By Phil Ting
Assessor-Recorder, City and County of San Francisco

Lately, there has been a great deal of discussion in our local press and in the blogosphere about the emergence of signal sharing among wireless users in San Francisco. As Chair of the Free WiFi for All campaign, which is Prop J on this November’s ballot, I have been following these conversations and stories with great interest. As something of a tech geek and firm believer in open source, I agree that the proponents of signal sharing are on to something: without a doubt, the Internet should be freely and easily accessed by all San Franciscans. Read more »

By John Arensmeyer
Founder and CEO of Small Business Majority

California's small business owners, who employ over 50% of the private sector workforce, are fed up with our health care crisis; they want bold action now, and they are more than ready to be part of the solution. Other business groups, who focus their energies on opposing all meaningful health care reform, do not speak for the millions of California's entrepreneurs who know that the inability to obtain affordable health care for their families and their employees severely impedes California's economic progress and hampers their pursuit of the American Dream. Read more »

By Jane Meredith Adams
Chicago Tribune

As Democratic presidential candidates unveil proposals for universal or near-universal health care for all Americans, San Franciscans already are signing up for a new program that guarantees free or sliding-scale medical care to all uninsured adults. The program provides a network of care to city residents, regardless of existing medical conditions, immigration status or ability to pay. The plan began in pilot form in July. Expanding citywide this week, it is the first attempt by an American city to tackle the health-care crisis, with the assistance of state and federal funds. Unlike other universal health-care plans being proposed, Healthy San Francisco is not insurance -- because health coverage doesn't travel with the individual. Care is provided and paid for only at clinics and hospitals in San Francisco. Read more »

By Elaine Carpenter and Laura Efurd

San Francisco has an important opportunity to harness the benefits of wireless technology to improve the lives of its residents and businesses. By approving the proposed Wi-Fi contract with Earthlink and Google, the Board of Supervisors can bring anytime, anywhere communications to all San Franciscans and transform our city into a one of a kind Digital Community. What makes the Wi-Fi project all the more exciting is that it can be accomplished at no cost to taxpayers and without sacrificing City governance and operational controls. The Wi-Fi network, in combination with creative digital inclusion programs, will help the city meet important community goals. Read more »

By Prof. Richard Bender, UC Berkeley’s College of Environmental Design
John Parman, UC Berkeley’s Urban Construction Laboratory

Can we “slow” the growth of San Francisco’s metropolitan region without stopping it? By “slow,” we make reference to the Slow Food movement and its CittaSlow offshoot, especially in their emphasis on the value and pleasures of regional difference. “Without stopping it” is to acknowledge the projected growth of the region, which we accept. Our title’s “smart” refers to “smart growth”—“livable” is another favored adjective, both endorsing density without always asking what it means in practice. Like the Buddha, we see a middle way between “slow” and “smart” that emphasizes enjoyment and livability. Like the Californians we have both become, we want to have our cake and eat it, too. Read more »