Founded in February 2003 as a grassroots advocacy program, our goal is to raise awareness of issues that affect the quality of life and well-being of people living and working in San Francisco as well as the economic vitality of businesses headquartered here. We focus on a variety of issue areas including:

• Improving government efficiency and effectiveness,
• Building a vibrant economy for job growth,
• Ensuring safe and clean streets, and
• Providing housing for the city's workforce and middle class.

The debate over how the City deals with its systemic overspending continues. At the center of this debate is the obvious need to implement efficient government practices while preserving the City's core services. To move forward, San Francisco must embrace the proven practices of other cities to reduce the cost of key services by streamlining their delivery. Therefore, the CUIP board plans to embark on a 2007 grassroots advocacy campaign to educate the public on the dangers of clinging to past practices and supporting the status quo.

This year, the CUIP will communicate with residents through the mail, television and the Internet. The key areas that will be addressed in the CUIP program will include government inefficiency and waste, education, quality of life issues, tax stability, and economic development.

The California Urban Issues Project provides the vehicles needed to inform San Franciscans of their opportunity to help change and make a difference in our city. 

The California Urban Issues Project Board of Directors continues to grow. At the present time, its Board Members include: Jordanna Thigpen, Small Business Owner-Deputy Director San Francisco Taxicab Commission-Vice-President Marina Merchants Association-Chair Marina Farmers Market Committee-Member: San Francisco Small Business Commission; Ken Zankel, Restaurateur -Member: Golden Gate Restaurant Association-Fillmore Merchants Association-Marina Merchants Association; Dona Crowder, Real Estate Agent -Member: SF Association of Realtors-Twin Peaks Improvement Neighborhood Association Residential Builders Association; Richard Ventura, Association Executive- Executive Director – SF Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Sonia Melara, Small Business Owner - Member: Plan C- E.A.R.N.– Earned Asset and Resource Network- La Cocina Mission Economic Incubator; Nathan Nayman, Association Executive- Executive Director – Committee on Jobs- Member: Balboa Terrace Homeowners Association; Jim Wunderman, Association Executive- Executive Director – Bay Area Council; Kevin Westlye, Association Executive - Executive Director- Golden Gate Restaurant Association; Rich Schlackman, Association Executive - Executive Director – California Urban Issues Project