San Francisco Mayor Launches First "Interactive State of the City"

Yesterday San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom will unveil the first three webisodes of his first-ever, web-only "Interactive State of the City" simultaneously on sfgov.org and YouTube.

"Instead of a traditional speech behind a podium, this year I am delivering my State of the City address directly to my constituents in a series of ten webisodes," said Newsom. "Each webisode will be posted on the city website and on my new YouTube channel."

The mayor officially unveiled his new YouTube site where, he said, "you will be able to submit on video your own ideas for improving city government."

"We are committed to using technology to cultivate an ongoing conversation with our constituents," said Newsom. "Now our YouTube site gives us one more channel for communication."

The mayor said his commitment to using technology for direct communication is yielding measurable results. So far in 2008, the mayor's Web site has received over 27.6 million hits -- up from 3.8 million in 2006. Newsom has also established a significant presence on online communities such as Facebook and as an online columnist on sites such as DailyKos, Huffington Post, and Salon.

Newsom recorded the webisodes at the new Academy of Sciences, which "stands as a symbol of the great achievement our city is capable of," said Newsom.

"Despite severe budget constraints and declining investment by the federal and state governments," said Newsom, "what we have accomplished -- and will soon accomplish -- proves that a city can continue to be bold and innovative even in the face of extraordinary challenges."

Yesterday the mayor unveiled the first three webisodes, focused on health care, education and the environment.

In the webisodes, Newsom discussed San Francisco's universal health care program, universal preschool and afterschool for all initiatives, and the city's work to combat climate change.

He will unveil the remainder of the webisodes throughout the week:

• Tuesday: Transportation
• Wednesday: Violence Prevention and Poverty
• Thursday: Economic Climate and Economic Development
• Friday: Emergency Planning and Public Art

The State of the City will also air on SFGTV, cable 26, at 9:00am each day during the week.