Business Entrance Accessibility Law, Never Enforced, Expected to Be Scrapped

"Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman argued that enforcement at this point would direct significant city staffing and resources toward going after small businesses already struggling to comply."

“At least some of these businesses and property owners are, frankly, extremely sympathetic cases,” Mandelman said during a Land Use and Transportation Committee hearing."

S.F. could make it easier for small businesses to bid on city contracts

“San Francisco officials want to streamline the city’s notoriously byzantine contracting process to make it faster and more efficient and open the doors to more small businesses currently shut out of bidding for work."

Interview: Board President Rafael Mandelman says ‘vibes are very different’ from Breed years

“In a sit-down interview with Mission Local earlier this month, Mandelman, who represents Noe Valley, the Castro, Diamond Heights, Glen Park, Mission Dolores and Cole Valley, didn’t label himself a progressive or moderate, and said he is ready to start working across the board with new colleagues at City Hall.”

SF’s Centrist Powerbroker Makes His Entrance

“The most important thing for a prominent blue city like San Francisco to do is to show that a city like San Francisco can be run effectively. If we do that, and we become a place where red America visits or looks at us and thinks, like, ‘Wow, they really got it going on,’ then we will have done a lot for the cause.”

Lurie’s Fentanyl Response Clears San Francisco Board of Supervisors

KQED, February 5

“I’m happy to support the result — a package of sensible reforms to streamline the City’s response to the crisis on our streets that also preserves an oversight role for the Board,” board President Rafael Mandelman, who co-sponsored the legislation, said in a statement. “I look forward to working with Mayor Lurie and his team to advance policies that will support recovery in San Francisco and reclaim our public spaces for use by all members of the public.”

Castro set to join other SF areas with an entertainment zone

Bay Area Reporter, February 5

"During COVID, San Francisco, like many cities, had to get creative in allowing more commercial activity outdoors," Mandelman stated. "This was done out of necessity, but people also liked it."

Mandelman noted, "The annual Castro Street Fair and recently-established Castro night markets are examples of events that could benefit from the establishment of an entertainment zone, and could, in turn, benefit local bars and restaurants. We anticipate there will be other ways to put entertainment zones to work for the neighborhood's restaurants, residents and small businesses as well."

Discussing the futures of SF with Board of Supervisors' Rafael Mandelman

KRON 4, February 2

KRON4 anchor Stephanie Lin interviews the President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rafael Mandelman.

California leaders say Trump orders targeting trans kids won’t change things inside the classroom

San Francisco Chronicle, January 31

San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman echoed concerns voiced by Wiener over Trump’s actions, and claimed efforts to villainize trans communities were aimed at distracting from other actions taken by the administration to cut funding for popular programs, including Medicaid.

“Everything Donald Trump has done in the last two weeks are straight out of the authoritarian playbook,” Mandelman said.

The Castro’s long-awaited post-pandemic coming out is finally happening

The San Francisco Standard, January 29th

“We’re not SoMa, and we’re not the Tenderloin, but there’s a volume of people here who are struggling with serious addictions and untreated mental illness,” said Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, who represents the Castro. He said he plans to work with Mayor Daniel Lurie to find ways to address the “totally unacceptable levels of chaos and disorder” in the neighborhood’s public spaces, adding, “There’s a lot to look forward to and many ways in which the future’s bright.”

SF Leaders Reaffirm ‘Sanctuary City’ Status Amid Trump’s Immigration Crackdown

The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to pass a resolution upholding San Francisco’s long-standing sanctuary city ordinance, which prevents city agencies from aiding federal immigration enforcement. 

The Board of Supervisors’ vote comes just over a week after Trump took office, amid residents’ intensifying fears over local Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids.

S.F. leaders quickly accept federal money, worried Trump administration will claw it back

San Francisco Chronicle, January 13

Mandelman told the Chronicle the board was making the unusual move “out of an abundance of caution.”
“We’re leaving nothing to chance and making sure that we have done everything we need to do to draw these funds down as quickly as possible,” Mandelman said. “We don’t know what the future holds, so we should be prepared for the worst and hope for the best.”

Mandelman to lead SF Board of Supervisors

Bay Area Reporter, January 8

"Dazed, confused," Mandelman could be heard saying via the broadcast of the board meeting as he took the gavel to preside over the meeting. He later added of becoming president, "I am looking forward to it and thank you."

Mandelman is someone who has "worked cooperatively and well across ideological lines throughout his entire public life," noted District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey.

District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan concurred and credited him for treating his colleagues "respectfully" both publicly and privately during their discussions about policy matters. She also said at a time when the city is facing ballooning budget deficits, Mandelman will be able to "communicate effectively, calmly, and respectfully with the executive branch."

Mandelman is supes' unanimous choice for board president