Invoking recent court decisions, developers are pushing back on the ability of Bay Area cities to use the California Environmental Quality Act to regulate waterfront development and protect residents from rising sea levels
Category: Economy & Business
Posted inEconomy & Business, Environment, Land use, Neighborhoods, Open Government, Sea Level Rise: 2nd in a Series
Emails Show How Flood Study Finally Became Public
Officials offer explanations for 18-month delay in releasing city-funded study that foresees serious climate-related flooding in Mission Bay in the decades ahead. The release followed a public-records request by the Public Press.
Posted in2016 Non-partisan Voter Guide, Economy & Business, Elections
Proposition W: Raising Transfer Taxes on Property Worth at Least $5 Million
This ordinance would raise the tax paid to the city when properties worth $5 million or more change owners.
The Board of Supervisors voted 10-1 to put this initiative on the ballot.
Posted in2016 Non-partisan Voter Guide, Economy & Business, Elections, Health
Proposition V: Taxing Sugary Drinks
This ordinance would tax sugar-sweetened beverages, syrups and powders at the point where those products were distributed to markets and restaurants in San Francisco.
This measure was placed on the ballot by supervisors Malia Cohen, Mark Farrell, Eric Mar and Scott Wiener.
Posted in2016 Non-partisan Voter Guide, Economy & Business, Elections
Proposition K: Raising the City’s Sales Tax
This Charter amendment would raise the city’s sales and use tax by 0.75 percent, to 9.25 percent.
The Board of Supervisors voted 8-3 to put this initiative on the ballot. Voting for: John Avalos, President London Breed, David Campos, Malia Cohen, Mark Farrell, Eric Mar, Katy Tang and Scott Wiener. Voting against: Jane Kim, Aaron Peskin and Norman Yee.
Posted inEconomy & Business, Media, Social Justice, The Cost of Living Here
With Cost of Living Rising Fast, Experts Seek Solutions
Live discussion on the cost of living: Everyone in San Francisco knows the cost of living has skyrocketed. What they might not realize is that consumer prices — led by escalating housing costs — are leaving many low- and middle-income families struggling to stay in the city while remaining above the poverty level.
Posted inEconomy & Business, Food Systems, The Cost of Living Here
A Tale of Two Markets
Mid-Market stores are worlds apart, a sign of rapid change.
Posted inEconomy & Business, Housing, Land use, Technology, The Cost of Living Here
High Housing Prices Undercut Aid Programs
In 1999, during the last tech startup boom, about one-third of San Francisco households were putting more than half their pay toward rent or a mortgage. That’s nothing compared with now.
Posted inEconomy & Business, The Cost of Living Here
You’re Not Crazy: Data Show Housing Saps Our Checkbooks
In the Bay Area, spending on housing has grown at twice the national rate. This graphic explains what’s grown how fast in the last four years.
Posted inEconomy & Business, News, The Cost of Living Here
State Subsidies Lag Behind Local Child-Care Costs
The income cutoff to qualify for subsidies is based on the 2005 state median income, while the average cost of putting a San Francisco preschooler in care full time has almost doubled since then.