Governance
We believe: The public sector can and should serve the collective good.
• Improve government’s capacity to provide services and address challenges effectively.
• Support voter engagement.
Our Goals
SPUR Report
Designed to Serve
San Francisco’s governance structure has evolved to distribute authority and maximize oversight. As a result, policies don’t always meet the needs of the people they intend to serve. SPUR outlines how San Francisco can choose to design a better system.
SPUR Voter Guide
The SPUR Voter Guide
The SPUR Voter Guide helps voters understand the issues they will face in the voting booth. We focus on outcomes, not ideology, providing objective analysis on which measures will deliver real solutions.
SPUR Report
Making Government Work
Many of the challenges Oakland faces are worsened by its unusual government structure, which makes it harder for the mayor and other officials to do their jobs well. SPUR explores how the city can adapt its governance structure to better serve Oaklanders.
Updates and Events
Reinventing Government in San Francisco
Urbanist Article Metcalf considers various reforms to make San Francisco City government run more efficiently.
November 2000 Voter Guide
Voter Guide Includes SPUR's analysis of 18city measures on the November 7, 2000 ballot.
It Takes a City
Urbanist Article Arlene Ackerman and Kathleen Turner field questions on educational reform, the role of parents in education, and the position the city must take to ensure the success of the system.
March 2000 Voter Guide
Voter Guide Includes SPUR's analysis of seven city measures on the March 7, 2000 ballot.
District Elections in San Francisco
Urbanist Article The change of electing the Board of Supervisors by district will have a dramatic effect on both who is elected and what they accomplish. SPUR explores voting behavior and San Francisco demographics to gauge the impact.
Evaluating the New City Charter
Urbanist Article James Haas looks at the Charter's legal viability and its level of success in achieving its goals. Haas suggests that controls should be placed to avoid excessively confusing amendments.