by Bob Brigham [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

I'm down at San Francisco City Hall for a special meeting of the Rules Committee to consider putting the San Francisco Clean Energy Act on the Novermber 2008 ballot. The act would:

• Establish San Francisco as a green leader in the movement from fossil fuels with a mandate for 100% clean, renewable energy by 2040
• Create a Ratepayer Advocate (an analysis shows rates could be cut by 20% with $18 million annual surplus for the general fund)
• Make a smart investment in Green Collar workforce development

Tim Redmond goes more in-depth at the SFBG. Clearly, relying on PG&E guarantees that they will focusing on greenwashing instead of renewables, profits over safety, and we'll continue to have their lack of investment in infrastructure result in explosions and flying manhole covers while their fossil fuel reliance contributes to climate change.

Last summer, the northwest passage opened up. This summer the North Pole may not even be covered in ice. The time for bold action is now, yet the Chamber of Commerce and PG&E are already trying to scare people with made-up numbers to protect their profits.

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

You know the drill:

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Poll Shows Strong Support for Legislation Introduced for Californians to Earn Time Off to Recover from Illness or Care for Sick Family Members

By Frank D. Russo

Assemblymember Fiona Ma, backed by a coalition including the California Labor Federation and a number of statewide organizations, has introduced AB 2716, which would make California the first state in the nation to ensure paid sick days for all workers. Under Ma’s bill, workers would earn paid sick days, which they can use for personal illness, family medical issues and to recover from domestic violence or assault. Maine, Massachusetts, Ohio and Washington DC, are considering similar legislation.

Right now, nearly six million working Californians currently receive zero paid sick days through their employers.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Ted Gullicksen
San Francisco Tenants Union

For more than 30 years, the San Francisco Tenants Union has defended renters in San Francisco against attacks by landlords who want to eliminate affordable housing in our city. There is a dangerous measure currently circulating for signatures to qualify for the June 2008 ballot that would undo all of our hard work.

That’s why our organization helped to organize a rally Wednesday outside the San Francisco City Hall to protest this dangerous measure. More than 100 renters, tenants’ advocates, affordable housing advocates, seniors, environmentalists, labor advocates and others were joined by Assemblyman Mark Leno and Senator Carole Migden and San Francisco PUC Commissioner Susan Leal. All voiced opposition to the Hidden Agendas measure and highlighted the landlords’ very real and very devious intentions.