Lawsuits from the Chicago Tribune and Better Government Association have forced Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to release thousands of pages of email correspondence from a private account, and the documents are providing an unusual glimpse at how influential Silicon Valley figures get work done.
A notable email from November 2015
One notable email dates back to November 2015. At the time, Airbnb was facing the possibility of new regulatory scrutiny in the city, and was concerned about the possible effects on its business. According to an email chain, Airbnb turned to Valley investor Marc Andreessen, whose firm, Andreessen Horowitz, has invested in the company.
“We know [new regulations] are close to complete, but are concerned about the direction things are going,” Airbnb Head of Global Policy and Public Affairs Chris Lehane wrote to firm partner Ted Ullyot. Specifically, the company was worried about any new fees or registration policies. The company had already met with the mayor’s staff, but a call from Andreessen might help, Lehane suggested.
Emanuel had not been “deeply involved,” one email read
Ullyot forwarded the note along to Andreessen, adding that Emanuel had not been “deeply involved” in the discussions so far, but saying a call might break the ice. “I can try!” Andreessen replied to the request.