No on Prop D

By Michael F. Denny

Why you should vote against making the Small Business Commission a permanent commission

While D enjoys support among politicians, it's based more on politics than good judgment. It's natural to want to "do something" and appear pro-jobs after driving businesses out and 94,000 jobs just last year. It's natural to try to divert attention from our crumbling infrastructure and sick economy.

But this Commission is not going to solve San Francisco's business problems. In fact, it could make them worse. By fostering the illusion that "something is being done" we hide the ugly truth. The Small Business Commission has existed for years and is routinely ignored and hardly even consulted. It's a shame that small business relations with City Hall are so bad that symbolic gestures like D seem important.

What would make it better? The existing Commission is staffed with Mayoral political appointees. The proposed Commission has some chosen by Supervisors. Big deal! None will be selected directly by the business community. This Commission sells City Hall to business, not business interests to City Hall. All City Commissions should be staffed by the People, not politicians.

Also, commissioners are vulnerable to political manipulation. For example, politicians are telling Commission supporters to support minimum wage increases regardless of negative effects on jobs or small businesses this will bankrupt. Again, politics supersede small business at the expense of our jobs and livelihood.

While the Controller says D has no fiscal impact, it already costs $500,000 per year. That money should be returned to taxpayers and the Commission charter re-written.

Vote "NO" on D.

Michael F. Denny, Candidate for Mayor