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Rules Committee endorses Lydia So for SFMTA board, emphasizing community outreach and safety

San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rules Committee · July 10, 2023

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Summary

The committee voted unanimously to recommend Lydia So’s nomination to the SFMTA board to the full Board on July 10, 2023, after she highlighted her background in historic preservation, architecture and AAPI community ties and after public callers raised transit-related concerns including towing and taxi regulation.

The Rules Committee on July 10 voted unanimously to send Mayor Breed’s nomination of Lydia So to the Municipal Transportation Agency board of directors to the full Board with a positive recommendation.

Supervisor (Aaron) Chan introduced Lydia So and praised her background as a licensed architect and former Historic Preservation Commissioner. "I am Lydia Soe," the nominee said, noting her professional experience in planning and architecture and that she represents a high share of Muni ridership among the AAPI community. She emphasized the need for culturally appropriate community outreach and a focus on public-safety perceptions that affect ridership.

Supervisors and callers engaged the nominee on neighborhood impacts and small-business concerns tied to SFMTA projects. Supervisor Asha Safai urged So to carry "a voice for small businesses as well" when the agency designs projects that affect parking, access and neighborhood commerce. Transit-industry callers asked about the nominee’s experience as a Muni rider and her familiarity with taxi regulation and paratransit services.

Public commenters largely supported the nomination. Forrest, a Stop Asian Hate activist, urged more Asian representation on commissions; callers including Mike Chen, Kevin Ortiz and others highlighted So’s ties to multiple communities and urged confirmation. A taxi-industry caller asked committee members to question So's usage of SFMTA services and engagement with taxi operators.

Chair Supervisor Matt Dorsey moved to strike the word "reject" throughout the motion and to advance the nomination to the full Board; the clerk recorded unanimous "aye" votes from Vice Chair Shimon Walton, Supervisor Asha Safai and Chair Dorsey. The nomination will be considered by the full Board on July 18, 2023.

Committee members emphasized that nominees should prioritize community outreach, small-business impacts and public safety as MTA pursues recovery and service improvements.