PRESS RELEASE
Contact: For release:
John St. Croix January 15, 2008
(415) 252-3100
SUMMARY OF ACTIONS TAKEN AT JANUARY 14, 2008 MEETING
At its meeting on January 14, 2008, the San Francisco Ethics Commission took the following actions:
- Initially adopted by a 5-0 vote the draft Statement of Incompatible Activities (“SIAs”) for the Human Rights Commission. Under the law, the City will engage in meet and confer sessions with the affected unions prior to final adoption of the SIA by the Commission.
- Approved by a 5-0 vote a resolution declaring that the Commission’s responsibilities in In the Matter of Charges Against Edmund Jew, Member, San Francisco Board of Supervisors, District 4, are completed in light of the resignation of Mr. Jew and the dismissal of the Mayor’s charges against Mr. Jew. The Commission also thanked its pro bono attorneys, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, particularly Melinda Haag and her associates.
- Approved several substantive and technical amendments to regulations to the Campaign Finance Reform Ordinance, San Francisco Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code section 1.100 et seq. (“CFRO”), generally relating to implementation of the public finance program for the Board of Supervisors. (The Commission considered but did not approve proposed regulations governing section 1.113 regarding to disclosure requirements during the signature gathering period for initiatives, referenda and recalls.) Regulations adopted by the Ethics Commission become effective 60 days after the date of their adoption unless before the expiration of the 60-day period, two-thirds of all members of the Board of Supervisors vote to veto the regulations.
- Approved by a vote of 5-0, proposed technical amendments to the CFRO relating to the public finance program. Under section 1.103 of the CFRO, the Board of Supervisors may amend the law if the amendments further the law’s purposes, the Ethics Commission approves the proposed amendments in advance by at least a four-fifths vote of all its members, the proposed amendments are available for public review at least 30 days before the amendments are considered by the Board or any of its committees, and the Board approves the proposed amendments by at least a two-thirds vote of all its members.
- Approved by a 5-0 vote a proposed budget for FY 2008-2009 that seeks $472,200 in additional funding for staff salaries, mandatory fringe benefits, training, professional services and miscellaneous expenses.
- Considered but did not adopt a proposed annual report for FY 2006-2007.
The Commission’s next regular meeting will be held on Monday, February 11, 2008, at 5:30 p.m. in Room 408 City Hall.
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The Ethics Commission, established in November 1993, serves the public, City employees and officials and candidates for public office through education and enforcement of ethics laws. Its duties include: filing and auditing of campaign finance disclosure statements, lobbyist and campaign consultant registration and regulation, administration of the public financing program, whistleblower program, conflict of interest reporting, investigations and enforcement, education and training, advice giving and statistical reporting.