League of Women Voters of San Francisco

That "Encouraging" Unemployment Rate.

2010-02-06T20:16:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder: The unemployment rate that gets all the press isn't a true measure of unemployment. It does not include people who want to work but have stopped looking. These people are referred to as "discouraged." Well. Sure. The employment rate our governmental leaders are describing as "encouraging" is 9.7%, or just under 16 million people. This is an "improvement" of ten percent compared to December's,and is considered surprising since companies tend to shed the holiday seasonal workers in January; instead, temporary workers and service workers increased. The average hourly wage is $18.89 per hour, which is $39,291.20, gross, per year. 41.2% of the 9.7% unemployed have been out of work for 27 weeks or longer. That is 6.3 million people out of work for 27 weeks or longer. See the data and the trends for the current 9.7% at the Bureau of Labor Statistics' informative site.

661,000 workers opted out of the labor force during December, probably not because Cabo called. Approximately 1.7 million workers dropped out between July 2009 and December 2009. The participation rate, or the share of the population in the labor force, fell to 64.6 percent in December, the lowest level since 1985, from 64.9 percent. For African Americans, the feel unemployment rate is 16.5%. The so-called underemployment rate -- which includes part- time workers who would prefer a full-time position and those people who want work but have given up looking -- rose to 17.3% in December from 17.2%. See Bloomberg for more.

Such a waste of talent and productivity. It's true more people are volunteering at schools, non-profits, and courts. Some are volunteering (euphemistically called "interning") in jobs companies used to pay people to do. But why bother, when there a so many people wanting to be productive, desperate to keep skills fresh, or thinking a change of profession is the answer? When will state and federal employment divisions finally decide those "volunteers" and "interns" are employees in fact, for whom companies enjoying the free labor owe employment tax, plus the 100% penalty for not paying timely. It should happen, but it probably won't until the states have exhausted every other source of revenue to close their budget gaps.

Some would say that jobs should not be artificially created, which is what socialist societies do to give their citizens a reason to leave the house in the morning and put money earned in their wallets to spend or save. Maybe.

The Times said Congress will be voting on a jobs bill next week, though whatever this legislation might be did not have many details, according to the Times. Swell.

I can't help thinking that if we had a higher calibre of elected public servants at all levels of government we might have a more strategic framework from which to address the systemic problems tormenting us. People involved in campaign finance reform describe it as the reform that makes all other reforms possible. Maybe. It is certainly a step forward. Not much use in the short term except as another worthwhile deployment of all that unemployed talent, should that talent choose to volunteer to promote campaign finance reform. It is something constructive and productive. For all of us, as elections near, it is a concept worth investigating and debating.

Here in California, we will be voting to accept Proposition 15, the California Fair Elections Act, already passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor. The California League of Women Voters is a sponsor. Consider attending a public forum for the Proposition 15 on February 21, at the Main branch of the San Francisco Library, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. It is something constructive and productive to do. LLII.

Healthcare Bill Limps Along

2010-01-31T20:02:00.001-08:00

The top priority of the Obama Administration when it took office last year was to pass healthcare reform, but that effort has been stymied by opposition from both Republicans and some Democrats. Now the Administration appears to be modifying its message and talking about Health Insurance Reform as the goal. House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi has talked about breaking the bill down into smaller pieces and trying to pass some reforms if not the entire bill. This is a tremendous disappointment to many Americans, including League members, who have fought to have this important reform passed. Health insurance is a right for all Americans and healthcare costs must be kept down so the country can afford to pay the bill for providing it. Both the Senate and House Bills that were passed before the Christmas break contain important elements of reform. If you care about healthcare, contact your representatives and tell them they need to pass a meaningful reform bill this Spring.

Much ado about bags

2010-01-28T09:36:00.000-08:00

In the S.F. Chronicle this morning C.W. Nevius tells us of a new move by Supervisors to encourage reusable bags in grocery stores. Current law in the City bans plastic bags in grocery stores and requires the stores to provide paper bags. All the stores I've seen offer inexpensive reusable bags for sale and encourage shoppers to use these by offering a nickel off the grocery bill for people who don't require a paper bag. Unfortunately, this still hasn't persuaded the majority of shoppers to use the reusable ones. Now Supervisor Mirkarimi has suggested that grocery stores be required to pay shoppers ten cents if they don't require the paper bags. Maybe this would work, but it would mean more costs for grocers, who would pass it on to all shoppers, even those of us who carry our own bags. A more effective system, as Nevius points out, would be a small fee for people who don't bring their own bag, but this is forbidden by law in San Francisco. Let's repeal that law and get the city moving toward eliminating one-use bags whether plastic or paper. It's remarkable what changes in behavior even a small fee can bring.

Don't stop worrying about water

2010-01-24T09:35:00.000-08:00

The rains that have poured down in the Bay Area for a week have brought us a lot of rain, but not so much that we can stop conserving water. That's the word from water experts as reported in the S.F. Chronicle today. One year with plenty of rain--and it's too early to know whether we have that yet--is not enough to end a drought that's been going on for three years. It took three dry years to get to the point we are at now and it will take at least two or three years to build up enough water for a while. The truth is, we will never be secure about water. The climate in the Bay Area was not arranged for the convenience of all the humans who live here, not if they insist on maintaining green lawns and exotic gardens planned for far different climates. Let's face reality. If we want to enjoy the benefits of our mild climate and almost-always sunny skies, we have to change our habits to suit our location. Don't let a few days of rain make us forget that cooperation with nature always works better than fighting against it.

But will it last?

2010-01-18T09:18:00.000-08:00

Stories and pictures of the tragedy in Haiti have dominated our news for almost a week now. According to most reports, Americans are responding with an outpouring of relief money, as are people throughout the world. Water, food, and medical care are the critical needs at the moment, but what happens after the immediate problems end. When the dead are buried, water and food supply channels restored, and transportation moving, what kind of lives will Haitians lead? Unless something is done about the level of poverty--the precarious buildings, dangerous roads, and fragile infrastructure--tragedies will occur again. Former Presidents Bush and Clinton are serving to raise money and help organize aid to Haiti. They have made a plea for help for Haiti over the long term. If you haven't given any money yet, you should act quickly. If you have already contributed to the cause, try to set aside some money so you can continue to offer help during the months and years to come. Let's not forget the people of Haiti as we have forgotten so many others when the shock of an event wears off.

Nonpartison sorrow

2010-01-14T09:21:00.000-08:00

Partisan politics plays an important role in California and legislators seem locked within their parties, but when Governor Schwarzenegger gave his last state of the state address, you didn't have to be partisan to feel sad. Timothy Egan in the N.Y. Times expressed best perhaps the general sense of sorrow for lost opportunities that now pervades the state. The high hopes of six years ago when Californians thought a new hand at the helm could steer the state through its problems have faded. The governor and the legislature are locked into an endless battle of meeting ever-growing needs with ever-shrinking resources. It's not the government that has failed us, however, but we the citizens who have failed at directing ourselves. Californians struggled for the right to change the state through citizen initiatives and the idea was a good one. What has happened over the years, though, is that we have voted in opposing initiatives, demanding services but making it impossible to raise taxes to pay for them while making no provision for facing a recession like the one we are currently facing. Many concerned citizens believe the initiative process is broken. Our constitution surely needs an overhaul. It's time for citizens to take responsibility. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in the stars...and not even in the politicians, but in ourselves.

Hope springs eternal

2010-01-12T09:26:00.000-08:00

Life in San Francisco can look bleak in January as we look at the gray skies knowing we should wish for rain but secretly hoping the sun will come out. In this post-holiday mood it's encouraging to see that young people are still coming up with imaginative ideas to make our city more enticing. The S.F. Chronicle today reports on a project at the Berkeley College of Environmental Design in which students designed uses for the abandoned Bay Bridge link now being replaced by a new bridge. Although the reality is that the structure will probably be torn down when the new bridge is ready, it is nonetheless fascinating to see how housing, hotels, and even farms might flourish on the span. People have unexpected ways of using space and some city projects throughout the country have provided far more pleasure than expected. New Yorkers use of the old high line railway on the West Side of Manhattan is a case in point. Wouldn't it be nice to think that in San Francisco too, we might imaginatively make abandoned spaces into places of beauty? We should all thank the students and instructors who have shown us how to dream.

Can we afford fresh air?

2010-01-08T14:09:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it looks as though there are no good answers to the problems that plague Californians. Yesterday, as reported in the S.F. Chronicle, the EPA recommended strict new limits on smog. Many parents who have watched their children suffer from asthma will be grateful for stricter standards. Elderly people who have trouble breathing when the air gets bad will also welcome the change. But progress seldom comes without a price to be paid. Stricter controls will cost corporations money for new equipment and will cost county governments money for enforcement. San Franciscans are lucky that their air already meets the new standards, but all of us occasionally venture into other counties. Even the pristine beauty of Napa County isn't safe from having unacceptable air quality. Is there any solution that will be palatable to everyone? Probably not. Concerned citizens can be careful about their own carbon-producing activities like unnecessary driving, especially on Spare the Air days, but government regulation is what is really needed. Probably also needed are new tax revenues to pay for the regulation. What is the best way to share the costs of improving life for all of us? California needs tax reform, as Governor Schwarzenegger mentioned in his state of the state speech. We should all support the movement to put the state's fiscal house in order. Everyone needs fresh air to live, even in golden California.

California Redistricting - Commissioner Selection Process Underway

2010-01-01T10:20:00.000-08:00

California's Senate, Assembly, and Board of Equalization districts will be redrawn to reflect the 2010 census by the new fourteen member Citizens Redistricting Commission. The first phase of selecting the Commissioners is underway, with initial applications, completed online, due no later than February 12, 2010. Your immediate questions are answered in these FAQs.

Successful applicants must have voted in the last three elections, have belonged to the same party or no party during the past five years (that is, no party jumping for purposes of becoming a Commissioner), and withstand a fairly rigorous conflict of interest inquiry. In contrast to the prior, Legislative-driven redistricting system, impartiality counts in this position.

Commissioners will be paid a $300/day honorarium when conducting Commission work, as well as expenses. Appointment is for a ten-year term; however, the work will be time-consuming primarily during most of 2011. If you are fortunate enough to be employed, your employer cannot discharge you or otherwise discriminate against you for conducting Commission business once you are appointed. Of course, you will want to work out something to amicably accommodate the Commission position and your relationship with your employer.

Successful applicants will be good essay writers, in order to survive phase two of the selection process where you will explain in writing why you really ought to be selected. This phase follows the February 12 deadline, but check out the questions in advance for insight into what the selection group will be looking for, and a reality check regarding your appointment chances. The third phase involves in-person interviews. By then, you will have solidified in your own mind why you are driven to respond to the higher calling of a redistricting Commissioner's responsibilities, and will be able to articulate that passion.

The Citizens Redistricting Commission, permitting redistricting relatively untainted by partisan politics or money, is just one reform that will help make other reforms possible. Is this something you want to do, and can do? Or, do you know someone you would trust with our future, who could serve? Act now. The initial application doesn't take much time to complete, but it must be submitted by February 12 - not so long from today.

More useful information may be found at www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov, a website whose url rightly manifests the confidence we should all feel for this new Commission. LLII.

Holiday Table Topics

2009-12-23T16:51:00.000-08:00

In no particular order:

1. If the news sources didn't keep filling space with Sarah Palin, would there be a crush of letters to the editor/online comments demanding Sarah Palin coverage? That is, is the Palin coverage pulled by readers or pushed by unimaginative news sources?

2. What is the difference between a politician and a public servant? Name some of each whom you believe have been most successful in their role (define successful).

3. When you think about the vote-by-mail process, can you say with certainty that your ballot reaches the ballot counters, and the ballot is counted as you marked it? What if you chose to not vote for someone? Ever wonder if a ballot counter voted for you? Discuss.

4. If the family members (or cluster of friends) were each to give $5/month to a pooled donation, what organizations would receive the gifts throughout the year?

5. If you were responsible for selecting participants to a California Constitutional Convention, what criteria would you use to construct the Convention population?

6. How should California pay for 100% publicly funded candidate elections? A surcharge on vice fines, fees, and charges? A limit on the campaign period? Restricting campaign television advertising to public access channels? (These are starter solutions, some designed to be terrible ideas, so they can be "fixed.")

7. How should the blighted section of Market Street between 5th and 7th be improved?

8. How can the fabulous Obamamaniacs who have fallen back into inaction be reactivated? What issues might entice them? What conditions would have to exist to motivate them? What can the groups you are involved with do to reach out to them?

9. If the oceans do indeed rise because we can't contain global weirding, what should be done with and for the people who will be displaced?

10. What are the most beautiful spots in San Francisco? Discuss.

Happy holidays, San Francisco. LLII.

Last minute gifts of an enduring quality

2009-12-20T07:45:00.000-08:00

Below are a few worthy gift-giving opportunities that are available via a few clicks online. Remember, as noted in a recent LL blog, it is the gift of $$$$, rather than time, that often is the most useful. [Even if you can't give, check out the amazing work these organizations do!]

San Francisco Beautiful has devoted itself for forty years to keeping our City lovely. San Francisco Beautiful led the opposition to Proposition D (the League also opposed Prop D), which would have brought blinding general advertising to already blight-ridden mid-Market Street. They also were instrumental in stopping authorities from selling naming rights to the Golden Gate Bridge. Check out their inventory of beautiful places all over the City!

The Aids Legal Resource Panel (ALRP) helps people living with HIV and AIDS through free or affordable legal assistance. Nothing quite says empowerment to people being bullied by the system than a letter on a law firm's letterhead. ALRP is held in high esteem by its legal profession partners - mostly volunteers - for its efficient operations. Those donations go to services.

La Cocina Community Kitchen is a non-profit incubator kitchen located in the Mission. La Cocina - led by Patricia Loya with an all-women board - provides space, technical assistance, and training to people starting their own food business. Donate, purchase gift food baskets, or use their catering services!

Counterpulse energizes the San Francisco performing arts community and makes new work accessible to audiences. This organization provides rehearsal and performance space, promotion and logistical support to area artists. It makes new work possible and visible. Give, and go. Counterpulse's performance calendar guarantees weekend after weekend of interesting work to see, at a ticket price anyone can manage.

Or, create a 2010 giving circle. Get together with a few family members or friends and commit to pooling small individual contributions into a combined monthly donation to non-profits you all believe are doing important work. You can make difference to twelve organizations over the course of the year, both in cash and expanded awareness of their efforts.

Finally, the League of Women Voters - San Francisco, does essential work in ensuring free and fair elections, where every vote is counted as cast. The League also asserts positions and influence in healthcare, climage change, education, and other foundational issues required to sustain an active democracy. The League does need active members, as well as funding. Join and get active, or give.

LLII.

www.tcktcktck.org

2009-12-13T16:10:00.000-08:00

Keep current with Copenhagen, what people are doing, and what we can do right now by visiting http://www.tcktcktck.org/. Climate change is one subject well served by the immediacy of online content. Go now and often.

Then, as you convert from your 2009 calendar to the one for 2010, mark Saturday, January 30, for the League of Women Voters of the Bay Area's annual Bay Area League Day — this year entitled “Big Steps, Little Steps to Addressing Climate Change” — in the Metro Center at 101 Eighth Street in Oakland, next to the Lake Merritt BART Station. Learn more and register. LLII.

Why all the drama over UC fee increases?

2009-12-10T21:16:00.000-08:00

This blog is directed toward people with no first-hand knowledge of the California college and university education system. That would be all of us who attended school out of state, and do not have children in the system now or will not be in the system in the next decade or so (which is why we haven't looked too deeply into UC education costs).

You will have noticed in this blog that we view education as the foundation of civilization (paraphrasing somewhat). According to news reports and other commentary, recent, continuing increases in the fees associated with higher education at the various California systems will squeeze people out of class and degree programs. Around the state, students have been protesting, most recently at San Francisco State University, where this morning a handful of activists were removed from premises they seized. The SFGate article noted order was restored in time for classes to start without delay. Earlier last Fall, similar respect for the importance of making education available to the determined was demonstrated when law school students (UCLA, I believe) negotiated with their professors to reschedule class so the students could protest and attend lecture.

Before tonight, I had no idea what it costs to attend California colleges and universities. I always had the impression they were quite reasonable, in real and comparative terms. Plus, in the news, the fuss seemed to be about fees. At my Midwest university, fees were $150 per semester to cover handouts, locker maintenance, and whiteboard markers. Tuition killed you. A 25% increase in fees would be annoying but not enough to kick anybody to the curb.

Well, for in-state students, California does not charge tuition. It charges fees. That's why a 25% hike is material to the students and the people paying those fee invoices. That's why people are being kicked to the curb, where there aren't any jobs that might fund the hiked fees. That's why people are protesting. We should cheer them on, maybe join them. And we should think about taxes in support of accessible, affordable higher education, proposed a few blogs back.

2009/2010 annual fees for California State universities, such as San Francisco State University, are $4,026 for undergraduates. Additional fees apply, which vary by campus. These costs are a 27% increase over the prior school year. Check out fees, i.e., tuition, per campus here. LLII.

Necessary reading

2009-12-03T07:53:00.000-08:00

Every day, it seems, there is more disturbing news about global warming, and today's installment is a blockbuster. Governor Schwarzenegger has released a backup plan for the state based on various assumptions about how high water levels will reach by 2100. Most people agree that we should take steps to control the speed with which climate change is coming, but just in case we don't work fast enough, we need to consider various scenarios that might occur. The article in today's S.F. Chronicle includes a slide show of pictures, the most chilling of which is a map of the Bay Area regions that will be underwater of the worst-case scenario happens. No one likes to consider the possibility of losing coastal beaches, homes, and businesses, but every citizen should take a look at what the possibilities are. It makes our small sacrifices to slow climate change seem even more imperative. Think about New Year's resolutions now!

A few steps forward

2009-11-30T09:12:00.000-08:00

Going green is not easy, nor is it cost-free, but the SF School District is taking a few steps in the right direction by encouraging schools to be a little greener. Not all of the steps may be feasible immediately. Board member Jill Wynns is right when she says that buying food from small local producers when the district is facing massive deficits will only cause more problems. There are some things that can easily be done, however, and should be done right away. Turning off lights and computers when leaving a room or a building makes sense. We teach our children to do this and teachers and other school personnel should set a good example. Just because SFUSD can't be perfect doesn't mean it should try to take a few steps forward. Even a pale shade of green would be an improvement.

How about a university tax?

2009-11-24T17:13:00.000-08:00

It's hard to escape the television pictures of young students protesting increasing fees in California's universities. The rise in fees will bring hardship to many students and their families, but they are not the only ones who are damaged. The state will suffer from not having as many graduates trained to enter California's businesses and to develop new ones. As Thomas Elias points out, it was graduates of California's state schools who populated the early Silicon Valley industries that brought wealth and prosperity to many. They are the ones who will bring us back from this recession by being available to staff the new businesses that will lead us out of this recession. As Mr. Elias says, Californians have been willing to pay taxes to support K to 12 education, but have never been asked about a tax specifically aimed at keeping a strong post-secondary educational system going. California's public education was a model for the country and the world. It is in everyone's interest to keep it strong because the strength and prosperity of our state depends on it.

Consider using cash

2009-11-22T12:43:00.001-08:00

The dream of standing behind a table laden with steaming soup and juicy slices of turkey and handing it out to grateful homeless people attracts many do-gooders at Thanksgiving time. But as this article in the N.Y. Times points out, many agencies that feed the hungry all year long don't need and can't use extra help for Thanksgiving. The situation in San Francisco may not be exactly the same as what happens in New York, but almost anyone who operates an agency to help the poor will tell you that real help comes from people who offer something more useful than a few hours of their time once a year. For most of us the best help we can give is CASH. We live in a cash-based society and no amount of smiling goodwill makes up for a lack of cash to buy food and clothing. Many of us vote resolutely against taxes that would help provide jobs and training so poor people wouldn't be so poor. We can't make up for stingy voting by giving away free smiles and holiday greetings. There are many organizations to help the homeless--staying at home and writing a generous check is the best volunteer work that many of us can do. And hang onto those generous sentiments for the next election!

The danger of set-asides

2009-11-19T09:19:00.000-08:00

San Franciscans who shuddered at the SF Chronicle's headline mentioning "$500 million" as the probable city budget deficit, should remember that feeling next time they vote on ballot measures. The idea that voter-mandated set-asides for particular services, no matter how appealing those services are, make it almost impossible for the city to cope with a crisis. We are in a depression that very few people predicted or thought possible. Most of the city's budget is tied up in required services that most of us want, but could live without for a few years as we struggle to provide for basic needs. California's system of ballot propositions, making citizens responsible for complicated decisions legislators should handle, has not worked well. As voters we are swayed by advertisements from special interests and emotional appeals that move us to tie up budget funds for years to come. Perhaps after working through the current economic disaster, Californians will turn to the task of reforming our way of governing ourselves.

Are you making rational choices?

2009-11-15T16:27:00.000-08:00

For those of us who hope citizens are making rational decisions about which candidates and ballot measures to vote for, a look at the cell phone business can be discouraging. When we are acting like consumers and choosing which cell phone to buy and which calling plan to choose, we do not go for the one that is cheapest, which would surely be rational. According to an article in the NY Times, many consumers opt for complicated plans that cost more in the end raather than choosing the most economical. When Apple first released its i-phone, the plan was to charge consumers $500 for the phone and then $20 a month for full service. People didn't like that. The i-phones didn't start selling well until Apple dropped its price to $199 and raised the monthly cost to $30, even though over a two year period the consumer pays more. Other cell phone companies have tried offering a flat price for each call rather than a certain number of free minutes plus very expensive prices for additional minutes. People didn't seem to like the variation in their bills, so that idea failed. By now most people have adapted to the strange world of cell phone pricing, but perhaps we should take some lessons from it for civic activities. People can't be won over entirely by the cost/benefit of a particular measure. They must be persuaded that the idea appeals to them on more than the basis of cold logic. Economists are coming to realize that emotions play a far more important role in people's choices than their theories had admitted. It's time to look at people rather than theories in economies and in public life.

Is San Francisco disappearing?

2009-11-12T20:47:00.000-08:00

News stories are sprouting in many sources to tell us that the water level of the San Francisco Bay is rising. To long-time residents of the Bay area, it is hard to believe that the shoreline so familiar to many of us may change dramatically before we realize it. The San Francisco Climate Action Portal doesn't make cheerful reading as we learn more about what must be done to preserve the Bay region from the rising waters that threaten all of us. If you want to see visual proof of the areas under siege, take a look at SPUR's latest issue of the Urbanist. The maps there not only show the threatened areas, but also suggest various methods that could be used to reverse the damage. Time is getting short and instead of wringing our hands and worrying, it's about time we unite to propose a plan to save our beautiful region.

Visions that have disappeared

2009-11-10T14:36:00.000-08:00

Sometimes we hear of an event that encapsulates an entire world event like global warming. Today's article in the LA Times about the disappearance of the ice cap on Mt. Kenya is one of these stories. The glorious vision of the glacier that has sustained local people for centuries as a religious experience is melting quickly. Almost none of the icy glory that was sometimes called "God's house" still remains. Those of us who live outside of Africa probably don't know about Mt. Kenya and are not aware of this change, but hundreds of people who live within sight of the mountain have seen a glimpse of what the world will be like for all of us as familiar landscapes disappear--ice melting, waters rising, forests becoming deserts. It's a frightening view of the future and one too easy to forget for those of us who live in comfortable cities and suburbs in temperate climates. It's good to have attention paid to the frightening changes that are coming to our planet.

Quite a change from 1993

2009-11-07T08:56:00.000-08:00

As almost everyone in the U.S. knows, today the House of Representatives is holding a debate on the healthcare bill. A vote will be held this evening--or tonight--or early tomorrow morning on passage of the bill. Newspapers are covering the debate, of course, but most people interested in following the debate wouldn't dream of waiting for a newspaper report. Was it only fifteen years ago that we were content to wait for the network TV news to tell us what was happening in Congress? This morning the cable channels are giving us fulltime video about the debate, newspapers such as the N.Y. Times are linking to cable to give live action coverage, and twitter is ablaze with tweets giving a minute-by-minute account of what's going on in Congress. There is no excuse for anyone who wants to participate in the debate not to be aware of what individual members of Congress are thinking and saying on the topic. It's a perfect climate for citizen action, which is something the League has always encouraged. This debate covers two areas of League concern--healthcare reform, which the League supports, and a woman's right to choose, also supported by the League, which has become a contentious item in the bill. With all the technological support now given us, it's time for citizens to let their representatives know how they stand--call, write, or tweet right now.

Gender Gap - Why is this still an issue?

2009-10-28T18:53:00.000-07:00

Do you ever wonder why we still talk about glass ceilings? Wage and income gaps, women to men, even when controlling for education, geography, etc.? The miserable number and even worse percentage of women CEOs, officers and directors, and partners? I do. It is shameful and inexcusable.

The World Economic Forum - the Davos people, a group also overloaded with men v. women - have taken to conducting and publishing a study of the gender gap, country to country. The 2009 rankings were just released. Factors assessed for rankings include economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment.

Select findings:

***All factors considered, the US ranks 31, down from 30 last year, within the study's 130-country cohort.

***Iceland is tops. True, Iceland is broke, but that had to do with currency exchange.

***South Africa, Lesotho, Trinidad and Tobago, Mozambique, and Sri Lanka rank higher than the US. Sincere congratulations, though this does give one pause about the methodology considering, for example, the incidence of rape in South Africa (something like 1 in 4 women will be raped in her lifetime) and all the goings on in Sri Lanka.

***The gap widened in 2009 for 43 countries; narrowing in 87. This means 33% of all countries have deteriorating conditions for women, but 67% are improving.

The study was released in close proximity with the NYTimes' article commenting on the appearance of the White House being an old boys' club. Let me ask again. Why are we still talking about this? And why are women still making apologies it (see article)? LLII.

Being female is a pre-existing condition.

2009-10-25T09:37:00.000-07:00

Being either gender is a pre-existing condition, literally, but who knew being female is a pre-existing condition for purposes of qualifying for health insurance. Or not qualifying, or being charged higher premiums. Some things collected during the past week:

From a 2008 study by the National Women's Law Center, analyzing more than 3,500 plans:
* Women are regularly denied coverage due to a prior pregnancy or C-section.

* In eight states and the District of Columbia, insurers may deny health insurance to women who are survivors of domestic violence.

* Women are charged as much as 48% more than men for health insurance.

* 60% of the plans studied did not cover maternity care.

* Predominately female businesses are charged higher premiums for their group plans because of the gender of their employees.

From conversations while out and about:
* Early 30s single woman changed jobs to one that does not offer health insurance. Despite working with an experienced broker, the only coverage she can obtain carries a high deductible, with no preventive care benefits. It isn't certain she can even get this. Her problem: A serious case of hives for which she sought medical care, including (at the advice of her physician) a consult with a specialist. The specialist cleared her of any physical cause of the hives; instead, stress was the culprit. The hives disappeared after changing jobs. However, because she sought treatment, including obtaining a clean bill of health from the specialist, no decent insurance coverage for her.

* Late 20s single women who runs not only runs marathons but wins them in her age group. Had a knee problem for which she sought attention. Some added stretches cleared up the problem; she continues to run, now without pain. This person withstood intrusive interrogation about other health issues. None. She, too, is being denied individual health insurance because of the knee. She can't even get coverage that carves out anything to do with her knee (which seems ridiculous under the circumstances).

* For people lucky enough to have health insurance, it is open enrollment season. Benefits are changing. Co-pays that once were fixed payments of, say, $10 or $20, may now be percentages of who knows what costs. Read an account of one person's experience reviewing the options, from the New York Times.

* California has new legislation that bans gender rating. It remains to be seen whether rates will moderate, or rates for men will increase to the level charged for women.

Keep talking up healthcare reform, including the public option, in particular with friends and family in other states. Universal health care is a right. A recovering economy will need healthy workers. LLII.

San Francisco School Disrict. Above Average. But only barely?

2009-10-18T11:34:00.000-07:00

The Advocacy committee of the League's San Francisco Chapter is fact-finding to learn whether the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) distributes resources equitably to the City's students. SFUSD takes a fair amount of bashing. Is it justified? The committee has much, much more investigating to do before a conclusion can be drawn. From time to time, this blog will report what we find.

From SFUSD itself, we read the district is the top performing large urban school district in California, comparing the results of the seven largest school districts on the California Standards Test (CST). It is, however, a weak field. Even "top performing" San Francisco has only "approximately half" of its schools scoring above average in state test scores. This equivocal phrasing surely means more than half of the schools scored below average. As one example, only 49% of students tested in 2007 earned a score of proficient or advanced in English Language Arts.

School Digger, a national site that uses most recently reported school test scores to rank schools provides easily accessible data by school and school district, lets us compare SFUSD with other California school districts. Again, the stats reflect only test scores. For these numbers, the year is unknown, but the data concurs with SFUSD's only barely average profile. According to School Digger, SFUSD ranks 387 (lower is better) out of 763 ranked districts for an indexed score of .519 (higher is better, with 1.0 tops). Oakland ranks 584 with a score of .353. Los Angeles Unified, 523 and .394. Berkeley, 245, and .645. San Jose, 394 and .515. Walnut Creek (no high schools included), 36 and .923. Sacramento, 483 and .432.

In support of the Chapter's investigation there is data everywhere. For example, there is a wealth of data related to pre-K - 12 education. The California Department of Education publishes mountains of data; unfortunately, not a single Adequate Yearly Progress Report or Academic Performance Index page was functioning today. Not for any of the years purportedly available. Hmmm. We'll check again later. Of course, SFUSD makes available no end of numbers, both online and (we understand) at its library in the District offices.

EdSource, a non-profit all about California, publishes massive amounts of data. I could not locate a comparison by school district, but that is forgiven in light of the analysis EdSource provides related to student performance by every demographic variable you can imagine. There are also many summary reports about hot topics.

The Chapter will be fact-finding through the data as well via interviews with education stakeholders. Come join us if you have an interest or can bring expertise. Suggestions to enhance our efforts are welcome. Email lwvsf@lwvsf.org. LLII.