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    Los Angeles Home > News
    City introduces $887.4 million bond
    Article History
    There are updates to this article.
    May 14, 2008 3:00 AM (52 days ago) by David Smith, The Examiner
    # 5,911 of 7,240
    Filed under: SAN FRANCISCO , David Smith , City Hall
    Comment on this article

    SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - San Francisco residents will likely vote on the most expensive bond proposal in The City’s history this November, an $887.4 million funding measure for the rebuilding of San Francisco General Hospital, Mayor Gavin Newsom said Tuesday.

    The hospital, the only trauma center in The City, treated more than 98,000 patients last year and saw 52,000

    emergency-room department visits, and a state law passed in 1994 requires hospitals to meet heightened goals of seismic stability. If the hospital is not rebuilt, it would be forced to close, according to Gene O’Connell, the CEO of the hospital.

    The bond will require two-thirds support from voters to pass.

    dsmith@sfexaminer.com

    # 5,911 of 7,240 FYJ EMAIL ME THIS STORY
    ARTICLE HISTORY
    3 days ago - Supervisors eye options for funds
    10 days ago - City Hall Watch: Plastic bag ban may apply to newspapers
    38 days ago - Raises doled out amid budget woes
    52 days ago - City introduces $887.4 million bond Currently Viewed
    52 days ago - Power, police may go to voters
    71 days ago - Property leases costing millions
    72 days ago - Manager pens ‘Dear John’ to city
    81 days ago - Cost for projects, hospital repairs balloons by $4 billion
    86 days ago - High-ranking face slashing under new Peskin legislation
    87 days ago - Board’s attempt to save clinic likely moot
    Comment on this article COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE
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    Comments from Examiner Readers

    12:57 AM MST on Thu., Jun. 26, 2008 re: "City Hall Watch: Plastic bag ban may apply to newspapers"

     Richmond Paul said:
    So my newspaper won't be in plastic when it's delivered in the rain? Will this new law also require my paper delivery person to place my paper in a dry place??????? STUPID!

     2 agree | 1 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

    4:14 PM MST on Wed., Jun. 25, 2008 re: "Smoking ban expected to balloon"

     Examiner Reader said:
    My spiteful neighbor chain smokes in an enclosed common area of our building directly outside our apartment exit and our windows, filling up our home with smoke all day. It is very scary to be denied the basic right to breathe clean air, in your own home, every day, while a person like this says it's his "absolute right" to smoke there. Every year thousands of Americans that don't smoke cigarettes are killed from exposure to secondhand smoke. This law would stop people like me from being poisoned by smokers who live in their building. Smokers would have to go to an open, unenclosed area, or do it within their own apartment. Sure, you have an absolute right to be reckless with your own health, but you don't have a right to be reckless with MY HEALTH. All we're asking is that smokers smoke somewhere that doesn't expose us, too. It's not such a hardship to walk a few feet away to respect someone's health. Gasping in San Francisco THEN MOVE.HE HAS THAT RIGHT TO SMOKE IN HOME IF H

     3 agree | 2 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    1:22 PM MST on Wed., Jun. 25, 2008 re: "City Hall Watch: Plastic bag ban may apply to newspapers"

     livinintheloin.com said:
    I agree that the environment is an important issue. But, shouldn't the Board of Supervisors prioritize The City's most urgent matter? Crime, homelessness, coal burning power plants...

     1 agree | 2 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    10:22 AM MST on Wed., Jun. 25, 2008 re: "City Hall Watch: Plastic bag ban may apply to newspapers"

     Examiner Reader said:
    I think banning plastic bags in supermarkets and pharmacies is a great idea (though a bag tax, rather than a ban, would have encouraged greater use of reusable bags). I fear, however, that the Supervisors risk jumping the shark on this one.

     1 agree | 2 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    8:36 AM MST on Wed., Jun. 25, 2008 re: "City Hall Watch: Plastic bag ban may apply to newspapers"

     Examiner Reader said:
    As a consumer: Now knowing that the compostable bag about eight cents or more, I can see why businesses have such a hard time operating in San Francisco, remember all the other taxes and other peices of legislation the Board of Supervisor have established in recent years. Even the Mayor wants liquor stores to sell boozes in clear plastic bags...

     15 agree | 2 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    12:48 PM MST on Wed., May. 28, 2008 re: "Raises doled out amid budget woes"

     Examiner Reader said:
    ""The data on The City’s public and government relations officers was requested by Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, who told The Examiner he was concerned about government efficiency and performance. “It’s a question of explaining the justification of why we have to have 89 [public information officers],” Mirkarimi said."" Ross, while your at it lets consider cutting Supervior's paid staff in half and Supervior's slaries by a third. There was a time in the City when being a Supervisor was a part time "job" and paid $13k a year. Believe me things were a whole lot better in the city then...seems the more you jokers get involved the worse things get.

     2 agree | 2 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    9:34 AM MST on Wed., May. 28, 2008 re: "Raises doled out amid budget woes"

     Examiner Reader said:
    There's no reason to track the Mayor's salary to that of surrounding areas. In the era of term limits, being the Mayor of SF is an investment in ones personal, professional, and political future -- these are not career executives but social risers. I think all seven should give their raises back this year.

     3 agree | 2 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    9:16 PM MST on Wed., May. 14, 2008 re: "Power, police may go to voters"

     Examiner Reader said:
    "Supervisor Chris Daly introduced one charter amendment that would allow the Board of Supervisors to approve large-scale redevelopment plans without sending the legislation to the Mayor for final approval. EXAMINER.COM RELATED ARTICLES Community funds to bridge economic gaps in SoMa Decision on Potrero power plant delayed CitiApartments’ conduct comes under fire — again New blue lines touted to streamline force Plastic bags on their way out of The City Daly is currently backing a June ballot measure requiring the redevelopment of the Bayview-Hunters Point area to include 50 percent below market rate housing, a measure that the developer and city officials, including Mayor Gavin Newsom said will not pencil out financially and would kill the project." This Supervisor is transparent. How did he ever get elected? Geeze the people there must be dumb.

     3 agree | 2 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    5:18 PM MST on Wed., May. 14, 2008 re: "City introduces $887.4 million bond"

     Carl said:
    When SFFD lowers the "noise" level of their sirens I can park on my street without waiting an hour to get a spot because DPT wont enforce area I then maybe you'll get my vote.. Ahh Who we kidding. City govt in SF won't change. I have health insurance and I've been to SFGH one time in ten years. Tell my why again I should give SFGH one dollar? Better yet-- Put SFGH in the hands of private business. They seem to have a better idea about where their money is going.

     2 agree | 1 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    1:01 AM MST on Sat., Apr. 26, 2008 re: "Property leases costing millions"

     Examiner Reader said:
    Josh, good article. Would you please do a follow up article and let your readers know who the property/building owners are? Thanks.

     5 agree | 2 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    1:54 PM MST on Fri., Apr. 25, 2008 re: "Property leases costing millions"

     Examiner Reader said:
    stop free parking for police and fire. The DPH employees are forced to pay for their parking, who note police and fire?

     2 agree | 2 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    10:26 PM MST on Tue., Apr. 15, 2008 re: "High-ranking face slashing under new Peskin legislation"

     Examiner Reader said:
    Once again the citizens of San Francisco have to deal with yet another Board comprised mostly of people like Peskin - reactionary, vain, unfocused, tempermental autocrats. And these very same citizens need to take a long hard look at why they keep electing incompetent politicians like this.

     3 agree | 3 disagree
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    2:30 PM MST on Thu., Apr. 10, 2008 re: "High-ranking face slashing under new Peskin legislation"

     Examiner Reader said:
    In March, Peskin said he was looking to ax city workers "who earn more than $150,000 annually in base pay." heheheh Mr. Peskin please sharpen your No.2 pencil and check the Board of Stupervisors too...how much are tax payers on the hook for, for you lot?

     5 agree | 1 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    12:44 PM MST on Thu., Apr. 10, 2008 re: "High-ranking face slashing under new Peskin legislation"

     Examiner Reader said:
    Well maybe the Board of Stupidvisors can give up their assistants (I think they have 2 or 3?) in the name of closing up the budget? Really they don't need 3 people for a part time job anyway. While they're at it, they can also cut their salary in half. The voters were stupid to give them that $90K+ raise.

     6 agree | 2 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    11:19 AM MST on Thu., Apr. 10, 2008 re: "High-ranking face slashing under new Peskin legislation"

     Examiner Reader said:
    Peskin is a hypocrite and an idiot. Early in the article it states "In March, Peskin said he was looking to ax city workers who earn more than $150,000 annually in base pay. This week, Peskin introduced his legislation, which, if approved, would send 84 city workers packing." Then he is quoted as saying that the cost cutting from within The City’s legal offices “doesn’t have to come in the form of bodies.” except for police. Here is where Peskin is an idiot. When they pink slip the cops, they will still get at least 90% of their salary plus benefits in the form of pension. So where is the savings? Peskin is as naive as Newsom. He envisions himself as "Da Mayor" of North Beach, next in line to be "Da Mayor" of SF. Another idiot.

     6 agree | 3 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    10:26 AM MST on Thu., Apr. 10, 2008 re: "High-ranking face slashing under new Peskin legislation"

     Examiner Reader said:
    I have never once have agreeded with Peskin, but do give him credit for cutting from the top. Good Job

     5 agree | 5 disagree
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    1:42 PM MST on Wed., Apr. 2, 2008 re: "Cap proposed for city overtime"

     Examiner Reader said:
    So its the smoking and not the drinking that is unhealthy in bars? Who goes to a bar because they are seeking a "healthy" enviroment? Come on people.

     2 agree | 1 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    1:35 PM MST on Wed., Apr. 2, 2008 re: "Cap proposed for city overtime"

     Born, Raised and Educated in San Francisco said:
    Instead of just eliminating 300 jobs why not start by reducing the number of Board of Supervisors we have. Lets be real. Does it take 11 members plus a mayor to run this small City? In order to justify large expenses such as wages and number of employees, the City will compare itself with other Cities. Well how about the County of San Francisco comparing itself with other Counties in the State? How many Board members does San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Marin County have? Lets take a look and start from there. Lets reduce excessive spending by starting at the top and work our way down. That'll take care of some of the problem.

     7 agree | 2 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    10:31 AM MST on Tue., Apr. 1, 2008 re: "Smoking ban expected to balloon"

     Bonfiglioli Alberto pipemaker of the world. said:
    Is very bad for us. In Italy with the streets narrow we have the incredible smoke of cars busses and bikes,but we can't smoke in peace our pipes and cigars,things they coming from the earth,means natural. Take a conclusion with these my words. The Lobby of Cars and trucks are more and more power then Tobacco's companies. Is my opinion. Sincerely Alberto Bonfiglioli pipemaker of the world.

     2 agree | 1 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    4:24 PM MST on Mon., Mar. 31, 2008 re: "Smoking ban expected to balloon"

     Grant's Tobacconists said:
    I am an owner of a tobacco shop (not head shop), this is not an issue of "seconded hand smoke", anti's, this is an issue of "Your Civil Rights and your Freedom of Personal Choice". Its the governments responsibility to protect the interest of there citizens, but not control there behavior, especially when they are trying as far as banning smoking in a tobacco shop (if you are not a Premium Cigar smoker or Pipe smoker you will not be visiting a tobacco shop, right…right!). It would be the same if you were a wine shop owner and was told that you could not have a wine tasting in your own store. We feel we are Honest, Hardworking, Tax Paying Small Business owners and some of the locations listed in this new proposal is a outrageous violation of freedom that is based on distorted claims and inconclusive evidence perpetuated by a “Emotional Political Topic”. Is this still America?

     4 agree | 2 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    12:08 PM MST on Sat., Mar. 29, 2008 re: "Smoking ban expected to balloon"

     Examiner Reader said:
    My spiteful neighbor chain smokes in an enclosed common area of our building directly outside our apartment exit and our windows, filling up our home with smoke all day. It is very scary to be denied the basic right to breathe clean air, in your own home, every day, while a person like this says it's his "absolute right" to smoke there. Every year thousands of Americans that don't smoke cigarettes are killed from exposure to secondhand smoke. This law would stop people like me from being poisoned by smokers who live in their building. Smokers would have to go to an open, unenclosed area, or do it within their own apartment. Sure, you have an absolute right to be reckless with your own health, but you don't have a right to be reckless with MY HEALTH. All we're asking is that smokers smoke somewhere that doesn't expose us, too. It's not such a hardship to walk a few feet away to respect someone's health. Gasping in San Francisco

     4 agree | 6 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    7:07 AM MST on Sat., Mar. 29, 2008 re: "Smoking ban expected to balloon"

     rfkolbe said:
    Smoking bans in California it is important to note were legislated to protect the workers of those establishments. I worked in restaurants for years and was very thankful when Pete Wilson signed it into law. These new ideas sound good too. I am tired of breathing foolish smoker fumes.

     2 agree | 4 disagree
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    6:58 PM MST on Fri., Mar. 28, 2008 re: "Smoking ban expected to balloon"

     Examiner Reader said:
    You people in California are frickin NUTS!

     3 agree | 4 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    11:47 AM MST on Fri., Mar. 28, 2008 re: "Smoking ban expected to balloon"

     Seven said:
    San Francisco didn't eliminate smoking in bars; that's a myth. There's a bar owner smoking loophole in the law that's easy to exploit. On the west side, you'll always find plenty of smokers at Boomerang, Eagle's, Shannon Arms, and CyBar.

     2 agree | 2 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    10:55 AM MST on Fri., Mar. 28, 2008 re: "Smoking ban expected to balloon"

     Examiner Reader said:
    This is too much. Stop with the smoking hysteria. If secondhand smoke in public areas (not workplaces or homes) killed as much as these lobbies and bans imply it does, everyone born before 1980 would be dead. Seriously. People who dislike smoke need to treat it as what it really is to them: a temporary annoyance. The correct behavior in that instance is to ask people to stop or move away from them. It's really easy and doesn't involve legislation, police, courts, fines, etc.

     5 agree | 5 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    9:38 AM MST on Wed., Mar. 26, 2008 re: "Supes approve fine for paving over front yard"

     Examiner Reader said:
    They do this in many cities around the world including some in the East Coast have laws preventing owners for putting cement in front of their homes. If you talk to real estate brokers, neighborhoods with beautification in front of the homes have better rate in selling than having no beautification in front of the homes. The neighborhood value also goes up with lawns and trees but without, property value does not go up.

     2 agree | 2 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    7:42 AM MST on Wed., Mar. 26, 2008 re: "Supes approve fine for paving over front yard"

     L. Amiot said:
    Who is Sandoval to tell property owners not to pave their patch of soil or lawn in front of their homes, on THEIR OWN PROPERTY? We already pay sky high property taxes. Maybe he would like to order us, by official supervisory fiat, to quarter homeless in our houses now, too. Is he the face of the new Green Nazis? These supervisors are absolutely ridiculous. They seem more like selfish, idealistic children then government leaders.

     5 agree | 3 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    11:35 AM MST on Wed., Mar. 19, 2008 re: "Mayor calls for another round of job cuts"

     Examiner Reader said:
    How about cutting the number of Supervisors!

     8 agree | 6 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    10:08 AM MST on Wed., Mar. 19, 2008 re: "Mayor calls for another round of job cuts"

     Examiner Reader said:
    Agree - there are plenty of cuts to make, especially at the top. The bigger the problem, the higher up the chain you must go to find the source, and solution.

     6 agree | 5 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    9:42 AM MST on Wed., Mar. 19, 2008 re: "Mayor calls for another round of job cuts"

     Examiner Reader said:
    Shouldn't new hires be the first to be let go? Then Gavin's stable of "boys" with six figure incomes should be shown the door no?

     6 agree | 4 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    7:49 AM MST on Wed., Mar. 19, 2008 re: "Mayor calls for another round of job cuts"

     Dorothy said:
    SF Employees 27,000 people? This is not a country its a big town in a 49 sq. mile! CUT THE PAYROLLS NOW. They probably have 3 people doing the work 1 can do!!

     5 agree | 4 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    12:51 PM MST on Thu., Mar. 6, 2008 re: "Board rejects call for $1M wheelchair ramp"

     Examiner Reader said:
    The only reason for the $1.75 million ramp was to keep the overpaid, union workers on the city payroll, nothing else.

     6 agree | 3 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    12:18 PM MST on Thu., Mar. 6, 2008 re: "Board rejects call for $1M wheelchair ramp"

     Unreal said:
    I dont expect any of them to read this - but if you do... how can anyone in their right mind think a $1.75million dollar 10ft ramp is a step in the right direction? We elect idiots.

     4 agree | 5 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    11:05 AM MST on Thu., Mar. 6, 2008 re: "Board rejects call for $1M wheelchair ramp"

     Examiner Reader said:
    I have no problem with "reasonable" access for anyone and everyone and, in fact, its the law. However, the only possible option to create "access" is a 1 million dollar ramp?

     4 agree | 4 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    1:11 AM MST on Thu., Mar. 6, 2008 re: "Board rejects call for $1M wheelchair ramp"

     Examiner Reader said:
    $1m wheelchair ramp: How much time and and how many tax dollars are being spent even discussing this? What about options? Why can't presidents sit in a normal seat instead of on a podium? Or, why can't a couple of strong people boost a wheelchair onto the podium? Is this all about show? I'd admire a person who insists on equal access in the most low-cost, un-grand manner possible. I can't admire a person who doesn't recognise that the more other people have to pay, the less "equal" that access is.

     3 agree | 3 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    10:46 AM MST on Wed., Mar. 5, 2008 re: "Board rejects call for $1M wheelchair ramp"

     Fed Up said:
    I'm fed up with the outrageous demands of disabled people to spend ridiculous amounts of money on access. Let's use some common sense. Remember the hundreds of millions we wasted across the U.S. on disabled access voting machines that were hardly ever used. I'm all for "reasonable" access, not "unreasonable" access.

     8 agree | 4 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    2:19 PM MST on Mon., Mar. 3, 2008 re: "Should lobbyists receive a label?"

     M.S. Jackson said:
    If most lobbyists were not such sneaky, sleazy, oily, lying cheating representatives of some of the worst companies and groups (enron, anybody? - christian coaltion, chevron, pfizer, etc) then I would agree that the badge would suffice. But things being as rotten as they are, I am afraid nothing less than an orange bag with holes cut out for the eyes, nose and mouth will be enough to protect the citizenry from the Axes of Evil (aka lobbyists)! As time goes by, Chris Daly is starting to seem like a decent guy who no longer cusses and screams his sometimes very good ideas in to view. He seems to be growing up, if slowly... and, very surreptitiously, his respectability is beginning to bloom, who knew?

     30 agree | 20 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    12:14 PM MST on Mon., Mar. 3, 2008 re: "Should lobbyists receive a label?"

     Paul said:
    Yes, let's put a scarlet "A" on their backs. Whatever happened to free speech! Thank God Daly is term-limited, though SF is stuck with his asanine ideas for the next 2 1/2 years. Recall Daly!

     16 agree | 23 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    7:46 AM MST on Fri., Feb. 29, 2008 re: "Departments’ overtime may cost city big bucks"

     Examiner Reader said:
    Come on now, they canb't be THAT broke! They are now going to spend a million and something on billboards telling ILLEGAL ALIENS that they are welcome to come here and sponge off the rest of us...

     22 agree | 26 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    3:40 PM MST on Wed., Feb. 27, 2008 re: "City Hall Watch: Change in retiree benefits will be up to voters in June"

     Examiner Reader said:
    No wonder the city is broke! you work 5 years and get you get full retiree benefits. The private sector you have to work 20 plus years and even though you may not get them. When will the Cities realize they have to start running like the private sector. Look at VAllejo, CA they are filing for bankrutpcy because of the same situation that is facing SF! I want a job with SF;

     30 agree | 23 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    12:42 PM MST on Wed., Feb. 27, 2008 re: "City Hall Watch: Change in retiree benefits will be up to voters in June"

     Examiner Reader said:
    Perhaps a ballot admentment changing the charter to now allow Harvey Rose and staff to come in amd do an arbitrary administration and budgetary audit to make SF efficient,effective and productive again with NO APPeal by the supes,unions,downtown,sacramento or airport.Then hire young non political new MPA'with the non negotiable mandate to make SF "lean".No grants,loans,supplemental appropriations,no nothing. I certaintly would apply-anything to make waste,fraud,abuse,corruption go away !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

     28 agree | 25 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    10:28 AM MST on Fri., Feb. 22, 2008 re: "Supervisor looks to limit liquor licenses"

     Examiner Reader said:
    (Supervisor looks to limit liquor licenses) There is an easer way. Make sure that the ABC license on the new establishment is conditional. You have 30 days to Appeal the new license and request that ABC issue a conditional liquor license. It cost nothing to file the appeal and you get to dictate the conditions to the license holder. ABC will tell you if they can impose your restrictions on the license and help you to keep things legal. I have done this to over 12 new liquor licenses in my neighborhood. If the owner of the license violates the conditions ABC suspends their right to sell liquor for 30 to 60 days. No if's, and's or but's. Take control of your own neighborhood don't rely on city government to fix your problems. Local government is a waste of time. The state department of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) is the best way to deal with this issue. You need a big hammer and local government is more like a pounding a nail with your hand. Use a sledge hammer.

     46 agree | 49 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    10:44 AM MST on Thu., Feb. 14, 2008 re: "City’s budget cuts igniting criticism"

     Examiner Reader said:
    Hey Gretchen - I don't need a director of the environment - there are more than enough do nothing union employees already in this city - make them do their jobs. What needs to happen is a thinning of the ranks. Corporations do this - time for this government to get rid of all the fat useless lazy city employees who do nothing. Don't believe me just drive around and see all the city vehicles with employees sleeping in them.

     65 agree | 53 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    9:18 AM MST on Thu., Feb. 14, 2008 re: "City’s budget cuts igniting criticism"

     WDenton said:
    Why don't we just start printing money out of thin air like our federal government does?

     57 agree | 57 disagree
    Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
    6:38 AM MST on Thu., Feb. 14, 2008 re: "City’s budget cuts igniting criticism"

     The Hard Decisions said:
    Peskins: 'wants to find money to ensure more directors are hired.' Umm, I think the whole point is that we have a budget deficit. Someone's got the make some hard decisions - no one wants to be the bearer of bad news - so the concept of cuts should not come as a surprise (at some point the concept of fiscal responsibility has to kick in). If cuts aren't made, then quality of life services are compromised or the other choice is for the City to file for bankruptcy - either way, not pretty. The budget is also less flexible when there are large set-asides, something like $4 or $5 for every $6 are set-asides - these $$ can't be touched and are mandated by voters, so no wiggle room there. It would be good to know what these set-asides are. Bottom line, cuts are never pretty, but they are necessary to maximize essential City services and it seems it has something to do with the large set-asides.

     48 agree | 59 disagree
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    12:56 PM MST on Tue., Feb. 12, 2008 re: "Newsom salary spat may spawn tighter restrictions on city funds"

     Gretchen said:
    For heaven's sake, get a grip. The public outcry for more attention to quality of life issues and new environmental issues needed to be addressed. In order to address issues that voters and taxpayers demanded, Newsom hired additional staff. In order to add staff he needed funding so he spread the cost over departments that had some relation to the tasks. Since these were new functions, there was no existing budget line. Well, Duh! The voters demand action, Newsom acts, and all the whiny b*tches start yelling about it. Some of the comments make it sound like Newsom is pocketing the money himself instead of doing his job which is to be responsive to the voters and taxpayers. The board of Supes need to get a life. I just wish Newsom could have taken the cost of the new salaries out of the Supervisors' salaries since we voters sure don't get any value for that money we spend.

     59 agree | 59 disagree
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    9:35 AM MST on Tue., Feb. 12, 2008 re: