Due to San Francisco's $347 million budget shortfall in 2003-04 fiscal year, cuts and changes in operations are necessary. SPUR offers both short and long-term suggestions for how to meet the budget.

In spite of its progressive nature, California faces greater challenges in achieving smart growth than many other states. This article explores why, and what a new network of good planning organizations can do about it.

Everyone in San Francisco agrees we have a housing crisis. Few agree on what to do about it. One thing we can all agree on: there is not enough housing in San Francisco.

TALC discusses their start, uniting social justice groups and environmental policy, running smart campaigns, and using the media to spur action. Building coalitions need common vision and compromise.

This collection of data reveals San Francisco's economic state, demonstrating the funding sources and spending patterns of the city, the types of industry and availability of labor.

Jim Chappell lays out the interdependent relationship between business and government, and explains why it is in the business community's interest to support taxes and better public transit.

Gabriel Metcalf argues that the liberal elected need to stop vilifying business, and instead foster a healthy economic environment in San Francisco to realistically accomplish their social improvements.

Urban historian Charles Lockwood paints a picture of early life on San Francisco's Rincon Hill, starting as an upscale residential neighborhood for the well-off settlers, and falling into a slow decline of tenements, bulldozing, fires, and eventual layering of on and off-ramps for the Bay Bridge.

Analyzing various surveys, San Francisco historian Rich DeLeon proves that San Francisco justly earns its reputation as the most liberal city in the US.

This measure appeared on the November 2001 San Francisco ballot. What it does This Charter amendment would shorten the period following a vacancy in an elective office before an election to fill the unexpired term. A vacancy could occur for any number of reasons, including death, resignation, recall, permanent disability or inability to carry out the responsibilities of the office.Why it is on…

Paul Lewis explains why lower turnout, "local only" elections result in wins for liberal candidates, and questions then, if there is a better solution to December date run-offs.

This measure appeared on the November 2002 ballot. What it does The BART Board of Directors placed this general obligation bond before the voters of the BART District, comprised of San Francisco, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties. It would authorize BART to issue $1.05 billion in bonds to seismically retrofit the core BART system, including BART's stations, transbay tube, elevated tracks, maintenance facilities, and…

This measure appeared on the November 2002 San Francisco ballot. What it does This measure states the following, in its entirety: "In light of the recent federal Drug Enforcement Agency crackdown on local medical cannabis clubs, shall the Board of Supervisors, in conjunction with the Mayor's Office, City Attorney, District Attorney and Department of Public Health, explore the possibility of establishing a program whereby…

This measure appeared on the November 2002 San Francisco ballot. What it does Prop R would permit existing tenants to buy their apartments, under certain specific conditions. It would permit conversions of rental housing units to condominiums under a new condominium conversion process. The new process would allow for a number of conversions equal to 1% of the total housing stock each year (a…

This measure appeared on the November 2002 San Francisco ballot. What it does This ordinance, placed on the ballot by the Mayor, would prohibit the expenditure for political purposes of any funds appropriated by the City for any contract, grant or loan agreement. The Controller would promulgate any rules and regulations necessary or appropriate for the implementation of the prohibition. If the Controller determined…

This measure appeared on the November 2002 San Francisco ballot. What it does This measure would establish a Public Utilities Revenue Bond Oversight Committee to oversee expenditure of the PUC's capital improvement bonds.Why it is on the ballot The big picture on the PUC bond program is fully explained under Proposition A, the PUC Bond, and Proposition E, PUC Water and Sewer Rates…

This measure appeared on the November 2002 San Francisco ballot. What it does Prop O was developed by Supervisor Ammiano as an alternative to Supervisor Newsom's Care Not Cash Proposal (Prop N).Pros Those who support the proposition state: Exits From Homelessness could strengthen Care Not Cash, rather than compete with it, by ensuring that enough supportive housing and treatment is available.Cons Those…

This measure appeared on the November 2002 San Francisco ballot. What it does This measure is an attempt to solve a piece of the homeless problem in San Francisco. It deals with the issue of general assistance cash grants--i.e., "welfare checks"--that are given to homeless people. Currently, San Francisco provides vastly larger amounts of money than other counties in the region. Many people believe…

This measure appeared on the November 2002 San Francisco ballot. What it does This measure, put on the ballot by the Mayor as an amendment to the Administrative Code, would require the preparation and annual updating of an Economic Development Plan. It would provide for administration and oversight, together with a funding mechanism. The legislation would also require that the Office of Economic Development…

This measure appeared on the November 2002 San Francisco ballot. What it does A real property transfer tax is a one-time tax the city collects when a property is sold or transferred. This measure would increase the tax on properties sold for more than $1 million from 0.75% to 1.5%.Why it is on the ballot Several years ago, San Francisco 's business tax…