Category: San Francisco March 2020 Nonpartisan Election Guide

In March 2020, San Francisco voters will weigh a tax on vacant storefronts, restrictions on office development, funding for City College and other issues, including some crucial races at the state level.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Housing, San Francisco March 2020 Nonpartisan Election Guide

March 2020 Election Guide: Prop E

by Laura Wenus

Proposition E is a proposal to restrict new office development in step with the shortfall of affordable housing construction. It was put forward by the affordable housing nonprofit TODCO. The restriction would work like this: If San Francisco builds only 35% of its affordable housing goal for a year, the next year, it could build only 35% of its annual allocation of office space.

Posted inElections, Public Safety, San Francisco March 2020 Nonpartisan Election Guide

March 2020 Election Guide: Prop B

by Noah Arroyo

S.F. Emergency-Response System Upgrades —

Proposition B would authorize San Francisco to issue up to $628.5 million in bonds to pay for upgrades to its emergency-response infrastructure. Scientists predict that a major quake has a 72% likelihood of striking the Bay Area by 2043. Property tax revenue would pay off the issued bonds.

Posted inEducation, Elections, San Francisco March 2020 Nonpartisan Election Guide

March 2020 Election Guide: Prop A

by Noah Arroyo

City College Improvements, Job Training —
Proposition A would authorize the City College of San Francisco to issue up to $845 million in bonds to pay for repairs and upgrades to facilities, as well as training programs to prepare students for local jobs in the science, arts and technology fields. Property tax revenue would pay off the issued bonds.

Posted in“Civic” Podcast, California, Education, Elections, Land use, San Francisco March 2020 Nonpartisan Election Guide

March 2020 Election Guide: Prop 13

by Laura Wenus

Facilities Construction at Public Schools — Proposition 13 would authorize a $15 billion state bond measure to provide matching funding to districts for renovation and construction of facilities. $9 billion are slated for K-12 schools, and $6 billion for public higher education institutions. The measure prioritizes districts that have health and safety needs, like lead in their water, or that are too small to raise adequate funds through taxes.

Posted in“Civic” Podcast, City Hall, Elections, Housing, San Francisco March 2020 Nonpartisan Election Guide

March 2020 Election Guide: Prop D

by Laura Wenus

Tax on Vacant Storefronts —

Proposition D would create a storefront vacancy tax, levied based on the size of the empty storefront and how long it has remained vacant. Beginning in 2021, if a storefront in a named neighborhood commercial district has been empty for more than six months, the landlord would be taxed $250 per street-facing foot of storefront, and more if the space remains vacant consecutive years.

Posted in“Civic” Podcast, California, City Hall, Government & Politics, Homelessness, Housing, San Francisco March 2020 Nonpartisan Election Guide, Transportation

Housing, Homelessness Crises Are ‘Of Our Own Making,’ Says David Chiu

by Laura Wenus

David Chiu, the state assembly member representing California’s District 17, the Eastern side of San Francisco, is running unopposed for re-election this year. He spoke with “Civic” about his recent legislative work.

Gift this article