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Ex-Felons on Path in S.F. to Changing Their Criminal Records

09.29.2016
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By Serginho Roosblad, Mission Local
More than two dozen people came to the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union’s office at 1980 Mission St. on Saturday to start the process of having certain nonviolent felonies removed from their criminal records. The event was organized by the union, which represents more than a million workers in the retail and food-and-meat processing industries. “Many people have difficulties finding a job because they’ve been convicted of a felony in the past,” said Jennifer Garcia, a local union representative. Read the complete story at Mission Local. 

2016 Non-partisan Voter Guide

Proposition V: Taxing Sugary Drinks

09.28.2016
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This ordinance would tax sugar-sweetened beverages, syrups and powders at the point where those products were distributed to markets and restaurants in San Francisco.
This measure was placed on the ballot by supervisors Malia Cohen, Mark Farrell, Eric Mar and Scott Wiener. » Read more

2016 Non-partisan Voter Guide

Proposition U: Raising Income Limits for Access to Affordable Housing

09.28.2016
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This ordinance would double the income limits for applicants to some “affordable housing,” which would then be available to middle- and upper-income earners.
The initiative was placed on the ballot through verified petition signatures.
Why is this on the ballot?
As San Francisco real estate prices and rents soar, the city program to carve out below-market-rate space for people who could not afford to live here otherwise is under strain. » Read more

2016 Non-partisan Voter Guide

Proposition S: Paying for the Arts and Homeless Services with S.F. Hotel Tax

09.28.2016
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This ordinance would shift some of the city’s spending specifically to the arts and homeless services.
The initiative was placed on the ballot through verified petition signatures.
Why is this on the ballot?
San Francisco’s artist population is under siege. A 2015 survey by the San Francisco Arts Commission found that of almost 600 local artists, 70 percent of respondents said they had been displaced or were being displaced from their homes or work spaces. » Read more

2016 Non-partisan Voter Guide

Proposition R: Creating a ‘Neighborhood Crime Unit’ Within the Police Department

09.28.2016
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This ordinance would direct the Police Department to create a unit focused on making neighborhoods safer and improving quality of life.
Why is this on the ballot?
According to the authors of this measure, “The Safe Neighborhoods Ordinance,” violent crime is at a historic low in San Francisco but other crimes that make residents feel unsafe — home burglaries, car break-ins and theft, and vandalism — have recently increased. » Read more