Pro-Choice, Rent Control, Nancy Wilson

One of those days when everything is happening on the same day:

January 19th Roe v. Wade 35th Anniversary March in San Francisco. Thirty five years ago I was walking down the street in San Francisco with notes in my hand about a meeting as a member of NOW in regards to legalizing abortion. It was exhilarating to learn that Roe v. Wade came through from the Supreme Court. 35 years later I go to show my support for pro- choice and I feel like I am in a "time warp".

First of all I went to the wrong rally, there was the anti-choice rally going on the other side of Ferry Building (huge crowd) with signs that were chilling and not like any other that I have ever seen in San Francisco. At the Pro-Choice rally the rhetoric was like going back to the 70's - anti-government, anti-man (I thought we had gone through that already?)

Then Cindy Sheehan spoke who is running for Congress against Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi. She looked younger and thinner than I expected. The first words out of her mouth were I am running for Congress in the 8th District "please vote for me". Cindy, that's not what it is all about - it is about San Francisco!!!

Bought a Roe v. Wade Anniversary campaign button and left , it was too depressing to listen to anymore .

Save Rent Control Tenant Convention Agenda at 474 Valencia Street, San Francisco. The room was jammed packed with people The meeting was held with a specific agenda in place to set up a campaign structure to fight the anti-rent measure. The pro-rent control side had to put a competing eminent domain measure on the ballot to counteract the anti-rent measure. This is a very complicated issue, it is also an extremely important to all Californians because we could loose rent control which would not only effect renters but would change San Francisco forever.

Ted Gullickesen explained the two ballot measurements:

Government Acquisition, Regulation of Private local government: Property, Constitutional Amendment.

Bars state and local governments from condemning or damaging private property for private uses. Prohibits rent control and similar measures. Prohibits deference to government in property rights cases. Defines "just compensation". Requires an award of attorney fees and costs if a property owner obtains a judgment for more than the amount offered by the government. Requires condemned price when property is put to substantially different use than was publicly stated. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: Increased costs to many governments due to the measure's restrictions. The fiscal effect on most governments probably would not be significant. (Initiative 07-0015) It is anticipated this will be Proposition 98.

The competing Eminent Domain Measure Which Saves Rent control

Eminent Domain. Acquisition of Owner-Occupied Residence. Constitutional Amendment.

Bars state and local governments from using eminent domain to acquire an owner-occupied residence, as defined, for conveyance to a private person or business entity. Creates exceptions for public work or improvement, public health and safety protection, and crime prevention. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: The measure would likely not have significant fiscal impact on state or local governments (Initiative 07-0018). It is anticipated that this will be Proposition 99.

The above information given out as a handout at the meeting.

State Senator Migden, Assemblyman Mark Leno, Supervisor Tom Ammiano and Supervisor Gerardo Sandoval spoke. Of course Robert Pender was there along with Robert Haaland, Rafael Mandelman, Mark Sanchez, David Campos, Tommi Avicolli-Mecca and Sasaneh Solaimani. Many people had very sad stories to to tell about being evicted - this is a very scary ballot measure - especially for people who do not have a lot of money. As soon as I receive more information I will post the information on this blog.

Nancy Wilson

Saw legendary song stylist Nancy Wilson at the Hearst Theatre. Nancy Wilson is beautiful, my favorite singer. She is 70 years old (does not look like it!) - the crowd was very eloquent in black drinking here champagne and wine before going in. The Hearst Theatre is a perfect place to hear performers. I was thrilled that she sang my favorite song "Guess Who I Saw Today" and a moving "Those Golden Years". It was an honor to be there last night.