Mayor Newsom Announces Regional Food Policy for San Francisco and Several New Food Initiatives

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom today issued the first ever comprehensive food policy for San Francisco, and a sweeping action plan to make improvements to food that is available in the region. The plan, which Mayor Newsom issued through Executive Directive, aims to ensure that all regional residents have access to healthy food, and will have far reaching impact throughout Northern California by increasing support for area farms. Read more...

Mayor Newsom Announces First Solar Installations at S.F. Public Housing Sites; Creates Green-Collar Jobs

Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced plans to install over 365 kw of solar panels on the San Francisco Housing Authority properties of Hayes Valley North and South and Plaza East through San Francisco’s GoSolarSF Initiative. The solar panels will provide hundreds of thousands of kilowatts of clean, renewable electricity to public housing residents. The project is expected to create 25 jobs and be completed by the end of the year. Newsom also announces 450% increase in San Francisco solar applications since inception of solar rebate program. Read more...

Mayor Newsom Launches Interactive Map that Shows Projects Funded by the American Recovery Act of 2009

This map shows the locations of City & County of San Francisco projects funded by the American Recovery Act of 2009 which have begun (indicated in bright green). We are in the process of ensuring that all projects are represented on this map.  We will keep you posted on our progress. Visit web site

Mayor Newsom Launches New Online Resource for San Franciscans in Need of Medi-Cal and Food Stamps

Today Mayor Gavin Newsom launched an innovative new online resource, www.BenefitsSF.org that allows San Francisco residents to use an online application, electronic signature, and webcam to see if they’re eligible for Medi-Cal and Food Stamps. The resource allows applicants to apply for assistance from the comfort of their home, without having to setup an office interview. Read more... Visit web site...

Mayor Newsom Opens San Francisco's New Medical Respite and Sobering Center

Mayor Gavin Newsom today opened San Francisco’s Medical Respite and Sobering Center, the City’s newest facility providing temporary post-hospitalization care and sobering services for many of the City’s most vulnerable residents. The center also celebrated becoming the new home of Community Awareness and Treatment Services (CATS), a private non-profit agency that has served this primarily homeless population for over 30 years. Read more...

Mayor Newsom's Statement on EPA Approval of CA Auto Emissions Regulations

I congratulate President Obama and the Environmental Protection Agency on a long-overdue action to grant California the right to set toughest-in-the nation greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and light trucks. California has always been a leader in driving policy on clean vehicles, as demonstrated by President Obama's announcement in May about making federal fuel economy rules similar to those for which California has advocated for years.

Our constant challenge in environmental activism is avoiding the pitfall of setting the bar too low and achieving our modest goals. We must aim high -- which is why I have advocated strongly for electric vehicles as the future of clean cars. Above and beyond the massive environmental benefits of a transition to fully electric and plug-in hybrids -- reducing the lifecycle CO2 impact of auto travel by orders of magnitude -- EVs also will prove to be an economic boon for our state. California stands to gain $2.5 billion in new infrastructure investments and billions more in battery sales if the state follows the Bay Area’s lead in creating a support network for electric vehicles -- jobs and revenues we desperately need in this current economic downturn. Read more...

Mayor Gavin Newsom's Statement on the California State Budget Crisis

Today I am calling on the Governor and the California State Senate Republicans to stop playing budget politics with people's lives and livelihood and to join the Assembly Republicans in supporting the bipartisan urgency measures designed to stave off the issuance of IOU's and the unprecedented shutdown of our state government. If they do not act now, we will immediately see a significant impact as local governments are forced to make further draconian cuts because of the state’s inaction. We cannot let this happen.

Mayor Newsom Praises Board of Supervisors for Support of Cigarette-Butt Cleanup Fee

Mayor Gavin Newsom today commended the Board of Supervisors for its support of a fee on cigarettes sold in San Francisco. The fee, which today was unanimously supported by the Board of Supervisors Budget and Finance Committee, will recover the cost of cleaning up cigarette litter on sidewalks and in gutters. Read more...

San Francisco Launches Global Sustainable Tourism Initiative in U.S.

San Francisco, the birthplace of the United Nations, will be the lead US city to partner with the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria Partnership, a coalition of more than 40 international conservation, development, and travel industry organizations to implement sustainable tourism principles. The City will work with the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau to encourage and promote local businesses that protect cultural heritage and the environment. Read more...

Mayor Newsom, Reed Forge Regional Consensus on High Speed Rail

Working with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed announced today that they have helped establish consensus in the region about the Bay Area’s priorities for high-speed rail. Read more...