Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced the dates for community engagement events to get the public more involved in the City’s budget process and hear from residents about their budget priorities to build a balanced two-year budget for San Francisco. Mayor Lee will co-host District-based Budget Town Halls with members of the Board of Supervisors and provide other forums to hear from San Franciscans about their budget priorities and ideas.

“We are excited to hear directly from our residents about their top priorities on issues that matter the most to them,” said Mayor Lee. “We must craft a balanced budget that keeps our City on a steady course of continued fiscal stability, stimulate the local economy, create good jobs, invest in key capital and infrastructure improvements, as well as address long term challenges identified in the proposed Five Year Financial Plan and ensure that San Franciscans can access City services they need.” Read more.

Mayor Edwin M. Lee today cut the ribbon on the new Fire Station One, located at 935 Folsom Street in the South of Market neighborhood, which is the first new San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) fire station in more than forty years. The new Fire Station One is a result of a public-private partnership between the City and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) from 2010 and is part of the City’s plan to rebuild San Francisco’s aging public infrastructure and to protect the safety of its residents.

“Investing in our City’s public safety infrastructure is critical to providing unparalleled services to residents in need 24 hours a day and being prepared for any emergency or disaster response,” said Mayor Lee. “Our City’s partnership with SFMOMA made it possible to make this vital capital improvement to San Francisco’s infrastructure. This new Fire Station One services a growing and transforming neighborhood in our City and meets the needs of our residents.” Read more.

Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced that the City’s successful solar initiative, GoSolarSF, will receive an additional $2 million in funding for the fiscal year 2013-2014. The additional allocation will increase the total funds available for GoSolarSF financial incentives starting July 1, 2013 to $4 million. GoSolarSF funds will be available for all incentive categories, which include residential, low-income residential, business and non-profit.

“GoSolarSF has shown a proven track-record of success and has created more than 100 jobs for San Franciscans while jump-starting our own local solar industry,” said Mayor Lee. “Today, our City is a leader in clean energy because we’re reducing greenhouse gas emissions, in part, by generating more and more of our energy locally from rooftop-installed solar arrays.”

GoSolarSF is a program run by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) that provides incentives for San Francisco residents, businesses and non-profits to install solar panels on their property. Read more.

Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced his appointment of Katy Tang to the District 4 Supervisor's seat that will be vacated on February 27^th by Supervisor Carmen Chu when she is sworn in as San Francisco's newest Assessor-Recorder.

"I am very proud to appoint Katy Tang as the new Supervisor for District Four to continue the good work and leadership that Carmen Chu has provided for so many years," said Mayor Lee. "As a lifelong resident of the district who has worked alongside Carmen Chu on all the key projects and concerns facing the district, I know Katy will be a strong advocate for the District's families and small businesses and be a great Supervisor for San Francisco." Read more.

Mayor Edwin M. Lee today launched an online tool to help new businesses navigate the City's permitting and licensing requirements. License 123 is an easy-to-use tool that allows entrepreneurs and small business owners to access permits and licenses at one convenient site, instead of contacting several City agencies, as they open a new business in San Francisco.

"Small businesses are the heart and soul of our economy and a significant job creator," said Mayor Lee. "This new tool is a great example of how we are using technology and innovation to make government more responsive and efficient to help our businesses grow and succeed in our City." Read more.