Newsom Should Focus on Passing Muni ReformPaul Hogarthbyline‚ Oct. 31‚ 2007With the Mayor’s re-election a foregone conclusion, Gavin Newsom should put his campaign resources to good use – by pushing sensible transit policies that will outlive his Administration. But despite formally endorsing Proposition A and opposing Proposition H, Newsom has been absent on the campaign trail – while Republican Don Fisher sends out daily attack pieces. At his October 29th State of the City address, Newsom did not even mention the two ballot measures – but talked about planned Muni improvements that would require the extra revenue from Prop A’s passage. He has instead focused on defeating Proposition E - the "Question Time" Charter Amendment that has no organized support and is expected to fail. Meanwhile, some progressives are spending their time working for mayoral candidate Quintin Mecke, who has zero chance of winning. If Muni is to be improved, then Newsom and progressive activists need to prioritize the passage of Prop A and the defeat Prop H. |