Who Reads Yesterday's Papers?

For years, arts groups have been complaining about not getting enough money and what money they get not going to the right people. Part of the problem was that the city's art fund, which mainly comes from hotel and other taxes have continuously been robbed of funding from the Board of Supervisors looking to fill budget holes. So last year, after years of complaining, something was done: a task force was formed to look into it. After a year of debating, the task force issued their findings and found that the key to solving this problem is to form another committee. That and there should be more money given to the program. Oh, and it would be super nice if the Board of Supes would kindly not raid funds to pay for other things. Some say that this won't do anything as it just adds another level of bureaucracy to everything. Others point out that committees cost money too. And Jon Carroll wonders what if the Board of Supes just stopped raiding the fund?

-Meanwhile, the Golden Gate Bridge district committee made a big vote on whether or not to put up suicide barriers on the Bridge and decided to give $2 million dollars to fund a committee to look into it.

-Remember when the Gav donned a Yankees cap and hopped on board of a cable car, then announced that cable car conductors have been secretly stealing money and pocketing the fares? Well, he done did something about it. Starting last week, cable card conductors have been given money belts or pouches to help them "hold" onto the money. Audits will also be conducted (ha! we made a pun!). Can't say the Mayor isn't a Man of Action.

Picture of W. Making a New Friend from the Guardian. The English one. Not the Bay Guardian.