By: Hayley Solarz
Muni’s problems mean more than delays, broken vehicles and longer commute times. Our transit issues stand in as city issues – systemic problems having to do with where San Francisco sets its priorities and directs its resources. But the Reset community knows this. And for riders who know firsthand the annoyance of Muni switchbacks, it feels intuitive.
By: Wei Zheng
On Wednesday, March 20th, the San Francisco Technology Democrats will host a conversation with the President of San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors, David Chiu. 
Dedicated to promoting tech policy across a range of issues including transparency and accessibility, the “SF Tech Dems” will lead a discussion focused on “tech + government + innovation,” one that will also feature the city’s Chief Innovation Officer, Jay Nath. To be held at Marines’ Memorial Club near Union Square, the conversation will offer participants not only a chance to hear new ideas, but also the opportunity to voice feedback, give suggestions and ask questions to some of the city’s most influential officials.
By: Daniel Richman
Baseball season is right around the corner (insert collective cheer here), which means our San Francisco Giants will yet again embrace the task of defending a World Championship, their 2nd title in three years. This year, the Giants have decided to help our city in a new way, partnering with Mayor Ed Lee to launch an exciting new Anti-Litter Campaign, “Giant Sweep”. Apparently ‘sweeping’ the Tigers in the World Series wasn’t enough for these guys…
Back in September, Travel and Leisure ranked San Francisco the 11th dirtiest city in America, two rankings dirtier than Las Vegas. In 2012 alone, Department of Public Works (DPW) cleaning crews picked up nearly 23,000 tons of litter and illegally dumped materials (damaged couches, TVs, etc.) from city streets and sidewalks.
By: Wei Zheng
Is there a short cut that leads to a more green life in just a few minutes? Why yes there is, and it's called the HeatMeter. The HeatMeter, a sensor that monitors the usage of propane, natural gas, and oil, will help families measure their energy consumption in real time through their smartphone, improving energy efficiency. If every household improved their heating efficiency by 16 percent, it would be the same as taking all of the cars in California off the road!
By: Daniel Richman
Last June, we introduced the Mayors Challenge and asked our city government to participate. We’re excited to announce that San Francisco is one of the top 20 finalists!
The Mayors Challenge is a competition created in 2012 by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg through Bloomberg Philanthropies. It aims to inspire other mayors across the country to produce ideas helping to solve major challenges and improve city life. After receiving ideas from cities all over the nation, a panel of judges including funders, experts, and innovators, selected 20 finalists back in September. Competing with hundreds of submissions, San Francisco was selected! Now comes the fun part: The 5 winners will be selected via public vote.
By: Daniel Richman
Oakland startup Mosaic has announced plans to use nation-wide “crowdfunding” in order to help finance its rooftop solar panel technology. While using the Internet as a launch pad for online investment is short of revolutionary — popular companies like Kickstarter and Indiegogo are mainstays for artists and eager entrepreneurs — the move signifies an exciting push for green energy.
We require car owners to get auto insurance. Shouldn’t we make it required that gun owners get liability insurance?
Reset San Francisco Founder, Assemblyman Phil Ting introduced AB 231 that would make it mandatory in California. “I was moved, like many others, being the father of two young children, by the Sandy Hook incident and looking for constructive ways to manage gun violence here in California as well as the rest of the country," said Assemblyman Philip Ting of San Francisco, who introduced AB231 along with Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez of Los Angeles.
Bill co-sponsor Assemblyman Gomez said the bill would encourage gun owners to lock up their guns and take safety classes to lower insurance rates.
By: Daniel Richman
In his “re-inauguration” speech last week, President Obama spoke of a renewed commitment to building American business. Looking to continue developing the steady, albeit slow, economic progress many regions experienced in his first term, he emphasized technological infrastructure as a key instrument to “power(ing) new jobs and new industries.”
With great resistance coming from some large companies and a seemingly complacent Federal Communications Commission (FCC), whether or not America experiences this digital growth, may not be up to him at all. For a budding technological hotbed like San Francisco, the outcome of this debate may carry some serious consequences.
By: Daniel Richman
Muni is about to get a major technological overhaul. For the over 700,000 San Franciscans who ride it everyday, these improvements couldn’t come soon enough.
On Tuesday, San Francisco Municipal Transit Authority Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve a $24.1 million contract aimed at restoring and enhancing Muni’s outrageously outdated central communication system – some might call it vintage… According to Vince Harris, SFMTA director of capital programs and construction, the contract was awarded to Fremont-based Blocka Construction Inc., and work will begin next month.
By: Matt Calvert
Changes in the way we learn could be in store, as the University of California Board of Regents met this week and discussed the possibility of expanding the number of online course offerings available to students. Whether those changes are for better or for worse, though, remains to be seen.
The move has been advocated for by Governor Jerry Brown, and could allow new online students to take classes that would transfer to UC campuses similar to the system in place for community colleges. Some regents see an increase in online course offerings as a way to increase entry to the University of California while also providing the potential for added revenue. The UC has had to enact budget cuts and tuition increases as a way to combat its revenue problems, both of which have met with resistance from students and administrators.
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