S.F. Propositions by Theme - San Francisco Public Press

Measures A to X and RR, Sorted by Theme

This year’s local ballot is a doozie. San Francisco voters will decide 25 measures and 11 candidate races.

Baffled by our local election letter jumble? The Public Press is here to help. We’ve organized the propositions by theme and alphabetically.

We’ll continue updating this guide through Election Day, Nov. 8, with new details on campaign spending and endorsements. Have questions about San Francisco measures? Email us or drop us a line on Twitter or Facebook, and we’ll do our best to provide the answers.

	Housing and Development
$260 Million in Bonds for Affordable Housing The city would redirect unused bond authority to help pay for affordable housing.
Build Offices Faster in the City’s Southeast A mega-project in Bayview-Hunters Point would be exempt from a citywide development limits.
Change Bidding Rules for Affordable Housing City Hall would have to solicit more bids for affordable housing projects.
Raise Income Limits for Affordable Housing Some affordable housing would become available to middle- and upper-income earners.
Save Community, Arts, Small Business Spaces Developers would have to replace these operating spaces after demolishing them.
	City Hall Spending
Return Tree Maintenance to City Hall City Hall would re-assume responsibility for maintaining trees and surrounding sidewalks.
Create ‘Dignity Fund’ for Seniors, Disabled Adults Every year, City Hall would spend a minimum amount of money on these purposes.
Funds for Homelessness and Public Transportation Every year, City Hall would spend a minimum amount of money on these purposes.
Use Hotel Tax for Arts, Homeless Services The allocations would increase over time.
	Funding Infrastructure
$744 Million in Bonds for S.F. Schools This would pay for building new schools, rehabilitating facilities and more.
$3.5 Billion in Bonds to Maintain, Upgrade BART This regional measure would raise money to rehabilitate and update BART.
	Raising Taxes
Raise and Extend City College Parcel Tax The tax will otherwise expire in 2021.
Raise City’s Sales Tax San Francisco’s sales and use tax would rise by 0.75 percent, to 9.25 percent.
Tax Soda and Sugary Drinks The tax would occur at the point of distribution to markets and restaurants.
Raise Transfer Tax on Properties over $5 Million The tax would kick in when real estate changed owners.
	Policing
Outlaw Tent Encampments on Sidewalks Tents could not be confiscated unless other housing was immediately available.
Create SFPD ‘Neighborhood Crime Unit’ The new unit would focus entirely on crimes like break-ins, theft and vandalism.
	Government Oversight
Create ‘Department of Police Accountability’ The agency would be empowered to audit SFPD and look into alleged officer misconduct.
Create ‘Public Advocate’ Watchdog The new agency would be charged with holding City Hall accountable to citizens.
	Balance of Power
Limit Mayor’s Power to Fill Vacancies The mayor’s appointees would serve shortened terms, and would have to wait to run again.
Give Supervisors More Say Over Transit Agency Some of their new power would shift from the mayor.
Create Oversight for Agencies Tied to the Mayor Those two agencies would be accountable to a new, appointed commission.
	Elections
Lower Voting Age 16- and 17-year-olds could vote in local elections.
Let Non-Citizen Parents Vote for School Board Only parents of public school students could vote.
Restrict Lobbyists’ Gifts and Contributions Lobbyists also could not “bundle” personal contributions from other people.