San Francisco Public Press

11/08/2024

Local ballot measures that have passed:

• Prop A — School bonds
• C — Inspector general
• G — Rental subsidies
• I — Pensions (nurses, 911 operators)
• J — Oversight, youth programs
• M — Business taxes
• O — Reproductive care

The San Francisco Public Press is publishing results for the 15 local propositions on the November 5 ballot.

11/05/2024

Today is the last day to register and vote. If you're unhoused, you CAN vote!

Check out our guide, which tries to answer common questions you might have if you're and trying to cast your ballot. https://buff.ly/3CbL4KM

11/04/2024

Why are people so passionate about Prop. K, which would close part of the Great Highway to cars?

For some, it would sever ties b/w cultural and familial hubs. For others, a new park would bring people together.

For the latest episode of our podcast “Civic,” we interview multiple people about their relationships with the Great Highway and how those connections affect their feelings about Proposition K. The local ballot measure would close a 2-mile stretch of the coastal road to cars, and put it on track...

11/04/2024

On our podcast “Civic,” Dewen discusses her precarious housing situation — rising rent, leaking ceiling, strained relationship with landlord.

SF Prop. G could address her problems. Opponents criticize its funding method. (Dewen is not in this photo.)

Many older adults living on fixed incomes in San Francisco teeter on the brink of homelessness. After rent, they have little money for other essentials. Proposition G could keep some of those people off the streets by reducing rents in hundreds of already-subsidized units, putting them within reach....

11/04/2024

It turns out that Prop K is a hot topic! Here are a few answers to your questions.

11/03/2024

It's crunch time folks! You had questions about SF Props and we're answering them. We'll be posting more reader Q & A up to election day. Stay tuned!

11/02/2024

San Franciscans: Voting this weekend?

Then you need to know how Prop. K could affect car traffic. Read our deep dive: https://buff.ly/4fnmVPQ

We've updated our Voter Guide with our findings! https://buff.ly/40pCPVL

Perhaps no local issue in this election is more contentious than Proposition K, which would close the Upper Great Highway to cars and move it closer to becoming a park. Supporters and opponents have sparred over how the measure’s passage would affect traffic in San Francisco. To find out what’s ...

11/01/2024

NEW: Even 'Affordable' Housing is Often Too Expensive For Seniors. Proposition G Aims to Fix That.

It could help keep people off the streets by lowering rents in hundreds of units. Opponents take issue with its funding approach.

Read or listen here!

Many older adults living on fixed incomes in San Francisco teeter on the brink of homelessness. After rent, they have little money for other essentials. Proposition G could keep some of those people off the streets by reducing rents in hundreds of already-subsidized units, putting them within reach....

11/01/2024

Did you know we’ve leveled up our newsletter content with election editions? We summarize the props, you ask questions and we answer. It’s not too late to sign up! There’s more to come.
sfpublicpress.org/newsletter

10/31/2024

Claims abound, but how would it actually affect west-side commutes if Proposition K passes and a major part of ’s Great Highway closes?

Here’s our full analysis, based on local studies and expert interviews.

Perhaps no local issue in this election is more contentious than Proposition K, which would close the Upper Great Highway to cars and move it closer to becoming a park. Supporters and opponents have sparred over how the measure’s passage would affect traffic in San Francisco. To find out what’s ...

10/28/2024

Eleven down and four to go! Should SF create new benefits for police & other first responders? Read the summaries on F & N and ask your questions.
bit.ly/f-n-first-responder-bens

10/28/2024

Wondering whether you can if you're in SF? Yes, you can!

You don't need a fixed address or physical ID. Check out our how-to guide for unhoused people and make sure your voice is heard this . https://buff.ly/3CbL4KM

10/24/2024

San Francisco’s commission system isn’t just bureaucracy run amok — it’s part of the city’s checks and balances, says a local governance expert.

San Franciscans this election are weighing whether Propositions D or E would bring the reforms that City Hall’s commission system needs. John Monson, co-chair of the city’s civil grand jury, discusses the origins of the commission system and the role that public bodies have played in governance.

10/22/2024

In response to escalating protests, Supervisor Catherine Stefani is introducing safeguards for reproductive care facilities.

In one recent instance, a protester came to Planned Parenthood in armed with a gun.

Demonstrations against Planned Parenthood’s San Franciso facility have escalated and at times been threatening, sources say. Supervisor Catherine Stefani said she would propose new regulations Tuesday to increase safety at reproductive care clinics, including by extending the buffer zone between t...

10/22/2024

Would Prop. C increase government accountability, or fall short of that goal? Read our Voter Guide and decide for yourself!

See our November 2024 SF Voter Guide for a nonpartisan analysis of measures on the San Francisco ballot, for the election occurring Nov. 5, 2024. The following measure is on that ballot. In the wake of years of FBI probes and ongoing scandals, Proposition C aims to fight corruption in San Francis...

10/20/2024

Did you know?

Just $50M, of Prop. B's $390M in expenditures, would fund shelter in . Most of the measure's money would cover renovations and upgrades at health care facilities, including Public Health Center.

See our November 2024 SF Voter Guide for a nonpartisan analysis of measures on the San Francisco ballot, for the election occurring Nov. 5, 2024. The following measure is on that ballot. Proposition B would let San Francisco borrow up to $390 million to carry out infrastructure and other projects...

10/18/2024

Rent control, prison labor, climate adaptation, Medi-Cal... Those are just SOME issues that state ballot measures deal with.

Voters, join us Monday → http://bit.ly/MondaysEvent. With CalMatters.org, we'll break down the measures & field your burning questions.

10/17/2024

Did you know?

's Libertarian Party opposes Prop. A because should “learn to ... live within a budget” — not rely on bonds.

But bonds are the “primary financing tool" that school districts use to improve facilities, the district says.

See our November 2024 SF Voter Guide for a nonpartisan analysis of measures on the San Francisco ballot, for the election occurring Nov. 5, 2024. The following measure is on that ballot. Proposition A would let the San Francisco Unified School District borrow up to $790 million to upgrade, repair...

10/10/2024

We're moving on to hotly contested Props D & E — reforming city commissions & governance. Are you ready to decide? Read our summary and ask your questions.
bit.ly/props-d-e-commissions

10/07/2024

Is the local ballot overwhelming?

We've got you covered, with our Voter Guide on local measures. Pass it around.

This is a nonpartisan analysis of the local measures on the San Francisco ballot for the November 5, 2024, election.

10/06/2024

Switching gears to the CA section of your ballot. We are partnering with CalMatters.org to host an interactive state props event on 10/21 at 6:00pm at Dogpatch Hub. Free and open to the public!
Register here:
https://2024-ca-state-props.eventbrite.com

10/04/2024

Less than 5 weeks to go and you have some big decisions to make! We're moving on to infrastructure funding. Scan the summary and ask your questions.
bit.ly/prop-b-infra

10/02/2024

Up next, rental subsidies for extremely low-income seniors, families and people with disabilities. What are your questions?
bit.ly/prop-g-housing

09/30/2024

We're back! Today's ballot measure topic is funding for public schools and youth programs.
https://bit.ly/prop-a-and-j

09/25/2024

We're launching a newsletter election series that asks you what you want to know about the 15 (yes 15!) propositions on the November ballot. We'll summarize the measure and you let us know what you need to make your decision. Our first topic: corruption.
bit.ly/3Bd6Z3Q

09/17/2024

For John Britt, the constant dust was upsetting, and it triggered his asthma. “It’s hard to breathe,” he said.

Now he and many other low-income tenants have cleaner air, thanks to a pilot project by local groups.

John Britt and dozens of other tenants are breathing easier, now that they have government-funded air purifiers. Community groups cut through bureaucracy to put the devices in their hands, in a pilot project that might continue next year if it proves successful enough.

09/15/2024

Today is the International Day of Democracy, and publications around the U.S. are celebrating with collective coverage of threats to American democracy.

launched two years ago as a collaborative effort to produce better coverage of elections, from municipal to federal. Every year, these newsrooms pledge to focus their coverage on communities, be transparent about their reporting practices, counter mis- and disinformation and combat voter fatigue and disillusionment.

We’re proud to participate in this effort. You can find our stories and the civic engagement coverage of dozens of partner newsrooms on the Democracy Day site.

It’s also a great day to make your contribution to supporting journalism, which plays a vital role in upholding democracy. Your donation made to day will be matched up to $500 by NewsMatch.

Thank you for your support!

https://collaborativejournalism.org/democracyday/coverage/

Center for Cooperative Media

Montclair State University

08/30/2024

Mark your calendars! Tuesday night is our panel event about issues and the ballot.

We'll co-host with KALW. Come and talk with experts Karoleen Feng (Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) & Anni Chung (Self-Help for the Elderly), get your Qs answered.

Join the San Francisco Public Press for a conversation about the local housing measure and the regional housing bond on your ballot.

08/29/2024

Join us Tuesday!

At an event w/ KALW radio, we’ll talk affordable — Prop. G & a regional bond (nixed from the ballot).

Panelists:

• Anni Chung, Self-Help for the Elderly
• Karoleen Feng, MEDA SF
• Lila LaHood, San Francisco Public Press
• Madison Alvarado, Public Press

Join the San Francisco Public Press for a conversation about the local housing measure and the regional housing bond on your ballot.

08/28/2024

Green retrofits for apartment buildings are key to San Francisco’s 2040 net-zero emissions goal.

But renovations could displace low-income tenants. One Mission District landlord aims to retrofit without pushing out renters in a new pilot project run by local group PODER.

Amparo Vigil is decarbonizing and upgrading her property to help her tenants stay cool during sweltering heat waves. The project aims to determine how to retrofit multi-unit buildings without displacing tenants, which could happen if the work scaled up across San Francisco and caused rents to increa...

08/23/2024

Think about the iconic public artwork in San Francisco’s Chinatown — pagoda-style architecture and dragon-decorated street lamps, for example.

Did you know that Asian artists have created little of that public art?

That could change, going forward.

When you think about San Francisco’s Chinatown, the first thing that comes to mind might be its art: pagoda-style architecture and dragon-decorated street lamps that showcase the ancient, exotic culture of a civilization half the globe away. It might surprise you to learn that Asian artists create...

08/14/2024

Funding is drying up for food programs that serve some of San Francisco’s most vulnerable, potentially endangering the health of thousands.

Funding is drying up for food programs that serve some of San Francisco’s most vulnerable, potentially endangering the health of thousands. The cuts have come from all levels of government, including from City Hall as it has grappled with the fallout of the pandemic.

08/05/2024

Fabric “paintings,” a childhood home recreated entirely from saris — artist Suchitra Mattai’s exhibition at Institute of Contemporary uses textiles to explore her family’s story.

In her exhibition at San Francisco’s Institute of Contemporary Art museum, artist Suchitra Mattai explores her immigration story and that of her ancestors, as well as the malleability of memory. The works are entirely fabric, from two-dimensional pieces that resemble paintings to a nearly life-siz...

08/02/2024

Why would local governments withhold information from the public, rather than provide it on request — or even proactively?

Veteran journalist Miranda Spivack weighs in.

Providing records and information to the public can be time consuming, expensive and legally risky, said award-winning journalist Miranda Spivack at a recent event hosted by the San Francisco Public Press.

07/23/2024

Stellar reporting from our partners at Mission Local: plans to close schools to save money — but officials cannot say how much, or when.

Meanwhile the district continues to bleed funds as it faces a long-term enrollment crisis.

The San Francisco Unified School District’s plans to close schools and consolidate student populations may save it some money — but officials cannot say how much money, or when. Meanwhile the district continues to bleed funds as it faces a long-term enrollment crisis.

07/17/2024

SF Supervisor Joel Engardio is facing criticism from his westside constituents for co-sponsoring a ballot measure to end car traffic on the Great Highway and turn it into a park.

Many were troubled that he had not consulted them beforehand.

Many of Supervisor Joel Engardio’s constituents, who live on San Francisco’s west side, said they felt caught off guard by his move to co-sponsor a ballot measure to permanently close the Great Highway to car traffic and turn it into a park. They said he should have consulted them before backing...

07/16/2024

The Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry is on track to have the first electric fleet in California.

As part of the project, some San Rafael Latino residents will get training in marine electrification. Here’s why.

On a recent morning on San Francisco’s Pier 9, New Zealand's prime minister and other officials finalized plans to electrify Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry’s fleet. The project, part of a statewide push to satisfy green-energy mandates, will create jobs for Latino San Rafael residents who might othe...

07/15/2024

NEW: SF’s Homeless Outreach Team’s street-level work with the unhoused has been waning for years due to staffing woes and changing priorities.

Service providers worry about more drops due to budget cuts, and about how politics is influencing who gets help.

Street outreach by San Francisco’s premier team for helping people living on the streets has fallen for years and could continue dropping. Years-long staffing woes and shifting work priorities have driven the decline, leaving the team less time for their core mission: building trust with unhoused ...

07/02/2024

Tickets on sale now. $10 for July 11, 6 p.m. event.
https://bit.ly/4cAk1FV
+ $250 fundraising reception at 5 p.m. Come meet Miranda Spivack author of forthcoming book “Backroom Deals in Our Backyards: How Government Secrecy Harms our Communities — and the Local Heroes Fighting Back” sfpublicpress

06/29/2024

Join us July 11!

Event: “What You Don’t Know About Local Government Can Hurt You”

Come hear about the rise in secret deal-making between local governments and corporations, and how this threatens our health, safety and democracy.

Tickets:

Investigative reporter and editor Miranda Spivack in conversation with Lila LaHood, executive director of the San Francisco Public Press.