This measure appeared on the June 2008 San Francisco ballot. What it does Proposition A is a parcel tax of $198 per year on every parcel of property in San Francisco to support the San Francisco Unified School District. The proceeds would be targeted to improve the quality of teaching in the district, primarily through increases in teacher pay. The tax would apply both…

This measure appeared on the June 2008 California state ballot. What it does Proposition 99 would eliminate the use of eminent domain by state and local governments for the acquisition of an “owner-occupied residence” for the purpose of conveying it to another private user such as a business. An “owner-occupied residence” includes single-family homes, whether attached or detached, as well as condos. Eminent domain…

This measure appeared on the June 2008 California state ballot. What it does Proposition 98 would amend the California Constitution to add, “Private property may not be taken or damaged for private use.” This means that private property (including commercial and residential property) could be “taken” by eminent domain only for public uses, including freeway construction, parks or schools. For example, government could not…

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission is finalizing its sewer system plan. SPUR recommends a system that is quite different than the old one. This is our chance to update our approach to managing rainwater.

Includes SPUR's analysis of two state and eight city measures on the June 3, 2008 ballot.

SPUR talks to three new department heads -- Fred Blackwell, Michael Cohen and John Rahaim of the Planning Department -- about their priorities for shaping San Francisco's future.

What will it take for San Francisco to get the transit system it deserves? SPUR takes a hard look at the SFMTA's Transit Effectiveness Project, the first major upgrade proposed for MUNI in nearly 30 years.

This measure appeared on the February 2008 California state ballot. What it does Currently, the California Constitution limits the number of terms that elected Assembly members and senators may serve in the Legislature. An individual may serve no more than three two-year terms in the Assembly and no more than two four-year terms in the Senate. Therefore, a legislator generally may not serve more…

This measure appeared on the February 2008 San Francisco ballot. What it does Proposition 92 makes major changes to the California Constitution and to state laws affecting California Community Colleges. Among other changes, Prop. 92 would change the current set-aside for education funding required by 1988’s Proposition 98 into two separate requirements: one for K-12 schools — kindergarten through high school — and one…

This measure appeared on the February 2008 California state ballot. What it does Proposition 91 is an attempt to eliminate the ability of the Governor and the state Legislature to use the proceeds of the state gasoline sales tax and the fuel excise tax for non-transportation uses, even during extreme fiscal emergencies. This is the third measure in recent years to further restrict the…

This measure appeared on the February 2008 San Francisco ballot. What it does Proposition C is a declaration of policy that states that the City of San Francisco should “acquire Alcatraz from the United States government and transform Alcatraz Island into a Global Peace Center.” The declaration of policy is not binding on any City departments, and it would not compel the National Park…

This measure appeared on the February 2008 San Francisco ballot. What it does Proposition B is an amendment to the San Francisco City Charter that would allow San Francisco police officers who have served at least 25 years and who are at least 50 years of age to participate in a deferred-retirement option program, called a DROP. A DROP is a program that allows…

This measure appeared on the February 2008 San Francisco ballot. What it does This general-obligation bond program is a joint project of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department and the Port of San Francisco. Of the total $185 million in bonds, $151.5 million is for the Recreation and Park Department and $33.5 million for the Port. Two-thirds of all voters must approve the…

Set-asides allow citizens to set budget priorities, but they also limit flexibility. In this report, SPUR outlines current set-asides, analyzes their impact on public budgeting, and offers recommendations for reform.

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s proposed contract with J-Power to operate “peaker” combustion turbine power plants in southeast San Francisco is a harmful and short-sighted solution to local energy production and reliability. Peakers are expensive and polluting, and the southeast neighborhoods have long borne the brunt of the city’s environmental health hazards. San Francisco can meet reliability goals through new cable projects, energy efficiency and demand management. We urge the Board of Supervisors to reject peakers and the contract.

Includes SPUR's analysis of six city measures on the Feb. 5, 2008 ballot.

Affordable "by design" units cost less to produce because they are small, efficiently designed and do not come with a parking space. Could this be a new way to produce middle-income housing without using public subsidy?

The Northern California megaregion, home to 14 million people, is expected to add at least 10 million people by 2050. How we plan for and accommodate that growth is the defining question for urban planning in Northern California today.

This measure appeared on the November 2007 San Francisco ballot. What it does Proposition K, if approved by voters, would declare it to be the policy of the voters of San Francisco that there should be no increase in the number of advertisements on City-owned buildings and street furniture, including transit shelters, kiosks, benches and newspaper racks. Because it is a policy statement, it…

This measure appeared on the November 2007 San Francisco ballot. What it does This measure is a policy declaration that it should be a policy of San Francisco to accept the creation of a public-private partnership for a citywide wireless network or WiFi. The measure does not mention any particular private company the City should use to provide this service.Why it is on…