by Elisabeth Pinio
Diane Feinstein
The subcommittee of City College of San Francisco’s Board of Trustees has announced its recommendation for an independent investigator, Steve Churchwell, to examine an alleged misappropriation of funds during the 2005 Proposition A campaign. If approved by the Board, the investigation will commence immediately.
“If laws were broken or ethical standards breached, we need to know, and we will be ready to take appropriate actions,” said Trustee John Rizzo. With 20 years of experience, Steve Churchill is a prominent fi gure in the legal community for his expertise in ethics and campaign fi nance law.
New legislation to end casino impasse
U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) introduced legislation to prevent the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians from expanding Casino San Pablo into a Nevada-style Class III casino. Legislation is supported by local offi cials who opposed expansion of the casino in the past, as well as the Lytton tribe.
“This is a win-win,” Senator Feinstein said. “By effectively foreclosing the possibility of a major expansion of the San Pablo casino, this legislation ensures that a major Nevada-style casino will not be built in the Bay Area in the near future.”
However, current law cannot prevent the Lytton tribe from attempting to propose the expansion again in the future.
Mayor refuses additional spending for current fi scal year
In a letter sent to the Board of Supervisors on May 11, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom rejected the request for an additional $28.05 million in spending at the end of the current fiscal year, which would double the City’s budget defi cit in the next fi scal year. A proposed balanced budget will be introduced to the Board in three weeks.
Mayor Newsom said in his letter, “Together, I believe we can pass a budget that preserves our legacy of fi scal steward- ship while balancing the diverse needs of all San Franciscans.”
New president elected for SF Police Commission
Theresa Sparks has been elected President of the Police Commission. In a close victory over Joe Marshall, Louise Renne’s chosen successor, Sparks received the deciding vote from Commissioner Joe Alioto-Veronese. Sparks’ win is an outrage in the Mayor’s offi ce,which had determined Joe Marshall to be the designated candidate. The Mayor instructed SFGTV to cease filming the event so that Sparks’ victory would not be shown.
Assembly approves industrial hemp measure
Assembly Bill 684, authored by Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and Assemblyman Chuck DeVore (R-Irvine), will allow California farmers to cultivate industrial hemp for the sale of seed, oil and fi ber to manufacturers of various hemp-based products.
“This bill will free our farmers to compete with foreign farmers in grow- ing hemp, a non-drug, legal and safe crop,” said Assemblyman DeVore in a statement.
