At the HOTLINE, we update you frequently on the policy disasters that are making Blue cities unlivable.

But a notable outlier and beacon of hope for big city America is San Francisco, under its new Mayor Daniel Lurie.

A new San Francisco Chronicle poll finds 57% of residents view the city’s quality of life favorably, compared to 39% a year ago. Lurie’s approval rating is an astonishing 73%; though he is least popular among progressive voters.

How did he do it?

By focusing on fundamentals: streamlining permitting, bringing in private sector talent in key positions, and outflanking the city’s progressive obstructionists. Lurie also launched a campaign to “remove a bunch of dumb rules, like the one that prevented residents from parking in their own driveways.”

On the economy, his speeding up of office-to-housing conversions has revitalized downtown, and eliminating fees for restaurants setting up sidewalk seating has boosted business. Homeless street encampments have declined, and funding for non-profits that exacerbated the root causes of homelessness has been cut. That has led to a reduction in drug deaths. Overall, crime is down between 27% and 30% citywide, with car break-ins at a 22-year low.

The city’s budget has been balanced with no tax hikes and 1,000 positions in city government cut. Lurie has avoided the performance art of talking up resistance to Donald Trump in favor of “nuts-and-bolts” governance.

We’re impressed.

What a shame that New York City is veering in the opposite direction.