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Thumbnail image for The Chiu-Herrera Reforms

The Chiu-Herrera Reforms

by Larry Bush 05.10.2013

It may be no coincidence that the last time San Francisco forced ethics reforms on City Hall was during Willie Brown’s term as mayor. At that time, Brown’s administration was pockmarked by the influence of political consultants and lobbyists, from his former aide Billy Rutland to his campaign strategist Jack Davis. A cadre of political [...]

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Thumbnail image for Open Letter to Ethics Commissioners: Get to Work!

Open Letter to Ethics Commissioners: Get to Work!

by Larry Bush 05.09.2013

(Following a Harvey Rose report comparing Los Angeles and San Francisco Ethics Commissions for policies and practices, as requested by Supervisor David Campos, the Board’s Rules Committee directed Ethics to hold hearings on the report. That was in June. Eleven months later Ethics has yet to hold a commission meeting on the report. Two earlier [...]

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Thumbnail image for Ethics: Kill this Reform Review, say former Ethics Commissioners, Community advocates

Ethics: Kill this Reform Review, say former Ethics Commissioners, Community advocates

by Larry Bush 12.04.2012

(Image courtesy of Luke Thomas/FogCityJournal) A formal protest was lodged today with the Ethics Commission regarding their handling of tonight’s public process to consider recommendations from the Board Budget Analyst based on comparisons with the LA Ethics Commission. This letter, signed by six past Ethics Commissioners, an award-winning former Ethics enforcement officer, past head of [...]

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Thumbnail image for Gascon to Ross: Do What I Say, Not What I Do

Gascon to Ross: Do What I Say, Not What I Do

by Larry Bush 10.11.2012

District Attorney George Gascon, who has the worst enforcement record on domestic violence cases in the Bay Area — dropping 6,200 out of 8,600 cases in recent years — now would like reinstated Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi to abandon his sheriff’s duties to oversee programs and responsibilities regarding domestic violence at the sheriff’s department. “I am [...]

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Thumbnail image for UPDATE: SFDCCC Contributions Top $444,000 +

UPDATE: SFDCCC Contributions Top $444,000 +

by Larry Bush 06.04.2012

As voters cast ballots today, last minute reporting of contributions to DCCC candidates has raised the total by another $30,000 and changed the line-up of top contributors and top candidate fundraising. These figures can not be considered final for two main reasons: late filings only tally those of $1,000 or more so these figures do [...]

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Thumbnail image for Part II — The Willie Brown Money Machine

Part II — The Willie Brown Money Machine

by Larry Bush 04.03.2012

(photo of Mayor Ed Lee and former Mayor Willie Brown courtesy of Luke Thomas/Fog City Journal) PART TWO Brown-Lee Partnership Spells Money, Also Trouble As Mayor, Brown was viewed by many – including federal investigators – as playing fast and loose with city contracts going to contributors and allies. This March, Brown’s controversial handling of [...]

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Thumbnail image for Disabled Forgotten in Commission Appointments

Disabled Forgotten in Commission Appointments

by Larry Bush 03.09.2012

City report also urges stronger Sunshine on appointees Disabled individuals serve on only two out of 51 city commissions, according to a recent report from the Commission on the Status of Women. They are the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Mental Health Board.  Figures suggest that about 11 percent of San Franciscans are considered to [...]

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Thumbnail image for Lobbyists Turn Millions Into Billions

Lobbyists Turn Millions Into Billions

by Larry Bush 02.22.2012

Lobbying in San Francisco takes place in a shadowy world, one where virtually no enforcement compels compliance with city ethics laws and one where the ethics laws themselves have gaping loopholes. For all that, it is big business – for the lobbyists, for their clients, and for its impact on taxpayers. It also appears to [...]

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Thumbnail image for Journalists’ Group Honors CitiReport, First Amendment Champions

Journalists’ Group Honors CitiReport, First Amendment Champions

by Larry Bush 02.22.2012

The Society of Professional Journalists, Northern California chapter, will honor champions of the First Amendment at the 27th annual James Madison Awards Banquet on Thursday, March 15, at the City Club of San Francisco. The James Madison Freedom of Information Awards is named for the creative force behind the First Amendment and honors local journalists, [...]

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Thumbnail image for 51 Who Broke the Contribution Cap…so far

51 Who Broke the Contribution Cap…so far

by Larry Bush 01.12.2012

In the world of San Francisco political contributions, there can be too much of a good thing. San Francisco law aimed at curbing the tilt toward big money contributors caps donor contributions to candidates at $500. Less well known – in fact, virtually unknown – San Francisco law also caps the total amount that can [...]

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