017ce701" data-vars-headline="Scott Wiener&#x27;s AI chatbot controversy, explained" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/10/22/scott-wiener-pelosi-congress-run" target="_self">State Sen. Scott Wiener&#x27;s</a> AI chatbot targeting congressional rival <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Connie Chan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/11/20/connie-chan-pelosi-congress-race" data-vars-content-id="7d625565-55c0-4aca-813b-445d017ce701" data-vars-headline="Scott Wiener&#x27;s AI chatbot controversy, explained" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/11/20/connie-chan-pelosi-congress-race" target="_self">Connie Chan</a> was meant to turn her record into an interactive campaign attack.<ul><li>Instead, it&#x27;s become a case study in what happens when campaigns hand a generative AI system an opponent&#x27;s identity and then promptly lose control over what it says.</li></ul>

Politics 🇺🇸

Xavier Becerra's gubernatorial agenda for California

How San Francisco aims to limit banked rent increases

California explores "kill switch" for powerful AI systems

Newsom's 2028 plans could hinge on Harris' decision

Mayor Daniel Lurie declares rent emergency as prices soar