Web Log
May 12, 02:03 AM | Author: jane kim | Category: politics
Jane's Endorsement for June Election
Yes, it’s another one of those years… when we have THREE elections! Can you keep up??
Here are my endorsements for June, 2008.
YES on A, NO on 98!
State Senate, District 3
CAROL MIGDEN
She’s the incumbent, she has a LONG history as a progressive elected official, she’s a woman, and she’s smart. She deserves another term.
State Assembly, District 13
TOM AMMIANO
Former public school teacher, stand up comedian and father of the current progressive family of electeds in San Francisco. Did I mention he’s funny? Thank you Tom, for bringing the Rainy Day Fund, to the ballot. SFUSD is $19 million happier for it, no thanks to our Governor. Read about that HERE.
CA State Propositions
Proposition 98: “Abolition of rent control”—> NO, NO, NO
Yes, you read correctly. This proposition eliminates rent control in the State of California. What?? For real? Vote No.
Proposition 99: “Eminent domain reforms”—> Yes
For an objective run down of both propositions, check out Smartvoter.org
San Francisco Local Propositions
Proposition A: Invest in our Teachers!! Parcel Tax
YES, YES, YES!!!
It’s a lower school parcel tax than most cities and this investment by San Francisco homeowners will go directly to investing in our teachers and school technology. YES!
Proposition B: City Retirees Benefit Reform—>YES!
Everyone supports this policy—all 11 Supervisors, the Mayor, the Democratic and Republican Party. This proposition would modify health benefits for City employees – so that those who worked less than five years don’t get lifetime perks that bankrupt the City.
Proposition C: Denying Benefits on Not-Well-Defined Terms—> No
According to current law, a police officer or a firefighter convicted of a crime involving “moral turpitude” loses his or her pension, unless he or she retires before being convicted. Prop C closes the loophole to apply to convictions after retirement, for crimes committed while on duty.
Closing this loophole sounds good because it would save the City money, but “moral turpitude” has historically been defined in discriminatory ways by conservative judges and lawmakers. The crimes that result in a City employee losing retirement benefits should be better defined before amending the current law.
Proposition D: Supporting Diversity on City Commissions—> Yes
Prop D would make it City policy to seek more women, people of color, and people with disabilities to serve on City boards, commissions, and advisory bodies.
Proposition E: Board Approval of SF Public Utilities Commission Appointees—> Yes
Proposition F: Require Affordable Housing in Bayview Hunter’s Point Development—> YES, YES, YES!!!
Prop F would set City policy on affordable housing in future development of Candlestick Point and Hunters Point. It would require that before leasing or selling the property to developers, the City would require that half of the housing to be developed would be “affordable” to a range of income levels that are consistent with existing City law per the Housing Element in the General Plan but not met by the competing Prop G.
Proposition G: No Accountability to our communities—> NO, NO, NO!!!
I heard someone say F is for Fairness and G is for Greed. It’s a much easier way to remember.
Prop G is a very deceptive measure. It proports to create parkland, when it actually builds luxury condos on parkland. It proports to add jobs and clean up toxics, but the only one cleaning up here is Lennar. It guarantees luxury housing, but makes affordable housing OPTIONAL.
Environmentalists are also opposed to this measure based on the fact that imbedded within the proposal are plans to build a highway over a wetlands restoration area and to convert open space to parking lots. Housing advocates, transit groups, and progressive organizations oppose Prop G.
The Sierra Club, the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club, Chinese Progressive Association, POWER, St. Peter’s Housing, SF Green Party and the SF League of Conservation Voters in OPPOSES Prop G.
Proposition H: Vague Campaign Committee Reform—> No
Prop H would prohibit people doing business with the City from giving any campaign contributions to elected officials responsible for approving the contracts. This sounds like a good idea, except it is not genuine. The Mayor’s office negotiates most City contracts, but formal approval is done by the Board of Supervisors. Prop H would hterefore prohibit contributions to the Board, but not prohibit contributions to the Mayor! This proposition is poorly written and vague.
For a run down of the Pro’s and Con’s of each measure, click here.
* San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee*
I have bolded the names of individuals that I have personally worked with and know well. There most likely many other good candidates, but I did not know all of them personally. Also, these short titles do not do the candidates justice.
13th Assembly District
I really love everyone on this list. I wholeheartedly endorse them!!!
Bill Barnes, prolific progressive policy writer
David Campos, former SFUSD general counsel and police commissioner
David Chiu, attorney and community advocate
Chris Daly, supervisor extraordinaire
Howard Grayson, LONG-TIME community activist from the Civil Rights Movement to the Gay Liberation
Michael Goldstein, community activist extraordinaire
Robert Haaland, SEIU organizer and community activist
Joe Julian, community activist
Rafael Mandelman, harvey milk democratic “THE” club president
Aaron Peskin, board of supervisor president
Eric Quezada, housing activist
Debra Walker, artist and tenant activist
12th Assembly District
Emily Drennen, transportation activist
Eric Mar, board of education member
Jake McGoldrick, supervisor
Giselle Quezada, community activist
The Green Party County Central Committee is uncontested this year and not on the ballot.
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