Archive for May, 2009

San Francisco will have to compete against other interested organizations for the right to develop a tidal power trial off of Ocean Beach.

City Hall has entered the twenty-first century and now provides WiFi for its visitors.  Well, at least in one corner of the building.  Hey, change takes time, people.

The results of the SFPUC’s longawaited study are in: SF’s compost is no more toxic than other form that you could buy at the store.  Nonetheless, not everyone thinks the results are telling the full story.  In the meantime, please enjoy the compost stories below and the pretty roses to your right to help you get through them.

The next time you want to chuck your proof of payment as soon as you hop on Muni, think again.  The Muni fare inspectors are back.  And they will make sure you are punished (with a fine of $75) for not paying to ride.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Rumors are flying about who may or may not run for local political office in the next few election cycles.  We thought we’d perpetuate a few of them by creating a page devoted to our favorite of all name games.  Check out our Upcoming Races page to see what we’ve heard.  We expect that you’ll also tell us what we’ve missed and what we have exactly wrong.

The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce announces plans to expand and strengthen its political action committee, preparing for potential battles in November.

John King examines the City’s Downtown Plan and how it impacts the politics behind a new development proposed for 555 Washington.

The Chronicle considers the Mayor’s job creation efforts in the city at the same time public sector positions are being cut.

The Chronicle weighs in (pun intended) on the debate over Mayor Gavin Newsom’s soda tax, praising the legislation for taking action to help curb obesity, diabetes and heart disease.  And as long as we’re taxing bad behavior…

Beating Mayor Newsom to the punch, the POA creates posters for Muni vehicles that publicize the reward for information relating to several of the city’s unsolved homicide cases.  Unfortunately, the police union forgot to clear its plan with MTA, so the posters have yet to actually see the side of a bus.

Under a new proposal, developers hoping to build in the neighborhood of the Transbay Terminal would have to pay up to an additional $35 per square foot in fees to the City.

The SF Bay Guardian looks at Prop 13, the economic effects it has had on California, and Assembly Member Tom Ammiano’s proposed solution.

The Board of Supervisors passes an ordinance requiring cable providers to pony up funds to keep public access television viable in San Francisco.

The City cracks down on illegal billboards.

Trash offenders and litterbugs beware!  The Department of Public Works is fining businesses who fail to clean up their garbage.  People, we’re serious.  Clean it up!

Our Mayor shows his displeasure with the Governor’s plan to borrow money from counties to help deal with the state deficit.

The San Francisco Planning Commission will consider a project in the Balboa Park area that would replace an auto parts store with housing and possibly a grocery store.

The Mayor rolls out a family rewards partnership modeled after an Oakland program that gives families money for hitting key goals.

Tim Redmond of the San Francisco Bay Guardian opines on recent activities at the Board of Supervisors.

A ballot measure introduced by Supervisor Bevan Dufty revisits the idea of selling the rights to rename Candlestick Park.  Of course, this assumes that the Niners continue to play there…  Keep reading the next post for more developments.

In an attempt to alleviate the budget crisis, members of the Board of Supervisors have introduced a slew of charter amendments that address the City’s bottom line.  Depending on how they fare at the Board, voters could have the chance to weigh in on everything from overtime pay to the length of the budget cycle.

The Board’s Budget and Finance Committee has approved Mayor Newsom’s proposed 33 cent tax on cigarettes.  The price hike could hit shelves as early as October 1, providing San Francisco smokers yet another reason to quit.

The NRA files a lawsuit against the City’s law restricting the storage of handguns.

In yet another attempt to close Muni’s budget gap, Supervisor Dufty advocates for an increase in fines levied against riders who do not pay their fare.

Mayor Gavin Newsom asks the Board of Supes to consider a resolution that would urge federal agencies in charge of the 2010 Census to recognize same-sex couples.