Candidate for
Member; California State Assembly; District 12

As a San Francisco Supervisor for the past six years, I have fought big money and lobbyists at City Hall to protect our families, neighborhoods and tax dollars. I have worked hard to make government work for the people of San Francisco in my 13 years of public life, on the Board of Supervisors and the Board of Education. I will continue to fight for fiscal responsibility, families, health care and education as San Francisco's representative in the State Assembly.

To give you some information about the issues I am concerned about, I am including some of the accomplishments I am proud of in my years of public service:

FOR OUR FAMILIES

• Passed Family-focused Budget. As Finance Chair, I passed the budget called "One of the best ever for children, youth and families." (Coleman Advocates for Youth)

• Improved Quality of Education. As a two-term member of the School Board, I reduced class sizes, modernized textbooks and added more class time for our middle school kids.

• Fought to Expand Day and Child Care. I worked for many years to increase funding for childcare and to expand family day care programs.

• Increased Childcare Training and Wages. I have fought for improved training and better wages for childcare workers.

• Protected our Children from Tobacco. I am proud to have co-sponsored and passed a law limiting tobacco advertising near schools. After a long battle, at least $1 million in annual funding went to youth tobacco education, prevention and control programs.

• Opened New Schools. I guided the rebuilding and opening of two Elementary Schools in my district, District 4.

• Founded Annual Parent Fair. I founded an annual Parent Fair that informs families about education and arts programs available in San Francisco.

• Fought for Youth Recreation. I won funding for youth recreation, opened gyms for basketball and secured new computers with Internet access for my District's libraries.

• Safeguarded Children from Alcohol. I authored and passed a resolution to oppose the issuance of liquor licenses to businesses within 600 feet of a schools.

• Stopped School Closure. I stopped a proposal to close Newcomer High School for school district office space.

• Added Police to Our Streets. To improve public safety, I added 400 new Police Officers in two years. Crime dropped 20% in my district, the largest drop of any district in San Francisco.

• Protected More Firefighters. I put more firefighters on the street and dedicated $1.9 million to improve the safety of their uniforms.

• Brought City Hall to our Neighborhoods. I was the first Chair of the Finance Committee to hold budget meetings in San Francisco neighborhoods.

• Opened School-based Family Services. I developed the pioneering "Integrated Services Model," which opened schools in the day and evening to provide tutoring, adult education, child care, sports, counseling and health services for families.

• Fought for Seniors, Children and Families. I stood up for budget reforms that improved services for San Francisco's neediest: seniors, children and families.

• Froze Sewer and Water Rates until 2006. I sponsored and passed the initiative that froze sewer and water rates from 1998 to 2006.

• Key Sponsor of Neighborhood Notification. I authored and passed the innovative "Chain Store Truth Disclosure Act" that requires businesses that apply for permits to reveal the true name under which they plan to operate.

• Protected Our Neighborhoods. I passed Proposition I that requires neighborhood to be notified prior to placement of a homeless shelter or halfway house.

• Cleaned up Our Neighborhoods. I created a task force to deal with hate crimes, vandalism and graffiti in my District, and held numerous town hall meetings with constituents to address the issue.

• Brought Neighborhoods Together. I joined with neighbors to battle unwanted chain stores in North Beach, Sunset, West Portal, Hayes Valley, Visitation Valley and other neighborhoods.

• Made 911 Safer. I fought to increase multi-lingual capacity of the City's 911 system.

• Created Largest Rainy Day Budget. I created the largest rainy day budget in San Francisco as Chair of the Finance Committee. This reserve has been very helpful today in surviving the recent economic downturn.

• Fought For Campaign Reforms. Only one of three Supervisors, I voted for tough soft money campaign reforms.

• Voted Against Double Charging ATM Fees. I voted to prohibit banks from double charging consumers on ATM fees.

• Helped Local Business. I fought to help San Francisco businesses by including all tax revenue generated from government payments to businesses as a consideration in figuring out low bidder on city contracts.

• Helped Pass Sunshine Law. I am proud to have sponsored and helped pass the Sunshine Ordinance.

• Cleaned Up Red Tape. As Chair of the Finance Committee, I led the battle against overtime and workmen's compensation abuse, implementing holdbacks to force greater accountability from departments.

• Passed Bond Accountability Act. I introduced and passed the General Obligation Bond Accountability Act that compels each government entity to report on fiscal expenditures and project status.

• Protected Tax Dollars and Public Safety. I pushed for overtime reforms for City employees that would save money and ensure public safety.

• Independent Voice for Change. I was the only Supervisor to oppose a plan to scrap the low bidder requirement for certain City contracts.

• Implemented Financial Audits for Schools. As School Board President, I ordered performance & financial audits of all schools, departments & programs in the SFUSD.

• Established School Budget Committee. As a School Board member, I established a Budget Committee to monitor the School District's finances and caused the district to establish performance standards & financial disclosures when awarding instructional & facilities contracts.