In the News

After SB 50’s Defeat, California Lawmaker Unveils ‘Light Touch’ Housing Density Bill

March 10, 2020

After SB 50’s Defeat, California Lawmaker Unveils ‘Light Touch’ Housing Density Bill - (LA Times - March 9)

 

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Bills Would Let Churches Build Affordable Housing on Their Land, Regardless of Zoning

March 6, 2020

Bills Would Let Churches Build Affordable Housing on Their Land, Regardless of Zoning - (SF Chronicle - March 6)

SACRAMENTO — Can church parking lots provide a solution to California’s housing shortage? A pair of bills would make it easier to build affordable housing projects on property owned by religious institutions.

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State Lawmakers Seek To Block Seton Medical Center Closure In Daly City Amid Coronavirus Spread

March 5, 2020

State Lawmakers Seek To Block Seton Medical Center Closure In Daly City Amid Coronavirus Spread - (CBS Bay Area - March 5)

DALY CITY (CBS SF) — A group of state legislators on Thursday called on Verity Health Systems to reverse its decision to close Seton Medical Center in Daly City, arguing that the closure will make it harder for nearby residents to get to a hospital and affect the ability to treat coronavirus cases.

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Officials Decry Anti-Asian Bigotry, Misinformation Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

March 3, 2020

Officials Decry Anti-Asian Bigotry, Misinformation Amid Coronavirus Outbreak - (LATimes - March 3)

As the coronavirus has spread across the United States, officials are trying to push back against Asian American bias and misinformation surrounding the outbreak.

There are already signs that some are staying away from Chinatowns and other Asian communities in the U.S., sparking concern about bias.

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Number of LGBT CA State Judges Remains Flat

March 2, 2020

Number of LGBT CA State Judges Remains Flat - (Bay Area Reporter - March 2)

The number of out judges on California state courts remained flat at an official count of 62 between 2019 and 2018. It marked the first time the ranks of LGBT people serving on the bench had not increased year-to-year since 2014.

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SF City Leaders Urge Citizens to Reject Xenophobia Amid Coronavirus Concerns

February 29, 2020

SF City Leaders Urge Citizens to Reject Xenophobia Amid Coronavirus Concerns - (NBC Bay Area - Feb 28)

San Francisco city leaders on Friday urged residents and visitors to continue shopping at Chinese-owned business and to reject xenophobia associated with fears of the novel coronavirus.

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Mayor Breed Pushes Again For Safe-Injection Sites

February 28, 2020

Mayor Breed Pushes Again For Safe-Injection Sites - (SFist - Feb 28)

Mayor London Breed and District 6 Supervisor Matt Haney are both backing a new local ordinance that would allow permitting for non-profits to open safe-injection sites in San Francisco — something that still needs the blessing of statewide legislation before it can happen.

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With $120 Million and Few Students, California’s New Online Community College Faces Audit

February 28, 2020

With $120 Million and Few Students, California’s New Online Community College Faces Audit - (San Francisco Chronicle - Feb 28)

The California state auditor will take a deep look at the state’s unaccredited new online community college, Calbright, to learn whether it’s offering students what it promised — and whether its $120 million cost to taxpayers so far is money well spent, lawmakers said this week.

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SF’s Scott Wiener Wants to Fund Financial Rewards for Meth Addicts who Stop Using Drugs

February 26, 2020

SF’s Scott Wiener Wants to Fund Financial Rewards for Meth Addicts who Stop Using Drugs - (SF Chronicle - Feb 26)

SACRAMENTO — Facing a growing methamphetamine epidemic with few known treatments, a San Francisco state legislator wants to make public funding available for programs that provide financial incentives to participants to stop using drugs.

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New Wiener Housing Bill Will Focus on Churches, With Others Coming

February 21, 2020

New Wiener Housing Bill Will Focus on Churches, With Others Coming - (SF Business Times - Feb 21)

Wiener says he does not plan to reintroduce SB 50, but will bring forth a "strong" bill to increase housing production and another to support churches that want to build housing.

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