San Francisco, California, Homeless Services and Transportation Funds Amendment, Proposition J (November 2016)

• Text of measure
  • Ballot question
  • Impartial analysis
• Support
  • Official argument
• Opposition
  • Official argument
• Path to the ballot
• See also
  • External links
  • Footnotes
• More
  • Local ballot measures
  • State ballot measures
  • Local politics

Proposition J: San Francisco Homeless Services and Transportation Funds Amendment
The basics
Election date:
November 8, 2016
Status:
a Approved
Topic:
City budget
Related articles
City budget on the ballot November 8, 2016 ballot measures in California San Francisco County, California ballot measures Local charter amendments on the ballot
See also
San Francisco, California

A charter amendment to allocate funds to homeless services and transportation was on the ballot for San Francisco voters in San Francisco County, California, on November 8, 2016. It was approved.

A yes vote was a vote in favor of amending the city charter to allocate an initial $50 million per year and $101.6 million per year—with scheduled increases—to homeless services and transportation services respectively for 24 years.

A no vote was a vote against this proposition, leaving the city's budget allocation for homeless services and transportation services at the discretion of the board of supervisors.

Election results

Proposition J
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		251,699	67.17%
No		123,004	32.83%

Election results from San Francisco Department of Elections

Text of measure

Ballot question

The following question appeared on the ballot:

“

Shall the City amend the Charter to create a Homeless Housing and Services Fund, which would provide services to the homeless including housing and Navigation Centers, programs to prevent homelessness and assistance in transitioning out of homelessness by allocating $50 million per year for 24 years, adjusted annually; and create a Transportation Improvement Fund, which would be used to improve the City’s transportation network by allocating $101.6 million per year for 24 years, adjusted annually?

”

Simplification digest

The following summary of Proposition J was provided by San Francisco's Ballot Simplification Committee:

“ The Way It Is Now: The City provides a variety of services to homeless people, including street outreach, homeless shelters, transitional housing and Navigation Centers, permanent supportive housing, and health and job services. In July 2016, the City created a Department of Homelessness & Supportive Housing to consolidate the City’s efforts to assist homeless people. The City is not required to provide any specific annual amount for homeless services in the budget. The City’s Charter gives the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) authority over the City’s transportation system, which includes roads, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, parking, taxicabs and Muni (the City’s public transit system). SFMTA collects income from several sources, including Muni fares, parking fees and citations. The City’s Charter requires the City to contribute a portion of the General Fund to SFMTA each year. The City adjusts that amount every year based on the City’s revenue and population change. In 2013, the City accepted the Transportation 2030 Task Force Report, which recommended that the City increase funding for transportation and road improvements. In 2014, the City adopted a “Vision Zero” policy. Its goal is to reduce traffic deaths to zero by 2024 by building safer streets, educating the public on traffic safety, enforcing traffic laws and implementing safety projects. The City’s transportation system is affected by several other agencies: • The San Francisco County Transportation Authority (CTA) is responsible for long-range transportation planning for the City. The CTA also analyzes, designs and funds improvements for San Francisco's roadway and public transportation networks. • Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is a public train system that serves the San Francisco Bay Area, and connects San Francisco with stations in the East Bay and northern San Mateo County. • Caltrain is a commuter rail line that runs between San Francisco and Santa Clara County. The Department of Public Works (DPW) maintains San Francisco’s streets and sidewalks, including road repaving and repairing potholes. The Proposal: Proposition J is a Charter amendment that would create two funds: Proposition J would create a Homeless Housing and Services Fund. Beginning in 2018 and for the next 24 years, the City would allocate $50 million to the fund each year, adjusted based on changes in City revenues. The City would use this fund to provide services to the homeless: • housing, • programs to prevent homelessness and • assistance in transitioning out of homelessness. Proposition J would also create a Transportation Improvement Fund. Beginning in 2018 and for the next 24 years, the City would allocate $101.6 million to the fund each year, adjusted based on changes in City revenues. The City would use this fund to improve the City’s transportation network by allocating funding as follows: • 12.4% annually to SFMTA to improve transit service to low-income and transit-dependent communities and reduce the cost of transit for low- and moderate-income youth, seniors and people with disabilities; • 18.8% annually to SFMTA to maintain Muni’s vehicle fleet in good repair, expand the fleet and repair and upgrade SFMTA stations; • 9.4% annually to the CTA to improve the service of the existing transit system and expand its capacity; and fund planning, design, education, outreach, evaluation and capital investment in transportation infrastructure for transit-oriented development projects; • 14.1% annually to the CTA to improve the reliability and increase the capacity of BART and Caltrain; fund long-range regional network planning, design studies or capital improvements; improve management of regional highways; and promote sustainable travel choices; • 12.4% annually to the CTA to implement the City’s Vision Zero policy; and • 32.9% annually to DPW to repair City streets and conduct preventative maintenance of City streets. Until January 1, 2017, the Mayor would have the authority to terminate one or both funds, based on his review of the City’s financial condition. A “YES” Vote Means: If you vote “yes,” you want to amend the Charter to create a: • Homeless Housing and Services Fund, which would provide services to the homeless including housing and Navigation Centers, programs to prevent homelessness and assistance in transitioning out of homelessness by allocating $50 million per year for 24 years, adjusted annually; and • Transportation Improvement Fund, which would be used to improve the City’s transportation network by allocating $101.6 million per year for 24 years, adjusted annually. A “NO” Vote Means: If you vote “no,” you do not want to make these changes. ”

Fiscal impact

The following fiscal impact statement about Proposition J was provided by the San Francisco Controller:

“ City Controller Ben Rosenfield has issued the following statement on the fiscal impact of Proposition J: Should the proposed charter amendment be approved by the voters, in my opinion, it would significantly increase the cost of government. The proposed amendment would require general fund contributions to two newly created funds, the Homeless Housing and Services Fund and the Transportation Improvement Fund, of $12.5 million and $25.4 million, respectively, in fiscal year (FY) 2016–17 and $50 million and $101.6 million, respectively, in FY 2017–18. For fiscal years FY 2018–19 through FY 2040–41, contributions to the funds would be equal to the FY 2017–18 contributions adjusted for annual changes in discretionary revenue. The proposed amendment would authorize the City to issue lease revenue bonds or lease financing arrangements for certain categories in the Transportation Improvement Fund. The Homeless Housing and Services Fund would be used to provide services to the homeless, including programs to prevent homelessness, create exits from homelessness, and move homeless individuals into more stable situations. The fund can be used to support operations of these services and to make capital investments required to maintain or expand system infrastructure needs. The Transportation Improvement Fund would be used to improve San Francisco’s transportation network through investments in transit services and affordability; Muni fleet, facilities, and infrastructure repair and improvement; transit optimization and expansion; regional transit; Vision Zero safer and complete streets; and street resurfacing. This proposed amendment is not in compliance with a non-binding, voter-adopted city policy regarding set-asides. The policy seeks to limit set-asides which reduce General Fund dollars that could otherwise be allocated by the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors in the annual budget process. ”

Full text

The full text of the measure is available here.

Support

Preserve Legacy Businesses in SF is the primary campaign effort in support of Proposition J. Endorsements included: 11 San Francisco supervisors; American Institute of Architects, San Francisco; Bay Area Reporter; California Music and Culture Association; California Preservation Foundation; Chinese Chamber of Commerce; Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods; D5 Action; Evolve-CA; Golden Gate Restaurant Association; Haight-Ashbury Neighborhood Council; Hispanic Chambers of Commerce of San Francisco, Hospital Council of Northern & Central California; Mark Dwight, William Ortiz-Cartagena, Kathleen Dooley and Steve Adams of the Small Business Commission; Andrew Wolfram, Aaron Jon Hyland, Diane Miyeko Matsuda, Jonathan Pearlman and Karl Hasz of the Historic Preservation Commission; and more.

Supporters

The following individuals signed the official argument in favor of the measure:

• Mayor Edwin M. Lee
• President London Breed
• Supervisor John Avalos
• Supervisor Malia Cohen
• Supervisor Mark Farrell
• Supervisor Eric Mar
• Supervisor Katy Tang
• Supervisor Scott Wiener

Arguments in favor

Official argument

The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:

“

Proposition J guarantees critical funding to address two of our City’s most important challenges: homelessness and transportation. Proposition J will ensure that a set amount of San Francisco’s General Fund is spent on two of our most important priorities: housing and supportive services for homeless residents, and better roads, public transit and pedestrian safety throughout the City. Proposition J will create a “lockbox” that guarantees much-needed funding for vital homelessness and transportation needs, including: • Funding to move more than 4,000 people into housing and shelter, including hundreds of homeless families. • Better mental health services and treatment for our severely mentally ill homeless residents. • At least two new homeless Navigation Centers to transition homeless residents from the streets to permanent supportive housing and a more stable life. • A major expansion of road paving and pothole repair. • More BART and Muni trains to make moving around San Francisco easier and less crowded. • Significant safety improvements for bicyclists and pedestrians. • Expansion of late night public transportation. • Muni bus fleet upgrades to improve on-time performance. • Funding to keep transportation affordable for the working people who depend on Muni. Proposition J will ensure that tax revenues will be spent where they’re needed most: ending homelessness for thousands of residents, easing traffic congestion and fixing our roads and public transit for the future. Proposition J is supported by an unprecedented coalition of transportation, homelessness, environmental, and housing advocates. Please join us in voting YES ON PROPOSITION J.

”

Opposition

Opponents

The following individuals signed the official argument against the measure:

• SaveMuni

Arguments against

Official argument

The following official argument was submitted in opposition to the measure:

“

VOTE NO on PROP J BAIT, SWITCH and GRAB Prop J uses the lure of homelessness to divert funds from cash-strapped city services to one city agency---which we have already given billions of dollars in sales taxes, bonds, fares, fees and fines. For any one of the following reasons, Vote No on Prop J: • City Controller’s Analysis of Prop J: “Should the proposed charter amendment be approved by the voters, in my opinion, it would significantly increase the cost of government.” • City Controller: “This proposed amendment is not in compliance with a non-binding voter-adopted city policy regarding set-asides.” • These muddled ballot measures are the economic-equivalent of rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic---instead of managing the City’s $9.6 billion budget, which exceeds that of many states and small countries. • Despite billions of dollars in expenditures, with a $241 million annual budget, homelessness is worsening. • Despite billions of dollars in expenditures, Muni’s per capita ridership has declined---indicating the need for sound decision-making, not just money. • Transit modal share has stagnated at 25% of all trips---not close to the 60% transit shares of Bogotá, Curitiba and Zurich, who spend less money wisely for bus rapid networks and integrated systems. • While eliminating bus lines, shortening routes, cutting night/ weekend hours and frequency, $600 million of state/ local matching funds were diverted to the Central Subway. • More delays of the DTX (Downtown Caltrain Extension) to the Transbay Terminal will overload Muni, traffic, streets and utilities—even though upzoning and high-rises were predicated on futuristic rail service.

”

Media editorials

Support

• San Francisco Chronicle: "The other side of Prop. J will spend $101 million per year on nearly everything that ails travel. The money upgrades Muni’s rolling stock, paves streets, and improves safety for bike riders and pedestrians. With the state stalled on funding public transit, it’s up to local voters to pick up the slack...The real danger to the propositions may be the ballot itself. Voters will be working through federal and state races and 17 California measures before facing San Francisco’s marathon roster of candidates and 24 local measures. It’s an endurance test, but local voters mustn’t skip past these two choices. Vote Yes on Props. J and K."

• The Bay Area Reporter recommended a yes vote for Proposition J.

• San Francisco Bay Guardian: "We don’t love the idea of these two linked ballot measures. Mayor Ed Lee and Sups. Mark Farrell and Scott Wiener, who are trying to criminalize homeless people (see prop. Q), want the voters to pass a (regressive) sales tax to fund services for the homeless and transportation. One of the reasons that there are so many homeless people is that evictions have been epidemic since the mayor gave Twitter and other tech firms at tax break to come to town. One of the reasons that Muni has so much trouble is that Lee, Wiener, and Farrell support the idea of the giant Google buses that take up Muni stops and pay nothing even remotely near their share of the cost. More: The city has the right to charge developers more than $80 a square foot for Muni service. The mayor and the sponsors of this sales tax went with $18. They want to tax the working people of the city and not tax the developers, the Ubers and Lyfts of the world, the Google buses, and tech companies. It’s enough to make you sick. But in the end, the city needs the money, the services are critical, and the tax hike is the only way to pay for the (dubious) set-aside. Hold your nose and vote Yes."

• San Francisco Examiner: "A sales tax to raise $150 million for transit improvements and homelessness services is consistent with our most urgent needs and priorities in San Francisco. Jeff Kositsky, head of the new department of homelessness, and Ed Reiskin, head of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority, which oversees Muni, both argue that such an investment is vital to address the basic mission of their respective departments."

Opposition

Email editor@ballotpedia.org to submit media editorials that should be posted here.

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing local ballot measures in California

This measure was put on the ballot through an 8-3 vote of the San Francisco board of supervisors.

"Yes" votes

The following supervisors voted in favor of putting Proposition J on the ballot:

• Eric Mar - District 1
• Mark Farrell - District 2
• Katy Tang - District 4
• London Breed - District 5
• Scott Wiener - District 8
• David Campos - District 9
• Malia Cohen - District 10
• John Avalos - District 11

"No" votes

The following supervisors voted against putting Proposition J on the ballot:

• Aaron Peskin - District 3
• Jane Kim - District 6
• Norman Yee - District 7

Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms San Francisco homeless services and transporation funds Proposition J. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

San Francisco, California, Homeless Services and Transportation Funds Amendment, Proposition J (November 2016) - Google News

See also

Local measures

• Local measures in 2016
• Local government budgets, spending and finance ballot measures
• Local charter amendments ballot measures
• San Francisco County measures

California

• November 8, 2016 measures in California
• Local ballot measures, California
• San Francisco, California

News and analysis

• State and local preemption conflicts
• Measures advancing national agendas

External links

Suggest a link

• San Francisco County Elections Office website
• Vote Yes on J -- Legacy Business Historic Preservation