people dancing at a public event in San José

The SPUR 2025 Annual Report

Learn about our impact

Illustration of a crane stacking cargo containers that say "sound fiscal policy," "structural change" and "economic growth"

Balancing Oakland's Budget

Closing the city’s structural deficit to move toward fiscal solvency and economic growth

photo of San Francisco City Hall

The Next 100 Days

An urbanist decision-making framework for San Francisco’s new mayor

Mural painted on the headquarters of the Calle 24 Latino Cultural District

Culture as Catalyst

How arts and culture districts can revitalize downtowns

Illustration of houses plugging into electricity

Closing the Electrification Affordability Gap

Planning an equitable transition away from fossil fuel heat in Bay Area buildings

Why SPUR Is Supporting SB 63, a Tax Measure to Keep Transit Alive

News /
Drastic cuts in the Bay Area’s transit services are all but guaranteed absent a regional transit funding measure. Senate Bill 63 would authorize several counties to place a tax measure on the November 2026 ballot in an effort to avoid such cuts. SPUR strongly supports the bill because it represents a practical and politically realistic framework to keep the region’s largest transit operators from going over a fiscal cliff.

Purchasing Power

SPUR Report
Procurement can be a powerful tool to realize San Francisco’s goals to reduce inequalities and protect the health, well-being, and financial security of its constituents. But the complicated maze of legislation and policies that govern the city’s procurement system is making it harder to reach these goals. Our newest report identifies procurement process improvements to better wield this tool for social gains.

Clean Heating for All Is Possible with Targeted Public Programs

News /
Getting gas heating out of homes is a big part of meeting the climate challenge. But doing so means ensuring that those with the least means and greatest pollution burdens are not left behind in the transition to clean heating. Cost support, technical support, educational resources, and community engagement can make the transition equitable.

Why (and Where) San Francisco Needs to Allow More Homes: A Housing Element Primer

News /
California has set a goal for San Francisco to build 82,069 new homes by 2031. Doing so will mean changing restrictive zoning policies that are currently hindering sufficient housing construction and keeping historic patterns of segregation in place. If the city fails to update its zoning, it risks losing state funding and local control over housing development. SPUR provides a primer on the state’s housing element law and what it means for San Francisco.

Yes on Measure A: Sales Tax Increase to Help Oakland Close Its Budget Deficit

News /
On April 15, Oaklanders will vote on a proposed measure to raise the city’s sales tax from 10.25% to 10.75%, potentially generating an additional $29.98 million in net annual revenue for the city’s General Fund over 10 years. While Measure A is a regressive tax that will not solve Oakland’s structural deficit on its own, SPUR believes this additional revenue source will help prevent fiscal insolvency and protect against further reductions in public safety services.