On Thursday, June 21st, Supervisor Dean Preston, Chair of the Government Audit and Oversight Committee, called for greater oversight after learning that the San Francisco Police Department is seeking to acquire a plethora of military gear, and is “exploring” for the first time the use of controversial police robot dogs . The bombshell disclosure from SFPD came after the department missed its January 2024 deadline to lay out military equipment plans and Preston and his team formally and informally pressed the department to file its legally-mandated annual report pursuant to Assembly Bill 481 (Chiu). After five months of delay, SFPD quietly uploaded its report to its website on June 11th without notifying the Board.

Dozens of workers in fluorescent yellow jackets joined community members, city workers, neighborhood groups, community based organizations, and Supervisors Dean Preston, Joel Engardio, and Hillary Ronen this morning in an outpouring of support to protect San Francisco’s Community Ambassadors Program, which is was completely defunded in the Mayor’s proposed City Budget. The rally kicked off a full day of recognition for the beloved program, which was honored by the Board of Supervisors with formal commendations for each of the OCEIA community ambassadors, and the unanimous passage of a resolution commending OCEIA’s Community Ambassadors Program.

After the Board of Supervisors unanimously passed Supervisor Preston’s resolution calling for the Housing Authority (SFHA) to fully leverage the “Faircloth-to-RAD” program provided by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”), the Housing Authority has released its plan to build and rehab over 750 units of housing in San Francisco. The announcement provides a pathway for new deeply affordable rental units with a permanent federal subsidy in San Francisco.

In the face of Mayor Breed’s budget proposal to eliminate the City’s highly successful Community Ambassadors Program (run by the Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs (OCEIA)), Supervisor Dean Preston today introduced a resolution supporting OCEIA’s program and made clear that saving this program is one of his office’s top priorities in the budget process. The program is the only City-run community ambassador program in San Francisco. The ambassadors can be identified by their bright yellow jackets as they help the community by assisting neighbors, small businesses, and visitors.

Today, Supervisor Dean Preston introduced a resolution to put San Francisco on record in support of the Justice for Renters Act, a November 2024 state ballot measure to repeal the decades-old restrictions on local rent control imposed by the state Costa Hawkins Rental Housing Act. Written in 1995 by the California Association of Realtors, Costa Hawkins has prevented cities from strengthening and adapting rent control laws to meet the rising affordability crisis.

As part of the Budget negotiations, the California Legislature has proposed reinstating full funding for the California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP) in their two party agreement, which, if signed by the Governor, would ensure continued access to fresh produce for thousands of low-income shoppers and support for small farmers statewide. This proposal comes amid a significant state budget deficit, which has meant many difficult decisions for state budget leaders. As Budget negotiations are set to wrap by the end of the month, advocates are asking the Governor to maintain the funding for this vital food safety-net program that is utilized by thousands of low-income shoppers statewide to buy California-grown fruits and vegetables directly from farmers.

Earlier today, the Board of Supervisors unanimously passed Supervisor Preston’s ordinance to amend the Planning Code to expand allowable commercial uses at the vacant Bank of America building in the North of Panhandle neighborhood. The ordinance will help fill the vacancy at Falletti Plaza with a new business adjacent to the family-owned grocery store, Falletti Foods. 

With an increase in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in elections across the country, the Board of Supervisors unanimously passed Supervisor Preston’s resolution to support the pending state AI bill package consisting of four bills before the state legislature. Preston is also working with the City Attorney on strengthening local law to prevent election disinformation. This follows Supervisor Preston’s hearing regarding San Francisco’s regulations and oversight of artificial intelligence in local elections last week.

Today, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the renaming of the 100 Block of Elm Street, the alleyway next to the Tenderloin Community School, to Midge Wilson Alley, in honor of the community leader who helped found the school. Supervisor Dean Preston, whose district includes the Tenderloin, has been working alongside the Bay Area Women's & Children's Center (BAWCC) on this project.

Yesterday afternoon, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution authored by District 5 Supervisor Dean Preston in partnership with Proud Stutter and the wider Bay Area stuttering community to acknowledge Stuttering Awareness Week, May 13—May 19, 2024.

On Tuesday, District 5 Supervisor Dean Preston introduced a resolution condemning a series of racist hate crimes targeting Alamo Square resident Terry Williams, urging local and federal law enforcement to prioritize identifying the perpetrators, and urging the Office of Victim Services to offer support to Williams and his family during their time of need.

With an increase in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in elections across the country, Supervisor Dean Preston held a hearing on San Francisco’s regulations and oversight of artificial intelligence in local elections. The hearing highlighted possible state and local legislation to strengthen protections, including five bills pending in Sacramento to address AI’s role in elections.

Supervisor Dean Preston, chair of the Government Audit and Oversight Committee, filed a formal inquiry on Tuesday regarding the San Francisco Police Department’s (SFPD) failure to comply with state law requiring Assembly Bill 481, sponsored and passed in 2021 by then-Assemblymember David Chiu. While the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office complied with Assembly Bill 481 (Chiu), the San Francisco Police Department missed its deadline by four months, and has yet to file its report.

Supervisor Dean Preston, chair of the Government Audit and Oversight Committee, has announced the release of the Budget and Legislative Analyst’s latest performance audit of the City’s permanent supportive housing program.

Earlier today, the Board of Supervisors unanimously passed Supervisor Preston's resolution in support of Senate Bill 1218, the Green New Deal for Public Housing, by Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. If passed, the bill would provide economic empowerment opportunities in the United States through the modernization of public housing and will vastly improve the state of public housing while increasing the number of units available.

Supervisor Preston has introduced a resolution in support of Senate Bill 1218, the Green New Deal for Public Housing, by Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The bill will provide economic empowerment opportunities in the United States through the modernization of public housing and will vastly improve the state of public housing while increasing the number of units available.

A new report issued today by the City’s Budget and Legislative Analyst reveals that San Francisco’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) provided $61.2 million worth of local rental assistance to 10,110 households from 2021 through March 2024. This is the first comprehensive report on the pandemic rent relief program. San Francisco had by far the largest local rent relief program of any city. 

At the Board of Supervisors GAO committee hearing on Thursday, Supervisor Dean Preston pressed the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing and the Mayor's Office to explain delays in distributing $10 million for Single Room Occupancy (SRO) elevator repairs and urged them to expedite distribution of these funds. Supervisors Connie Chan and Ahsha Safai expressed frustrations about the delays as well.

In response to Governor Newsom’s slashing of funding for the crucial “Market Match” food program, District 5 Supervisor Dean Preston introduced a resolution today calling for restoration of the funds. The Governor’s proposed budget cuts $33.2 million from the three-year $35 million California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP) budget which includes Market Match. Under the Market Match program, state investments are matched by federal dollars for low-income people to buy fresh produce at farmers’ markets. Preston’s resolution is supported by a broad coalition of food access organizations, farmers markets, and groups serving the poor.

On Tuesday, April 16th, Supervisor Dean Preston introduced a resolution in support of expanding access to methadone statewide. The resolution would put the Board of Supervisors on record in support of Assembly Bill 2115 (Haney), which will allow clinics to dispense 72-hour doses of methadone when requested, removing significant barriers to treatment.