Posts Tagged ‘The Budget’

In the hopes of preventing layoffs, the Board of Supervisors is trying to find some extra money to pay workers’ salaries.  Methinks that unless one of them finds millions of dollars in quarters under their couch cushions, this endeavor is not going to end with good news.

Prop A succeeds at the ballot box.

The Examiner profiles the Mayor’s incoming budget director, Greg Wagner, who will officially assume the post at the end of the month.

In order to even out the playing field, the Civil Service Commission is looking to cut the salaries of the City’s elected officials by an amount comparable to what City workers have given up.  A decision is expected early next month.

According to the City Charter, when City workers and unions take a pay cut, so do our elected officials.  Following suit, San Francisco’s civic leaders are facing pay reductions this budget cycle… just like everybody else.  Stay tuned for today’s Civil Service Commission’s ruling on just how drastic those cuts will be.

A City Grand Jury report highlights several San Francisco unions’ “spiked” pension programs and the impact they have on the City’s budget. Supervisor Sean Elsbernd calls for reform and the need for greater accountability.

The Board of Supes’ Budget and Finance Committee advances proposed increases to the City’s vehicle license fee and sales tax to the full Board. Expect to see ‘em on your November ballot, folks.

Philip Morris USA and others have asked a San Francisco court to tell the City of San Francisco that their 20-cent cigarette pack sales fee is actually a 20-cent cigarette pack sales TAX.  Here’s where I’m confused: I was unaware that anyone in San Francisco smoked cigarettes any more.  Smoked?  Sure.  But cigarettes?  F’real?  Wow.  Didn’t Know That.

The Board of Supervisors’ Budget and Finance Committee votes to reduce the Fire Department’s budget by $6M.

The draft Japantown Better Neighborhood Plan gets some airtime during a Board of Supervisors Budget Committee hearing. Of course, Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi kills our buzz with a reminder that there’s not a lot of excess cash lying around to make these sorts of things come to fruition. Spoilsport.

San Francisco property owners owe the City approximately $55M in delinquent taxes.  Turns out we could kinda use the extra cash this year, so don’t be surprised if the Tax Collector comes a knockin’.

City Hall’s continuous budget debate focuses on cuts to the Tenderloin’s Community Justice Center, which handles low level crimes.

Oakland’s City Council and the Oakland Police Department work to close the budget gap - and nobody’s happy.  At all.

Our city’s progressive newspaper takes a look at Newsom’s proposed budget and does not like what it sees.

Mayor Gavin Newsom will sign legislation today that will create a budget stabilization reserve fund so that future mayors might avoid the money troubles currently facing San Francisco.

The Examiner offers its opinion on the City’s need for a balanced budget, asking our elected officials to leave the politics behind and work together to minimize the fiscal damage.

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.

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

Think we’re done with the budget battles?  Think again.  The Guardian reports that SEIU 1021 has launched a campaign to reverse pay cuts for City medical staff and nurses, arguing that these cuts disproportionately impact women and communities of color.

The City’s endeavor to bury utility lines underground is brought to a halt by an all too familiar culprit.

Supervisor Daly comments on the proposed two-year budget.

With the passage of Proposition A in 2007, additional funding for Muni was authorized by the power of the voter.  While these funds have been available to other departments, severe budget cuts have forced cash-strapped departments to ask Muni for a lot more than it can pay out, thus begging the question, whose money is it?

The Examiner reports that despite attempts to gain federal stimulus money, Muni’s deep budget woes will prevent the much needed repair on many of its vehicles. The bottom red line: services may have to be cut.

In the wake of San Francisco’s budget deficit and the continued woes to follow in 2009, Supervisor Daly proposes using the city’s $98 million rainy fund, while others on the Board are not so excited about the proposition.

The City will NOT hold a special election in June, after all.  But July?  August?  Perhaps.