Archive for June, 2011

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission contemplates a plan to increase the tolls we collect in the Bay Area - and to add 290 miles of express lanes. I still think these “leaders” are going about it wrong - there’s zero mention of hovercrafts and teleportation, which are *clearly* the wave of the future. Come on!

In the face of the California’s reduction in sales tax, Mayor Lee is considering a ballot initiative asking voters to approve a local increase to cover the difference. My shopping habit (ahem, J. Crew) is about to take a major hit.

The SF Weekly examines statewide bill AB 455 and the impact it would have locally right here in SF. Specifically, it would change who appoints members to the Civil Service Commission, from the mayor to split between the Board of Supes and SEIU, which some commissioners think may lead to a less diverse representation.

The debate continues to rage over whether City hospitals should stop using police officers in favor of “outsourced security services” (fancy talk for rent-a-cops) to provide safety services. Some say yes, some say no, but given that it’s an election year, everyone is saying something.

Today, we get the skinny on three ballot measures proposed by our more progressive supervisors and why the SFBG thinks you should have the opportunity to vote on them come November.

Bowling is making a comeback, and Supervisors Kim and Scott Wiener’s legislation to permit bowling and alcohol would expand the childhood pastime to a more mature patron base. Should this legislation pass, The Dude, Walter and Donny may just be in the alley next to you - never know…

Car share companies may soon have dedicated parking spots on public streets if a new plan is implemented.

On Sunday, the Chronicle profiled Jane Morrison, the “grand dame” and a true superstar of San Francisco politics in a exclusive print edition piece. Well, lucky for you - the story is now up on the internets. Jane is truly a special lady and we encourage you to read up on all of her hard work!

The Chronicle tells us that although San Francisco has about 120,000 students attending colleges at more than a dozen colleges and universities in the city, the City has no formal definition for “student housing.” Well, Supervisor Scott Wiener has sponsored new legislation aiming to clarify rules around student housing. I’m guessing ten humans crammed in a studio apartment might not make the cut. Ah, those were the days.

Faux Twitter accounts are making waves in the San Francisco mayor’s race. Is it humor? Cyber-bullying? Creative campaigning? Hmmmm. For now, it’s just fodder for the local New York Times affiliate.

The Examiner takes a look at how the current budget negotiations at City Hall could impact neighborhood fire stations. And so it begins…

The Examiner tells us which supervisors played key roles in taking the Care Not Cash measure off your November ballot, and the behind the scenes play-by-play that led to reaching this compromise.

The Examiner reports on why sheriff candidate David Wong was fired by Sheriff Michael Hennessey last month and what that might mean in the race for the golden badge.

The Bay Area has been the center of attention on many occasions for many different reasons. This time? A report by PRBO Conservation Sciences and San Francisco Bay Joint Venture focuses on our bird population.

The Examiner answers the age-old question, “Why Tuesday?” Apparently, it’s because supporters can’t afford to run the polls on Saturday.

In the latest turn of events from the Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi saga, a judge has ruled that an emotional video of Mirkarimi’s wife, Eliana Lopez, will be admissible in the Ethics Commission hearing. The attorney for Lopez had vigorously argued that the video be excluded.

San Francisco’s beloved Hugo Hotel (c’mon, weird as it is, you know you love it) is slated for demolition to make way for a new apartment building by nonprofit developer Mercy Housing.

The City’s largest public employee union is ratcheting up the public pressure as negotiations continue on a new contract.

Curious about how your favorite mayoral candidate stands on issues of technology and transparency? Check out tonight’s SFOpen11 debate (nope, nothing to do with golf or tennis) on Pier 38.

In today’s episode of “Only in San Francisco,” we have the altogether-too-familiar tale of development vs. neighbors vs. community organizations. And for good measure (because we wouldn’t want you to get bored), we’ve got a little extra drama between members of the BOS. Grab your popcorn, get comfy, and watch it all unfold!

New Muni chief Ed Reiskin begins his job on Monday with the challenges and expectations equally large.

Supervisor John Avalos’ proposed ballot measure to prohibit Rec & Park from leasing out space or instituting new admission fees got some airtime yesterday when a hearing on the topic took place at City Hall. There seem to be some stroooooong opinions on the matter, which the Supe was sure to acknowledge.

CitiReport.com’s Larry Bush gets some space in the Chronicle to chat about his recent review of attendance records for city commissioners.  He is not particularly thrilled about what his analysis has found…

Why stick with one when you can have all three?  No, it is not Napoleon ice cream of which I speak, though some vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry dessert is sounding pretty good right about now.  As of July 1, MTA is raising the price to park, taxi, and take public transit in the city; ’tis a trifecta of fee increases.

Gerry Shih, who works for the Bay Citizen/New York Times media partnership, examines the intersection between lobbying, legislation, and fundraising.  Since Barbary Coast Consulting is discussed in the story, I think we’ll leave it at that, encourage you to read the article, and to draw your own conclusions - rather than telling you Exactly What To Think, like we usually do.