Prop. H: Energy Measure Spurs Conflicting Claims

www.newsdesk.org / The Public Press — Oct 16 2008 - 3:29pm

Proposition H is described as a clean energy measure by its proponents, and a "blank check" by its opponents. With an eye-popping $5.4 million spent on the No on H side compared to the $19,000 on the other, Proposition H merits a close look from voters. Those are dollars spent through September. Expect more money to flow in these next few weeks, as the opposing forces battle over the definitions, costs and consequences of the measure.

The Business of Ballot Booklet Brokering

www.newsdesk.org / The Public Press — Sep 30 2008 - 6:36pm

Like many who work in San Francisco City Hall, David Noyola last month was answering two phones, a land line for his official duties, and an iPhone to talk politics.

Noyola has since left his position as a legislative aide for Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, and for election 2008 has put his specialized knowledge to use as a professional campaigner. His work in these two capacities illustrates how insiders can have sizable impacts on local elections. In Noyola's case, his influence is currently most visible in the city's voter information guide -- the thick booklet published before each election that lists all the candidates and initiatives, as well as the official and paid arguments in support or opposition.

San Francisco Voter Propositions for Nov. '08

www.newsdesk.org / The Public Press — Sep 18 2008 - 2:45pm

From A to V, a complete overview of the 22 propositions that San Francisco voters will consider on Nov. 4 -- from public power and Junior ROTC to waterfront redevelopment and legalizing prostitution.

Invasion of the Policy Pushers

www.newsdesk.org / The Public Press — Sep 9 2008 - 7:29am

By Matthew Hirsch, Newsdesk.org/The Public Press

First in a series fact-checking 2008 election advertisements in San Francisco | Sidebar: Swaying Voters at $2 a Word: Inside the Ballot Booklet | Interview on KALW-FM's "Crosscurrents," 9/9/08:

For the November 4 election, San Francisco's voter-information booklet will be packed with dozens of paid arguments around hot-button topics such as housing and public power. Many of these ballot ads are signed by community and small-business leaders and appear to reflect widespread participation in the public debate. Yet the people who sign the paid arguments don't always pay for or submit the ads themselves. San Francisco legislators changed the election rules in 1997 so voters could find out who was footing the bills. But most voters don't know that paid arguments are often bundled by professional campaign consultants whose aim is to manufacture a showing of broad support for certain ballot issues, and who sometimes have their own, undisclosed interests.