Mayoral Candidates & Issues Forum
September 14, 2003, 2:30-4:30 PM
First Chinese Baptist Church, San Francisco
Issues and Questions to the Candidates
1. Health, Psychological and Social Services for Children
Not all Asian children are model students. In fact, Southeast Asian students represent the largest percentage of drop-outs and a significant number of these may end up in our correctional system.
In 2002, the Superintendent of the San Francisco Unified District reinstated 10 social workers in 10 elementary schools. These social workers are working with students and their families in an effort to keep the students in school. However, there are a total of 78 elementary schools in the city leaving 68 without social workers and nurses.
We know that the school district is using funds from the National Association of Social Workers Endowment that was matched with a generous donation from a member of this church. Would you commit to using additional city funds in order to double the number of social workers in San Francisco’s elementary schools?
2. Clean Money for Elections
We acknowledge the cost of running for public office today is very expensive. But receiving large sums of contributions from special interest groups leads all candidates to favor those who made contributions to them. As mayor, we believe you need to represent the interests of all groups regardless of whether they supported you financially or not. In the name of democracy and in our religious commitment to advocate for those who are poor and alienated, we believe that it is crucial that City Hall represents also those in our city who were unable to support you financially not because they were unwilling but perhaps they are poor.
The courts have ruled that donating money to candidates constitutes free speech protected by the Constitution. Would you support the idea of all campaign financing in San Francisco coming from public sources in the future? Are you familiar with the highly successful campaign reforms enacted in Maine and Arizona?
How can you reconcile taking large contributions from wealthy corporations while still addressing the interests of the poor, the immigrant, those not capable of contributing to political campaigns?
3. No Glass Ceiling for Asian Americans in School District and City Government
While Asian students comprise 40% of the student population, they along with Latinos are significantly underrepresented in the Superintendent’s Executive Leadership Team following the Superintendent’s recent restructuring of the central office. Without adequate numbers of Asian Americans in leadership positions to understand the needs and problems facing Asian American families, we are concerned for quality education of our children.
Would you commit the power of your office to increase the appointment of more Asian Americans on the Leadership Team of the SFUSD?
The number of Asian Americans in San Francisco is 34% but the employment and appointments of Asian Americans in the city’s departments, boards, and commissions do not reflect the population. Will you increase the appointment of more Asian Americans in these positions to reflect the population of the city? Would you provide us with a written report on how you will promote the employment and appointments of more Asian Americans within 90 days after taking office? Would you commit today your opposition to Prop 54 that prohibits against classifying by race?
What role, if any, do you see this coalition of Chinese churches and parishes in Chinatown have in the building of your city administration?
4. Universal Health Care
Many Chinese residents show up in the emergency room without any form of medical insurance. SB 921 in the state legislature would make medical insurance available to all Californians. Would you introduce a resolution to the Board of Supervisors to support legislation for universal health care on behalf of all San Franciscans?
Would you commit today that you would not cut any funding for Chinatown Public Health during your administration?
5. Community Welfare—Affordable Housing & Transportation
Did you support the Prop. B affordable housing bond? Would you co-sponsor a similar bond in 2004?
The Central Subway Project would ease the daily traffic congestion and solve the insufficient public transportation on Stockton Street in Chinatown. How would you support the development of the Central Subway to Chinatown and guarantee or advocate funding this? Would you make a commitment today to support the Central Subway Project?