Battle Lines Forming Around November InitiativesCasey Millsbyline‚ Sep. 21‚ 2005Voter handbooks for November's election hit San Franciscans' doorsteps in just a few weeks, full of paid ballot arguments for this year's propositions. A look at who's funding what reveals two interesting aspects of November's election that may take on greater importance as campaigns surrounding the initiatives heat up. Prop. F would designate a higher base level of funding to the Fire Department that could end up costing the city $6 million a year. In a ballot argument primarily funded by the Firefighters Union, Mayor Gavin Newsom penned his endorsement of the measure, despite his refusing a request by the union months ago to put it on the ballot himself. Newsom and others also signed arguments largely funded by Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) against Prop. D, which would split the appointments to the MTA between the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors. |