Shared Risk, Shared Resilience
New governance structures for community wildfire resilience
Taking Muni’s Vitals
Research / Muni is in dire financial straits as COVID-relief funds reach their end. To avoid catastrophic service cuts, San Francisco’s transit agency will need voters to approve two different revenue measures in November 2026. Cost reductions and efficiency are also part of the strategy to keep buses and trains running. This research paper takes Muni’s “vitals” by looking at how the system performs relative to its peers on efficiency, productivity, and effectiveness. SPUR’s analysis also suggests places to find savings and improve performance over the coming years.
Next Steps on Streamlining SF’s Unwieldy Commission System
News / San Francisco’s commission system has become unwieldy and inefficient. A voter-approved commission streamlining task force calls for reducing the number of commissions, moving many from the city charter to the administrative code, and making governance and operational changes. If enacted, these recommendations — some of which SPUR made last year — would increase flexibility, enhance accountability, and allocate resources more effectively.
Balancing Trade-Offs
Research / As San Francisco faces a $937 million deficit, the city must consider staff salaries and benefits. Police and fire contract negotiations will touch nearly $1 billion in annual spending this year — about 39% of the city’s discretionary budget. Decisions made this year will not only directly affect the size of the city’s deficit but also set a precedent for negotiations with other employees next year. SPUR’s latest research illuminates the labor negotiations process and the trade-offs involved.
Can Fourplexes Solve San José’s Housing Affordability Crisis?
News / As part of a review of its General Plan, the City of San José is looking for ways to encourage “missing middle” housing options like fourplexes and courtyard apartments to help address its housing affordability crisis. This is an opportunity to start legalizing small-scale multifamily homes citywide, particularly in exclusive, high-resource neighborhoods. Over time, the addition of thousands of such homes can meaningfully expand supply, reduce housing costs, and improve mobility within the housing market.
Governor Newsom Authorized a $590 Million Transit Loan. Now the Real Work Begins.
News / Last week Governor Newsom authorized a loan that will prevent deep transit service cuts on BART, Muni, Caltrain, and AC Transit for the next several months. SPUR fought hard for this funding. We are deeply grateful to the Newsom Administration and the state legislature for bringing their commitment and creativity to help the Bay Area thrive. But the work isn’t finished — it’s now up to the region’s voters to finish the job by passing two ballot measures this fall.