We had our fingers crossed that the Board would pass President Chiu's Yellow Pages ban last night and finally remove the soggy lumps of paper pulp from our doorsteps, but that legislation was tabled for another six weeks while city economists put together a formal study of its impact on jobs and local business. Although supervisors Campos and Avalos both mentioned they immediately send the yellow pages to the blue bin (in order to be green), they both spoke up in favor of postponing a decision because the opt-in program could have an impact on local jobs and businesses.
City economist Ted Egan told the board an estimated 85 jobs (all delivery positions) could be lost and fewer circulated copies of the books would mean higher advertising rates for local businesses. The last point, we should mention, is actually the total opposite of how advertising rates work: where greater circulation generally leads to higher ad rates. So maybe the city economist's office should look in to consulting with someone from advertising during those six weeks. Chiu brought this up during the meeting, pointing out that local businesses who wish to advertise in the Yellow Pages are paying rates based on inflated circulation numbers, but his point seemed to fall on deaf ears.
Anyway, since the legislation wouldn't take effect until 2012 anyway, the six-week delay won't have a huge impact on the timing of the ban should it eventually pass. In the meantime, Chiu rightly asked the other supes to take a look at the recycling facility where many of the unwanted books are laid to rest instead of just their own blue bin.
