Monique Zmuda

Controller: S.F. Has Cut Spending On Pace With Swelling Deficit -- For Now

​Comedian Demetri Martin once observed that the phrase "sort of" doesn't mean so much -- until you put it after sentences like "I love you," or "You're going to live." Well, according to the city controller's six-month budget status report, released late last night, we've got some good economic ne ... More >>

City Enters Era of 'Year-Round Budgeting'

​There used to be a time when the city hammered out a tentative budget, politicians and others duked it out regarding the allocations for their pet causes and agencies, and, eventually, everyone got on with running the city. Well, those days are over. Now the joys of budgeting never end -- and the ... More >>

Coverup worse than crime? S.F. outspends other cities fighting graffiti

Controller: Dire Financial Warning Is No Political Ploy

​Yesterday, SF Weekly broke the news that the city's finances are in such bad shape that the controller has forbidden the mayor or supes from making any expenditures not previously budgeted; the controller cannot guarantee the money is there. Yes, it's that bad. This takes the wind out of the sail ... More >>

Breaking: Controller Reveals City Has No Money for Additional Expenditures -- City 'Cannot' Spend Anymore Without Cutting

Busted​In a chilling move, the city controller's office announced it will formally rescind its certification of any supplemental expenditures by the city -- in plain English, there's no money and the Board of Supervisors can't spend any more unless more revenue comes in or the current budget is cu ... More >>

'Squishy Numbers' Be Damned, Controller to Give Mayor City's Financial Report Today

While it remains to be seen how much the state will be taking from San Francisco, the controller's office will issue a report today​Can you see Gavin Newsom as a game show host? He's got the hair, he's telegenic, and if we sweet-talk Gene Rayburn's relatives, maybe he can even get the long microph ... More >>

Show 'Em What They Lost: Controller Issues Report Detailing How Much State Will Vacuum Away From S.F.

​As promised, city controller Ben Rosenfeld this afternoon released a report detailing the hit San Francisco will take as a result of state borrowing, filching, and other creative accounting tactics. What, you were expecting good news? How about this: Hundreds of Muni vehicles didn't crash today. ... More >>

How Much City Will Bleed Following State's Budget Grab Still Unclear -- But It Certainly Won't Be Good Times

But how bad will it be?​With Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger expected to sign a somewhat modified state budget today, just how badly San Francisco will make out is still as clear as a pint of Guinness. But there'll be no good news delivered today and for the rest of this week -- only relatively good ne ... More >>

Muni-Me

Gavin Newsom may be the city's top official, but he's not its highest paid--not even in his own office