Sponsor of bill calls project ‘unorthodox’ but needed in face of rising violent crimeIn one of the most heated political fights of the year, the Board of Supervisors succeeded in getting more police officers to walk patrol beats in high-crime areas. In an 8-3 vote Tuesday, supervisors favored requiring regular foot patrols in the vicinity of eight of the 10 San Francisco police stations.Supervisors Aaron Peskin, Michela Alioto-Pier and Sean Elsbernd voted against the legislation. Read More

Spokesman: Request that mayor explain anti-violence funding is ‘publicity stunt’A San Francisco supervisor wants Mayor Gavin Newsom to attend a Wednesday budget committee meeting to explain his proposal for $2.5 million in anti-violence funding.Peter Ragone, Newsom’s spokesman, called the request for the mayor to appear before supervisors a "publicity stunt."Supervisor Chris Daly, who chairs the Board of Supervisors Budget and Finance Committee, has twice refused to hold a hearing on Newsom’s request for funding, saying he was not provided with enough details. Read More

Agency stresses revenue but critics don’t like message; Ammiano drafts resolutionA recent decision by BART to allow alcohol advertising in its stations and cars has come under fire from the Board of Supervisors.Last month, the BART board of directors approved a new policy that lifted a long-time prohibition on alcohol advertising. The decision makes BART the only local transit agency that allows alcohol advertising. Read More

Mayor signals opposition to increase, which would up ‘flag drop’ by 25 cents Nov. 1The cost of simply entering a San Francisco taxicab could increase by 25 cents Nov. 1.Already among the highest in the nation, taxi riders pay an initial $2.85 upon entering the taxi. The fee, commonly referred to as a "flag drop," would increase to $3.10 if the Board of Supervisors approves the hike on Tuesday. The price will become the second highest in the nation, only 10 cents below the flag drop of Las Vegas taxicabs. Read More

Newsom says ‘No on Prop. 87’ ads are ‘outrageous’ and misleadingMayor Gavin Newsom blasted oil giants Monday for a "misleading" ad campaign against a November state ballot measure that would tax oil producers to raise money for the development of alternative energies.Proposition 87 is being touted as a way to reduce petroleum consumption in California by 25 percent in the next decade. The proposed tax on oil produced in California would raise $400 million annually, which would finance the research and development of alternative energy sources. Read More

Thousands of dollars pouring in for hotly contested races in District 4, District 6Several candidates who are vying for the five seats on the Board of Supervisors up for grabs this November have raised tens of thousands of dollars in the past three months, with one District 4 candidate collecting more than $150,000, according to campaign finance documents filed Thursday.Political watchers have their eyes on the District 4 and District 6 races, the only races considered wide-open. Read More

Board’s designation of landmark status cheers committee of supportersSt. Brigid Church, which dates back to 1864, has found protection in a landmark designation granted Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors.The designation came amid opposition from the church’s owner, the Academy of Art University, which purchased the building in 2005.The landmark designation ensures preservation of the church’s exterior, which includes stained-glass windows manufactured in Dublin, Ireland at the Harry Clarke Studios. Read More