By Robert Selna
San Francisco Chronicle

Expanding on a growing list of environmental initiatives in San Francisco, Mayor Gavin Newsom called on leaders of Bay Area cities and counties Thursday to join him in urging automakers to produce plug-in hybrid cars. At a press conference at a southeast San Francisco auto repair shop that converts standard hybrids to plug-ins, Newsom said he would mail letters to Bay Area mayors and other leaders asking them to join him in an offer to buy the autos if the industry will make them.

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San Francisco is the only city in the nation to offer local incentives for lower-income families to take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC is a federal tax refund offered to working families of up to $4,716 over their normal tax refund. The local incentive, and our extensive volunteer program, help bring tens of millions of federal dollars back to San Francisco through increased refunds for working families. Read more »

By Jill Tucker
San Francisco Chronicle

With a stormy financial front headed toward San Francisco schools, Mayor Gavin Newsom offered to help the district Friday with $30.6 million from the city's rainy day fund. Facing a $40 million shortfall, district officials were preparing for massive layoffs and program cuts - including cutting more than 500 teachers and staff. "This is perilous," the mayor said of the potential impact. "This is ominous. This is simply not acceptable." Newsom's proposal must be approved by the Board of Supervisors. In 2003, city voters passed Proposition G, which required the city save excess revenue during good economic times.

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By Joshua Sabatini
San Francisco Examiner

The plan to rebuild San Francisco’s most troubled and decrepit public housing sites is moving forward with nine developers applying to rebuild the sites. The idea of creating a local version of the federal Hope IV program — which provides funds to local housing authorities to rebuild dilapidated housing projects was planted during the tenure of former Mayor Willie Brown. Mayor Gavin Newsom, however, has championed the idea of rebuilding public housing units within new mixed-income developments and last year allocated $5 million within The City’s budget to help pay for $95 million in bonds that would fund initial rebuilds. Read more »