5/29/09 – Today RecoverySF.org  launched a new pilot feature that allows the public to suggest and vote on ideas related to stimulus funding investments. The ‘Vote on Ideas’ feature is part of the city’s continuing efforts to engage with the community through new channels. The RecoverySF Online Discussion  is a web application that allows you to submit and vote on ideas for specific topics related to the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The goal is to harness the collective intelligence of our community to help shape local ARRA investments.

This technology platform allows residents to submit ideas, discuss and refine others' ideas, and vote the best ones to the top. We are seeking innovative approaches to policy, tools, programs, technology relating to ARRA.  We will provide specific topics related to ARRA that will help focus the discussion. Specifically for grants and initiatives where we have flexibility and investment options. Our first question is: What ideas, tools, programs and approaches can help expand broadband access and adoption in underserved areas, expand the capacity of public computing centers and improve access to broadband by public safety agencies?
 
“Providing residents with tools that leverage the wisdom of our community is an exciting opportunity for San Francisco to continue our long tradition of innovation and creativity,” said Mayor Newsom. “With this collaborative pilot with the public, we are making a difference by utilizing simple and zero-cost tools to better compete for and allocate ARRA funding.”

“Dealing with the paramount issues at hand requires direct participation and partnership with our community. The city understands this and is piloting a new avenue for public discourse. We encourage everyone to participate in these discussions to help promote creative solutions to the daunting challenges and opportunities we face,” said Kyri McClellan, Stimulus Czar.

05/26/09 - California at its best is a beacon of equal rights and equal opportunities. If we want to prosper together, we must respect each other. That’s why we must resolve to overturn this decision. Let this work start today.

It is up to every single one of us who supports marriage equality to reach out to those who still disagree with our position and have a personal conversation about why it is so important to treat every Californian equally.

Across the nation, states like Iowa, Connecticut and Massachusetts are recognizing that separate can never be equal under the eyes of the law. We must all do our part to make sure California joins in this march toward equality.

Let’s be respectful. But let’s be clear. We must start changing minds today. I know many of my fellow Californians may initially agree with this ruling, but I ask them to reserve final judgment until they have discussed this decision with someone who will be affected by it.  Read more

For more information about this ruling visit the Supreme Court of California's website.

05/21/09 - Mayor Newsom today announced results of The Family Independence Initiative (FII) pilot project in San Francisco. The Family Independence Initiative (FII) is designed to help low-income families achieve self-sufficiency. FII provides computers and access to small amounts of capital to low income families that create their own goals and meet them.

"The Family Independence Initiative is proving that if we re-think our efforts to alleviate poverty, we can change lives and help low-income families be more self-sufficient," said Mayor Newsom. "I am particularly impressed with how quickly we are seeing results. Families that have gone through the program are buying homes, reducing their debt, and going off of welfare and food stamps -- and it's taking place organically through these micro-payment incentives. It really shows what is possible when you incentivize self-improvement with small amounts of targeted funds." Read More.

In observation of Earth Day, Mayor Gavin Newsom announced EcoMap San Francisco, an Internet-based tool that gives San Franciscans the ability to see the collective results of their individual climate change actions, while also motivating people to make responsible environmental choices. EcoMap provides information on carbon emissions from transportation, energy and waste, organized by San Francisco zip codes to create competition among neighborhoods to reduce their carbon footprint. Read more.