Supes on: the budget -- 'The lowest-income workers took the greatest hit in this budget,' Dist. 11 Supervisor John Avalos says

‘We wanted to make sure there was equity in how the budget was approved.’

Supervisor John Avalos, chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, addresses coalition building, community organizing, his fight to save key social services, his closed-door agreement with Mayor Gavin Newsom and his frustrations with the budget process.  

In what has been touted as a progressive victory, Avalos' committee restored $43 million in "add-backs" to social services, prevented privatization of key government positions including jail guards, security and janitorial services and wrested millions from public safety departments. Avalos represents District 11, a largely working-class area including Excelsior, Ingleside, Visitacion Valley and other neighborhoods.