Plan to 'streamline' commissions faces widespread opposition at supes hearing - 48 hills

"If you have power and you trust people [in charge], then you want as little as possible in the City Charter. If you have less power and trust, you want as much as possible in the Charter. The mayor and his allies, who have power, want to get rid of commissions and move much governmental oversight into the Administrative Code, which the supes and the mayor can change at will."

"Margaret Brodkin, who led the fight to create the Commission on Children, Youth and Families, said that the agency has become a model for cities all over the country. She urged the supes not to take a chainsaw to the Charter."

"Commissioners are appointed for their expertise in law, civil rights, and community advocacy. Stripping away the authority to hold officers accountable and placing it in the hands of the Police Chief in the name of efficiency, is a rollback of everything this community fought for."

Former City Controller Ed Harrington presented findings from a task force on streamlining the city's commission structure to the Board of Supervisors. He articulated a fundamental principle: those holding power prefer fewer Charter restrictions to enable unilateral changes through the Administrative Code, while community groups lacking power seek Charter protections to safeguard their participation rights. The mayor's administration proposes eliminating commissions and transferring oversight to the Administrative Code. Community advocates, including Margaret Brodkin and Doug Engmann, oppose these changes, citing successful commission models and concerns about weakening protections during politically uncertain times. Supervisor Shamann Walton specifically objected to transferring police discipline authority from the Police Commission to the Police Chief, arguing this undermines community accountability mechanisms.

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