Bond measures tend to feature in nearly every local election, and this November’s inflated vote is no exception.
San Francisco voters will decide on both Propositions A and B, which are aimed at funding improvements to public schools, homeless shelters and hospitals.
These measures provide upfront funding for projects that are repaid with interest over time through limited property tax increases.
Proponents of these bond policies argue that the city’s policy of maintaining property tax consistency by issuing new bonds only when old ones are retired allows it to generate new funds without raising taxes. I often claim that I can.
Proposition A would raise up to $790 million in bonds to fund facility improvements in the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), including seismic retrofits and modernizing aging electrical, heating and security systems. That’s what you do. The measure would need approval from 55% of voters to pass.
Advocates highlight the poor condition of many school buildings, including schools that are more than 50 years old and those housed in temporary portables, as a key reason districts need this influx of funding. are.
Proposition A was placed on the ballot by a unanimous vote of the San Francisco Board of Education. A coalition of SFUSD stakeholders supports the measure, including the San Francisco Parents Union, the district’s teachers union and construction labor groups that will benefit from new school improvement funds.
They argue that if Proposition A does not pass, tens of thousands of students in schools will be in even worse conditions.
One notable part of Proposition A allocates funds for the construction of new central feeding hubs to organize and improve the quality of school lunch service in elementary schools.
This is the fifth school bond measure to come before San Francisco voters in the past 20 years, the last being passed in 2016. All bills to date have been approved.
However, this year’s measures were taken amid growing concerns about SFUSD’s management, including the recent resignation of the school superintendent and the reversal of plans to close and consolidate approximately 12 schools due to significant political and public opposition.
Opponents of Prop. A, including spending opponents like the San Francisco Liberal Party, say the proposal lacks transparency regarding specific funding allocations and cite the district’s large deficits as evidence of fiscal mismanagement. claims.
Phil Halperin, co-chair of the Proposition A campaign, acknowledged the “noise and challenges” surrounding the district, but remains confident in the support of San Francisco voters.
“These buildings are just like your home. They need to be modernized and renovated,” Halperin said. “Even if we close a small number of schools, dozens more still need improvement.”
Proposition B would raise up to $390 million to renovate a variety of facilities, including shelters for homeless families, San Francisco General Hospital, and the Chinatown Public Health Center.
Normally, the measure requires support from two-thirds of voters to pass. However, if another state measure on the ballot, Proposition 5, passes, that threshold would be lowered to 55%.
San Francisco’s political leadership almost unanimously supports Proposition B, which was proposed by Mayor London Breed and placed on the ballot by a unanimous vote of the Board of Supervisors.
Opponents of Prop. B include the usual anti-spending hawks, but supporters argue the measure secures critical funding for issues important to San Franciscans.
If approved, Prop. B would be used to acquire or renovate community health centers, including renovating the Chinatown Public Health Center and relocating City Clinic, which tests and treats sexually transmitted diseases, from its current SoMa location to the Mission facility. Nearly $100 million will be allocated. district.
The measure would also provide funding for seismic retrofitting of San Francisco General Hospital and doubling the capital of the Department of Psychiatric Emergency Services.
Prop. B also allocates about $100 million for road and sidewalk safety projects and modernizing downtown public spaces. This includes $25 million to improve Harvey Milk Plaza in the Castro and up to $50 million to provide shelter and transitional housing for homeless families.
