Is David Chiu Mayor?Paul Hogarthbyline‚ May. 07‚ 2009Supes Take on MTA Budget; Challenge Budget Process The Board of Supervisors’ Budget Committee voted last night to reject the MTA budget because it raised fares and cut service – while serving as a private ATM for other City departments. Seven Supervisors can overrule the Muni budget, but it’s never been done before – as the legislative branch attempts to be a “check” on the Newsom Administration. But rather than provoke a showdown with the Mayor, Board President David Chiu gave MTA Chief Nat Ford a week to “sharpen the pencils” – and present a more fair and equitable Muni budget. Earlier that meeting, the Committee passed a resolution by Supervisor John Avalos to set “budget priorities” for the year. It’s a pro-active way of preventing the annual budget charade each summer where the Mayor offers cuts, leaving the Board to scramble for crumbs. While Gavin Newsom sends out multiple press releases a day to promote his meetings in Washington DC and Chicago, the Supervisors work at City Hall to find a fair response to our fiscal crisis. And right now, it feels like David Chiu might as well be the Mayor. |