Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1989. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Agnos updates his agenda at 2-year mark
San Francisco Chronicle - Tuesday, October 3, 1989 Thomas G. Keane, Chronicle Staff Writer
San Francisco Mayor Art Agnos, delivering his second state-of-the city address, yesterday hailed the Fire Department's internal efforts against racism, proposed an extension of new business taxes and promised to consider a lawsuit to lower the cost of AIDS treatment drugs. In his address to the Board of Supervisors, Agnos generally gave a glowing portrayal of his 2-year-old administration, casting himself as a chief executive in firm control and on the verge of embarking on an array of important projects. Agnos revealed plans to open his first "mayor's station" in the Oceanview/Merced/Ingleside district, promised to have the police Office of Citizen Complaints report directly to the Police Commission and campaigned for three November ballot measures deemed critical for his own political success. "We have reversed the course that led to the problems which confronted our city so suddenly in the early months of 1988," Agnos said, alluding to the city's budget crisis and a federal judge's remark that the Fire Department was "out of control." "What we have done at the Fire Department is to take charge with a new Fire Commission, a new fire chief, and we have reversed the record to show real accomplishment," Agnos told the audience of about 200 people in the supervisors' chambers at City Hall. The mayor said the Fire Commission will issue a report today showing impressive gains for minorities in management positions. Among them, Agnos said, there are 29 blacks, 30 Hispanics and 12 Asians at or above the rank of lieutenant, compared with a total of 25 minorities in April 1988. TURNAROUND ON DEFICIT Agnos congratulated himself and his budget experts for whittling down two consecutive years of deficits, promising no projected deficit for next year. "This would be the first time in 12 years that our city has been able to meet projected current costs, including city worker raises and cost-of-living adjustments in programs, without facing a shortfall," the mayor said. He noted that belt-tightening measures taken last year would save the city about $28 million this fiscal year. However, the budget forecast will be this optimistic only if the supervisors agree to extend business tax increases that Agnos had said would expire next year -- an increase in the business payroll tax of one-tenth of one percent and a $200 fee for small businesses. AIDS AGENDA In addition to the budget, AIDS remained a high priority for the Agnos administration. The mayor said he strongly supports the use of state Health Service funds to pay for medical treatment of those who have tested positive for the human immunodeficiency virus but who do not yet show symptoms of AIDS. The city has about 7,000 AIDS patients, and about 35,000 people have tested HIV positive. Although the state does not pay the medical insurance for those showing no symptoms of AIDS, Agnos said he will ask the state health director to change that. "I expect to see new rules allowing wider distribution (of AIDS drugs) in a matter of days," Agnos said. The mayor also took aim at the "costs linked to unconscionably high profit-taking by certain drug companies" for AIDS treatment drugs, namely the Burroughs Wellcome Co., which manufactures AZT. Agnos said in his speech that he would even consider suing Burroughs Wellcome if his AIDS task force recommended such action, but he softened his statement while speaking to reporters after the state-of-the-city address. "I'm not threatening anything yet, not until I see all of the options," he said. Later, an Agnos aide said privately that City Attorney Louise Renne was already exploring a possible lawsuit against the company. SOLE CONCESSION In perhaps his only concession of the day, Agnos conceded after his speech that he did not have the votes on the Board of Supervisors to pass a law limiting rent increases on vacant apartment units. "The sixth vote is not available at this time, but I expect (a vacancy control law) to come before my term is over," he said. In addition, Agnos said he will: -- Work to have the Office of Citizen Complaints report directly to the Police Commission, rather than have the police chief sign off first on department matters. The move comes in response to the controversy over the brutality case of labor leader Dolores Huerta. Police Chief Frank Jordan rejected the OCC's recommendation to file charges against the police officer who clubbed her in a September 1988 demonstration. -- Open a "mayor's station" in the Oceanview/Merced/Ingleside neighborhood, as he promised while campaigning two years ago. The office would be staffed by mayor's office personnel "so that San Franciscans can discuss their concerns with city representatives in their own neighborhood." Agnos also said he will propose an amendment to the City Charter that would allow city commissions to meet in the neighborhoods. -- Expand public and private health services with $26 million in new state funds that will likely be allocated to San Francisco under Proposition 99, the voter-approved cigaret tax. Agnos did not specify which programs would receive the money, except to say the Health Department would work with the school district. -- Seek voter support for three ballot measures in November: Proposition B, a half-cent sales tax increase for transit improvements; Proposition P, the China Basin ballpark; and Proposition S, the so-called domestic partners law. -- Keep his resolve to set up a temporary shelter before rousting the homeless from Civic Center Plaza. "Today, Civic Center park is a place that can be used by all," he said, dismissing the notion that the homeless still living there prevent others from using it. -- Initiate "Project Star," a volunteer program headed by Kathleen Sullivan Alioto, the wife of former Mayor Joseph Alioto, to encourage people in the private sector to tutor students in public schools. Agnos also announced that the city will receive $822,000 in federal money to continue the work of the Youth Gang Task Force.
Keywords: MAYOR; POLICY; SF; ART AGNOS 891003
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Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1989. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
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Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1989. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
