This measure appeared on the November 2002 San Francisco ballot. What it does This Charter Amendment would make major changes to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Most of the provisions are intended to promote renewable energy and smaller, decentralized power plants. Unfortunately, other measures were added that are not related to this main purpose--these include a provision to make it easier to…

This measure appeared on the November 2002 San Francisco ballot. What it does The Board of Supervisors, at the request of the War Memorial Board of Trustees, has placed a $122,755,000 general obligation bond issue on this November's ballot. The measure would pay for seismic strengthening and earthquake damage repairs, life safety and building system improvements, accessibility upgrades and various modernization projects. The total…

This measure appeared on the November 2002 San Francisco ballot. What it does This proposition asks voters to approve a $250 million general obligation bond issue, proceeds of which will be used to subsidize affordable housing. 75% of the bond would be used to create rental housing through new construction or rehabilitation of apartments. 25% of the bond would be used for down payment…

This measure appeared on the November 2002 San Francisco ballot. What it does This measure would authorize $1.6 billion in revenue bonds to repair and improve the Hetch Hetchy water system which delivers water from the Hetch Hetchy reservoir in Yosemite Valley to San Francisco and 1.6 million suburban users.Why it is on the ballot The Hetch Hetchy water system is currently in…

Includes SPUR's analysis of 14 city measures on the November 4, 2003 ballot.

Proposition A has played a decisive role in expanding the production of affordable housing in San Francisco. SPUR analyzes the success of the measure and describes how it should be expanded.

Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on addressing the symptoms of homelessness in San Francisco each year. Supporting social services that focus on the causes of homelessness may provide a better solution.

This measure appeared on the March 2002 San Francisco ballot.What it does Proposition G is an Initiative Ordinance which would prohibit the permitting and construction of new off-site general advertising signs in San Francisco.Why it is on the ballot Over the last few years, San Francisco has witnessed a dramatic influx of billboards, particularly the massive wallscapes that cover entire sides of buildings…

This measure appeared on the March 2002 San Francisco ballot. What it does This is a companion measure to legislation already approved by the Board and Mayor that creates a new Entertainment Commission with primary responsibility for permitting places of entertainment. What is at stake in the proposed charter change is not establishment of a commission, but only a narrow question regarding commission governance…

This measure appeared on the March 2002 San Francisco ballot. What it does This charter amendment is designed to correct an oversight in the original language of Proposition H, approved by voters in 1994, which extended benefits granted to surviving spouses of city employees to domestic partners. The proposed charter amendment would grant those benefits to a small group of people who were, however…

This measure appeared on the March 2002 San Francisco ballot. What it does This charter amendment would change the way members of the Planning Commission and Board of Appeals are appointed, splitting the appointments between the Mayor and President of the Board of Supervisors. The full Board of Supervisors would approve or disapprove all appointees on a simple majority vote. (If the Board fails…

This measure appeared on the March 2002 San Francisco ballot. What it does This proposition would change the city Charter to allow non-citizens to be named to appointive boards, commissions and advisory bodies.Why it is on the ballot The present Charter allows, through specific ordinance, the appointment of individuals under voting age or not resident in San Francisco to boards, commissions, and advisory…

This measure appeared on the March 2002 San Francisco ballot. What it does This charter amendment would guarantee cost of living increases to the pensions of about 13,000 city employees, which could otherwise be revoked if the retirement fund lacks sufficient earnings on its investments. The San Francisco Retirees Association proposed this charter amendment and the Board of Supervisors placed it on the ballot…

This measure appeared on the March 2002 San Francisco ballot. What it does Proposition A would provide for the election of all citywide offices (Mayor, Sheriff, District Attorney, City Attorney, Treasurer, Assessor-Recorder, Public Defender) and members of the Board of Supervisors using an "instant run-off" ballot, which allows for ranked choices and therefore eliminates run-off elections. This charter amendment was placed on the ballot…

Includes SPUR's analysis of seven city measures on the March 5, 2002 ballot.

This paper explores the potential to revitalize the Mid-Market Area -- a stretch of Market Street between the downtown commercial/office core and Civic Center.

SPUR outlines Muni improvements for 12 major corridors and locates potential revenue to create a thriving and seamless transit network.

This measure appeared on the November 2001 San Francisco ballot. What it does This Charter amendment introduced by Board of Supervisors President Tom Ammiano authorizes the issuance of revenue bonds for renewable energy and energy conservation facilities without majority voter approval, as is currently the case.Why it is on the ballot Certain types of revenue bonds are presently exempted from the city Charter…

This measure appeared on the November 2001 San Francisco ballot. What it does This Charter amendment would change the procedures for redrawing district lines for the Board of Supervisors, create a timeline for the process, and require use of adjusted census data.Why it is on the ballot This Charter change, proposed by Supervisor Chris Daly, replaces the current procedures for the decennial reapportionment…

This measure appeared on the November 2001 San Francisco ballot. What it does The most far-reaching measures on the November ballot have to do with power-Propositions B, F, H, and I. In order to better understand this complex, technical subject, SPUR retained John Nimmons, a respected expert on alternative energy, first to frame the issue by describing today's deregulated energy markets, second, to explain…