LWV League of Women Voters of California
San Francisco County, CA November 7, 2000 Election
Smart Voter Political Philosophy for Aaron Peskin

Candidate for
Supervisor; City of San Francisco; District 3

[photo]
This information is provided by the candidate

Aaron Peskin is President of the 700-member Telegraph Hill Dwellers Association (identification purposes only). As a neighborhood leader, he has successfully opposed chain stores, protected parks, preserved historic buildings and improved Bay water quality safeguards. Aaron will fight as Supervisor to protect the unique character of San Francisco.

  • Re-establish the Planning Department as a regulatory agency rather than a rubber stamp for development
  • Control the proliferation of chain stores in neighborhoods and support small, locally-owned businesses
  • Strengthen Prop M limits on dot-com office space development, especially in residential neighborhoods
  • Improve City's track record on historic preservation Support the ecological Bay Center at Pier 45 instead of the tourist theme park proposed by out-of-town developers

TENANT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Aaron Peskin has helped tenants fight Ellis Act evictions and wrongful demolition of housing. As Supervisor, Aaron will stand up for tenants, families, artists and non-profits being driven out of San Francisco, not the special interests who are spending millions to keep their handpicked Supervisors working for them down at City Hall.

  • Strengthen protection for senior and low-income tenants
  • Stop making tenants pay 100% of capital improvement costs
  • Increase the affordable and low-income housing requirements for new multi-unit developments
  • Preserve affordable rentals by expanding limits on condo conversions
  • Require "live-work" developers to pay into affordable housing funds just like residential builders

CORRUPTION, CRONYISM AND CAMPAIGN REFORM

Aaron Peskin is completely independent of the political machine down at City Hall. He campaigned for the Sunshine Ordinance. As Supervisor, Aaron will fight for campaign and governmental reforms.

  • Create new office of Inspector General with independent powers to investigate and prosecute corruption
  • Reform the Human Rights Commission and ensure fairness in minority contracting
  • Enact contribution limits for "soft money" special interest campaigns

CIVIL RIGHTS, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY

A reform member of the San Francisco Democratic Central Committee, Aaron Peskin is committed to civil rights and equal protection for all people. He is 100% pro-choice, supports gay marriage, and fights for improved access for people with disabilities. As Supervisor, Aaron will work to ensure that people of all races, ethnic and cultural backgrounds have equal access to schools, jobs and city services.

  • Protect the character of our District 3 ethnic neighborhoods
  • Reform the Human Rights Commission to make it a tool for affirmative action, and not a target for FBI investigations
  • Expand and enforce hate crime legislation to protect cultural and ethnic minorities
  • Ensure that HIV/AIDS services are fully funded and support domestic partners benefits
  • Protect Newcomer High School for immigrants

TRANSPORTATION AND SAFETY

A lifelong environmentalist, Aaron is a strong advocate of public and alternative transit. He supported Proposition E, the Muni reform initiative. Aaron is a voice we can count on to make transit and public safety a priority in City Hall.

  • Jumpstart extension of the 3rd Street Rail down Stockton to Fisherman's Wharf
  • Demand on-time implementation of Muni reforms passed by voters last year
  • Create an intensive, multi-language educational program to promote pedestrian safety
  • Put more police in our neighborhoods, not just stationed downtown

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ca/sf Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 23, 2000 13:52
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