A MAJOR US city was forced into a U-turn over a controversial $100 fee targeting residents – simply for having a driveway.
Officials were seemingly forced to backtrack after plans emerged to use the fee to help fund minibus and rail services, according to records.
The fee, suggested as a revenue-generating measure for the Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA) in San Francisco, was ultimately scrapped due to a range of issues – including legal and administrative hurdles – as well as public opposition, according to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle.
The driveway fee, compared to New York City’s congestion pricing – which took effect earlier this year and charges drivers to use certain roads to fund public transportation – was intended to encourage greater reliance on public transit.
The ruling would have applied to properties with curb cuts, as these are considered privatizations of public space.
And an economic analysis estimated that the city could collect some $19.6 million annually from 196,000 curb cuts, minus $3 million for administrative costs.
However, problems quickly emerged as lawmakers realized the fee would require approval from the agency’s board and potentially voter approval if classified as a new tax.
The proposal also faced significant opposition, including criticism from former Mayor Willie Brown, who called it “nonsense.”
The Democrat who served as San Francisco’s mayor from 1996 to 2004, added: “If any member of the working group wants to donate $100 a year to fund Muni, they can do that.
“They shouldn’t have the rest of us donate by being penalized for having a driveway.”
Professor Daniel Sperling, director of the Institute of Transportation Studies at UC Davis, viewed the fee as a property tax hike – similar to taxes often used by cities to fund public services – meaning it would require a public vote.
Under California law, new taxes require voter approval, adding a major obstacle, especially since public support for new taxes is often difficult to secure.
Additionally, the fee’s legal justification relied on the idea that curb cuts represent a “privatization of public space.”
This framing could face legal challenges from property owners, who might argue that curb cuts are essential for property use and not a form of privatization.
Homeowners or property rights groups could potentially sue, claiming the fee unfairly penalizes them for infrastructure that has existed for decades without prior charges.
Enforcing compliance would also be extremely challenging, requiring the city to create mechanisms to verify whether homeowners are paying the fee and penalize those who fail to do so.
San Francisco residents – particularly those in areas with limited public transportation options – heavily rely on their cars, which means a fee targeting driveway owners could be perceived as an attack on car ownership.
However, Luke Bornheimer of Streets Forward, a group advocating for cycling, walking, and transit, supported the fee, arguing that it promotes equitable use of public space.
Accordinfg to the Chronicle, a spokesperson for the Municipal Transportation Agency said that charging people for their driveways isn’t an idea that’s “on the table”.
Other staff at the agency admitted such a policy would run into significant legal and administrative issues.
A new parking law has been introduced in California.
California Assembly Bill 413, also known as the Daylighting to Save Lives Bill, prohibits parking within 20 feet of crosswalks.
The law makes it illegal for drivers to stop, stand, or park within 20 feet of a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
Daylighting is a term for keeping the areas next to intersections as clear as possible to improve visibility on the street and protect pedestrians and bike riders.
The law also prohibits parking personal and commercial vehicles within 20 feet of the left curb on one-way streets or within 15 feet of crosswalks where a curb extension is present.
The law goes into effect on January 1, 2025.
There will be a 60-day grace period for violations until March 1.
MEGHAN Markle is showing some bottle after launching a Californian wine.
The Duchess of Sussex, 43, has added Rosé wine to her range of As ever products – which is her first alcoholic beverage.
The 2023 pink booze from Napa Valley, California, will be sold via her As ever website from July 1.
It has been announced alongside two new spreads now available including a Limited-Edition Orange Blossom Honey for $28 (£20)
And she has also restocked six of the original products including $15 flower sprinkles.
But there is no new raspberry spread available after Meg admitted she may never restock the infamous jam spread.
It comes weeks after Meghan applied to the US Patent and Trademark Office for permission to sell alcoholic beverages earlier this year
As ever claim the new product lines are ‘infused with joy, love and a touch of whimsy’.
Describing the new As ever Rosé they say: “With soft notes of stone fruit, gentle minerality, and a lasting finish, this bespoke blend is launching just in time for summer entertaining.”
The wine does not yet have a price but more details are expected before July 1.
The bottle of booze comes with the launch of two new spreads that are now available to buy on As ever website.
They are a $9 Apricot Spread which can be bought in a Keepsake Packaging for $14.
It is described as a “golden-hued Apricot Spread balances a delicate sweetness and a gentle brightness that lets this beautiful stone fruit shine.”
And adds: “Spoon it over yogurt, swipe it onto toast, or nestle it into a cake. Beautifully packaged in our signature glass jar with our emblematic brushed gold lid, this delightful addition to your home is presented in Keepsake Packaging that is crafted to look beautiful on any counter or kitchen shelf.”
There is also a new so-called Limited-Edition Orange Blossom Honey for $28 (£20).
By Helena Nicklin
Kylie Minogue
Kylie’s wine range, which was launched in 2020, includes nine varieties.
However, it is her pretty pink rosé that has been the real superstar.
With more crunchy red fruit and a boggy, metallic tang nowadays, it is not quite the silky, strawberry-scented wine it used to be at the launch, but is still very drinkable for a warm day nonetheless.
Accessible and affordable, the numbers speak for themselves on the popularity of this celebrity offering.
Snoop Dogg
The rapper’s Cali Blanc is a sunshine-fuelled Sauvignon with 12% ABV.
It’s super-commercial but well-executed.
And there is no avoiding which VIP has put his dollars into this vino, with a great big picture of Snoop himself on the label for drinkers to admire – and to add a bit of bling.
It is worth a few extra pence – but a £12 tag is a bit too punchy.
Sarah Jessica Parker
The Sex & The City actress clearly loves a sweeter-than-average Savvy B as her whole range is flamboyantly on the fruity side.
Still, the sugar suits this New Zealand sauvignon.
SJP collaborated with a top Kiwi vineyard to make it, with the celeb reputedly tasting and blending each new vintage of wine herself.
It has a lower-than-average 7% ABV, so it is ideal if you are taking it light.
Lower levels also makes it a good daytime choice.
Carrie Bradshaw would approve.
Post Malone
The country superstar and rapper is the big name behind this pastel bottle of plonk.
The Rockstar hit-maker decided to think pink when it came to creating his own wine.
The French contents are made with a mix of grenache, cinsault, shiraz/syrah and merlot, and it is more savoury than some others, with a crunchy cranberry and vine tomato vibe.
But when you sip, the balance is a bit off and the tart factor is high and raspy.
It would be fine if it were a fiver for a bottle.
But it’s not.
Gary Barlow
FOR a man who proclaims himself a lover of music and fine wines, the Take That star’s self-named bottles hit quite a few bum notes.
This unoaked offering is made with a blend of Spanish red grapes from central Castilla.
Although it is competitively priced, it is a rustic plonk and pretty rough around the edges, with baked fruit flavours and a grippy texture – even though it is described as medium bodied.
Less of a wine you will Never Forget, it is more one you won’t want to remember.
Sorry, Gary.
Bon Jovi
ROCKER Jon Bon Jovi did well to partner with a top Langue-doc region winemaker – Gerard Bertrand – in France, alongside his son Jesse, to make this dreamy, satin-like pink.
It screams celebrity pool parties in the fancy US holiday resort of the Hamptons – but there is real substance to it, too.
A constant sell-out whenever it hits UK stores for good reason.
There is no “Le Vin On A Prayer” – this is a famous-name tipple with real taste and quality.
Try a glass and you will be grateful for a bed of these rosés.
As ever say: “Our Orange Blossom Honey, with its beautiful golden hue, an enticing aroma, delicate floral notes, and subtle citrus undertones, is a standout addition to your pantry. Its gentle complexity adds a balanced touch of flavor to everything from morning toast to cheese boards.”
Meg launched her first As ever products on April 2 and her stock sold out within 90 minutes.
She has restocked the $12 Herbal Hibiscus Tea, Herbal Lemon Ginger Tea and Herbal Peppermint Tea along with the $15 Flower Sprinkles, and Crepe Baking Mix and Shortbread Cookie Mix – both for $14.
But there is no new line of her infamous raspberry jam – which is actually a spread.
Some consumers had blasted the spread for being too runny.
The Duchess of Sussex revealed earlier this month she has decided to ‘just pause’ restocking her As Ever brand.
Meghan Markle said she wants to wait until it is ‘completely stable and we have everything we need’ and was trying to avoid being ‘annoying’ to customers.
ALDI shoppers have revealed the meaning behind a code used at stores nationwide, and it’s used like a secret handshake.
The short phrase is only uttered in Aldi stores to alert fellow shoppers that you’ve spotted something they need to look at.
If you ever find yourself wandering the aisles of Aldi and you hear the sound “Caw Caw”, there is a reason behind it.
On social media one shopper asked that the phrase is actually meant to be for, after sharing a sweet moment with another shopper.
The initial post on Facebook from Wednesday said: “To the lady at Washington Aldi tonight who hesitantly looked at me when I was talking to my boyfriend about them putting out the new stuff.
“You made my day! She looked over, smiled and said caw caw??
“And I caw cawed back and we laughed and high fived because it was both of our firsts. My first caw caw was fantastic!”
But it turns out that the code has a deep and layered meaning behind it at Aldi, and it’s used when someone has discovered a bargain.
It’s used to create a community of Aldi deal hunters, and works both as a statement and a question.
In a response, another Facebook user wrote: “There is a secret code used among Aldi shoppers worldwide, according to the FB group “Aldi Aisle of Shame Community,” which has over 3 million members.
“The words “caw caw” are used like a secret handshake to spot fellow members shopping at Aldi, to alert other shoppers of a bargain found while shopping, or to ask other shoppers if there are any. discounts in the store.”
This fun little store quirk seems to be unknown by some, and known by others.
In the comments, one person said: “You have never done this ? I have.”
Speaking of looking for bargains, Aldi shoppers can now get their hands on a perfect item for the summer.
Aldi is selling a Butterfly Wind Spinner that is sure to give your garden a glow up.
This 3D spinner creates a fun pattern when the wind picks up that is designed to keep you relaxed while you enjoy the season.
AS of May 12, 2025, there are 2,510 Aldi stores operating across 41 states and territories in the United States.
Florida leads with 244 locations, followed by Illinois (215), Ohio (170).
In 2025, the company plans to open 225 new stores.
The butterfly is decorated in a variety of bright and warm colors, with yellow and orange wings with blues further down.
At the very bottom, it has beautiful red, yellow and orange chimes and a little orange spinner attached to a chain.
Compared to other versions of the product, it really is a bargain, too.
The Aldi version sells for $9.99, but the Walmart dupe is currently being sold for $34.55.
This makes it $14.56 more expensive, and the butterfly itself is less corful.
Walmart‘s version is a simpler design, featuring a butterfly with orange wings.
