California’s Big City Mayors Ask State for Help With Crime and Office Vacancies

SACRAMENTO—Mayors from across the state gathered at the Capitol on April 8 to ask lawmakers for help reviving downtowns that are struggling to return to pre-pandemic levels of economic activity. San Francisco Mayor London Breed voiced concerns about needed regulatory reform and called on the state to help the city address retail theft issues. She also suggested more marketing efforts to highlight the opportunities the state provides as a unique destination for tourism and a world leader in business investment potential. Some are unaware of the improvements occurring in San Francisco, she said, referring to recent reports that crime is down 32 percent in the first three months of 2024....