San Francisco’s political arena just got spicier than a Mission District salsa competition.

After an intense all-night budget negotiation marathon that lasted until 2 AM, the city’s supervisors emerged victorious, effectively dodging a potential job apocalypse for municipal workers. Mayor Daniel Lurie’s initial plan to axe around 1,400 jobs - with 150 filled positions on the chopping block - was dramatically scaled back.

Budget Battles and Political Poker

The Board of Supervisors played hardball, whittling down potential layoffs from 150 to just 40 jobs through some serious fiscal gymnastics. Their late-night negotiations weren’t just about numbers; they were preserving community services and protecting workers’ livelihoods.

The Progressive Pushback

Supervisors like Jackie Fielder and Shamann Walton weren’t afraid to throw punches, dramatically challenging concessions and highlighting the potential erosion of democratic processes. Fielder’s mic-drop moment came with her searing statement about democracy being “negotiated away at 1 a.m. while San Franciscans are asleep”.

The Budget’s Silver Linings

Despite the drama, the budget isn’t all doom and gloom. New revenue streams include cheeky additions like parking fees in Golden Gate Park and higher rates for tennis and pickleball courts. Plus, those speedy new automated cameras might just fund the city’s next big project.

As Mayor Lurie triumphantly declared, this budget is supposedly laying the groundwork for San Francisco’s “comeback” - whether residents are ready for that ride remains to be seen.