August 11, 2008
IMMEDIATE DISCLOSURE REQUEST
PUBLIC RECORDS ACT REQUEST
Ben Rosenfield
Controller, City of San Francisco
Dear Mr. Rosenfield,
I am writing in order to seek information on the sources of the statements made and data cited in the letters you have submitted to the Department of Elections as your official analysis of the ballot measure regarding enforcement of laws related to prostitution and sex workers.
As I believe you are aware, our campaign has some concerns regarding some of the language in this statement. We would prefer to sit down and discuss these concerns with yourself or your representative(s), however it is my understanding that your office has been unwilling to hold such a meeting. (If that is incorrect, or is no longer the case and you are willing to meet with us, preferably this afternoon before your final deadline to submit a revised statement to the Elections Department, please let me know.)
Given this circumstance, we feel we have little choice but to request the relevant information in writing, in order to assess whether or not there may be grounds to seek a court injunction mandating this analysis be revised.
We are requesting from your office the following materials:
• any documents, notes, memoranda, invoices, audits, financial statements, emails, or other records produced, referenced, used or relied upon in the course of preparing your letter dated August 7, 2008, “Re: Proposition Regarding Enforcement of Laws Related to Prostitution and Sex Workers” sent to John Arntz at the Elections Department. We are particularly, but not exclusively, interested in knowing the basis for the following statements:
“Estimates are that the City spends between $1,250,000 and $2,350,000 on these enforcement efforts annually.”
“…there is also evidence that decreasing prostitution enforcement could significantly increase other public safety and justice costs by drawing prostitution and related crime to San Francisco.”
“Additionally, decreased enforcement of prostitution could increase costs related to public health, counseling and regulatory activities.”
“City agencies have received approximately $115,000 from this source in the most recent fiscal year.”
• any documents, notes, memoranda, invoices, audits, financial statements, emails, or other records produced, referenced, used or relied upon in the course of preparing any draft or revised versions of your letter dated August 7, 2008, “Re: Proposition Regarding Enforcement of Laws Related to Prostitution and Sex Workers” sent to John Arntz at the Elections Department. We are particularly, but not exclusively, interested in knowing the basis for the following statements:
“City agencies have received approximately $162,000 from this source in the most recent fiscal year.”
If payment is required in order to supply any of the above requested records, please let us know prior to producing them. If this request does not meet standards required for immediate disclosure, we request that you respond within the ten days normally allowed by law. We would prefer to receive these documents via email.
Sincerely,
Starchild
(415) 621-7932 / (415) 368-8657
RealReform@...
Maxine Doogan
(415) 265-3302
MistressMax@...
Campaign to Decriminalize Prostitution in San Francisco