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Small Business & Regulation

San Francisco restaurants face a six-month wait and fees across four agencies just to serve wine legally—while stolen bottles trade openly two blocks away. Richmond's vote to reinstate Flock cameras after a 33% car theft spike showed what happens when crime-fighting tools are pulled for political reasons, with immigrant shopkeepers bearing the cost. Across both cities, the pattern is the same: maximum friction for businesses playing by the rules, minimum consequence for those who don't.

The Easiest Way to Sell Wine in San Francisco Is Illegally
Small Business & Regulation Public Safety & Policing

The Easiest Way to Sell Wine in San Francisco Is Illegally

April 01, 2026 · 5 min read

SF makes restaurant owners navigate four agencies and wait six months to serve wine legally. Two blocks away, stolen bottles trade with impunity.

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Richmond Cut Its Crime Cameras. Car Thefts Jumped 33%.
Public Safety & Policing Small Business & Regulation

Richmond Cut Its Crime Cameras. Car Thefts Jumped 33%.

March 06, 2026 · 4 min read

The city disabled its license plate readers to virtue signal national issues. Immigrant shopkeepers are paying the price.

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$215 Billion New City Gets Historic Labor Deal
Housing & YIMBY Tech

$215 Billion New City Gets Historic Labor Deal

January 28, 2026 · 3 min read

California Forever just brokered the largest construction labor agreement in American history. YIMBY is winning.

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SF Fines Victims for Vandalism, Not Vandals
Public Safety & Policing Small Business & Regulation

SF Fines Victims for Vandalism, Not Vandals

January 11, 2026 · 2 min read

The city charges property owners $362+ if graffiti isn't removed in 30 days—while taggers walk free.

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