Dean’s List: a Guide for San Francisco Voters
Many people have asked me for ballot recommendations, so here they are. Welcome to the first edition of Dean’s List.
The oligarchs we are up against are pushing anti-democratic measures, spreading misinformation, and pouring money into defeating policies that would actually improve the lives of working class people. Amidst the attempted hostile takeover of San Francisco conservative billionaires, there are many candidates and ballot measures that offer hope for a better, more compassionate, more affordable San Francisco.
So what’s on the ballot? Crucial races in District 8 and 10 will determine whether the mayor has a supermajority to push his conservative agenda for the next two years. I’m backing DJ Brookter in D10 and a dual endorsement of Michael Nguyen and Gary McCoy in D8. I’m also supporting underdog Alex Behrand in D6, a progressive activist running against incumbent Matt Dorsey, who has become increasingly right-wing since taking office.
Control of the city college and school board are on the ballot as well. I’m standing with the community slates (Board of Ed: Reina Tello, Virginia Cheung, and Ryan Hazelton; City College: Bunny McFadden, Leah LaCroix, and Jeremy Lee) backed by UESF, SEIU 1021, and AFT 2121, the unions who represent educators and school staff. Please remember to vote all the way down your ballots and don’t forget about these important bodies that chart the future of our public schools!
There are also crucial ballot measures at the state and local level. Especially on the issues of affordable housing, public transportation, and making the wealthy pay their fair share.
Affordable Housing: Vote YES on CA Prop 1, SF Prop C, and SF Prop I.
Prop 1 lets the state borrow $11.25 billion through bonds to fund affordable housing programs. Prop C puts new money into affordable housing by renewing the Housing Trust Fund through 2058 and increases its annual funding to $125 million over time. Prop I preserves the transfer-tax on real estate sales over $10m, and forces the city to use the money (an estimated $120 million a year starting immediately!) for affordable housing and rent relief. Together, these three measures represent a huge step forward for housing for all.
Public Transportation: Vote YES on Prop. H and the Regional Transit Measure (RTM).
Prop H is a parcel tax on property in San Francisco to fund Muni operations and maintain public transportation. The Regional Transit Prop is a small sales tax increase to fund public transportation, including BART, Muni, Caltrain, and AC Transit.
Tax the Rich: Vote YES on California Prop. 40 and NO on Prop 43. Prop 40 is a one-time tax on actual billionaires to fund healthcare, food assistance, and education. It would raise about $100 billion over five years. Prop 43 raises the threshold for residents to pass Tax the Rich ballot measures.
In addition, I’m excited to vote YES on Prop. B to help create a public bank in San Francisco that will fund affordable housing, small business, and green infrastructure across our city.
Meanwhile there’s some horrible anti-democracy measures, like Prop. D that need to be defeated. Vote NO on the Mayor’s package of Props A, D, E, and F that seek to increase mayoral power, block democratic participation, and eliminate oversight.
See Dean’s List for the full list of endorsements. Vote by November 3, either by mail or in person. Here’s more information on how/where to vote!: https://www.sf.gov/departments--department-elections