photo of people walking past a produce market

Economy

We believe: Prosperity is essential to a thriving region and should be planned for, supported, and shared so that all people can participate in and benefit from economic growth.

Our Goals

• Allocate resources to meet the needs of the most disadvantaged groups.

• Strengthen and expand the social safety net.

• Rebuild the middle class.

• Build effective and equitable fiscal policies.

Bay Area Market

SPUR Report

Undue Burden

Sales taxes are a common revenue-raising tool, but they also play a role in reinforcing structural inequality. SPUR explores three options for creating a more equitable tax code.

Updates and Events


How SF’s New Mayor Should Spend His Next 100 Days: Q&A With Sujata Srivastava

News /
Part of SPUR’s role is to articulate clear principles and goals for urban policymaking. As San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie’s administration passes the 100-day mark, SPUR offers a decision-making framework to help the new mayor and his administration set priorities and maintain momentum in the face of complex and evolving challenges.

What It Will Take to Close Oakland’s Structural Deficit, Part 3: Balancing Budget Priorities

News /
On May 1, Oakland’s interim mayor will roll out the city’s proposed 2025–2027 budget, which will look to address a $280 million projected deficit over the next two years. As Oakland navigates this moment of leadership transition, policymakers, administrators, employee unions, and community must work together to find creative ways to reduce spending and grow revenues. Although the structural budget deficit cannot be closed in this budget cycle, the city can pass a balanced budget that commits to sound financial practices, lays the foundation for reforms to Oakland’s governance structure, and builds the city’s capacity to grow economic prosperity for all Oaklanders.

Belonging and the Civic “We”

Urbanist Article
Roberto Bedoya led the creation of Oakland’s cultural plan, Belonging in Oakland, framing it as a prompt that enlivens civic life, place, and belonging. In this essay, he argues that facilitating social cohesion among residents needs to be framed as a municipal goal. And cities need to invest in this goal as our social networks are changing, collapsing, and being reimagined.

Reducing the Toll of Tolls on Low-Income Drivers

News /
Research shows that low-income families benefit most from the time savings provided by toll roads — but they use these roads less than any other income group. That’s because they are disproportionately burdened by tolls. Toll discount programs like the one just established by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission will reduce the impact of tolls on low-income drivers without undermining tolls’ climate and congestion benefits.

SPUR Supports SB 50, A Bill For More Equitable Traffic Enforcement

Advocacy Letter
SPUR supports SB 50, which would deprioritize minor equipment and nonmoving traffic violations that contribute to racial disparities in traffic enforcement and strip millions of dollars in wealth from lower-income communities across California. The legislation would also empower cities to be laboratories for more effective and equitable traffic enforcement.

SPUR supports AB 441, a Bill to Turn Tax Credits into Monthly Payments

Advocacy Letter
Low-income families are eligible for a variety of state tax credits. Traditionally, these arrive as once a year cash infusions. This legislation would split up these credits to arrive as monthly payments - providing an additional level of financial security for lower income households who are dealing with income volatility.