The November 2026 SPUR Voter Guide

This year’s ballot is a beast. We did the research for you.

photo of traffic congestion on the Bay Bridge

Bumper to Bumper

How potential transit service cuts could affect Bay Area traffic, affordability, and carbon emissions

SPUR's Guide to California Housing Laws

A comprehensive analysis for planners, housing advocates, project sponsors, and community stakeholders

People walking in San Jose's San Pedro Square

The SPUR Annual Report

Learn about our impact

new multifamily housing under construction

Permitting Progress

How charter reform can help San Francisco speed delivery of housing, transit, new businesses, and more

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

Governor Brown’s Solution to the Affordability Crisis: Allow New Housing “By Right”

News / June 2, 2016

In May, Governor Jerry Brown proposed streamlining the approvals process for multi-family housing developments that are built in urbanized areas and include affordable housing. If the proposal passes, eligible housing projects would be approved “by right,” and not subject to local approval or review under CEQA. The governor's proposal is not a panacea, but it is a practical, modest step in the right direction.

Beyond Boom and Bust: Where Is Silicon Valley Taking Us?

Urbanist Article / May 22, 2016

How long will the Bay Area's competitive advantage last? The Urbanist examines the boom-bust economic cycle and asks questions about the longer-term fate of our region. Where is the set of innovative clusters we call “tech” going to take us?

Back in the Black

SPUR Report / May 12, 2016

San Jose needs more money. Although the “capital of Silicon Valley” has the highest median household income of any major city in the country, years of budget cuts and staffing reductions have left the city in a precarious position. This report, a collaboration between SPUR and Working Partnerships USA, explores how San Jose can bolster its resources and deliver high-quality public services.

Saint Clare Coffee Comes to the SPUR Urban Center

News / May 11, 2016

SPUR’s forums bring hundreds of people to our building each week, and we've seen how lively the interactions before and after those events can be. Now there’s a place to continue the conversation: We've opened a new café, Saint Clare Coffee, in the ground floor of the SPUR Urban Center. SPUR's Allison Arieff spoke with Saint Clare’s founder, Kevin Bohlin, about his newest venture.

June 2016 Voter Guide

Voter Guide / May 1, 2016

SPUR provides in-depth analysis of the five local propositions and one regional measure on San Francisco's June 2016 ballot. We focus on outcomes, not ideology, offering objective analysis and advising voters on which measures will deliver real solutions.