This article describes how the budget gap was closed in 2003 and makes predictions for the city budget in 2004-2005.

Though businesses weigh benefits beyond tax rates when choosing a location, there is a point where types and rates of taxes do matter. This report compares the varying business taxes and their extents.

Brian O'Neill is Superintendent of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), one of the largest urban national parks in the world, with over 75,000 acres of land and 28 miles of coastline. The park itself is over twice as large as San Francisco. O'Neill, a long-time SPUR Board member, is recognized for his leadership in the Bay Area environmental community and as an international…

The story of this small battle informs how we think about working toward institutional change, and along the way, what it takes to move away from fossil fuels.

The plan to replace Doyle Drive with a new parkway that will pass underground at key locations presents an opportunity to reconnect the heart of the Presidio to Crissy Field and the Bay.

Michael Alexander discusses Doyle Drive, a project that finally reached consensus after heated debate, only to be delayed by state budget woes.

During a visit to Vancouver, Jeannene Pryzblyski witnesses how their planners worked together with the public, without contention, by focusing on "planning for delight"

SPUR president Jim Chappell submits that relevant planning precedents from other cities need to be a part of the planning process in San Francisco.

Both parks function as green oases filled with myriad cultural attractions -- developed tennis courts, formal gardens, restaurants and theaters (Vancouver), museums (San Francisco) and aquariums (both).

Gordon Price provides an in-depth recent history of planning in Vancouver. By embracing density and walkability, Price argues that planning in Vancouver has yielded a unique and definitive style.

In Vancouver, rather than planning where buildings should go, they plot out the opposite: what do we leave open and what views should be protected? In a city with as much natural beauty as San Francisco, shouldn't we adopt similar guidelines?

This measure appeared on the November 2003 San Francisco ballot. What it does The City issues a limited number of taxi permits. Permit holders must drive their taxi a minimum of 156 shifts of at least four hours each, per year (just three four-hour shifts a week). Failure to meet this requirement subjects the permit to revocation or suspension by the Taxi Commission. This…

This measure appeared on the November 2003 San Francisco ballot. What it does Proposition M would ban panhandling near ATMs, on median strips, near check cashing outlets, on public transportation, and in parking lots. It would ban “aggressive” panhandling in all other public spaces. The police would be required to issue a warning before issuing a citation which would then require the recipient to…

This measure appeared on the November 2003 San Francisco ballot. What it does Proposition L would raise the minimum wage in San Francisco to $8.50 per hour from its current level of $6.75. Beginning in January 2005, the minimum wage would be automatically adjusted to keep pace with inflation, based on the change in the Consumer Price Index for the Bay Area. Businesses with…

This measure appeared on the November 2003 San Francisco ballot. What it does Proposition K would extend the existing 1/2-cent sales tax for transportation for 30 years. It specifies which projects and programs would be funded by the tax, estimated to total $2.4 billion to $2.8 billion over 30 years. The proposed tax and expenditure plan would take effect immediately, replacing the existing tax…

This measure appeared on the November 2003 San Francisco ballot. What it does Proposition J looks like a policy statement, but it is an ordinance. Prop. J would require the City to provide separate homeless shelters for seniors, families with children, youth and disabled persons. It would not provide funding to fulfill this requirement. In addition to this binding ordinance, the measure contains a…

This measure appeared on the November 2003 San Francisco ballot. What it does Prop. I is an ordinance which requires the city to create a “Smart Start for San Francisco Kids” fund intended to subsidize early day care and education for eligible working families. As is often the case in government, only the program is created; no money is appropriated in this ordinance to…

This measure appeared on the November 2003 San Francisco ballot. What it does Presently, the Police Commission consists of five members appointed by the Mayor. Since they are not confirmed by the Board of Supervisors, the appointees take office as soon as the Mayor selects them.. In order to reject an appointment, the Board must act by 2/3 vote within 30 days. Proposition H…

This measure appeared on the November 2003 San Francisco ballot. What it does This Charter amendment would create a “Rainy Day” Reserve in the City’s budget. Revenue growth in excess of five percent would be allocated as follows: 50% of the excess to the Reserve, 25% to capital and other one-time expenditures, and 25% to general government needs. During lean fiscal times, the City…

This measure appeared on the November 2003 San Francisco ballot. What it does The City’s budget shortfall makes it very likely that employees will be laid off. Union seniority rules require that within each job category, the most recently hired, usually younger, workers will be let go first. Prop. F would encourage older workers in job categories being reduced and who are near retirement…