On November 8th, 2022, San Francisco voters will be asked to vote on the following ballot measures:
CHARTER AMENDMENTS
A – Retiree Supplemental Cost of Living Adjustment; Retirement Board Contract with Executive Director
Proposition A measure would adjust the supplemental cost-of-living benefits for city employees who retired before Nov. 6, 1996. Specifically, it would eliminate a requirement that the San Francisco Employees’ Retirement System (SFERS) has to be fully funded based on the prior year’s market value of the system’s assets. SFERS would adjust the retirees’ base allowance to account for the supplemental payments they didn’t receive in five different years because of the full-funding requirement.
A full summary of the bond can be found HERE.
No Official Opponent Argument
B – Public Works Department and Commission, Sanitation and Streets Department and Commission
Proposition B would eliminate the Sanitation and Streets department, which is expected to launch in October. The measure would preserve both of the oversight commissions created by Prop. B from two years ago.
A full summary of the bond can be found HERE.
C – Homelessness Oversight Commission
Proposition C would create an oversight commission for the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing.
A full summary of the bond can be found HERE.
No Official Opponent Argument
D – Affordable Housing – Initiative Petition
Proposition D expedites affordable housing projects. This proposal would change City laws to expedite approval of three types of affordable housing: 1. Multi-family housing where 100% of the residential units are affordable, 2. multi-family housing with 10 or more residential units and that provides at least 15% more on-site affordable housing units than the minimum number City law otherwise requires, and 3. multi-family housing, or a development that includes housing and other commercial uses, where 100% of the residential units are for households that include at least one San Francisco Unified School District or City College employee, and where at least
80% of the residential units are affordable. The proposed measure would exempt these affordable housing developments from any discretionary approvals by City boards, commissions, and officials, if those developments comply with the Planning Code. The City would have six to nine months to approve these developments, depending on the number of units.
A full summary of the bond can be found HERE.
E – Affordable Housing – Board of Supervisors
Proposition E aims to speed up the permit approval process for certain affordable housing projects. This measure would allow residential development consisting of 100% affordable housing or educator housing on public zoning districts, reducing the zoning requirements and restrictions for such projects, and requiring expedited reviews.
A full summary of the bond can be found HERE.
F – Library Preservation Fund
Proposition F would renew a fund that supports city library operations and services for 25 years. Money for the fund comes from an annual property tax set-aside of 2.5 cents per $100. Money from the Fund would continue to provide library services, acquire books and other materials and equipment, and construct, improve, rehabilitate, maintain, and operate library facilities.
A full summary of the bond can be found HERE.
No Official Opponent Argument
G – Student Success Fund – Grants to the San Francisco Unified School District
Proposition G would set aside up to $60 million annually in excess property tax revenue to support San Francisco public schools – the money would be available for schools in grants of up to $1 million per year to support students’ academic achievement or their social or emotional wellness.
A full summary of the bond can be found HERE.
No Official Opponent Argument
H – City Elections in Even-Numbered Years
Proposition H would move mayoral elections to presidential election years, extending Mayor London Breed’s term by one year to 2024.
A full summary of the bond can be found HERE.
ORDINANCES & DECLARATION OF POLICY
I – Vehicles on JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park and the Great Highway
Proposition I would return full-time traffic to the Great Highway and move its management from the Recreation and Parks Department to the Department of Public Works. It would also repeal the ordinance establishing car-free portions of JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park.
A full summary of the bond can be found HERE.
J – Recreational Use of JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park
Proposition J would repeal and reauthorize car-free JFK.
Full summary not available.
K – Gross Receipts Taxes for Guaranteed Income Programs, Small Business Assistance, and Homeless Service
Proposition K would increase the City’s gross receipts tax rates to provide additional funding for guaranteed income programs and small business assistance. The proposal would make the following changes, starting on January 1, 2023, for the primary receipts tax and homelessness gross receipts tax that apply to retail or wholesale sales involving transportation, delivery, or shipment of goods to an address in San Francisco.
A full summary of the bond can be found HERE.
No Official Proponent Argument
L – Sales Tax for Transportation Projects
Proposition L would renew existing transportation projects by extending the city’s 0.5% sales tax, helping fund transportation projects for 30 years. The San Francisco Transportation Authority would be allowed to issue up to $1.19 billion in bonds to be repaid with proceeds from the tax.
A full summary of the bond can be found HERE.
M – Tax on Keeping Residential Units Vacant
Proposition M would impose a tax on owners of vacant residential units in buildings with three or more units if those owners have kept those units vacant for more than 182 days in a tax year and where no exception applies starting on January 1, 2024. Under the proposed measure, for the calendar year 2024, the amount of the tax would range from $2,500 to $5,000 per vacant unit, depending on the unit's size. In later years, the tax rate would increase to a maximum of $20,000 if the same owner kept that unit vacant for two consecutive years. The tax rate would also be adjusted for inflation.
A full summary of the bond can be found HERE.
N – Golden Gate Park Underground Parking Facility; Golden Gate Park Concourse Authority
Proposition N revises the governance of the underground garage in Golden Gate Park, allowing for it to be converted to public parking.
Full summary not available.
No Official Opponent Argument
O – Additional Parcel Tax for City College
Proposition O is an additional parcel tax to fund City College. The proposal would impose an additional parcel tax on San Francisco property owners beginning on July 1, 2023 and continuing until June 30, 2043. The tax would be adjusted annually for inflation.
A full summary of the bond can be found HERE.
For legal text, proponent, and opponent arguments please visit: https://sfelections.sfgov.org/measures.
For any additional questions, contact the San Francisco Department of Elections.