sf.citi Voter Guide: November 2024 Election in San Francisco

Prop. A: Schools Improvement and Safety Bond

sf.citi recommendation: Yes
A $790 million bond to upgrade SFUSD buildings for safety, accessibility, and infrastructure, including seismic retrofits, hazardous material removal, and technology enhancements.

Proponent: San Francisco Building and Construction Trade Council

Opponent: Libertarian Party of San Francisco

"YES" Vote Means: You want the School District to issue up to $790 million in general obligation bonds to improve, repair and upgrade School District sites, and to build new facilities. 

"NO" Vote Means: You do not want the School District to issue these bonds. 

Prop. B: Community Health and Medical Facilities, Street Safety, Public Spaces, and Shelter to Reduce Homelessness Bond

[AKA Healthy, Safe and Vibrant San Francisco]

sf.citi recommendation: Yes
A $390 million bond to improve health facilities, street safety, public spaces, and homelessness shelters, with significant investments for Laguna Honda, SF General, and the Chinatown Public Health Center.

Proponent: Mayor London Breed, SF Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, SF Board Supervisor Connie Chan, SF Board Supervisor Matt Dorsey, SF Board Supervisor Joel Engardio, SF Board Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, SF Board Supervisor Myrna Melgar, SF Board Supervisor Dean Preston, SF Board Supervisor Hillary Ronen, SF Board Supervisor Asha Safaí, SF Board Supervisor Catherine Stefani, SF Board Supervisor Shamann Walton

Opponent: The Briones Society

"YES" Vote Means: You want the City to issue up to $390 million in general obligation bonds to fund projects related to community health and medical facilities, street safety, public spaces and interim housing to reduce family homelessness.

"NO" Vote Means: You do not want the City to issue these bonds.

Prop. C: Inspector General

sf.citi recommendation: No
A charter amendment creating a non-elected Inspector General within the Controller’s Office to investigate fraud, waste, and abuse, with authority to issue subpoenas and conduct investigations.

Proponent: SF Board Supervisor Aaron Peskin, SF Board Supervisor Connie Chan, SF Board Supervisor Catherine Stefani, SF Board Supervisor Joel Engardio, SF Board Supervisor Dean Preston, SF Board Supervisor Matt Dorsey, SF Board Supervisor Myrna Melgar, SF Board Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, SF Board Supervisor Hillary Ronen, SF Board Supervisor Shamann Walton, SF Board Supervisor Asha Safaí

Opponent: Larry Marso

"YES" Vote Means: You want to create the new position of Inspector General in the Controller’s Office to review and investigate complaints of fraud, waste and abuse, and grant the Controller’s Office the power to issue subpoenas and execute search warrants when permitted by State law.

"NO" Vote Means: You do not want to make these changes.

Prop. D: City Commissions and Mayoral Authority

sf.citi recommendation: Yes
A reform measure to reduce the number of city commissions from over 100 to 65, giving the Mayor more authority in appointing and removing commissioners and department heads.

Proponent: Kanishka Cheng {TogetherSF Action}

Opponent: SF Board Supervisor Aaron Peskin, Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods, San Francisco League of Conservation Voters, San Francisco Labor Council, Coleman Advocates for Children & Youth, United Educators of San Francisco, Small Business Forward, San Francisco Tenants Union, Affordable Housing Alliance, California Assemblymember Phil Ting, former SF Mayor Art Agnos, former California State Senator Mark Leno, former California State Assemblymember Tom Ammiano, former SF Supervisors Sophie Maxwell, former SF City Controller Ed Harrington, former former SF Superior Court Judge Ellen Chaitin

"YES" Vote Means: You want to limit the total number of commissions the City may have to 65, give the Mayor sole authority to appoint and remove City department heads, and give the Police Chief sole authority to adopt rules governing police officers’ conduct.

"NO" Vote Means: You do not want to make these changes.

Prop. E: Creating a Task Force to Recommend Changing, Eliminating, or Combining City Commissions

sf.citi recommendation: No
A charter amendment to create a task force to review city commissions and recommend changes without mandating cuts, with a focus on improving city administration.

Proponent: SF Board Supervisor Aaron Peskin, Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods, San Francisco League of Conservation Voters, San Francisco Labor Council, Coleman Advocates for Children & Youth, United Educators of San Francisco, Small Business Forward, San Francisco Tenants Union, Affordable Housing Alliance, California Assemblymember Phil Ting, former SF Mayor Art Agnos, former California State Senator Mark Leno, former California State Assemblymember Tom Ammiano, former SF Supervisors Sophie Maxwell, former SF City Controller Ed Harrington, former former SF Superior Court Judge Ellen Chaitin

Opponent: Larry Marso

"YES" Vote Means: You want to create a Task Force with authority to make recommendations by February 1, 2026, on ways the City could change, eliminate or consolidate commissions to improve the administration of City government; require a financial report on the City’s commissions; and give the Task Force authority to introduce ordinances to implement its recommendations, and if necessary, require the City Attorney to draft Charter amendments to submit to voters at a future election.

"NO" Vote Means: You do not want to make these changes.

Prop. F: Police Staffing and Deferred Retirement

sf.citi recommendation: Yes
This measure establishes a Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) for eligible police officers, encouraging continued service with additional compensation and requiring neighborhood patrol and investigative duties.

Proponent: SF Board Supervisor Matt Dorsey, SF Board Supervisor Catherine Stefani, SF Board Supervisor Myrna Melgar, SF Board Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, SF Board Supervisor Connie Chan, SF Board Supervisor Joel Engardio, SF Board President Aaron Peskin

Opponent: SF Board Supervisor Hilary Ronen, SF Board Supervisor Dean Preston, SF Board Supervisor Shamann Walton, ALCU of Northern California, Asian Law Caucus, Chinese for Affirmative Action, SF Public Defender Mano Raju, SF Police Commissioner Jesus Yañex, former Policy Commissioner Bill Ong Hing

"YES" Vote Means: You want to amend the Charter to define “full-duty sworn officer”; require the Police Chief to make a report and recommend future staffing of full-duty sworn officers to the Police Commission every three years instead of two; require the Commission to report annually to the Board on Department staffing; and create a five-year program with possible renewals allowing police officers to continue working for the Department after retiring, with pension payments deferred while they are working.

"NO" Vote Means: You do not want to make these changes.

Prop G: Funding Rental Subsidies for Affordable Housing Developments Serving Low Income Seniors, Families, and Persons with Disabilities

sf.citi recommendation: Yes
A charter amendment to subsidize housing for extremely low-income seniors, families, and persons with disabilities using the city’s general fund.

Proponent: SF Board President Aaron Peskin, Mayor London Breed, Chinatown Community Development Center, Compass Family Services, Council of Community Housing Organizations, Faith in Action, Mission Housing, Self Help for the Elderly

Opponent: Larry Marso

"YES" Vote Means: You want to amend the Charter to appropriate at least $8.25 million a year to pay for rental subsidies for affordable housing developments serving ELI households of seniors, families and persons with disabilities.

"NO" Vote Means: You do not want the City to make these changes.

Prop. H: Retirement Benefits for Firefighters

sf.citi recommendation: Yes
A measure to lower the retirement age for firefighters from 58 to 55, aligning benefits for newer hires with those employed before 2012.

Proponent: SF Board Supervisor Catherine Stefani, SF Board President Aaron Peskin, SF Board Supervisor Connie Chan, SF Board Supervisor Matt Dorsey, SF Board Supervisor Joel Engardio, SF Board Supervisor Myrna Melgar, SF Board Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, SF Firefighters Local 798

Opponent: Libertarian Party of San Francisco

"YES" Vote Means: You want to amend the Charter to change how pension benefits are calculated for members of the Fire Department hired on or after January 7, 2012, by lowering the age these members can receive the highest pension from 58 to 55, and make those benefits the same as members hired before January 7, 2012.

"NO" Vote Means: You do not want to make these changes.

Prop. I: Retirement Benefits for Nurses and 911 Operators

sf.citi recommendation: Yes
A measure to expand benefits for full-time registered nurses and 911 operators, allowing them to purchase service credit and receive increased pension benefits.

Proponent: SF Board Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, SF Board Supervisor Myrna Melgar, SF Board Supervisor Dean Preston, SF Board Supervisor Shamann Walton, SF Board Supervisor Connie Chan, SF Board Supervisor Matt Dorsey, SF Board Supervisor Aaron Peskin, SF Board Supervisor Catherine Stefani, SF Board Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, SF Board Supervisor Joel Engardio, Service Employees International Union Local 1021

Opponent: Libertarian Party of San Francisco

"YES" Vote Means: You want to allow Registered Nurses who are members of the San Francisco Employees’ Retirement System and meet certain requirements to purchase credits toward their total pension years of service for time previously worked as per diem nurses, and to allow 911 dispatchers, supervisors and coordinators to increase their pension benefits by joining the SFERS Miscellaneous Safety Plan for time worked starting in January 2025.

"NO" Vote Means: You do not want to make these changes.

Prop. J: Funding Programs Serving Children, Youth, and Families

sf.citi recommendation: Yes
A charter amendment to increase accountability in youth funding, requiring evaluation of expenditures by the Our Children, Our Families Initiative and the School District.

Proponent: SF Board Supervisor Myrna Melgar, SF Board Supervisor Hillary Ronen, SF Board Supervisor Shamann Walton, SF Board Supervisor Catherine Stefani, SF Board Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, SF Board Supervisor Matt Dorsey, SF Board Supervisor Joel Engardio, SF Board Supervisor Dean Preston, SF Board Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, SF School Board Commissioner Jenny Lam, SF School Board Commissioner Alida Fisher

No opponent identified

"YES" Vote Means: You want to amend the Charter to create an Our Children, Our Families Initiative to ensure that related funds are used effectively.

"NO" Vote Means: You do not want to make these changes.

Prop. K: Permanently Closing the Upper Great Highway to Private Vehicles to Establish a Public Open Recreation Space

sf.citi takes no position
A proposal to permanently close the Upper Great Highway to private vehicles, converting it into a public recreation space while allowing limited vehicle access for emergencies.

Proponent: SF Board Supervisor Joel Engardio, SF Board Supervisor Myrna Melgar, SF Board Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, SF Board Supervisor Matt Dorsey, SF Board Supervisor Dean Preston, SF Board Supervisor Hillary Ronen, SF Board Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, California State Senator Scott Wiener

Opponent: Richie Greenberg

"YES" Vote Means: You want the City to use the Upper Great Highway as public open recreation space, permanently closing it to private motor vehicles seven days a week, with limited exceptions.

"NO" Vote Means: You do not want the City to make these changes.

Prop. L: Additional Business Tax on Transportation Network Companies and Autonomous Vehicle Businesses to Fund Public Transportation

— [AKA The ComMUNIity Transit Act]

A new gross receipts tax on transportation network companies and autonomous vehicle businesses, funding Muni public transportation services and maintaining discount fare programs.

Proponent: San Francisco Transit Riders, Transport Workers Union Local 250A (Muni Operators), Senior and Disability Action, Sierra Club, Kid Safe SF, Small Business Forward, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, California State Senator Scott Wiener, SF Board Supervisor Connie Chan, SF Board Supervisor Joel Engardio, SF Board Supervisor Dean Preston, SF Board Supervisor Matt Dorsey, SF Board Supervisor Myrna Melgar, SF Board Supervisor Hillary Ronen, SF Board Supervisor Ahsha Safaí

Opponents: sf.citi, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, California Nightlife Association, Golden Gate Restaurant Association, Together SF Action

"YES" Vote Means: You want to create a new gross receipts tax on transportation network companies and autonomous vehicle businesses that provide passenger service for compensation and use the funds the City collects from the tax to support Muni transportation services and fare discount programs.

"NO" Vote Means: You do not want to make these changes.

Prop. M: Changes to Business Taxes

sf.citi recommendation: Yes
A comprehensive plan to overhaul San Francisco’s business taxes, exempting small businesses, adjusting tax rates, and continuing the homelessness tax for prevention services.

Proponent: Golden Gate Restaurant Association, SF Council of District Merchants Association, SF Chamber of Commerce, Hotel Council of San Francisco, SF Building and Construction Trades Council, former Chair of SF Dem Party Mary Jung

Opponent: Larry Marso

"YES" Vote Means: You want to change the following taxes the City collects from businesses: the gross receipts tax, the homelessness gross receipts tax, the overpaid executive gross receipts tax, the administrative office tax and business registration fees.

"NO" Vote Means: You do not want to change the City’s business taxes.

Prop. N: First Responder Student Loan and Training Reimbursement Fund

sf.citi recommendation: Yes
A measure to establish a fund to reimburse eligible first responders, including police, firefighters, and nurses, for student loans and job-related educational expenses [AKA First Responder Student Loan Forgiveness Fund]

Proponent: SF Board Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, SF Board Supervisor Shamann Walton, SF Board Supervisor Matt Dorsey, SF Board Supervisor Joel Engardio, SF Board Supervisor Connie Chan, SF Board Supervisor Catherine Stefani, SF Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, SEIU Local 1021, SF Police Officers Association, SF Deputy Sheriff’s Association

Opponent: Larry Marso

"YES" Vote Means: You want to create a fund that the City could use to help reimburse eligible City employees, including police officers, firefighters, sheriffs, paramedics, Registered Nurses and 911 dispatchers, for student loans and education and training programs.

"NO" Vote Means: You do not want to create this fund.

Prop. O: Supporting Reproductive Rights

— [AKA Reproductive Freedom Act]

sf.citi recommendation: Yes
This measure strengthens abortion protections in San Francisco, creating a Reproductive Freedom Fund, safeguarding medical confidentiality, and expanding clinic access throughout the city.

Proponent: Mayor London Breed

Opponent: Pro-Life San Francisco pponent identified

"YES" Vote Means: You want City policy and law to support, protect and expand reproductive rights and services.

"NO" Vote Means: You do not want to make these changes