It’s déjà vu all over again. From 2004 to 2006, the SF Board of
Supervisors passed a series of pro-tenant measures to deal with issues
like mass Ellis Act evictions and the demolition of rent-controlled
housing. Each time, the ordinances would pass by a 7-4 vote – only to
get vetoed by Mayor Newsom. Supervisor Bevan Dufty, who represents a
majority tenant district in the Castro, was the fourth vote to sustain
each of these vetoes – thus preventing the measures from becoming law.
At yesterday’s Board meeting, the Supervisors voted to expand “just cause” evictions
to all rental units built after 1979. Again, the measure passed by a
7-4 vote – and again, Newsom promises to veto. Bevan Dufty – who plans
to run for Mayor in 2011 – once again cast the fourth vote that would
block a veto override.
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