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LWV League of Women Voters of California
San Francisco, San Mateo County, CA March 5, 2002 Election
Smart Voter Political Philosophy for Leland Yee

Candidate for
Member; California State Assembly; District 12; Democratic Party

This information is provided by the candidate

As a San Francisco Supervisor for the past six years, I have fought big money and lobbyists at City Hall to protect our families, neighborhoods and tax dollars. I have worked hard to make government work for the people of San Francisco in my 13 years of public life, on the Board of Supervisors and the Board of Education. I will continue to fight for fiscal responsibility, families, health care and education as San Francisco's representative in the State Assembly.

To give you some information about the issues I am concerned about, I am including some of the accomplishments I am proud of in my years of public service:

FOR OUR FAMILIES

  • Passed Family-focused Budget. As Finance Chair, I passed the budget called "One of the best ever for children, youth and families." (Coleman Advocates for Youth)

  • Improved Quality of Education. As a two-term member of the School Board, I reduced class sizes, modernized textbooks and added more class time for our middle school kids.

  • Fought to Expand Day and Child Care. I worked for many years to increase funding for childcare and to expand family day care programs.

  • Increased Childcare Training and Wages. I have fought for improved training and better wages for childcare workers.

  • Protected our Children from Tobacco. I am proud to have co-sponsored and passed a law limiting tobacco advertising near schools. After a long battle, at least $1 million in annual funding went to youth tobacco education, prevention and control programs.

  • Opened New Schools. I guided the rebuilding and opening of two Elementary Schools in my district, District 4.

  • Founded Annual Parent Fair. I founded an annual Parent Fair that informs families about education and arts programs available in San Francisco.

  • Fought for Youth Recreation. I won funding for youth recreation, opened gyms for basketball and secured new computers with Internet access for my District's libraries.

  • Safeguarded Children from Alcohol. I authored and passed a resolution to oppose the issuance of liquor licenses to businesses within 600 feet of a schools.

  • Stopped School Closure. I stopped a proposal to close Newcomer High School for school district office space.

FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOODS
  • Added Police to Our Streets. To improve public safety, I added 400 new Police Officers in two years. Crime dropped 20% in my district, the largest drop of any district in San Francisco.

  • Protected More Firefighters. I put more firefighters on the street and dedicated $1.9 million to improve the safety of their uniforms.

  • Brought City Hall to our Neighborhoods. I was the first Chair of the Finance Committee to hold budget meetings in San Francisco neighborhoods.

  • Opened School-based Family Services. I developed the pioneering "Integrated Services Model," which opened schools in the day and evening to provide tutoring, adult education, child care, sports, counseling and health services for families.

  • Fought for Seniors, Children and Families. I stood up for budget reforms that improved services for San Francisco's neediest: seniors, children and families.

  • Froze Sewer and Water Rates until 2006. I sponsored and passed the initiative that froze sewer and water rates from 1998 to 2006.

  • Key Sponsor of Neighborhood Notification. I authored and passed the innovative "Chain Store Truth Disclosure Act" that requires businesses that apply for permits to reveal the true name under which they plan to operate.

  • Protected Our Neighborhoods. I passed Proposition I that requires neighborhood to be notified prior to placement of a homeless shelter or halfway house.

  • Cleaned up Our Neighborhoods. I created a task force to deal with hate crimes, vandalism and graffiti in my District, and held numerous town hall meetings with constituents to address the issue.

  • Brought Neighborhoods Together. I joined with neighbors to battle unwanted chain stores in North Beach, Sunset, West Portal, Hayes Valley, Visitation Valley and other neighborhoods.

  • Made 911 Safer. I fought to increase multi-lingual capacity of the City's 911 system.

FOR OUR TAX DOLLARS "Fiscal Pit Bull." "A fiscal Pit Bull" is how one San Francisco reporter summed up my lifelong record of cutting waste, shining the spotlight on abuse and protecting taxpayers.

  • Created Largest Rainy Day Budget. I created the largest rainy day budget in San Francisco as Chair of the Finance Committee. This reserve has been very helpful today in surviving the recent economic downturn.

  • Fought For Campaign Reforms. Only one of three Supervisors, I voted for tough soft money campaign reforms.

  • Voted Against Double Charging ATM Fees. I voted to prohibit banks from double charging consumers on ATM fees.

  • Helped Local Business. I fought to help San Francisco businesses by including all tax revenue generated from government payments to businesses as a consideration in figuring out low bidder on city contracts.

  • Helped Pass Sunshine Law. I am proud to have sponsored and helped pass the Sunshine Ordinance.

  • Cleaned Up Red Tape. As Chair of the Finance Committee, I led the battle against overtime and workmen's compensation abuse, implementing holdbacks to force greater accountability from departments.

  • Passed Bond Accountability Act. I introduced and passed the General Obligation Bond Accountability Act that compels each government entity to report on fiscal expenditures and project status.

  • Protected Tax Dollars and Public Safety. I pushed for overtime reforms for City employees that would save money and ensure public safety.

  • Independent Voice for Change. I was the only Supervisor to oppose a plan to scrap the low bidder requirement for certain City contracts.

  • Implemented Financial Audits for Schools. As School Board President, I ordered performance & financial audits of all schools, departments & programs in the SFUSD.

  • Established School Budget Committee. As a School Board member, I established a Budget Committee to monitor the School District's finances and caused the district to establish performance standards & financial disclosures when awarding instructional & facilities contracts.

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: February 15, 2002 09:26
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