San Francisco Budget Cuts 1,600 Jobs

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has proposed a $6.6 billion budget for the city’s 2009-10 fiscal year, which calls for the elimination of 1,600 municipal positions, but saves police, firefighters and teachers from the chopping block.

The city is coping with a $500 million deficit. The new budget is actually larger than last year’s, due to federal stimulus funds.

The positions to be cut include typists and nurses. Money is also cut to services for drug addicts and the mentally ill.

Newsom has announced his candidacy for governor of California in the 2010 election.