San Francisco Supervisors Postpone Vote On Mayoral Succession
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) – The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Tuesday postponed a vote on a possible successor to Mayor Gavin Newsom, who was elected lieutenant governor in November.
The Board of Supervisors has the authority to appoint an interim mayor in the event of a vacancy.
Newsom is expected to be sworn in to his new post on Jan. 3, and the next mayoral election in San Francisco is not until November 2011.
At the request Tuesday of Supervisor Sophie Maxwell, the board agreed by a 9-2 vote to delay deciding on the issue until next Tuesday's meeting. Maxwell did not specify a reason for her motion.
Supervisor Chris Daly, who was one of the two votes against a continuance, warned his colleagues that action was needed soon to address "real issues" the next administration will face.
The city is facing a nearly $400 million budget deficit in the coming year.
Board members can nominate any city resident for the post of interim mayor, and a nominee requires at least six votes from the board to be appointed. Board members cannot vote for themselves.
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