When media outlets and pundits have argued that San Francisco officials were politically progressive or moderate, it mostly was based on observation and conjecture. But now, such assertions are buttressed with data. We show you who’s which at City Hall.
Monthly Archives: August 2018
Posted inElections, Housing, Law & Justice, Remaking Rent Control
Voters OK’d Legal Aid for Tenants Facing Eviction — Now Comes the Hard Part
Over the past year, with housing still expensive and scarce, more than 1,600 San Francisco tenants have received eviction notices. On June 5, city voters made history, guaranteeing legal help to anyone facing eviction, regardless of income. San Francisco has until July 2019 to set up multimillion-dollar program under Proposition F.
Posted inCommunity, Housing, Land use, Law & Justice, Remaking Rent Control
Hey, Can We Talk? Mediation Might Help Reduce Evictions
Amid San Francisco’s growing housing crisis, some now see mediation as an alternative to nasty, expensive court fights to keep tenants housed and property owners content. For more than 20 years, that approach has staved off evictions in the capital of Wisconsin.
Posted inCity Hall, Elections, Housing, Labor, Land use, News, Remaking Rent Control
Housing Speculators Again in Political Crosshairs
In their 2018 mayoral campaigns, former state senator Mark Leno and Supervisor Jane Kim emphasized the role of speculators in driving gentrification and displacement in San Francisco. A tax or lawsuits would target ‘flippers’ to protect tenants and rental housing. A 2014 measure failed. But S.F. voters may again be asked again whether speculators should be taxed.
Posted inBay Area, Census, City Hall, Housing, Land use, News, Remaking Rent Control
Cities Sic the Taxman on Vacant ‘Ghost Homes’
Is an abundance of vacant units worsening the Bay Area’s housing crisis? That’s what some politicians have suggested. Their solution: a new tax on landlords who leave residential and commercial properties unrented. Oakland will vote in November and an S.F. measure is being planned for 2019. Vancouver, Melbourne and Paris already levy such taxes.
Posted inBay Area, City Hall, Elections, Government & Politics, Housing, Land use, News, Remaking Rent Control
Remaking Rent Control — if Voters Approve
Cities would regain power to regulate rental housing if Proposition 10 passes in November, repealing Costa-Hawkins. But would that help or hurt the affordability crisis?
Posted inNews
Hoping to Save Limbs and Toes, California Moves to Curtail Diabetes
By David Gorn, CALmatters The word “amputation” threw a chill down Michael Rubenstein’s spine. The 67-year-old diabetic from San Mateo still winces at the thought. “They told me I’d need to cut it off right about here,” he said, sawing his hand across his left shin. Two months after that diagnosis, he’s on an exam […]
Posted inNews
California’s Soda Tax Ban Stalled a Grassroots Movement, but Didn’t Kill It
By David Washburn, EdSource It had, in many respects, become the little movement that could. After more than a decade of failed attempts at both the state and local levels to impose soda taxes, health advocates scored a watershed victory in 2014 when Berkeley voters approved by a two-thirds majority a 1-cent-per-ounce tax on sugary […]