This measure appeared on the November 2004 San Francisco ballot. What it does This proposed ordinance, placed on the ballot by petition, would set aside a portion of hotel tax surcharge revenues to be used to purchase neighborhood single-screen movie theaters and promote the local film industry. The City administrator would contract with a private non-profit agency, Save Our Theaters, which would receive and…

This measure appeared on the November 2004 San Francisco ballot. What it does Proposition K is an ordinance introduced by the mayor and placed on the ballot by the Board of Supervisors that would change the way the City taxes businesses. It would add a 0.1 percent tax on gross receipts in addition to the current payroll tax. In addition, it would extend the…

This measure appeared on the November 2004 San Francisco ballot. What it does Currently, San Francisco 's Transactions and Use Tax (sales tax) is 8.50 percent. This proposed ordinance would permanently increase the sales tax to 8.75 percent. If dopted, the sales tax increase would raise $8 million during the portion of FY 2004-05 after the tax took effect, and $33.6 million in FY…

This measure appeared on the November 2004 San Francisco ballot. What it does This proposed ordinance would create an Office of Economic Analysis under the controller, which would prepare analyses of the potential economic impacts of legislation proposed at the Board of Supervisors. In addition, it would direct the Economic and Workforce Development Department (formerly the Mayor's Office of Economic Development) to periodically prepare…

This measure appeared on the November 2004 San Francisco ballot. What it does This ordinance would preclude the City from selling naming rights to Candlestick Park . The wording of this ordinance suggests it is intended to apply only to the current stadium and exempt future stadiums built on the site, however, it appears that the actual effect of the legislation could be to…

This measure appeared on the November 2004 San Francisco ballot. What it does The Health Service System was established in the Charter in 1937 to provide medical benefits to employees and retirees of the City, College District, and School District , and their dependents. It is currently managed by the Human Resources Department with rate and plan decisions proposed by the Health Services Board…

This measure appeared on the November 2004 San Francisco ballot. What it does Placed on the ballot by the Board of Supervisors, this amendment would grant parents and legal guardians of public schoolchildren who are not citizens of the United States the right to vote in San Francisco Board of Education elections.Why it is on the ballot This measure was placed on the…

This measure appeared on the November 2003 San Francisco ballot. What it does This Charter amendment hopes to increase the influence of the current Small Business Commission on City policies. It makes the commission part of the Charter, and increases its membership from five who serve at the pleasure of the Mayor to four mayoral appointments and three Board of Supervisors’ appointments. Commissioners, all…

This measure appeared on the November 2003 San Francisco ballot. What it does Proposition C would amend the Charter to give the Controller an additional function, title and funding as the City Services Auditor. It would direct the Auditor to monitor the level and effectiveness of City services, and oversee and reform contracting procedures. It was placed on the ballot by the Board of…

This measure appeared on the November 2004 San Francisco ballot. What it does Proposition E is a Charter amendment placed on the ballot by a vote of the Board of Supervisors. If adopted by a vote of the people, it would increase the retirement benefits of qualified survivors (spouses, domestic partners, minor children, dependent children, dependent parents) of certain police officers and firefighters…

This measure appeared on the November 2004 San Francisco ballot. What it does This proposed Charter Amendment contains six distinct provisions. It would: Extend most time deadlines for Board of Supervisors action during board recesses Lower the number of votes required for the board to take action when board members are disqualified due to conflicts of interest Prevent appointed members of boards and commissions…

This measure appeared on the November 2004 San Francisco ballot. What it does Currently, the City Health Service System (HSS), which provides medical benefits to employees and retirees of City government, is administered by the Department of Human Resources with the system director appointed by the Department of Human Resources director. The proposed Charter amendment would place the administration of the HSS under the…

This measure appeared on the November 2004 San Francisco ballot. What it does Proposition B would authorize issuance of up to $60,000,000 in general obligation bonds to help finance the acquisition, rehabilitation, renovation, improvement, construction, or preservation of historical resources and structures benefiting historical resources. The specific projects that would receive funding would be selected through an implementing ordinance to be developed if the…

This measure appeared on the November 2004 San Francisco ballot. What it does This ordinance, placed on the ballot by the Board of Supervisors, seeks voter approval of a $200 million general obligation bond, to finance: Development of supportive housing (affordable housing that includes medical and social services) for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless earning up to 30 percent…

Includes SPUR's analysis of 15 city measures on the November 2, 2004 ballot.

New mixed-use areas raise parking congestion issues. Instead, SPUR recommends transit improvements, wider sidewalks, bike lanes, and supports plans for the Central Subway.

A look at traffic-calming programs in Zurich, Vienna, and Munich, a redesign of transportation planning to improve overall livability.

SPUR recommends several organizational changes for Muni, including the creation of a Multimodal Planning and Project Development Department to oversee all transit and consolidate Muni and DPT.

A disaster of epic proportions is brewing in our backyard. During our lifetime it is probable that we will face a catastrophic earthquake in the urbanized San Francisco Bay Area.

While condominium conversion is one way of expanding home ownership, it frequently results in tenant displacement. SPUR analyzes how to promote homeownership while mitigating the negative consequences.