Scott Wiener

Scott Wiener
Member of the California State Senate
from the 11th district
Assumed office
December 5, 2016
Preceded by Mark Leno
Member of the
San Francisco Board of Supervisors
from District 8
In office
January 8, 2011 – December 5, 2016
Mayor Gavin Newsom
Ed Lee
Preceded by Bevan Dufty
Succeeded by Jeff Sheehy
Personal details
Born (1970-05-11) May 11, 1970
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Nationality American
Political party Democratic
Residence San Francisco, California, U.S.
Alma mater Duke University
Harvard Law School
Occupation Politician
Profession Lawyer
Website Scott Wiener CA Senate Website

Scott Wiener (born May 11, 1970)[1] is an American politician and a member of the California State Senate. A Democrat, he represents the 11th Senate District, encompassing San Francisco and parts of San Mateo County.

Prior to his election to the State Senate in 2016, Wiener served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors representing District 8.[2][3] He also served as Chair of the San Francisco County Transportation Authority, represented San Francisco as a commissioner on the regional Metropolitan Transportation Commission, and represented San Francisco as a director on the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District Board.

Early life and career

Wiener was born to a Jewish family[4] in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and grew up in southern New Jersey, the son of small business owners. He graduated from Washington Township High School, received his bachelor's degree from Duke University, studied in Santiago, Chile, on a Fulbright Scholarship, and received his law degree from Harvard Law School. He clerked for Justice Alan B. Handler on the Supreme Court of New Jersey.[5]

In 1997, Wiener moved to San Francisco to work as a litigation attorney at Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe. In 2002, he went to work as a deputy city attorney under San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera.[2]

Before running for the Board of Supervisors, Wiener served as chair of the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee.

On July 1, 2015, Wiener announced that he was running for the 11th Senate District to replace termed out Senator Mark Leno.[6] The district includes all of San Francisco and portions of northern San Mateo County, including Daly City, Colma, and part of South San Francisco. Wiener announced several endorsements, including that of Senator Leno, as part of his campaign announcement.[6] It is required to pick a Chinese name for the ballot in the 11th district because 17% of the San Francisco population speak Chinese. Wiener, who is 6'7" tall, chose the name Wei Shangao, meaning "bold, majestic, charitable and tall."[7] He ultimately defeated fellow Supervisor Jane Kim in the November general election to win election to the State Senate.

State Senate

Wiener serves as the Chair of the Senate Human Services Committee in the California State Senate. He is also a member of the Appropriations, Public Safety, Transportation and Housing, and Energy Committees.

Housing

In 2017, Wiener authored SB 35 (which was approved as part of a broad 15 bill housing package that also included funding and other bills to reform housing production in California)[8][9] which will require the cities that have fallen behind on their state housing production goals to streamline approval of new housing.[10][11]

"Local control is about how a community achieves its housing goals, not whether it achieves those goals," Wiener said in a statement. "SB 35 sets clear and reasonable standards to ensure that all communities are part of the solution by creating housing for our growing population."[10]

In 2018, in an effort to address the state's housing affordability crisis and CO2 emissions, Wiener introduced Senate Bill 827, which would require cities and counties to allow apartment buildings of four to eight stories in "transit rich areas" — defined as land within a half-mile of a major transit stop or a quarter mile of a stop on a high-frequency bus route.[12] Wiener introduced the bill as part of a housing package, along with bills to make it easier to build farmworker housing and to improve local accountability to build new housing.[13]

Renewable energy

Wiener sponsored two bills to expand solar and renewable energy use in California.[14] SB 71 would require solar to be installed on many new buildings in California.[15] SB 700 would create a 10 year program to give rebates to customers who install energy storage systems, like batteries, which allow solar power to be stored long-term.[16][17]

Nightlife

Citing the cultural and economic benefits of nightlife, Wiener announced plans for legislation to allow cities to extend alcohol sales in bars and restaurants to 4 AM.[18][19] Senator Mark Leno, Wiener's predecessor, had attempted to pass a similar bill. The bill passed the Senate with bipartisan support,[20] but failed in the Assembly.[21] Wiener reintroduced the bill the following year, this time limited to six cities whose mayors have supported the idea: San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, Sacramento, West Hollywood, and Long Beach.[22]

LGBT and HIV issues

Wiener joined Assembly member Todd Gloria to author SB 239, which aims to change the laws that make it a felony to expose someone to HIV without their knowledge and consent.[23] Wiener said that the laws unfairly single out HIV-positive people.[24] The bill passed and was signed by Governor Jerry Brown on October 6, 2017.[25]

Wiener partnered with state Senator Toni Atkins to author SB 179 to create a third, non-binary gender option on government documents.[26][27]

Wiener authored SB 219, which protects the rights of LGBT seniors living in long-term care facilities.[28] The bill was opposed by groups who argued the bill criminalized bathroom gender designations and would force care providers to address those under their care with gender appropriate language.[29] Wiener called these arguments "transphobic" and "absurd".[30]

San Francisco Supervisor

Wiener was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors on November 2, 2010, carrying 42.4% of the vote in the first round of ranked choice voting.[31] After the two lowest candidates were dropped, Wiener won election with 18,239 votes, or 55.4%, over the second-place finisher, attorney Rafael Mandelman.[31]

Wiener was re-elected on November 4, 2014 on the first round of ranked choice voting, carrying a large majority of the vote.[32]

Housing

In 2011, after a string of fires caused by arson in San Francisco's Castro district, Wiener authored legislation allowing residents temporarily displaced by fires or natural disasters to rent other apartments at below-market rates.[33] Previously, landlords willing to rent out apartments to a tenant on a temporary basis could not offer lower rents without locking these rates in at that rate under rent control.[33]

In 2012, Wiener passed legislation encouraging the production of student housing while restricting the conversion of existing rental stock to student housing.[34] That same year, the Board passed legislation to allow the construction of residential units as small as 220 square feet, known as micro-apartments.[35]

In 2014, Wiener introduced two measures to allow the construction of new in-law units in San Francisco: the first allows units to be built within the Castro neighborhood[36] and the second allows owners of buildings undergoing seismic retrofit to add in-law units.[37] In 2016, Wiener authored legislation to fast-track the approval of affordable housing projects.[38]

In 2016, Wiener introduced legislation to extend rent control protections to people living with HIV/AIDS.[39]

Transportation

Wiener has focused much of his policy work on San Francisco's public transportation. He has criticized the lack of investment in transit in San Francisco, and has advocated for additional funding measures.[40] His proposals include changing the transit-impact development fee[40] and a ballot measure to tie Muni funding to population growth.[41] The latter measure, Measure B, requires 75% of increased funding to improve Muni reliability and 25% of the funding to improve street safety.[42] Measure B was passed on November 4, 2014.[32]

Wiener has also encouraged increases in the number of taxis in San Francisco[43] and has supported expanding access to car-share programs.[44]

In 2013, the full Board of Supervisors passed Wiener's legislative package to streamline pedestrian safety projects.[45] The legislation included creating a centralized Street Design Review Committee, making it easier for developers to implement pedestrian safety projects as gifts to the city, and amending the Fire Code to provide more leeway for sidewalk extensions.[45]

Over his tenure as a Supervisor, Wiener has advocated against widening streets.[46] In 2014, this led to a public disagreement with the San Francisco Fire Department around street design at new developments at Hunters Point and Candlestick Point.[46] The Fire Department sought to widen streets in these developments to be 26 feet wide, which is 6 feet wider than the legal requirement.[47]

Public spaces

In 2012, Wiener sponsored controversial legislation banning nudity at un-permitted events, which was eventually passed by the Board.[48] Wiener stated that "[t]his is what local government is for—to respond to the issues affecting citizens where they live."[49]

In 2013, the Board of Supervisors passed another bill authored by Wiener establishing park hours for San Francisco's parks. The supervisor claimed the ban was needed to combat vandalism and illegal dumping. Critics said it was unfairly aimed at the homeless.[50]

Wiener has also been active in promoting and regulating food trucks. In 2013, Wiener's legislation establishing guidelines for San Francisco's food truck industry was passed by the Board of Supervisors.[51]

Another of Wiener's policy focuses has been increasing government spending on parks, including supporting the expansion of park patrol in budget negotiations.[52] Wiener also authored legislation to have the city government purchase a parking lot on 24th Street and turn it into a public park.[53]

On the Budget Committee, Wiener has advocated for adding government funding for maintenance and safety in San Francisco's parks and other public spaces.[54] He has also been involved in efforts to increase municipal spending on street resurfacing[55] and maintenance of street trees and park trees.[56]

Environment

In 2015, Wiener authored legislation to make San Francisco the first city in the country to require water recycling in new developments.[57] He also proposed legislation to require each unit in multi-unit buildings have their own water submeters.[58]

Nightlife and culture

Early in his first term, Wiener requested a study of the economic impacts of entertainment and nightlife, a big issue in his first campaign.[59] The study, completed by the San Francisco City Economist, found San Francisco nightlife generated $4.2 billion in economic productivity in 2010.[60]

In 2013, Wiener authored legislation to make it easier for businesses to get permits for DJs, and to offer a new permit to allow for live music in plazas.[61]

PrEP use and HIV issues

In September 2014, Wiener announced in an online essay on the Huffington Post that he was taking Truvada, a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) that reduces the risk of HIV infection.[62] Wiener stated that he disclosed his usage of PrEP in an effort to reduce the stigma around taking the HIV prevention medication. Wiener also cited the need for more awareness and expanding access as other keys for making PrEP successful.[63] He also worked with David Campos to support ensuring low-cost access to Truvada for pre-exposure prophylaxis against HIV after announced his own PrEP use.[64]

As a member of the Board's budget committee, Wiener has advocated for HIV/AIDS services, especially around restoring lost federal funds.[65] In 2016, he was integral in securing funding for San Francisco's Getting to Zero effort, which aims to end all new HIV infections in San Francisco.[66]

Parental leave

In 2016, Wiener authored first-in-the-country legislation to require fully paid parental leave for new parents after childbirth or adoption, applying to both parents. As a result of this legislation, employers in San Francisco must give employees up to six weeks of paid time off.[67]

Soda tax

In 2014, Wiener introduced a ballot measure that would have imposed a two cents per ounce tax on the distribution of sodas and other sweetened beverages, and used the money to fund "healthy choices" in San Francisco.[68] The measure, which was also sponsored by Supervisors Malia Cohen, Eric Mar, John Avalos, David Chiu and David Campos, aimed to reduce soda consumption and increase programs to combat the rise of diabetes and other related diseases in San Francisco.[69]

The endorsement list for San Francisco's sugar beverages tax, Measure E, featured much of San Francisco's local political establishment, including all its state legislators, and many health organizations,[70] but voters in the November 4, 2014 election did not give the measure the ⅔ supermajority required to impose a new tax.[32] The American Beverage Association, much criticized by Wiener during the campaign, spent over $9 million to defeat Measure E,[71] which was also opposed by the Libertarian Party of San Francisco. Ultimately the measure garnered 55.6% of the vote,[32] slightly over half and well below the 66% needed to pass.

City business with states that forbid LGBT civil rights protections

In 2016, he introduced a bill, passed by the Board, barring the city from doing business with companies that have a home base in states such as North Carolina, Tennessee, and Mississippi, that forbid civil rights protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.[72]

Incidents

Robbery

In 2015, Wiener was robbed of his cell phone on the corner of 16th and Valencia in San Francisco. He immediately began to negotiate with the would-be thieves, and got them to agree to accept $200 for the return of his phone. The foursome walked to a nearby ATM, where the transaction was caught on tape by the cameras at the ATM. A Wells Fargo security guard also observed the robbery in progress, and called the police.[73] A woman and a man were later arrested and charged with second-degree robbery.[74]

Fox News

Wiener has refused questions from a Fox News correspondent, saying "Fox News is not real news, and you're not a reporter. I talk to real news only."[75]

Personal life

Wiener is openly gay.[76][77] He is Jewish.[78]

References

  1. ↑ "Scott Wiener, District 8, Castro - San Francisco Supervisor Candidate Profile". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on January 22, 2011.
  2. 1 2 Knight, Heather (December 30, 2010). "Scott Wiener's persistence pays off in District 8". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved January 3, 2011.
  3. ↑ Joshua Sabatini (December 27, 2010). "Scott Wiener no stranger to city politics". The San Francisco Examiner. Archived from the original on December 31, 2010.
  4. ↑ Arom, Eitan (January 6, 2017). "Jewish state legislators ready to make an impact". Jewish Journal.
  5. ↑ Gay Family Values (2013-03-01), Scott Wiener Interview, retrieved 2017-11-26
  6. 1 2 Emslie, Alex. "S.F. Supervisor Scott Wiener Announces State Senate Run". KQED.
  7. ↑ "For SF candidates, Chinese name can spell edge at poll". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2018-01-25.
  8. ↑ Koseff, Alexei; Luna, Taryn (September 14, 2017). "Efforts to control California housing costs go to Jerry Brown after tight vote". Sacramento Bee. Archived from the original on 2017-11-12. Retrieved 2018-05-29.
  9. ↑ Dillon, Liam (2017-09-29). "Gov. Brown just signed 15 housing bills. Here's how they're supposed to help the affordability crisis". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2017-11-01. Retrieved 2018-05-29.
  10. 1 2 Dillon, Liam (2017-01-23). "California cities would have to make it easier to build houses under new legislation". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2017-06-07. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  11. ↑ Dillon, Liam (2017-10-05). "How a new California law could kill a 30-year-old rule that slowed development in Los Angeles". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2017-12-01. Retrieved 2018-05-29.
  12. ↑ Bowen, Andrew (2018-03-08). "California's Housing Crisis Builds Appetite To Limit Local Control". KPBS Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on 2018-05-03. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  13. ↑ Schneider, Benjamin (2018-03-05). "In California, Momentum Builds for Radical Action on Housing". Citylab - The Atlantic Monthly Group. Archived from the original on 2018-05-03. Retrieved 2018-05-25.
  14. ↑ Marzorati, Guy (May 31, 2017). "California Lawmakers Move Toward New Renewable Energy Goals". KQED News.
  15. ↑ "Bill Text - SB-71 Electricity: solar energy systems". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2017-11-26.
  16. ↑ "Bill Text - SB-700 Energy Storage Initiative". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2017-11-26.
  17. ↑ Baker, David (May 26, 2017). "Batteries could be latest clean technology to get California boost". SF Chronicle.
  18. ↑ "Last call at California bars could be 4 a.m. under proposed law". Los Angeles Times.
  19. ↑ "Scott Wiener". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2017-11-26.
  20. ↑ "Nightlife bill advances to state Assembly". 'San Francisco Chronicle.
  21. ↑ Thadani, Trisha (September 1, 2017). "Nightlife bill to let bars stay open past 2 a.m. 'gutted' in committee". San Francisco Chronicle.
  22. ↑ "Wiener reintroduces bill to extend California nightlife".
  23. ↑ Wiener, Scott. "California SB 239". California Legislative Information. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  24. ↑ "Proponents argue for HIV criminalization reform". Bay Area Reporter.
  25. ↑ "Governor Signs Bill Modernizing California HIV Laws - ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties". October 6, 2017.
  26. ↑ "Bill Text - SB-179 Gender identity: female, male, or nonbinary". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2017-11-26.
  27. ↑ "California Is Ready To Recognize A Third Gender. Is The Rest Of The Country?". Buzzfeed.
  28. ↑ "Senator Wiener introduces LGBT Seniors Long-Term Care Bill of Rights". San Francisco Examiner.
  29. ↑ "State Senate Approves Bill To Protect LGBT Seniors". SFist. Archived from the original on 2017-06-20.
  30. ↑ Knight, Heather (September 5, 2017). "Scott Wiener's LGBT bill riles conservatives". San Francisco Chronicle.
  31. 1 2 "Official Ranked-Choice Results Report November 2, 2010 Consolidated Statewide Direct Primary Election Board of Supervisors, District 8". San Francisco Department of Elections. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  32. 1 2 3 4 "SFDOE Results". San Francisco Department of Elections.
  33. 1 2 "Board of Supes Gives Initial Approval to Tenant Displacement Legislation". SF Appeal.
  34. ↑ "Board Restricts Ability to Convert Rental Housing". San Francisco Examiner. Archived from the original on 2012-08-22.
  35. ↑ "S.F. Supervisors Back Micro-Apartments". San Francisco Chronicle.
  36. ↑ "Board Restricts Ability to Convert Rental Housing". San Francisco Magazine.
  37. ↑ "Idea would allow new in-law units during seismic work". San Francisco Chronicle.
  38. ↑ Gaiser, Sara (26 January 2016). "Legislation would fast-track affordable housing". Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  39. ↑ Gaiser, Sara (June 7, 2016). "Proposal offers rent control for HIV/AIDS survivors".
  40. 1 2 "Misconceptions Fuel Non-Profit Opposition to Crucial Muni Funding Reform". Streetsblog SF.
  41. ↑ "Supes Approve Wiener's Population-Based Transit Funding Measure for Ballot". Streetsblog SF.
  42. ↑ "Transit gets a boost from election results". San Francisco Examiner.
  43. ↑ "Supervisor Scott Wiener Hails Plan for More Cabs". San Francisco Examiner. Archived from the original on 2011-03-05.
  44. ↑ "Plan to boost car-sharing at new housing". San Francisco Chronicle.
  45. 1 2 "Board of Supervisors Unanimously Passes Wiener?s Ped Safety Reforms". SF.Streetsblog.org.
  46. 1 2 Wiener, Scott. "Fire Departments are standing in the way of good street design". City Lab.
  47. ↑ "Supervisor Scott Wiener steps up heat on S.F. Fire Dept". San Francisco Chronicle.
  48. ↑ "Scott Wiener naked ban passed in San Francisco". ABC Local News. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  49. ↑ "Scott Wiener on San Francisco's Ban on Public Nudity". BusinessWeek. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  50. ↑ "Supes vote to close S.F. parks midnight to 5 a.m." San Francisco Chronicle.
  51. ↑ "New San Francisco food truck regulations approved". San Francisco Chronicle.
  52. ↑ "Supervisors wrap up budget negotiations early". San Francisco Chronicle.
  53. ↑ "San Francisco poised to purchase land, make new park in Noe Valley". San Francisco Examiner.
  54. ↑ "It's Down to the Wire for San Francisco's Budget". San Francisco Examiner. Archived from the original on 2013-02-02.
  55. ↑ "Street fight is brewing over San Francisco's Road Repair Bond". San Francisco Examiner. Archived from the original on 2011-10-08.
  56. ↑ Wiener, Scott (July 18, 2011). "Maintaining San Francisco's Trees". Huffington Post.
  57. ↑ Lohan, Tara (October 5, 2015). "San Francisco's Innovative Step to Save Water".
  58. ↑ Cestone, Vince; Ward, Evan (23 March 2016). "SF supervisor proposes water meters for new housing projects". Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  59. ↑ "Wiener proposes economic study on nightlfe". San Francisco Bay Guardian.
  60. ↑ "San Francisco Nightlife Generated $4.2 Billion in 2010: City Finally Embraces Industry". Huff Post San Francisco.
  61. ↑ "Proposal makes it easier for businesses to host DJs". KGO ABC 7.
  62. ↑ "Coming Out of the PrEP Closet". Huffington Post".
  63. ↑ "San Francisco Politician Goes Public With His Choice To Take Anti-HIV Drug". National Public Radio".
  64. ↑ Barro, Josh (September 17, 2014). "San Francisco Official Says He Takes Truvada to Prevent H.I.V., and More Gay Men Should, Too" (The Upshot blog). The New York Times.
  65. ↑ "Lee to Restore All HIV/AIDS Funds". Bay Area Reporter.
  66. ↑ "Bay Area Reporter Weblogs » SF supe secures remaining $2.5 million for Getting to Zero". Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  67. ↑ "SF mandates up to six weeks of fully paid parental leave". Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  68. ↑ Colliver, Victoria (February 1, 2014). "United front in S.F.'s war on sodas, other sweet drinks". San Francisco Chronicle.
  69. ↑ Knight, Heather (November 30, 2013). "Experts back 'nanny state' health efforts". San Francisco Chronicle.
  70. ↑ "United front in S.F.'s war on sodas, other sweet drinks". Choose Health SF.
  71. ↑ Steinmentz, Katy. "Big Soda Fights Bay Area Tax Proposals". Time.
  72. ↑ McDermid, Riley (September 29, 2016). "San Francisco will no longer do business with states that have anti-LGBT laws". Retrieved 2018-05-23. (Subscription required (help)).
  73. ↑ "Scott Wiener Is Robbed, Lowballs Thieves, Gets Phone Back". Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  74. ↑ "Second arrest made in robbery of Supervisor Wiener". Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  75. ↑ "'Fox News Is Not Real News!': See What Happened When Fox Reporter Confronted San Francisco Officials". 14 July 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  76. ↑ Wiener, Scott (21 Jun 2016). "Why LGBT Pride Is So Personal for Me as a Gay Man". EQCA. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  77. ↑ Nevius, C.W. (14 Jan 2015). "In world of S.F. politics, Scott Wiener is a serious player". SF Gate. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  78. ↑ "Public Servants' Prayer". www.publicservantsprayer.org.
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