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Board confirms Dorothy Liu to Ethics Commission after contested amendment attempt failed
Summary
The Board approved Dorothy Liu’s appointment to the Ethics Commission, rejecting a motion to replace her nomination with an alternate candidate. The final vote on the appointment was 10-1 in favor.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 10-1 on April 5 to confirm Dorothy Liu to the City’s Ethics Commission, following an extended discussion and a failed procedural motion to substitute an alternate nominee.
Background and debate
The rules committee had forwarded Ms. Liu’s nomination to the full board. During general debate Supervisor Marr moved to consider Alan Grossman instead, arguing for an appointee with long experience advocating open‑government reforms and sunshine law work. Marr said the commission needed members who could “hit the ground running” on complex ethics and sunshine issues.
Supporters of Ms. Liu, including several supervisors who had met with her before the nomination, praised her legal background, impartiality and stated commitment to transparency. President David Chiu and others described her as thoughtful and independent and said she would support impartial enforcement of existing law and the commission’s mandate.
Outcome and vote
The board voted on the motion to replace Ms. Liu with Mr. Grossman; that motion failed 3‑8. The board then voted to confirm Dorothy Liu to the Ethics Commission by a 10‑1 roll call. After confirmation, the president noted that the board will continue to monitor the commission’s work and resources.
Context
Multiple supervisors said they were concerned about the broader state of the Ethics Commission and discussed resource and transparency issues — including televising commission meetings and pursuing campaign finance or lobbyist disclosure reforms — but those topics were raised as separate policy matters rather than conditions on the appointment.
Ending note
Dorothy Liu’s appointment was finalized with a large majority; supervisors indicated continuing interest in strengthening the commission’s capacity and following up on policy reforms through separate channels.
