>> good morning. thank you for joining me here at the board chambers, and thank you to board president david chiu, budget chair mark farrell, members of the board of supervisors, our elected officials, our commissioners, and our department heads. and welcome, members of the public who joined us this morning. this year's budget reflects a lot of hard work between city government and the people that we serve. we've met in every district of the city. we've worked with our elected city family.

we listened to hundreds of community leaders and providers who help us deliver services to the people of san francisco. and it's because of this consensus approach that i'm proud to propose a responsible and balanced two-year budget that reflects the core values that we share in san francisco, values of fiscal responsibility, social responsibility, and investing in our city's future. when we began this year's budget, we began like many years before, trying to reduce significant budget deficits. but because we have pursued policies to control costs, grow our economy, create jobs and stabilize our fiscal health, this year i'm proposing a budget that protects our social safety net, one that increases public safety, and one that invests in our city's infrastructure at unprecedented levels. and it is a budget that

significantly grows our city's reserves. this budget is being delivered as san francisco's economy is recovering, going, and moving in the right direction. and san franciscans are getting back to work. in fact, our unemployment rate has dropped, as you all know, from 9.5% in january of 2011 to an astounding 5.4% just last month. (applause) >> i know, i know it has -- it has not been easy. we've had to work hard with our health services system, our care -- our health care providers, and labor to reduce employee health care costs. and because of our collaboration, we will now save $52 million over the next two years. and we've made tough but necessary choices on everything from escalating pension costs

to reforming our unfair job punishing business tax. we've injected a healthy dose of fiscal discipline with two-year budgeting, five-year financial planning, and a 10-year capital plan to get to us this point. but it's been worth it. san francisco's credit ratings have been upgraded by every rating agency in the past year, making our tax dollars go further when we deliver capital projects, and giving our city even more investor confidence. so, now it is not the time to take our eyes off the ball. we have to continue reforms to protect our city's economic recovery and make our city safe, solvent, and successful. like taking meaningful action to address our $4.4 billion of unfunded retiree health care liability. thank you, supervisor mark farrell, for taking this on. you have my full support on this important issue.

(applause) >> while reforms and sacrifices have spared us deep cuts we've experienced during the deepest part of our economic downturn, we still have much work to do. this year's projected $123.6 million general fund shortfall and next year's $256 million shortfall requires strategic choices and strategic investment. so, in this budget you will see fiscal prudence, a high level of services to our residents, investments that protect our social safety net, increased public safety support for our neighborhoods, support for our critical infrastructure, and investments in our economy and job creation. one thing we agreed on early was that in the time of state and federal cuts, protecting

our social safety net is more important than ever. so, therefore, i have rejected all proposed year-one mental health and substance abuse reductions from public health department and i have restored $4 million in federal cuts to programs serving people with aids and hiv. (applause) >> and, and we will continue our efforts to be a healthier city. the affordable care act will extend health insurance to 35,000 san franciscans and our department of public health and human services agency will implement our nation's health care reform. but on our streets there are still too many people, families without a place to call home. and that's why we are extending a dedicated emergency family shelter to provide year round services, adding 25 more units

of family supportive housing and supporting a new approach to housing transitional aids youth and getting them connected to work. (applause) >> to offset the state's deep cuts to our school district, this proposed budget includes an unprecedented $110 million in education support over the next two years, and we are taking on additional responsibilities at our school districts where we will see new support from the private sector for middle schools, and new support with our federal partners with promised neighborhoods grants. and thanks to our city librarian, we will be extending library hours throughout our city. (applause) >> we are going to make san francisco an even safer city.

we developed a six-year police staff and fire staffing plan to train san francisco's first responders. over the next two years ~ san francisco will hire 300 new sworn police officers with six new academy classes. and we will add 120 firefighters with three new fire academy classes. with with 35 construction cranes across our skyline, you can see public and private construction jobs being created every day. in fact, an estimated 223,000 jobs will be created over the next 10 years from city projects alone. for our part, we're making a sound investment of $25.1 billion in capital projects over the next 10 years through our city's ten-year capital plan. this proposed budget includes unprecedented levels of general fund sub poderth for these

smart capital investments. ~ support $72 million in year one and $105 million in year two. thank you, president david chiu, for your collaboration on our city's 10 year capital plan that will ensure we strategically invest in our city's infrastructure. (applause) >> now, this budget will fully fund the street repaving program to improve streets and sidewalks and continue construction and planning on critical projects such as the water and sewer system improvement programs, our new general hospital, the bayview opera house, and improvements to muni. and thanks to the 195 million dollar voter approved parks bond, we will continue to invest in our parks and open spaces. (applause) ~ >> last year, together with the

support of voters, we passed the housing trust fund, a $1.5 billion stream of funding over the next 30 years for affordable housing and assistance to first-time home buyers. over the next two years we have budgeted $42.8 million for new affordable housing development for helping first-time homeowners including first responders with down payment assistance and preserving and stabilizing existing housing. here's a fact. every public dollar for new affordable housing development will be leveraged with two private dollars. all of these investments are needed to protect the housing stock in our city and to make sure san francisco can be affordable. and we are doing it smartly with some of the strongest tenant protectionses in place. the small businesses are at the heart and soul of our local economy. my proposed budget includes funding for an online business

portal to cut through bureaucratic red tape and make it easier for an entrepreneur to start and operate a business in san francisco. this budget continues my invest in neighborhoods initiative that is creating customized plans in 25 different neighborhood commercial districts and providing job squad and providing a job squad that brings city hall to our neighborhood businesses. and because san francisco's truly a global city, we're going to build on the success of china s.f. and expand our outreach to latin america and asian market street, not just to attract businesses to come here, but i'd like for us to really begin to introduce "made in san francisco" products to these growing market street. (applause) ~ markets >> while the worst of the economic crisis may be behind

us, we cannot deviate from our commitment to fiscal responsibility and reform. we will continue to invest in our neighborhoods, in our infrastructure, and most importantly, in our people. i want to recognize budget chair supervisor mark farrell again for leading the budget effort and making this a very collaborative process. i want to thank my staff led by steve kava, and to my budget office led by kate howard. and also a great thanks to ben rosenfield, our city controller and his staff, and then an anticipated thanks in advance to budget analyst harvey rose for his anticipated cooperation. [laughter] >> so, i know this is short, but i think you look at the budget. to me it's quite a sweet budget. so, let's roll up our sleeves. let's get this budget done collaboratively. and then let's spend our time making sure that we get 6,000 jobs for our youth this summer. thank you very much.

(applause)

[ applause ] >>my name is sam ashley, anchor at abc 7 news and i am delighted to be with you, i had a very difficult trip over i had to pass the embaracaro and so i worked the late news and about the only thing that would get me up this early is a round of golf, i am proud to serve as your mc and we have a wonderful ceremony, in my line of work any time that i can be in front of a large group of people that can't change the channel, i will get up early for that. >> you know, kind of a unique role here, part news man and part neighbor, we are right across the street. and super fan of the work that everyone involved in this great project has done and the end result. how many of you have had a chance to see the inside of this facility?

it is beyond words, really. and as of this morning, the public now has a chance to see what all of you have been up to these past many, many months to see this come to fruition is truly a programmable and satisfying and it is really a new crown jewel for the city of san francisco. [ applause ] >> you know, some months ago this was just an abandoned pier and 300 million dollars later and a lot of love and attention, it has been transformed into a place of discovery, a place of imagination, and a place of repose. in this new neighborhood, here along the embarcadaro, the san francisco exporatorium is truly reborn bigger and better than ever, and we know in this new location and facility and sort of a new sense of enthusiasm it is going to be a huge success

and a integral part of what visitors come to enjoy in san francisco and of course what all residents in the bay area come to enjoy. it is fantastic, i know that my kids used to love to come visit. i know that they will be excited and they are kind of big now and they will be excited to come and visit this new facility as well. we just aired and i want to remind for those of who you did not see it, i did a half hour special, thank you very much. [ applause ] and it is not, a shameless plug for the special, i promise you, it is a celebration of what was done here, we worked really hard to capture the enthusiasm and the quality of the exhibits and all of the deep thought and love and care that went into creating this new facility and it is just an exciting look at what has been done, so if you have not seen it, it will air the 28th, a week from this sunday at 4:30 on channel seven, of course and you can go to the website and watch the whole half hour now and it is just a lot of fun to see.

we show you what they did in terms of rebuilding the pier and moving the exhibits and just an amazing amount of work that it took to bring us to this point today. let me begin by first speaker this morning, the exporatorium board of directors represents the authority and bay area of course. from the silicon value, the giants a member of the grateful dead, even. i would like to introduce you to george, the advocate and champion of the exporatorium and its vision and campus on piers 15, and 17, george come and say a few words, please. [ applause ] >> what a beautiful day to open a museum. good morning, and welcome, this new campus is an incredible

gift from the philinthropic community and beyond. visitors of all ages, dan, all ages, and backgrounds will come here by the millions to nurture their curiosity. science teachers in the bay area and around the country will call it their professional home, artists will continue to collaborate with scientists here. and science education institutions around the world will benefit from the research and the innovation that will occur here. this has been a true journey, long, and rewarding. a culmination of years and planning and hard work, not just by the exporatorium staff and board, about whom i can't say enough. [ applause ]

but also by the city and the state including many of you here today. the exporatorium is really all about collaboration. collaborativive learning, collaborative decision-making and collaborative management. and this process has been a true collaboration, bringing together the staff and the board, government agencies, neighborhood associations, our fellow san francisco museums and many other con stitcies. >> raising the money to turn this bold vision into a reality was a true labor of love for the board. two factors made our job actually quite easy. first, everyone in the bay area loves the exporatorium. [ applause ]

and second, it is an institution that in its first 43 year has made a big impact in the world. what you see here is the end result of a lot of work by thousands of people. we see this space not just as a new campus, but as a transformative platform from which to multiply our impact, those within the museum and also beyond its walls. it is a great honor for me to represent the entire board along with two chairman ameriti who are both here today, dan casper and bill bos. >> both of who played... [ applause ] both of whom played critical roles in making this happen.

over a decade, i'm thrilled to be placing this first ring on our beautiful new bell, this ring represents visionaries and designers, the dreamers, architects and imaginers, of the exporatorium, thank you very much. >> george, thank you very much. please welcome now, dr. dennis bartel the executive director of the exporatorium and truly a driving force behind this remarkable and amazing project. [ applause ]

>> wow. what an amazing journey. i know, my chairman was nervous for a second that i was going to use an expletive. we are unbelievably excited to open the exporatorium at piers, 15 and 17 here to the entire san francisco community and the world beyond. it has been many years coming and it took an army of thousands to put it together. there is just a few special groups that i want to highlight here today. the first from the bottom of my heart this tireless, staff, this leslie, yes i am going to do it, this lovely band of miss fits anywhere in the world who pulled this together, thank you. >> to our board of directors and their leadership and

support. never waivering, that unflagging optimism and vision to finally land here on san francisco's front porch. to our architects led by mark batalion to our contractors led by midy brother and our banks, led by the bank of america this would not have been possible without you. to our partners the city and port of san francisco and the agencies that approved this project unanimously to bring it here. six different boards and six unanimous votes. >> and finally who welcomed us

and even this fabulous institution across the street, dan, thank you. our founder, frank openhimer when he started the exporatorium created something unlike it in the rest of the we woulder. it led to the movement of thousand of similar institutions since that time and never really wanted to call it a museum and he searched for a different word and it was our neighborhood across the street, who sat down with frank to come up with the word exporatorium. but to us, the staff, we really believe that it is this wonderful, zany public, learning laboratory. and where we get to invent and create things all of the time and now we have this beautiful new platform of which to do that work. but it took my predecessor who is also here today, a french physicist.

to boldly declare that it is not a place, but an idea, an idea and way of thinking to change the way was learned, and for the exporatorium and its brand. today, i'm just so delighted, that we have a chance, to open up our doors with more space, more exhibits, more classrooms, more play, by our own estimates we believe that our impact will be multiplied somewhere between three and ten times depending on what type of a program that you are talking about because of the beautiful site and the radical accessibility. [ applause ] so i just wanted to explain a little bit more about the ceremony today and the beautiful bell over here, a hand crafted bell done by artists nick depilipo, would

you stand for a second? this has quite a bit of significant, for the community. many of you will know that frank brought the bell from his ranch to the original exporatorium and ever since that day, the youth that run the place, trust me they really one the place, ring that bell to among the end of the day. this place is obviously too big for one bell and so we needed another one. and nick in his vision, nick who served actually as the head of foundry for a kindred institution across the bay, the crucible came up with this amazing vision of this hand crafted bell that each speaker as they get up here today will put another ring on at the very end, we have a very special guest, who will do the final ringing and we will open up for the day. so for my ring, i want to honor our institutional history and memory and for all of those who have come before us.

thank you, dennis very much. >> our next speaker needs no introduction, he is a advocate for redevelopment and believes in buildinging the peaceful communications and a great communitier and collaborative or and reorganizing agency to better serve all of us in the bay area and coming all of those to come to the exporatorium he is a walking billboard for this place. please welcome san francisco mayor ed lee. [ applause ]

thank you, dan. dan i just wanted to say, thank you for your great work and leadership, you are quickly earning, this new title that we are creating here, explainer extradinaire. in fact when we were pulling up to the station this morning and greeted by the warm and wonderful staff, the first question is how do you feel, mayor? andvy to be honest with you, i feel like the kid in the family who is just moved into san francisco, and about to be shown his or her bedroom. you kind of get really excited. so good morning, everybody and welcome to our wonderful water front, that is wonderful to be here with lieutenant government, newsom or chiu and scott weiner i saw him here as well and our city attorney and the director of the port and our treasurer, here as well.

and of course, the exporatorium team of dennis bartel george, and dr. rob semp er all here today on this momentus occasion, thank you everyone, our port commissioners here as well are here too. and i want to just make sure that everybody remembers that it was in 2006, that lieutenant governor made a promise made a promise that san francisco would rebuild a world class state of the art facility, that would expand our capacity to educate, and to inspire the curiosity of children, young and old from all around the world. and today, we are delivering on that promise. as we celebrate the reopening of our exporatorium, one of our city's treasured education and cultural institutions for over 40 years. where else in the world would you have our children and our

families experience over 1,000 interactive exhibits that explore, biology, physics, listening, cognitive, perception and social behavior and the environment. right here in san francisco. and it just does not happen in every city, but it will happen here. not only in san francisco, but for the families around the world. and the exporatorium does so much more for our san francisco communities. it offers our region's children and families 3,500 under served children and families will have free, science workshops. 70. yes. 70 under served middle high school students, opportunities to participate in college prep courses right here and training and hiring of over 200 of our city's youth, in docet jobs

called explainers who will be warmly greeting you in front of the brand new station of the exporatorium of muni. [ applause ] >> so that is the function and the purpose of the exporatorium and let me tell you a little bit about how this place does even more than that. it provides public new access, public access to water-front sites for the first time in over 50 years. two, brand new acres of public accessible open space. access to our historic bulkhead at pier 15 and the bay history walk. links to the urban and marine environment with two new, brand new pedestrian bridges. and public access to a spectacular water way, between the piers. and so you know that it is not surprising that the exporatorium is called san francisco our innovation capitol of the world