See our November 2024 SF Voter Guide for a nonpartisan analysis of measures on the San Francisco ballot, for the election occurring Nov. 5, 2024. The following measure is on that ballot. In the wake of years of FBI probes and ongoing scandals, Proposition C aims to fight corruption in San Francisco by creating a local inspector general […]
Category: City Hall
Posted inCity Hall, Elections, Health, Homelessness, San Francisco November 2024 Voter Guide
Proposition B — Bonds to Enhance Health Care Facilities and Public Spaces
See our November 2024 SF Voter Guide for a nonpartisan analysis of measures on the San Francisco ballot, for the election occurring Nov. 5, 2024. The following measure is on that ballot. Proposition B would let San Francisco borrow up to $390 million to carry out infrastructure and other projects, like upgrading health care facilities, creating homeless shelter, […]
Posted inCity Hall, Education, Elections, San Francisco November 2024 Voter Guide
Proposition A — Bonds to Improve SF Schools
See our November 2024 SF Voter Guide for a nonpartisan analysis of measures on the San Francisco ballot, for the election occurring Nov. 5, 2024. The following measure is on that ballot. Proposition A would let the San Francisco Unified School District borrow up to $790 million to upgrade, repair and retrofit its campuses and other properties, and […]
Posted inCity Hall, Community, Homelessness, Politics
Homeless Outreach Declines With Street Team’s Shifting Priorities, Staffing Woes
Street outreach by San Francisco’s premier team for helping people living on the streets has fallen for years and could continue dropping.
Years-long staffing woes and shifting work priorities have driven the decline, leaving the team less time for their core mission: building trust with unhoused people and helping them access social services and housing. Homelessness advocates approved of the team’s new efforts to bring people indoors, but worried that officials’ political motives might be influencing these changes.
Posted inBay Area, City Hall, Community, Government & Politics, Technology
As Bay Area Cities Adopt Real-Time AI Translation for Public Meetings, SF Abstains
Cities in Northern California are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence-powered translation tools in an effort to make public meetings more accessible to residents who are not proficient in English. The technology could address obstacles to access in San Francisco, where people can struggle to obtain city-provided interpreters.
Should San Francisco consider following San Jose, Modesto and others in adopting AI translation? City officials say no, and some community groups are wary but open to the possibility.
Posted inCity Hall, Community, Government & Politics, News
Inadequate Language Services Leave Immigrants in the Dark at SF Public Meetings
For immigrants and other San Francisco residents who speak little English, accessible and robust interpretation services are essential in order to understand what’s said at public meetings and communicate with officials.
The city claims to have the strongest language-access policies in the nation, and a new proposal is on the way to strengthen them further. But, in practice, those policies leave a communication gap between lawmakers and those affected by their laws, community groups say.
Posted inCity Hall, Elections, San Francisco March 2024 Election Guide
March 2024 SF Election Guide
This election guide offers a nonpartisan analysis of the San Francisco ballot for the March 5, 2024, election. This guide features audio and text summaries of local ballot measures, candidate bios and their responses to our questions.
We are collaborating with KALW this election season. You’ll hear audio segments from our “Civic” team on our own KSFP 102.5 FM and on KALW 91.7 FM. You’ll see ballot summaries from our election guide on KALW.org.
Posted inCity Hall, Elections, Housing, San Francisco March 2024 Election Guide
Proposition A — Affordable Housing Bonds
Proposition A would allow San Francisco to borrow up to $300 million by issuing general obligation bonds. The city would use up to $240 million to build, buy or rehabilitate rental housing, including senior housing and workforce housing for low-income households.
Posted inCity Hall, Elections, Public Safety, San Francisco March 2024 Election Guide
Proposition B — Police Officer Staffing Levels Conditioned on Future Tax Funding
Proposition B, a proposed amendment to the city charter, would set permanent staffing levels for the Police Department and would require that new positions be paid for by new taxes or other revenue allocated from outside the general fund.
Posted inCity Hall, Economy & Business, Elections, Housing, Land use, San Francisco March 2024 Election Guide
Proposition C — Real Estate Transfer Tax Exemption and Office Space Allocation
Proposition C would change San Francisco’s tax policy to allow a one-time transfer tax exemption for owners of properties converted from commercial to residential use the first time they are sold following conversion, as long as the change of use is approved before Jan. 1, 2030.