School’s out, sun’s out! Congratulations to all of the recent graduates and promotions over the past month. I send a heartfelt thank you to all of our educators for your service and for getting our students to the finish line this academic year.
June is always a busy month every year, with budget and ballot deadlines looming. If you want to weigh in on the City’s budget negotiations this year, there will be an entire day of public comment at the Budget & Appropriations Committee on Monday, June 24th starting at 10:00 am in Room 250 at City Hall. The Mayor has proposed cutting many essential services in our neighborhoods citywide, and your input is critical.
Additionally, June has been busy with ballot measure preparations for the November election, where we will have an opportunity to address some of San Francisco’s most pressing issues. I have co-authored a Charter Amendment to strengthen public safety by staffing up the Police Department with retired multilingual foot patrol officers who grew up in the community and want to come back and serve in their neighborhoods. San Francisco deserves a diverse and community-focused police force with the robust staffing required to implement the long-promised but never-realized goal of true community policing. I have also introduced a Charter Amendment to create a City Inspector General, who would work to eliminate corruption and rebuild public trust, at no additional cost to taxpayers. And I have crafted a Charter Amendment to help low-income seniors, families and people with disabilities qualify for affordable housing . Finally, good government groups have brought proposals to my office to reform the Redistricting Process in alignment with state mandates, as well as create a data-driven public process for reforming our Commission structure. These measures will be discussed extensively at the Rules Committee later this month and in July. We’ll keep you posted on the schedule. |
Finally, we’re kicking off the summer and the warm weather with plenty of events in June. See you at the SF Black Wall Street Juneteeth Gala tonight and the 70th North Beach Festival this weekend! Or sign up and join me at the Pride Parade. And Happy Juneteenth!
See you in the neighborhood,
Aaron |
When the Mayor cut essential healthcare facilities out of the Public Health Bond in order to prioritize non-emergency upgrades, I joined with the Harvey Milk Club, doctors, and nurses to push back. After months of negotiations, I am proud to have ensured that critical funding was restored to the November Bond . I fought to ensure both the San Francisco City Clinic, which provides free basic healthcare services for homeless, low-income, and LGBTQ+ patients, and the Chinatown Public Health Center will get the critically needed upgrades and rebuilds that will ensure the safety of both patients and healthcare professionals on-site. In addition, I was able to restore critical funding for long-deferred renovations to deteriorating infrastructure at SF General Hospital and Laguna Honda Hospital.
I’m glad that the Mayor acquiesced to my proposal, and I believe that voters understand the importance of prioritizing our healthcare systems in the aftermath of the pandemic. I invite you to join me to ensure that the city can maintain its current level of healthcare services, and rebuild our system in the likelihood of the next health crisis to come.
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Tax Reform to Support Small Business and Economic Recovery
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| San Francisco’s economic recovery is a top priority, and that has meant taking a hard look at business tax reform . I have been helping lead the Business Tax Working Group for the last several months, and the recommended package of reforms will be on the ballot in November, including my push to expand tax exemptions for small businesses citywide. This is another example of what we can accomplish when we work together collaboratively, and I hope the voters will embrace this important policy. |
Legendary Swim in Shark-Infested Waters!
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| Amy Gubsner just made history for her extraordinary solo swim from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Farallones, and for choosing the most difficult direction and route. As a longtime open-water swimmer myself, I just had to recognize her officially before the Board of Supervisors last week. |
Life-Saving Services for Medi-Cal Patients
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Earlier in May, I stood with a coalition of healthcare organizations in opposition of Governor Newsom’s revised May budget proposal that eliminated acupuncture as an optional healthcare service from Medi-Cal. Leading studies have shown that acupuncture can serve as a nonpharmacological approach to pain management for patients living with debilitating pain. Eliminating this service would further increase the barrier to care - which we know disproportionately affects low-income seniors and families - and could potentially increase the demand for opioids and the risk of furthering our country’s overdose crisis.
Fortunately, our collective advocacy with the community has not fallen on deaf ears. I thank Senator Scott Wiener, and Assembly members Phil Ting and Evan Low for their announcement and commitment to restoring the funding for acupuncture services for adult Medi-Cal patients. I also introduced a resolution last week to keep the pressure on the Governor and State Budget Committee until the final passage of the budget by the Legislature by June 15.
Special thanks to NEMS, Chinese Hospital, and NICOS for organizing patients and the community! |
| SF Back Wall Street Juneteenth Gala (6/14, 7:00pm-9:00pm)- Come to enjoy the second annual SF Black Wall Street Juneteenth Gala. “The Black Print” Juneteenth Gala will highlight the incredible success of SF Black entrepreneurs and small businesses that have contributed to our city’s rich cultural and economic blueprint. Location: 1 Sansome Street @ The Conservatory S. More information, here. |
| 70th Annual North Beach Festival ( 6/15 & 6/16,11:00am-7:00pm)- Join me to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the iconic North Beach Festival which spans 11 blocks and features over 150 makers, merchants, artists, and a vast array of delicious food, live music from talented Bay Area musicians and DJ’s, performances and exhibits. I’m most excited about the “in-shop” events and specials that our local business will offer this weekend only. So, come and explore ALL of North Beach and celebrate the rich art, culture, and history in this D3 neighborhood.Location: North Beach, centered around Columbus and Green Streets. More information, here. |
| San Francisco Lonely Hearts Featuring Misstencil, 6/15 (All Day)- I’ve heard there is another debut of Misstencil’s San Francisco Lonely Hearts Project at Vesuvio Cafe. I am honored to be part of her ongoing stencil projects in our city. Location: Jack Kerouac Alley. More information, here. |
Juneteenth SF Freedom Celebration DECADES EDITION, 6/15 (11-6 pm)- Juneteenth celebration kicks off in the Fillmore District with each city block representing a decade spanning the 70’s-90’s. This celebration commemorates the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans and celebrates African American culture in recognition of black contributions and progress. Location: The Fillmore Corridor, Geary Blvd. to Fulton St. More information, here.
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Join me at the SF Pride Parade and Festival at Civic Center! San Francisco Pride Parade is one of the largest LGBTQ+ celebration in the world, and there’s no better way to celebrate and support the mission than jumping into the parade and festival with me and the community!
If you’re interested in joining me, sign up by emailing Calvin Yan from my office. We’ll be marching in the parade and celebrating in the festival at Civic Center Plaza all day on Sunday, June 30th.
You can check out the month-long Pride event calendar here on the SF Pride Website. |
| Drag Me Downtown- 6/20,6/27 (5:00pm-7:00pm)- These enthralling pop-up drag shows feature an exciting lineup of Bay Area drag performers, and this sequin-studded series supports local businesses while also serving as a fabulous reminder that all are welcome in downtown San Francisco! Location: Harrington's Bar & Grill, The Third Floor, Pabu Izakaya, One Market Restaurant 235 Montgomery Street San Francisco, CA 94104. More information, here. |
CYC Community Youth Center Waverly Activation (6/22 6:00am-5:00pm)- Our annual street festival on Waverly. Join our community and celebrate our local small businesses. Waverly Place between Sacramento and Washington. More information here.
Rosé in the Park 2024 (6/22 12:00pm- 3:30 pm)- I will be joining the neighborhood celebration of the 40th anniversary of Le Beau Market with the Nob Hill Association. Location: Huntington Park on California and Taylor Street. More information, here.
Habibi 3rd Annual Block Party (6/30 1:00pm-7:00pm)- Come celebrate Pride at Habibi Bar. Location: 1954 Hyde Street. More information, here. |
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Board of Supervisors | District 3 | Aaron Peskin
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