Elections matter. elections have consequences. If you’re eligible to vote—please do not sit this election out. From the presidential race down to voting for your local school board member, this November’s election has the opportunity to shape San Francisco for decades to come.
In keeping with a tradition that I started last November, I am providing my top ballot priorities for the upcoming Nov. 8, 2016, election. I encourage you to examine and study each candidate and issue and come to your own conclusions for your own reasons, but here are my thoughts.
BALLOT PROPOSITIONS: STATE AND LOCAL
Proposition 63: Prop 63 was developed by former mayor and current Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom in coordination with gun safety policy experts. Proposition 63 will strengthen the current background check system process, prohibit the sale of large-capacity ammunition magazines, and improve other common-sense gun safety policies on the books. With gun violence continuing to wreak havoc in our communities day-after-day — Prop 63 will help save lives — please vote yes on Prop 63.
Propositions D, H, L, and M: Propositions D, H, L, M were all placed on the ballot by the “progressive” majority on the Board of Supervisors on a 6-5 split vote. Vote no.
Proposition D – Vacancy Appointments: Prop D would require costly special elections whenever a supervisor seat becomes vacant and would lead to “caretaker” supervisors that are not accountable to their constituents because the newly appointed supervisor would not have the opportunity to run for that seat.
Proposition H – Public Advocate: Proposition H would create a new six-figure politician named the public advocate. This new politician would have duplicative powers as the Board of Supervisors and would cost the city millions to create the new office with dozens of new city staff.
Proposition L – MTA Appointments and Budget: Proposition L restructures the MTA Board of Directors and inserts unnecessary City Hall politics into our city’s transportation budgetary decisions. Voters have already rejected similar proposals to restructure the MTA twice in the past—yet the six progressive supervisors felt the need to try again.
Proposition M – Housing Commission: Proposition M would create a new, overly bureaucratic, politically motivated Housing Commission, which would cost the city millions to start. Housing policy experts agree that Proposition M will slow down the construction of new homes and will lead to higher and higher housing prices.
All of these measures are unnecessary, costly, and will negatively impact the delivery of vital public services that our residents depend upon. Again, please vote no on Propositions D, H, L, & M.
Proposition Q – Housing not Tents: San Francisco has a crisis of homelessness, and one of its worst symptoms are the homeless tent encampments that continue to spread throughout our neighborhoods. I authored and placed Proposition Q — Housing not Tents — on the ballot with the support of supervisors Wiener, Tang, and Cohen to help get the homeless out of tents and into housing, shelter, and services.
Proposition Q would ban tent encampments and authorize the city to remove them within 24 hours after offering an available shelter or housing opportunity, or Homeward Bound — which is a city service that pays for transportation assistance back to loved ones with a secured housing opportunity. Proposition Q also mandates that the city store an individual’s belongings for up to 90 days and creates a process for the removal of encampments where there currently is none.
I strongly believe that it is not compassionate to allow human beings to live on our city streets. Tent encampments are unhealthy and unsafe for the individuals residing in them and for our residents and businesses. Let’s help get the homeless into housing, not tents; please vote yes on Proposition Q.
CANDIDATES
Scott Wiener for state senate: Scott was elected with me to the Board of Supervisors in 2010 and has been fighting with me at the board to enact common sense policies that continue to move San Francisco in the right direction ever since.
Scott is a dedicated public servant who works on our city’s most difficult issues. He has been a fierce advocate for maintaining and expanding our public transportation system, building new housing at all income levels to lower housing costs, improving public health for our families, enhancing public safety by getting more police officers on our streets, and preserving and protecting our environment. Most important, Scott has authored and passed policies in each of these issue areas while his opponent has not.
We need our elected leaders in Sacramento to fight for our values and interests here in San Francisco. We need elected leaders who offer real substance and not just flash. Please join me, the California Democratic Party, our public safety personnel, and numerous business and labor organizations in supporting Scott Wiener for state senate.
