Election Results Set Tone for November – The Chamber’s ballot positions carried the day on the majority of initiatives it endorsed in Tuesday’s Primary Election including Prop 14 (Open Primaries), Measure B (Earthquake Safety and Emergency Response Bond), Measure C (Pension Cost Reform), Measure G (High Speed Rail to Transbay Transit Center) and others. “San Francisco voters showed they are serious about investing in our city’s future while reining in government spending,” said Chamber Senior Vice President, Jim Lazarus. “As we move towards the General Election this November, we are confident voters will continue to prioritize job creation and economic recovery.” The Chamber will keep members updated on business issues appearing on the November General Election Ballot. Click here to view the California Primary Election Results.
Supervisor Elsbernd at the Chamber – Chamber members heard from District 7 Supervisor Sean Elsbernd last Thursday at SUPES for Lunch. Supervisor Elsbernd discussed the Mayor’s $6.48 billion budget proposal, Muni reform, and potential tax measures on the November General Election Ballot. As the author of the Chamber-supported Muni Operator Wage measure, Elsbernd discussed the need to remove salary and benefit language from the City Charter and provided an update on signature gathering efforts. “We’re putting service first and riders at the negotiation table,” he said of the measure. “The political challenge is collecting the signatures,” he said. “If this [Muni] measure qualifies, it will pass.” Volunteers can sign-up to help gather signatures at http://fixmuninow.com.
Bayview-Hunters Point Shipyard Redevelopment Moves Forward – The job-boosting Bayview-Hunters Point Shipyard Redevelopment project cleared a major hurdle last Thursday, when the planning and redevelopment commission approved the project’s environmental impact report (EIR) and development agreement. The Chamber-supported Shipyard project developed by Lennar is estimated to create 10,730 permanent and 1,519 construction jobs, $27 million in net revenue to the city each year, and unprecedented housing, office, retail and open space meeting the highest standards of environmental sustainability. The redevelopment plan will now move to the full Board of Supervisors for final approval. Chamber members can show their support for the project by connecting with the Bayview-Hunters Point Shipyard on Facebook. Read more 
San Francisco Named Smartest City in America – San Francisco is named the “smartest city in America” in a new analysis by economics prodigy Rob Pitingolo based on educational attainment density – the number of people with college or graduate degrees per square mile. Pitingolo theorizes that clusters of smart people lead to higher levels of collaboration and innovation. Data recently released by the San Francisco Center for Economic Development (SFCED) support this, with more venture capital dollars flowing into San Francisco’s innovation economy than anywhere in the nation during the first quarter of 2010 despite global economic conditions. “The City’s efforts in fostering and creating one of the most dynamic bioscience hubs in the country, if not the world, in the Mission Bay has been a large part of this success,” Chamber Vice President of Public Policy Rob Black told the San Francisco Examiner. Read more
Civil Sidewalks Will Go to the Voters – Mayor Gavin Newsom re-affirmed that he will use his executive power to place the Civil Sidewalks ordinance on the November General Election ballot following the Board of Supervisors vote on Tuesday rejecting the measure. “The Board of Supervisors failed to act, so the voters will do this on our own,” said Chamber President & CEO Steve Falk. The Chamber-supported measure will help make sidewalks safer for residents and commerce by prohibiting individuals from sitting or lying on public sidewalks during busy hours. The Chamber will continue to work with neighborhood merchants across the city to support the measure. Chamber members can get involved by connecting to Civil Sidewalks on Facebook or visiting http://civilsidewalks.com.
| |
|
|
 |
|
Save on Human Resources Solutions |
The Chamber has partnered with California’s preeminent Human Resources expert, Employers Group, to help members understand the complexities of state employment laws, mitigate risk, manage the compliance burden, define priorities and minimize costs. Chamber members receive a 60 day trial of Employers Group membership for $19.99. Contact Ryan Seals at rseals@employersgroup.com or 213.765-.3908. Read more and Register Online 
| |
|
|
 |
|
Maximize Chamber Membership
With the Ambassadors Club |
Join the Ambassadors Club to help promote Chamber membership to new and prospective members, while actively extending your business contacts and the visibility of your company. Ambassadors are member volunteers who attend Chamber events and monthly Club meetings every third Wednesday of the month in the Chamber boardroom from 4-5:30 pm. Contact Paula Zamudio at pzamudio@sfchamber.com or 415-352-8818. Read more
|
