Catherine Stefani

Catherine Michele Stefani (born November 13, 1969)[1] is an American attorney politician from San Francisco.[2] Stefani has served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors since 2018, representing District 2 which includes the neighborhoods of Pacific Heights, Cow Hollow, the Marina District and Laurel Heights.

Catherine Stefani
Member of the
San Francisco Board of Supervisors
from the 2nd District
Assumed office
January 30, 2018
MayorMark Farrell
London Breed
Preceded byMark Farrell
Personal details
Born
Catherine Michele Stefani

(1969-11-13) November 13, 1969
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
ResidenceSan Francisco, California
EducationSaint Mary's College of California (BA)
University of the Pacific (JD, LLM)
OccupationPolitician
WebsiteBoard of Supervisors
District 2 website

Early life and education

Stefani earned a Bachelor's degree in government from Saint Mary's College of California, followed by a Master of Laws and Juris Doctor from the University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law.[3]

Career

Early career

After graduating from law school, she served as a deputy district attorney in Contra Costa County. She was a political aide for Cindy Chavez when Chavez served as Vice Mayor of San Jose. She also worked for Herb Wesson, a member of the California State Assembly. In San Francisco Stefani worked as an aide first for Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier and subsequently for then Supervisor Mark Farrell for nine years in the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.[4]

From 2000 to 2003, Stefani developed, hosted, and produced For The Record, a television show about legal issues.

She is a spokesperson for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and the co-founder and former leader of the group's San Francisco chapter.[5] She served on the Board of Directors of the Homeless Prenatal Program.[6]

She's a graduate and supporter of Emerge America.[7]

She was recognized with an "Ignite Honors" award in 2016 for "consistently putting her beliefs into action, engaging and mentoring other women and transforming her community."[8]

Board of Supervisors

When Mark Farrell resigned as District 2 Supervisor to become Mayor of San Francisco in January 2018, he selected Stefani as his successor. An hour after she was sworn-in Stefani formally declared her candidacy for the position in the upcoming November election and went on to win election to a full term.[9]

Fiscal stewardship

In September 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, Stefani was the lone vote in dissent of the budget proposal declaring it "fiscally irresponsible"[10] "I would budget within our means, and with the money that we have at the time that we have it, not based on tax measure [sic] on the ballot in November, and not based on reserves we shouldn’t be dipping into.”

In response to a pay-to-play corruption scandal in which city officials were arrested for taking bribes in exchange for awarding city contracts, in July 2020 Stefani introduced the "No GRAFT Act". The legislation closes a loophole in the city's contract procedures to prevent corruption.[11]

On May 12, 2020, Stefani resigned from her position on the Behavioral Health Commission Board over alleged financial impropriety, contract mismanagement, and inappropriately applying for and accepting a Paycheck Protection Program loan from the Small Business Administration.[12] She introduced legislation to end the contract between the Commission and the non-profit that was contracted to provide staffing and support in a move to "reform the structure of the Behavioral Health Commission to eliminate any corrupt or inappropriate behavior in its administration."[13][14]

In February 2019 Stefani challenged the renewal of a multi-million dollar contract with another mental health services provider pointing out that the organization "are not scoring highly on RFPs, have not always met standards and are not at their budgeted level of deliverables".[15]

Public safety

In response to an increase of car break-ins in early 2018, Stefani called for a series of hearings with the San Francisco Police Department.[16] Later that year, after a successful test of increased security at two San Francisco municipal garages, Supervisor Stefani called for the increased security methods to be implemented at all 22 public garages.[17] In October 2020 she called for a red light camera at an intersection in her district where a pedestrian had been killed earlier that year.[18]

Gun violence prevention

Shortly after taking office, Stefani introduced the Free Speech Protection Act prohibiting firearms within 500 ft (150 m) of public events of 50 people or more such as protests, marches and rallies. Law enforcement is excepted from the prohibition.[19]

After the Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting, Stefani introduced a resolution that designated the National Rifle Association a domestic terrorist organization.[20] On September 4, 2019, the Board of Supervisors passed the resolution with a unanimous vote.[21]

In April 2019 she requested the San Francisco City Attorney draft legislation to implement gun violence restraining orders which would allow firearms to be temporarily seized from owners who pose a safety risk to themselves or others.[22]

Vision Zero

In 2019, Stefani voted for a resolution to declare a state of emergency for traffic injuries and deaths in San Francisco, reaffirming the city's 2014 Vision Zero commitment.[23] However, Stefani has opposed public bike share in District 2 in private meetings with residents and has not advocated for the expansion of protected bike lanes and transit in the district.[24]

Neighborhoods, families and communities

In March 2019 Stefani called for a hearing to investigate the lack of mental health services available to San Francisco's homeless population, and requested more hospital beds for those who need psychiatric treatment.[25]

After the closing of the Clay Theater, an historic single-screen movie theater, in March 2020 Stefani introduced legislation to limit the use of such theaters in an attempt to preserve them.[26]

She is an active member of the Italian-American Community and represented San Francisco in Assisi, Italy for the 50th anniversary celebration of the sister city partnership of Assisi and San Francisco.[27]

Monuments and dedications

After much objection by the Italian-American community over the renaming of Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day, Stefani – who is of Italian descent – struck a compromise with an ordinance declaring that the day also be recognized as Italian Heritage Day. She stated "It is my hope that on this day, the city and county of San Francisco can celebrate the rich diversity and contributions of both its indigenous and immigrant communities."[28]

Stefani was a co-sponsor of an ordinance in October 2018 that required 30% of public artwork in the city depicting historical figures be women. The first monument to be erected would depict poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou.[29] The San Francisco Arts Commission's selection panel recommended visual artist Lava Thomas' proposal, a 9-foot tall bronze book with Angelou's face and quote etched onto it. However, the proposal was rejected by the Commission's Visual Arts Committee.[30][31] Stefani led this decision, calling for the SFAC to restart the selection process with clearer criteria for a what constituted a monument. Stefani justified this decision, according to the San Francisco Examiner, stating, "As I carried the legislation across the finish line to elevate women in monuments, I wanted to do it in the same way that men have been historically elevated in this city."[32] This decision to confirm Thomas' proposal has sparked public backlash. She has since apologized and Thomas' proposal was accepted in November 2020.[33]

When the Christopher Columbus statue at San Francisco's Coit Tower was removed by city officials in June 2020, Stefani supported the removal stating "I know as well as anyone that Columbus has historically been a symbol of pride in Italian Americans’ contribution to this nation. But Columbus also represents the painful foundations of American history — the slavery, subjugation and conquest we must all condemn."[34]

San Francisco County Clerk

Stefani was appointed as the county clerk for San Francisco County by Mayor Ed Lee on January 29, 2016.[3] During her tenure as Clerk the number of transactions increased by 27.5% and revenue increased by 5.7% due to efficiencies implemented under her leadership.[8]

Personal life

Stefani lives in Cow Hollow, San Francisco.[4] She and her husband have two children.[3]

References
  1. California Birth Index
  2. https://www.martindale.com/san-francisco/california/catherine-michele-stefani-283000-a/
  3. "Catherine Stefani Appointed As County Clerk". San Francisco News. March 1, 2016. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  4. Sawyer Bishari, Nuala (January 30, 2018). "Catherine Stefani is the New District 2 Supervisor". SF Weekly. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  5. Knight, Heather (October 15, 2017). "Moms' group's tactics show there is cause for optimism about gun control". San Francisco Chronicle.
  6. "SMC alumna Catherine Stefani elected to San Francisco Board of Supervisors". stmarys-ca.edu. February 15, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  7. Knight, Heather (August 21, 2018). "Emerge lights the fuse as women's political power takes off". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  8. "Q&A with District 2 Supervisor Catherine Stefani". Manny's. April 9, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  9. Swan, Rachel (January 30, 2018). "SF county clerk replaces new mayor on Board of Supervisors, will run for seat". SF Gate. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  10. Sabatini, Joshua (September 22, 2020). "Supes approve $13.6B city budget in a 10–1 vote". San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  11. Fracassa, Dominic (July 21, 2020). "After Nuru charges, SF Supervisor Stefani wants to strengthen city's contracting procedures". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  12. Sabatini, Joshua (June 5, 2020). "Supe. Stefani resigns from behavioral health board after raising questions over finances, PPP loan". San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  13. Sabatini, Joshua (August 24, 2020). "Mismanagement allegations could lead to restructuring of behavioral health board". San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  14. Sabatini, Joshua (October 19, 2020). "Behavioral health oversight body looks for new start — and staff — after mismanagement". San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  15. Sabatini, Joshua (February 14, 2019). "Supes question contract for mental health services, citing performance issues for nonprofit". San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  16. Sabatini, Joshua (February 6, 2018). "New SF supervisor seeks to hold police accountable on car break-ins". San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  17. Gribbon, Sadie (April 25, 2018). "City-owned parking garages to see increased security". San Francisco Examiner.
  18. Graf, Carly (October 20, 2020). "Transit officials push for more red light cameras". San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  19. Sabatini, Joshua (February 13, 2018). "SF to consider ban on concealed guns at large demonstrations". San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  20. Swan, Rachel (June 4, 2019). "SF supervisors declare NRA a domestic terrorist organization". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  21. Shannon, Joel (September 4, 2019). "San Francisco supervisors: NRA is a 'domestic terrorist organization'". USA Today. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  22. Thadani, Trisha (April 30, 2019). "SF supervisor wants city to make better use of state law allowing gun seizures". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  23. "Board of Supervisors unanimously declares state of emergency on pedestrian & cyclist fatalities". hoodline.com. November 7, 2019. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  24. Aguilar-Canabal, Diego. "Dude, Where's My Bike Share?". thebaycitybeacon.com. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  25. Sabatini, Joshua (March 5, 2019). "No easy fixes for 'broken' mental health care system for the homeless". San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  26. Whiting, Sam (March 9, 2020). "SF supervisor hopes law can save historic Clay Theatre, other single screens". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  27. Perfetto, Sere (July 28, 2019). "San Francisco-Assisi, fifty years as Sister Cities". Nob Hill Gazette. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  28. Sabatini, Joshua (February 27, 2018). "Italian Americans gain support at SF City Hall after outcry over Columbus Day removal". San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  29. Marks, David (October 2, 2018). "S.F. Approves Requirement to Add More Statues of Women in Public Spaces". KQED. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  30. "San Francisco selected an artist to create a monument to Maya Angelou—then rejected her". www.theartnewspaper.com. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  31. Sabatani, Joshua (October 16, 2019). "Proposals for sculpture to honor Maya Angelou meet with rejection". The San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  32. "Proposals for sculpture to honor Maya Angelou meet with rejection". The San Francisco Examiner. October 16, 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  33. Knight, Heather (November 6, 2020). "S.F. City Hall wrong made right: Eye-catching monument to Maya Angelou to be installed after all". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  34. Shalby, Colleen (June 18, 2020). "Christopher Columbus statue removed from San Francisco's Coit Tower". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.