Newsom Endorses San Francisco Mayor Lurie's Three Charter Amendments: Propositions D, E and F Go to Voters on November 3
California Governor Gavin Newsom endorsed three San Francisco charter amendments backed by Mayor Daniel Lurie on Friday, October 23, according to San Francisco Focal's October 24 report, less than two weeks before voters decide on the proposals in the November 3 election. The three measures are Propositions D, E and F.
The proposals form Mayor Lurie's City Hall reform package. Proposition D would make it harder for measures to qualify for the local ballot, including raising the signature requirement for citizen-led initiatives from 2 percent to 8 percent of voters and increasing the number of supervisors needed to place a measure on the ballot. Proposition E would give the city administrator greater authority over government contracting rules, reduce the number of contracts subject to Board of Supervisors review, and extend the city administrator's term from five years to ten. Proposition F would increase the mayor's control over city departments and commissions, including, according to related reporting, allowing the mayor to dismiss Police Commission appointees without board approval.
Newsom said the measures would reduce bureaucracy and improve accountability. Lurie said in a statement that the governor understood the obstacles San Francisco's government faces in trying to make progress. According to San Francisco Focal, the proposals have attracted roughly $13 million in election spending, most of it from a few dozen wealthy donors contributing six-figure sums, and the changes would amount to the most significant revision of San Francisco's charter in 30 years. Supporters promote them as a way to improve City Hall, while opponents warn against concentrating power in the mayor's office.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 黄昏时分的旧金山（San Francisco）市政厅与市政中心全景。照片：Wikimedia Commons 共享资源，CC 授权（裁切版）
