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Board tables mayor’s reappointment of Patricia Breslin to Taxi Commission after contested hearing
Summary
After an extended hearing with supporters and critics, the Board voted to file the procedural item and table the appointment and rejection motions for Mayor Newsom’s pick, leaving incumbent Patricia Breslin to remain in place pending later action.
The Board of Supervisors held a lengthy, sometimes contentious hearing on Jan. 9 about Mayor Gavin Newsom’s appointment of Patricia Breslin to the Taxi Commission. After public testimony both in favor and opposed, the board voted to file the procedural hearing item and table the motions to approve or reject the appointment; the tabling vote carried 10-0 (one supervisor recused).
The hearing drew testimony from taxi-industry groups, medallion holders and drivers who praised Breslin’s experience, and from drivers and union representatives who said her ties to the hospitality industry created conflicts on issues such as hotel-arranged limousines and enforcement of driving requirements. Opponents argued Breslin represented hotel interests that favor town cars and limousines over taxi service; supporters highlighted her years of service and industry knowledge.
Patricia Breslin addressed the board at the hearing and described her five-plus years on the Taxi Commission and her role as vice president of the commission. She told the board she opposed illegal limousines and supported stronger enforcement: “I am opposed to illegal limousines. I am in favor of any legal choice that you can offer as an amenity to a guest. It is part of business to be able to offer a selection of choices.”
Supervisor Chris Daly (spoke during debate) and others pressed the mayor’s office about the timing of the reappointment given prior appointments made last summer to other taxi-commission seats and an incident in which the commission voted in June to remove the commission’s executive director. The mayor’s representative said the administration strongly supported Breslin and that the mayor planned to make a full two-year appointment by March.
Motion and outcome: Supervisor Daly moved to file the procedural hearing item and to table the approval and rejection motions; Supervisor Tom Ammiano seconded. The roll call concluded 10 ayes, 1 recusal; the board approved the tabling motion, leaving Breslin in her holdover capacity pending a future hearing.
What happens next: The incumbent remains in place pending future action; the board requested additional information from the mayor’s office about the timing and rationale for staggered appointments that left some commissioners serving on expired terms for months.
