Here's what our office has been up to:
Unanimous Passage of the Buffer Zone Ordinance
I am thrilled that the entire San Francisco Board of Supervisors supported my ordinance to create a 25 foot "buffer zone" from the entrances, exits and driveways of facilities providing reproductive health care services. I created this ordinance after over a year of aggressive protesting and harassment in front of the city's only Planned Parenthood facility. If women aren't able to safely access health care in San Francisco, where are they safe?
Read more below:
http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/local-govt-politics/sf-supes-approve-buffer-zones-outside-citys-health/nXkDr/
http://sfbay.ca/2013/04/20/no-protest-zones-at-sf-womens-clinics-almost-law/
http://www.medicaldaily.com/articles/14752/20130419/buffer-abortion-protesters-away-patients-law-planned-parenthood.htm
Honoring Harvey Milk at the Airport
Mayor Lee and I will introduce proposed legislation creating the Airport Facilities Naming Advisory Committee. The proposed committee would hold a series of public meetings to gather information and public input and would make recommendations on the naming of airport terminals and other facilities at SFO International Airport. The ordinance states that one of the airports terminals should be named after Harvey Milk. After meeting with hundreds of stakeholders, communities groups, and representatives from the aviation and travel industry two points have become clear: San Franciscans want to honor Harvey Milk and they want to do so through a process that speaks to Harvey's legacy of bringing people together. After working closely with the Mayor and other Supervisors I have found a way to achieve both. I am grateful to everyone who has provided feedback on this project.
Read more here.
Free MUNI for Youth
If you haven't already, please sign your children up for a Free MUNI pass. Applications now being accepted! All San Francisco youth aged 5 to 17 with a gross annual family income at or below 100 percent of the Bay Area Median Income level are eligible. Check out the chart online: a family of four making $103,000 or less is eligible.
There is no wait-list, find the application here.
LGBT Families Must be Included in Comprehensive Immigration Reform
The Uniting American Families Act (HR 519, S 296), currently before Congress, is a standalone bill that would allow a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to sponsor their same-sex partner for immigration to the United States. The current so -called comprehensive immigration bill put forward by the "Gang of 8" does not include opportunities for LGBT individuals to sponsor their same-sex partner.
LGBT families MUST be included in efforts to change our broken immigration system. I introduced a resolution at the San Francisco Board of Supervisors urging Congress to incorporate LGBT families in immigration reform. Today, several same sex bi-national partners testified at the Neighborhood Services & Safety Committee about the impossible choices they are forced to make because of the ways in which current laws discriminate against their families.
San Francisco's 2013-2014 Budget
I joined Mayor Lee and District 8 Supervisor Scott Weiner last weekend for a Budget Townhall. We heard compelling testimony from many community based organizations about how proposed cuts to social services will negatively impact lower income residents in our city. Given skyrocketing costs of living, I believe it is more important than ever that we support lower income families in our city. I will be working, throughout the Budget process, to ensure that critical social and human services are protected as we seek to balance the city's $7.4 billion budget.
Read more here.
Barcelona Mayor Xavier Trias Visits San Francisco to Sign Renewal of the Sister City MOU
I worked to create the first Memorandum of Understanding between the cities of San Francisco and Barcelona over three years ago. Yesterday, Barcelona Mayor Xavier Trias' visited San Francisco to sign a renewed Memorandum of Understanding between our two great cities.
In the three years we have been sister cities, the Barcelona Sister City Committee has organized cultural exchanges including a San Francisco Symphony performance at Palau de la Musica in Barecelona and the co-production of an Opera that will open at the Liceu in Barcelona and the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco. There have also been productive student exchanges as well as opportunities for our great cities to learn from one another's best practices in transportation and smart city planning. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Barcelona and appreciate the great work of the San Francisco - Barcelona Sister City Committee and especially the leadership of its Chair, Fariba Rezvani.
Spring Cleaning in the Mission!
Our office has partnered with DPW to provide additional sidewalk cleaning in key areas of the Mission. Over the next month, you will see extra sidewalk cleaning on Mission Street, 24th Street, Capp Street and Shotwell Street. Feel free to contact us at 554-5144 to get more information such as exact blocks, dates and times.
Resolution Creating National Hispanic Hepatitis Awareness Day
I introduced a resolution declaring May 15th as National Hispanic Hepatitis Awareness Day in order to raise attention about the prevalence of this disease; especially in the Latino community. Over 5 million Americans are living with chronic Hepatitis B and C. Upwards of 75% of those individuals do not know they are infected. Among all ethnic groups, Latinos and Latinas have the second highest rate of hepatitis A and Latino and Latina adults age 40 and over are 30% more likely than other ethnic groups to develop hepatitis B. We are lucky to have innovative and effective programs in San Francisco in order to treat people infected with Hepatitis and prevent the spread of the disease.
On Thursday, May 16, 2013, Health Educators and Counselors are available to answer questions about the disease and to make references for testing. Visit the Mission Community Market anytime from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
The Best Career Advice
I recently participated in a viral video project sponsored by Jewish Vocational Services where I shared the best career advice I have ever received. The short video is available on YouTube. Check out the link here.
