San Francisco Examiner
Editorial Originally Published June 22, 2007

San Francisco citizens should not be expected to condone a supervisor expressing disagreement with the mayor’s budget by insinuating at a City Hall hearing that the mayor is a cocaine user. Such behavior — or rather misbehavior — is not political debate; it is slander that the Board of Supervisors should officially censure. Supervisor Chris Daly charged Tuesday that Mayor Gavin Newsom was hypocritical in proposing cuts for substance abuse programs while undergoing alcohol treatment and while he “artfully dodges every question about allegations in his own cocaine use.” The next day Newsom called a news conference where he flatly denied ever using cocaine and called Daly’s allegations “sleazy ... a whole new low” and “the cheapest of cheap shots."

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San Francisco Chronicle
Editorial Originally Published June 21, 2007

Supervisor Chris Daly has never recognized the boundaries of civility in politics. There's not enough space on this page to recount all the tantrums, boorish outbursts and political shenanigans that make the word "progressive" a joke when applied to him. His November election-night party -- with him and supporters chortling on stage as his wife led profane chants against his adversaries -- was a classic show of gracelessness in victory. He has been known to respond to the public's e-mail inquiries with stinging insults.

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In the face of overwhelming support for Mayor Newsom's budget, Supervisor Chris Daly cancelled his rally and took the extraordinary step of cancelling the Budget and Finance Committee hearing.  But that didn't stop hundreds of people from descending on City Hall on Wednesday afternoon to fight for the city of San Francisco.  We won the first battle for a smart budget that addresses the needs of all San Franciscans and against the politics of self-interest. But the fight is far from over. Read more »

San Francisco Examiner
Originally Published June 4, 2007

The best aspect of Mayor Gavin Newsom’s record-breaking — but balanced — $6.1 billion budget for 2007-08 is that it focuses on improving long-neglected infrastructure and life-quality issues that directly affect the daily existence of ordinary San Franciscans. It avoids pandering to the demands of loud special interests.  The budget Newsom proposed Friday adds substantial new funding for the basic needs of a civilized urban life. Public Works gets a $5.4 million boost to $36.4 million, the highest total ever allocated for fixing our potholed streets. Another $8.5 million goes to rebuild playgrounds and renovate sports fields. Read more »

That's one of John F. Kennedy's most famous lines and it is applicable to Gavin Newsom's new budget proposal.  This year, Mayor Newsom has taken another step towards making government work better for you. 311 is now in effect and working well (remember some politicians fought this remarkable tool), so it is fitting that the Mayor unveiled his budget at the 311 call center.  The proposed budget makes real investments in our streets. This investment, more than $36 million, allows the city ­ for the first time ­to meet our repaving needs and includes $5.4 million more for street repaving over last year. Read more »

By Gavin Newsom
San Francisco Examiner
Originally Published April 19, 2007

On Tuesday, the city controller released the 2007 City Survey that measures the opinions of San Franciscans on the public services they use and experience day to day.  The results reflect the optimism that I feel as a San Franciscan — proud to live in a city where in the last three years, unemployment is down 38.6 percent, universal child care and after-school programming for all public school children is being realized, and health care access for all uninsured is on track to begin in July of this year. Read more »