Jackie Fielder Exploits Tragedy for Politics, and Possibly Profits
PLUS: Isabella Alcaraz Is the New D4 Supervisor
What You Need To Know
Here’s what happened around the city for the week of November 2, 2025:
- Fielder Exploits Tragedy for Politics, and Possibly Profits
- Isabella Alcaraz Is the New D4 Supervisor
- Chan and Melgar Add Red Tape, Despite City Objections
- Pelosi Announces Retirement
- Muni funding plan takes shape with parcel tax scenarios
Recent & upcoming openings:
- The East Coast Isn’t All Bad: Jerry’s Roast Pork at Embarcadero Center
- Hallelujah: Saint Frank in the Inner Sunset
Fielder Exploits Tragedy for Politics, and Possibly Profits
Published November 7, 2025
The Facts
On October 29th, a beloved neighborhood cat was tragically killed by a Waymo in the Mission District. The cat, KitKat, lived at Randa’s Market, where it was a fixture for years. According to reports, the cat had walked under the vehicle when it was parked and waiting for passengers, and was not detected before the vehicle started moving.
On the heels of the tragedy, Supervisor Jackie Fielder held a press conference to rally against autonomous vehicles, aligning herself with the Teamsters union, which is self-interested in banning self-driving trucks to preserve its members’ jobs. More troubling, she promoted the launch of “KitKatCoin,” a cryptocurrency “memecoin” named after the cat, which critics have characterized as a presumed pump-and-dump scheme. Fielder has not disclosed whether she profits from this cryptocurrency venture. At least one ethics complaint has been filed against her, asking the ethics commission to investigate if Fielder has violated SF Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code section 3.212, 3.214, and 3.218 by promoting a cryptocurrency while holding public office.
The Context
Cryptocurrency memecoins are frequently pump-and-dump schemes where early promoters profit by driving up prices before selling their holdings, leaving later buyers with worthless tokens.
Adam Lashinsky at The Standard noted that human-driven vehicles kill significantly more animals annually than autonomous vehicles, making Fielder’s focus on this single incident particularly cynical. Estimates range wildly, but some studies suggest that human drivers kill between 5 million and 26 million cats each year in the U.S.
The GrowSF Take
Fielder has weaponized a beloved pet’s death to advance union political interests while potentially profiting from cryptocurrency speculation. This is San Francisco politics at its most cynical: performative outrage serving special interests rather than public safety.
The supervisor appears to be exploiting tragedy for both political theater and possible personal gain, while ignoring data showing autonomous vehicles are safer than human drivers. San Francisco deserves leaders who make evidence-based decisions, not ones who turn deaths into political stunts and cryptocurrency schemes.
Isabella Alcaraz Is the New D4 Supervisor
Published November 7, 2025
The Facts
Isabella “Beya” Alcaraz was appointed to District 4 supervisor on November 6, filling the seat vacated when Joel Engardio was recalled in September. Alcaraz, 29, is a lifelong Sunset resident, art and music teacher, and former owner of the Animal Connection pet store.
Alcaraz experienced the city’s permitting challenges firsthand, telling Will Jarrett at Mission Local that she spent $1,000 and waited six months for approval to install a simple storage shed. She must run in the June 2026 election to retain her seat until the end of Engardio’s original term in January 2027, and again in November 2026 if she wants to serve a full four-year term.
The Context
Engardio’s recall was driven by 62.7% of voters who opposed his support for permanently closing the Great Highway to vehicles and turning it into “Sunset Dunes” park. His replacement, Alcaraz, enters office as the Board of Supervisors debates the Family Zoning Plan, which would allow denser housing in neighborhoods like the Sunset.
The city faces a January 31, 2026 state deadline to approve a compliant housing plan or risk triggering the “builder’s remedy,” which lets developers bypass most local zoning rules.
The GrowSF Take
We don’t yet know how Supervisor Alcaraz will legislate or what her priorities are, but her background as a small business owner who struggled with the city’s permitting process is promising. The first-hand experience with city dysfunction may help spur more reforms.
With the June 2026 election rapidly approaching, GrowSF will evaluate all District 4 candidates through our endorsement process, which will kick off in the next month or two. Until then, we’ll be watching how she votes on key issues like the Family Zoning Plan and other important governance reforms.
Chan and Melgar Add Red Tape, Despite City Objections
Published November 3, 2025
The Facts
Supervisor Connie Chan’s controversial ordinance has moved forward in the Board of Supervisors Land Use Committee, despite opposition from two key city bodies. The legislation would require businesses to obtain a “conditional use authorization” before replacing a “legacy business” that has operated for 30 or more years.
The measure advanced despite formal opposition from both the Planning Commission, which voted 4-2 to disapprove, and the Small Business Commission, which voted 3-1 not to recommend it. Supervisor Bilal Mahmood was the lone dissenting vote in committee, per The Chronicle.
The measure will now move to the full Board of Supervisors for consideration.
The Context
Chan’s proposal runs directly counter to Mayor Lurie’s PermitSF initiative, which aims to streamline business permitting. The Planning Department’s analysis warned the ordinance “misapplies a land use tool to an economic stabilization challenge” and could discourage landlords from leasing to legacy businesses. The Small Business Commission cautioned that this process favors businesses with the resources to hire land-use attorneys over smaller enterprises.
In short, the city’s own experts believe the legislation could backfire and harm the very businesses it’s intended to help.
The GrowSF Take
Adding bureaucratic hurdles is not the way to support small businesses. When the city’s own Planning and Small Business Commissions warn that a policy will create new barriers and favor wealthy players, Supervisors should listen. This legislation adds process and expense, undermining efforts to fill vacant storefronts and revitalize our economy.
We’ll be watching closely as this bill moves to the full Board. GrowSF urges Supervisors to reject measures that complicate business operations and instead focus on policies that truly support small businesses without adding red tape.
Pelosi Announces Retirement
Published November 7, 2025
The Facts
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi announced on November 6, 2025, that she will not seek reelection, ending her nearly four-decade career representing San Francisco in Congress. The 85-year-old former House Speaker will serve out the remainder of her term through January 2027.
The race to replace her has already begun, with both State Senator Scott Wiener and former AOC Chief of Staff Saikat Chakrabarti actively running.
Supervisor Connie Chan is reportedly contemplating a bid, according to former Supervisor Aaron Peskin, though she has not announced her intentions. And London Breed hinted she might run, as well.
The Context
This marks San Francisco’s first competitive congressional primary since 1987, when Pelosi first won the seat.
The GrowSF Take
There’s no doubt that Pelosi wielded significant influence in Washington, D.C., but many San Franciscans often felt she prioritized national politics over local needs. Her tenure saw limited progress on critical issues like housing affordability, urban development, and the fentanyl crisis—areas where San Francisco desperately needed strong advocacy.
After decades of a representative focused on national politics, voters actually have a real choice in this race. The candidates will have to not only distinguish themselves from each other but also from Pelosi’s legacy. We don’t know if voters will prefer an inward or outward focus, and we’re eager to see how the campaigns unfold.
Muni funding plan takes shape with parcel tax scenarios
Published November 7, 2025
The Facts
The Lurie administration is reportedly considering two options for parcel taxes on the November 2026 ballot to address Muni’s $307 million annual budget deficit, according to an exclusive by Rachel Swan at The Chronicle. Only one measure will be put forward, and both scenarios would keep taxes on small homeowners low while requiring larger property owners to pay more.
Under the first option, residential property owners would pay $150 annually for homes under 3,000 square feet, plus 25 cents per additional square foot with a $250,000 cap. Commercial properties would pay $600 for buildings under 3,000 square feet, plus 67.5 cents per additional square foot with a $400,000 cap.
The second scenario reduces the residential base rate to $99 but increases the per-square-foot premium to 29 cents, while commercial properties would pay the same $600 base with 73 cents per additional square foot.
The Context
Without new revenue, SFMTA faces service cuts on a third of its lines that would effectively double wait times for riders. The deficit could grow to $434 million within five years, making this one of the most critical fiscal challenges facing San Francisco.
The progressive tax structure reflects lessons learned from failed transit measures in other cities. By charging large property owners significantly more while keeping rates manageable for small homeowners, the proposal aims to build a sustainable coalition.
The GrowSF Take
We’re glad to see these tax measures take shape, and this early report gives us hope that San Francisco can avoid devastating service cuts to public transit. The MTA has made enough cuts this year that, if the measure passes, it will avoid entering a death spiral of declining ridership and revenue.
Recent & upcoming openings
A great city is constantly changing and growing, let’s celebrate what’s new!
The East Coast Isn’t All Bad: Jerry’s Garlic Roast Pork Sandwiches at Embarcadero Center
WHEN: Open 11am-3pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
WHERE: 2 Embarcadero Center
Our friends on the East coast sometimes do things right, like roast pork sandwiches from New Jersey. According to Dianne de Guzman at SF Eater, the founder Matthew Kosoy worked at a hoagie shop when he was 15 and “has an emotional attachment” to the classic sandwich. The pork is prepared over three days, building deep flavor.
Hallelujah: Saint Frank in the Inner Sunset
WHEN: 7am-6pm every day
WHERE: 744 Irving
SF favorite Saint Frank Coffee has taken over an old Starbucks storefront at 9th & Irving in the Inner Sunset, bringing one of the city’s best coffee shops to the bustling and growing neighborhood. Splurge on a “competition style cappuccino” (pictured above) to really sample how the sum is greater than its parts.