Where's the money?

Where’s The Money?

By Calvin Welch

Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Council 

Have you noticed a new trend among local and elected officials of talking about very appealing initiatives aimed at addressing serious (and generally expensive) social problems but somehow forgetting to tell us where the money is going to come from to implement them? 

A Few Examples 

State Senator Scott Wiener proposes a massive density increase of major California cities (but upon close reading of his proposal, so far no such massive increase in the suburbs) along transit lines with no mention of funding the increase in transit capacity needed to ensure even existing levels of transit service. 

Supervisor Aaron Peskin commits himself to building a transit tunnel between the existing CalTrain station and the now closed Transbay station while at least acknowledging that he has no idea where the money to pay for it is coming from. 

Gavin Newsom reverses himself and says that he now is committed to a fully built-out bullet train linking Sacramento to LA and again has no plan to pay for it. 

And then there is our President who has thrown a hissy fit about Congress not funding his “big, beautiful wall,” the one he promised would be paid for by “the Mexican government.” 

Join HANC in April when we take a look at this new style of politics and what we might do to answer the question: “Where is the money?”

See also Another power grab by Scott Wiener and developers, Scott Wiener: Subways and "pixie dust," and Scott Wiener: Public menace.

Trump gave Diana "the creeps"

A New York Post story in 2015:

Donald Trump gave Princess Di the creeps

Donald Trump gave Princess Diana roses — and the creeps.

The tycoon pursued Di after her marriage to Prince Charles fell apart in 1992, the Sunday Times of London reported, quoting a broadcaster who interviewed both Trump and Diana at length.

“Trump clearly saw Diana as the ultimate trophy wife,” and launched a “floral bombardment” of orchids and roses on Kensington Palace from across the Atlantic, broadcaster Selina Scott said.

The attraction wasn’t mutual.

“He gives me the creeps,” Diana told her pal.

Trump would later remark after Di’s fatal car crash in 1997 that one of his biggest regrets was never having the chance to date her.

“They liked each other a lot, but nothing ever came of it,” a Trump campaign spokesperson told The Post.

Thanks to Cory Raisa's comment to Quora.