March 2000

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS






March is Women's History Month

Thurs., March 2     1:003:00 p.m.
     Board meeting at the office. All welcome!
Thurs., March 2     12:30
     Common Cause: Forum  on Money & Politics. Commonwealth Club, 
     595 Market St. at 2nd. $8.00, $5.00 for Common Cause members.
Wed., March 8     Global Women's Strike
     Join the strike by stopping work as a token of your support. And 
     celebrate with the International Wages for Housework Campaign.
     1:009:30 p.m. at the Mission Cultural Center.
Thurs., March 9     10:00 a.m.noon
     SAN: Patient Discharge Issues. St. Mary's Cathedral, 1111 Gough.
Sat., March 18     12:303:00 p.m.
     Coalition Meeting on Universal Health Care. Gray Panthers, 
     Unitarian Universalists, Neighbor to Neighbor, Health Care for All 
     San Francisco/California, and Health Care workers (SEIU)all 
     together to plan strategies to gain Universal Health Care here
     and for all. First Unitarian Church, Geary and Franklin. 
Be there!
Thurs., March 23     6:00 p.m.
     Series celebrating Earth Day 2000: Environmental Justice. 
     Lecture to include speakers from a broad spectrum of 
     organizations representing the progressive environmental community. 
          Koret  Auditorium, Main Library. Free, info. 415/437-4852
Sat., March 25     10:30 a.m.12:15 p.m.
     OWL: In honor of Women's History Month, a panel discussion 
     on the legacies of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony 
     the future of women's rights. Info, 415/989-4422.

Coalition for Universal Health Care
In cooperation with the San Francisco Alliance for Health and the Unitarian Universalist 
Just Economic Community, Gray Panthers will explore "Imagine Universal Health Care in 
San Francisco" at our next general meeting Saturday, March 18.
Strategies introduced by the panelists will be:
·     Equal Health Care, Meil McLean, Unitarian Universalist Just Economic Community.
·     Corporations' Benefits, Frances Payne of Neighbor to Neighbor.
·     Universal Health Care 2000, Don Bechler, Health Care for All San Francisco/California
·     The Union Role in Coalition, Howard Wallace, Health Organizer of Health Care 
Workers (SEIU 250).
·     New Organizing, Aroza Simpson, Gray Panthers.
Tom Ammiano, president of the Board of Supervisors, will detail local, state and 
national efforts to fund public Health , followed by audience participation in developing a plan of action
Before and after the meeting there will be opportunities for participants to get to know each




















other and inform themselves about organizations working for Universal Health Care 2000.
This program follows the November 20 forum, "Health Care in Crisis: The 
Community Responds." It will build on presentations made then by health care providers, union 
members and advocates.
Neighbor to Neighbor and Health Care for All S. F./CA along with Gray Panthers 
were major planners of the March 18 event, Universal Health Care 2000.
Currently the National Gray Panthers is part of a national coalition, joined by 
Universal Health Care Action Network and National Council of Churches. The plan is to get so 
many organizations to sign on to Universal Health Care 2000 that candidates in the 
November election will have to address the issue in a comprehensive way.




Animated Poll Analysis
An overflow crowd at our February meeting listened intently as Wende Chan, League 
of Women Voters analyst and Gray Panther, discussed the propositions on the March 
ballot. "Things are seldom what they seem" is certainly an apt characterization of the titles and 
official descriptions of these measures, as Wende elequently demonstrated. There are 26 
propositions on the ballot, 20 state and 6 city. Two hours was really not enough time to consider them 
all, especially when you add in our always politically-alert members' questions and 
comments.state money. The state reduced its expenditures and used lottery 
money instead , not in addition! 
Will the same thing happen again with
instructional materials, currently paid for by the state? 
Proposition 25 is another controversial measure, supported by Common Cause as a 
step toward controlling the buying of state elections by private interests, but opposed by 
the California Teachers Association, the Congress of California Seniors and the League of 
Women Voters as too weak with too many loopholes and likely to do more harm than good. Prop. 26 
 is a step toward repealing one of the obnoxious parts of the infamous Prop. 13,  
substituting a majority vote for a two-thirds vote for bonds for building school facilities, and 30 and 31 
are seemingly part of the ongoning fight to regulate insurance companies. If you vote yes on 
30, then vote yes on 31.
All of this is an inadequate summary of our lively discussion. Now look at your ballot 
with a new, critical eye. Our most hearty thanks to Wende for her superb presentation. 
[
Vote, Vote, Vote on March 7! 
 
We  report  here some of the analyses and discussion. First, however, a note on San 
Francisco Gray Panthers recommendations from the Board of Directors. On the city ballot, NO on E. 
On the state ballot, NO on 21, and NO on 22.
The first three city propositions seem like automatic yeseslocal parks and recreation, 
the Academy of Science, and open space extension. The first two are bond measures and the 
third allows possible revenue bond issuance. A general reminder about bondsthey are paid for 
by property taxes which may be passed on to renters, and since they are a form of borrowing 
they cost interest, which makes them an expensive way of financing. Nonetheless, only B 
was negatively questioned by our audience, asking essentially "Should the city support 
an Academy of Science Board that campaigned for the Central Freeway and the Golden Gate 
Park parking garage?"
On the state level, a lot of time was spent on 1A and its companion measure, 29. In 
effect 1A reactivates Proposition 5, passed a couple of years ago but invalidated by the courts. 
Prop. 29 is meaningful only if 1A is defeatedif 1A passes, it supercedes 29. Prop. 29 
endorses agreements entered into by then Governor Wilson and only 11 of the more than 100 
California ment activities; 18 and 19 are law-and-order punishment measures. Prop. 20 looks 
straightforward  but  raises some long-simmering questions. When the state lottery was first 
introduced, the rationale for its passing was increased money for schools. In reality, lottery money 
just replaced 

















Indian tribes,  but it would be binding on all of them. 
Realpolitik  says vote yes on 1A, no on 29; anti-gambling says vote no on both.
Proposition 15  pushes a lot  of  buttons, pitting the recent use of DNA testing that 
has proven the innocence of several death-row inmates against general reluctance to fund 
law enforcement activities; 18 and 19 are law-and-order punishment measures. Prop. 20 
looks straightforward but raises some long-simmering questions. When the state lottery was 
first introduced, the rationale for its passing was increased money for schools. In reality, 
lottery money just replaced state money. The state reduced its expenditures and used lottery 
money instead, not in addition! Will the same thing happen again with instructional materials, 
currently paid for by the state?





Proposition 25 is another controversial measure, supported by Common Cause as a 
step toward controlling the buying of state elections by private interests, but opposed by 
the California Teachers Association, the Congress of California Seniors and the League of 
Women Voters as too weak with too many loopholes and likely to do more harm than good. Prop. 26 
 is a step toward repealing one of the obnoxious parts of the infamous Prop. 13,  
substituting a majority vote for a two-thirds vote for bonds for building school facilities, and 30 and 31 
are seemingly part of the ongoning fight to regulate insurance companies. If you vote yes on 
30, then vote yes on 31.
All of this is an inadequate summary of our lively discussion. Now look at your  ballot 
with a new, critical eye. Our most hearty thanks to Wende for her superb presentation. 
Vote, Vote, Vote on March 7! 






Memo: San Francisco Living Wage Coalition
To: Living Wage Supporters
The Board of Supervisors will finally be considering the living wage legislation in 
March. While there is majority support to act on living wage, most supervisors have not 
committed to the specifics.
Living Wage Coalition has proposed $11 an hour  plus health  benefits, or a cash 
equivalent, and 12 paid days off a year. The task force proposal is far less. 
Supporters of the Coalition are urged to write the Supervisors or the possible swing  
voters: Michael Yaki, Leslie Katz, Mark Leno, Amos Brown, Mabel Teng, Alicia Becerril  and urge 
that they support the Coalition's recommendations. 
Do it now! 

Peace with Justice in Chiapas
Pastors for Peace is sponsoring a caravan to Chiapas at the end of March and early April 
to deliver  humanitarian aid and international support  for  the indigenous people in Chiapas. 
You are invited to join the caravan. If you can't do that, help collect the aid and contribute to 
defray expenses. For more information, 510/869-2577.

The Newsletter of the San Francisco Gray Panthers is published each month, and distributed free of charge to members and friends of this nonprofit organization.

Editorial Board: Rebecca Hirshleifer, Mitzi Raas; Publisher, Astrid M. Spector; Art Director, Fannie Biderman; Proof, Lurilla Harris; Circulation: Harold Greenblatt and Mary Francis Smith. Printed by Graffik Natwicks; Webpage design: Barry Simpkins



	CALENDAR OF EVENTS

	March is Women's History Month Thurs., March 2 1:003:00 p.m. Board meeting at the office. All welcome! Thurs., March 2 12:30 Common Cause: Forum on Money & Politics. Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St. at 2nd. $8.00, $5.00 for Common Cause members. Wed., March 8 Global Women's Strike Join the strike by stopping work as a token of your support. And celebrate with the International Wages for Housework Campaign. 1:009:30 p.m. at the Mission Cultural Center. Thurs., March 9 10:00 a.m.noon SAN: Patient Discharge Issues. St. Mary's Cathedral, 1111 Gough. Sat., March 18 12:303:00 p.m. Coalition Meeting on Universal Health Care. Gray Panthers, Unitarian Universalists, Neighbor to Neighbor, Health Care for All San Francisco/California, and Health Care workers (SEIU)all together to plan strategies to gain Universal Health Care here and for all. First Unitarian Church, Geary and Franklin. *Be there!* Thurs., March 23 6:00 p.m. Series celebrating Earth Day 2000: Environmental Justice. Lecture to include speakers from a broad spectrum of organizations representing the progressive environmental community. Koret Auditorium, Main Library. Free, info. 415/437-4852 Sat., March 25 10:30 a.m.12:15 p.m. OWL: In honor of Women's History Month, a panel discussion on the legacies of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony the future of women's rights. Info, 415/989-4422. Coalition for Universal Health Care In cooperation with the San Francisco Alliance for Health and the Unitarian Universalist Just Economic Community, Gray Panthers will explore "Imagine Universal Health Care in San Francisco" at our next general meeting Saturday, March 18. Strategies introduced by the panelists will be: · Equal Health Care, Meil McLean, Unitarian Universalist Just Economic Community. · Corporations' Benefits, Frances Payne of Neighbor to Neighbor. · Universal Health Care 2000, Don Bechler, Health Care for All San Francisco/California · The Union Role in Coalition, Howard Wallace, Health Organizer of Health Care Workers (SEIU 250). · New Organizing, Aroza Simpson, Gray Panthers. Tom Ammiano, president of the Board of Supervisors, will detail local, state and national efforts to fund public Health , followed by audience participation in developing a plan of action Before and after the meeting there will be opportunities for participants to get to know each



	other and inform themselves about organizations working for Universal Health Care 2000. This program follows the November 20 forum, "Health Care in Crisis: The Community Responds." It will build on presentations made then by health care providers, union members and advocates. Neighbor to Neighbor and Health Care for All S. F./CA along with Gray Panthers were major planners of the March 18 event, Universal Health Care 2000. Currently the National Gray Panthers is part of a national coalition, joined by Universal Health Care Action Network and National Council of Churches. The plan is to get so many organizations to sign on to Universal Health Care 2000 that candidates in the November election will have to address the issue in a comprehensive way.
	Animated Poll Analysis An overflow crowd at our February meeting listened intently as Wende Chan, League of Women Voters analyst and Gray Panther, discussed the propositions on the March ballot. "Things are seldom what they seem" is certainly an apt characterization of the titles and official descriptions of these measures, as Wende elequently demonstrated. There are 26 propositions on the ballot, 20 state and 6 city. Two hours was really not enough time to consider them all, especially when you add in our always politically-alert members' questions and comments.state money. The state reduced its expenditures and used lottery money instead , not in addition! Will the same thing happen again with instructional materials, currently paid for by the state? Proposition 25 is another controversial measure, supported by Common Cause as a step toward controlling the buying of state elections by private interests, but opposed by the California Teachers Association, the Congress of California Seniors and the League of Women Voters as too weak with too many loopholes and likely to do more harm than good. Prop. 26 is a step toward repealing one of the obnoxious parts of the infamous Prop. 13, substituting a majority vote for a two-thirds vote for bonds for building school facilities, and 30 and 31 are seemingly part of the ongoning fight to regulate insurance companies. If you vote yes on 30, then vote yes on 31. All of this is an inadequate summary of our lively discussion. Now look at your ballot with a new, critical eye. Our most hearty thanks to Wende for her superb presentation. [ Vote, Vote, Vote on March 7! We report here some of the analyses and discussion. First, however, a note on San Francisco Gray Panthers recommendations from the Board of Directors. On the city ballot, NO on E. On the state ballot, NO on 21, and NO on 22. The first three city propositions seem like automatic yeseslocal parks and recreation, the Academy of Science, and open space extension. The first two are bond measures and the third allows possible revenue bond issuance. A general reminder about bondsthey are paid for by property taxes which may be passed on to renters, and since they are a form of borrowing they cost interest, which makes them an expensive way of financing. Nonetheless, only B was negatively questioned by our audience, asking essentially "Should the city support an Academy of Science Board that campaigned for the Central Freeway and the Golden Gate Park parking garage?" On the state level, a lot of time was spent on 1A and its companion measure, 29. In effect 1A reactivates Proposition 5, passed a couple of years ago but invalidated by the courts. Prop. 29 is meaningful only if 1A is defeatedif 1A passes, it supercedes 29. Prop. 29 endorses agreements entered into by then Governor Wilson and only 11 of the more than 100 California ment activities; 18 and 19 are law-and-order punishment measures. Prop. 20 looks straightforward but raises some long-simmering questions. When the state lottery was first introduced, the rationale for its passing was increased money for schools. In reality, lottery money just replaced



	Indian tribes, but it would be binding on all of them. Realpolitik says vote yes on 1A, no on 29; anti-gambling says vote no on both. Proposition 15 pushes a lot of buttons, pitting the recent use of DNA testing that has proven the innocence of several death-row inmates against general reluctance to fund law enforcement activities; 18 and 19 are law-and-order punishment measures. Prop. 20 looks straightforward but raises some long-simmering questions. When the state lottery was first introduced, the rationale for its passing was increased money for schools. In reality, lottery money just replaced state money. The state reduced its expenditures and used lottery money instead, not in addition! Will the same thing happen again with instructional materials, currently paid for by the state?
	Proposition 25 is another controversial measure, supported by Common Cause as a step toward controlling the buying of state elections by private interests, but opposed by the California Teachers Association, the Congress of California Seniors and the League of Women Voters as too weak with too many loopholes and likely to do more harm than good. Prop. 26 is a step toward repealing one of the obnoxious parts of the infamous Prop. 13, substituting a majority vote for a two-thirds vote for bonds for building school facilities, and 30 and 31 are seemingly part of the ongoning fight to regulate insurance companies. If you vote yes on 30, then vote yes on 31. All of this is an inadequate summary of our lively discussion. Now look at your ballot with a new, critical eye. Our most hearty thanks to Wende for her superb presentation. Vote, Vote, Vote on March 7!

	Memo: San Francisco Living Wage Coalition To: Living Wage Supporters The Board of Supervisors will finally be considering the living wage legislation in March. While there is majority support to act on living wage, most supervisors have not committed to the specifics. Living Wage Coalition has proposed $11 an hour plus health benefits, or a cash equivalent, and 12 paid days off a year. The task force proposal is far less. Supporters of the Coalition are urged to write the Supervisors or the possible swing voters: Michael Yaki, Leslie Katz, Mark Leno, Amos Brown, Mabel Teng, Alicia Becerril and urge that they support the Coalition's recommendations. *Do it now!* Peace with Justice in Chiapas Pastors for Peace is sponsoring a caravan to Chiapas at the end of March and early April to deliver humanitarian aid and international support for the indigenous people in Chiapas. You are invited to join the caravan. If you can't do that, help collect the aid and contribute to defray expenses. For more information, 510/869-2577.