Category: City Hall
Posted inBay Area, City Hall, Community, Government & Politics, Technology

As Bay Area Cities Adopt Real-Time AI Translation for Public Meetings, SF Abstains

Avatar photo by Zhe Wu

Cities in Northern California are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence-powered translation tools in an effort to make public meetings more accessible to residents who are not proficient in English. The technology could address obstacles to access in San Francisco, where people can struggle to obtain city-provided interpreters.

Should San Francisco consider following San Jose, Modesto and others in adopting AI translation? City officials say no, and some community groups are wary but open to the possibility.

Posted inCity Hall, Community, Government & Politics, News

Inadequate Language Services Leave Immigrants in the Dark at SF Public Meetings

Avatar photo by Zhe Wu

For immigrants and other San Francisco residents who speak little English, accessible and robust interpretation services are essential in order to understand what’s said at public meetings and communicate with officials.

The city claims to have the strongest language-access policies in the nation, and a new proposal is on the way to strengthen them further. But, in practice, those policies leave a communication gap between lawmakers and those affected by their laws, community groups say.

Posted inCity Hall, Elections, San Francisco March 2024 Election Guide

March 2024 SF Election Guide

by Public Press staff

This election guide offers a nonpartisan analysis of the San Francisco ballot for the March 5, 2024, election. This guide features audio and text summaries of local ballot measures, candidate bios and their responses to our questions.

We are collaborating with KALW this election season. You’ll hear audio segments from our “Civic” team on our own KSFP 102.5 FM and on KALW 91.7 FM. You’ll see ballot summaries from our election guide on KALW.org.

Posted inCity Hall, Economy & Business, Elections, Housing, Land use, San Francisco March 2024 Election Guide

Proposition C — Real Estate Transfer Tax Exemption and Office Space Allocation

Avatar photo by Lila LaHood

Proposition C would change San Francisco’s tax policy to allow a one-time transfer tax exemption for owners of properties converted from commercial to residential use the first time they are sold following conversion, as long as the change of use is approved before Jan. 1, 2030.

Posted inCity Hall, Elections, Government & Politics, Open Government, San Francisco March 2024 Election Guide

Proposition D — Changes to Local Ethics Laws

Avatar photo by Madison Alvarado

Proposition D would amend the city’s Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code by expanding the kinds of gifts that city officials are prohibited from accepting. It also expands existing rules to bar people who have tried to influence city officials in the past or who have business with city departments from giving gifts.

Posted inCity Hall, Elections, Public Safety

Proposition E — Police Department Policies and Procedures

Avatar photo by Madison Alvarado

Proposition E is a package of policy changes that would allow the San Francisco Police Department to engage in more high-speed chases, permit drone use in pursuits and grant the department the ability to install new security cameras in public spaces and test new surveillance technology on the public with less oversight from independent bodies.

Posted inCity Hall, Elections, Health, San Francisco March 2024 Election Guide, Social Services

Proposition F — Illegal Substance Dependence Screening and Treatment for Recipients of City Public Assistance

Avatar photo by Sylvie Sturm

Proposition F asks voters whether the city should be allowed to screen single adult welfare recipients for drug dependency and require those identified as suffering from substance use disorder to enter treatment to continue receiving cash assistance through the County Adult Assistance Program.

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