The News Links - September 27-30, 2010

Commercial Real Estate

• BOMA recognizes 29 bldgs. for excellence in management.
• Uncertainty weighs heavily over fourth quarter outlook.
• Retail watch: Blockbuster files Chapter 11; immediately closes 145 stores.

San Francisco

• Board of Supervisors partying more than ever.
• Transforming neighborhood draws crowded supes race in District 10 
• (BOMA supports Steve Moss in D10).
• SFYD Debate questions political leaning of District 8 
• (BOMA supports Scott Wiener in D8).
• S.F. names America’s Cup organizing committee.
• Melissa Griffin's latest column on Nancy Pelosi, Fix Muni Now - Prop. G and City Attorney Dennis Herrera can be found here
• Willie Brown's latest column on the District 2 supervisor race and more can be found here.
• Matier & Ross's latest columns on the Whitman/Brown debate and Homeless issues in SF.

Marin/Sonoma/San Mateo

• Supe candidates draw lines in runoff.
• Candidates line up for Board of Supervisors seat.

California

• Gavin Newsom's edge: vision.
• California Senate contest heats up.
• New poll shows Brown, Whitman in dead heat; Boxer leads against Fiorina
• Pension cost cuts on ballot in eight cities.
• Pension talks holding up state budget, says Schwarzenegger spokesman.
• Debate in California Governor’s race.
• Field Poll: Legislature sinks to all-time low.
• California edges closer to missing its bond-sale window.

The Economy

• Stimulus-subsidized jobs in jeopardy.
• California cities lead unemployment while midwest towns thrive.

Energy & Environment

• California Air Resources Board required to explain its fines to businesses. 
• 'Bloom Boxes' help power Adobe headquarters in San Jose.
• Can I borrow your car?

General

• New 'Super PACS' bringing millions into campaigns.

UPDATE: Civil Sidewalks | The Time is Now: Vote Yes on L & No on M

UPDATE - As of September 30, 2010

BOMA San Francisco Members:

Please take a moment to watch the video above (click here to view the video on YouTube if you can't see it) of community leaders in support of the Yes on Proposition L, for Civil Sidewalks, and No on Proposition M effort.  

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Original Post: September 9, 2010

The time has come to rally around the most important issue facing San Francisco's neighborhoods and commercial corridors; Yes on Proposition L, for Civil Sidewalks, and No on Proposition M, the "poison pill." 

Who wants Civil Sidewalks?

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein 

Mayor Gavin Newsom 

Chief of Police George Gascon

Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier

Supervisor Sean Elsbernd

Supervisor Carmen Chu

900 + small businesses

1,000 + SF residents

& over 25 merchant and neighborhood associations

Proposition L will ensure public sidewalks are accessible for everyone, and that all San Franciscans can enjoy the public right-of-way without fear of harassment. This is a commonsense law that is being used with success in 60 other U.S. cities including Berkeley, Santa Cruz, and Seattle. 

Proposition M is a political ploy by the Board of Supervisors intended to kill Measure L with a "poison pill." Prop M neither changes deployment of foot patrols nor resources; this Measure puts politics ahead of your public safety. 

If Yes on Prop L/No on Prop M is not successful in November, it is highly unlikely that we will have the opportunity to address this problem for decades. This is why we need YOUR help. Do you have two hours to give between now and Election Day? 

PLEASE, take a moment and imagine how tremendously our city would benefit from passage of this law, and if two hours of your time is worth seeing that change through. 

Have questions or want to help? Give the campaign a call at 415-291-9501 or email us at info@civilsidewalks.com. 

UPDATE: San Francisco's JOBS NOW! Program - Mayor Newsom's Statement

BOMA San Francisco Members:

UPDATE - As of September 30, 2010

Mayor Gavin Newsom’s Statement On Expiration Today Of Federal Stimulus Funding For Jobs NOW!

Mayor Gavin Newsom today issued the following statement in response to the expiration at midnight tonight of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Emergency Contingency Fund (TANF-ECF), the federal stimulus program that has funded San Francisco’s highly successful JOBS NOW! employment program:

“Amidst the worst recession in generations and a stubbornly high unemployment rate, a quarter million Americans and 4,127 San Franciscans have a job today because of this federal stimulus program that works. Subsidizing private sector jobs for parents out-of-work is a far better investment in families and in our local small businesses than pushing people back into joblessness and handing out unemployment checks. I am deeply disappointed that Congress has recessed without extending this highly successful stimulus program, putting thousands of working parents across the nation at risk of losing their jobs. Fortunately, we know that many businesses plan to keep their employees, but we are also taking steps in San Francisco to offer new local incentives for private sector employers to hire working parents. We simply cannot afford to let Washington politics stymie our efforts to grow our local economy and keep people working.”

San Francisco’s innovative and nationally recognized JOBS NOW! program is administered by the San Francisco Human Services Agency (SF-HSA) and was launched in May 2009 with federal funds made available through the ARRA. Successes to date include the following:

• 4,127 job placements have been made since May 2009.
• Over 800 employers, many of whom are local small business owners, have been able to hire despite the recession.
• Approximately $55 million dollars in wages have been pumped into the San Francisco economy.
• 82% of participating employers report that their businesses run more efficiently and 72% reported increased sales as a result of the Jobs NOW! program.

Beginning October 1st , the City’s new locally-funded version of the JOBS NOW! program will provide private sector employers who qualify with a $2,500 wage subsidy for each new hire. Up to 1,740 low-income parents will be served through the end of the fiscal year (i.e., June 30, 2011). Employers who have already received a subsidy through the Jobs NOW! program will only be eligible for a new subsidy if they retain their original hires. Ongoing opportunities will also be available for public agencies and nonprofits to hire through the program, but will be structured somewhat differently. Interested employers should call 1-877-JOB1-NOW or 311 for more information.

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UPDATE - As of July 26, 2010

Recently, there have been reports that Congress may not extend funding past September 30, 2010 for the successful JOBS NOW! program.  At present, Mayor Gavin Newsom is working aggressively with the City's federal partners on an extension and, in the meantime, employers are strongly encouraged to continue to apply for this job creating program. 

Please click here for updates and more information. 

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Original Post - November 8, 2009

The San Francisco Human Services Agency (SF-HSA) is using newly available federal stimulus funds to expand subsidized employment opportunities, with a goal of placing 1,000 participants in jobs between May 2009 and September 2010.  This new program is called JOBS NOW!

Consistent with the goals of the federal stimulus package, the primary objectives of the JOBS NOW! program are to provide an immediate source of income for low-income families and to stimulate local economic recovery.  JOBS NOW! builds upon several successful transitional jobs programs already in place at SF-HSA, which were designed to help unemployed individuals address barriers to employment, develop soft skills, gain work experience and progress toward self-sufficiency. JOBS NOW! participants will exit the program with stable employment history, leaving them better positioned to obtain an unsubsidized job when the stimulus period ends. The JOBS NOW! program benefits local employers by providing referrals of qualified workers and by subsidizing 100% of their wages until September 30, 2010.  It's a win-win!

Thank you to SF Works for promoting this program.  If you'd like more information on JOBS NOW! for private and nonprofit employers please click here. 

UPDATE: BOMA San Francisco Opposes Proposition J - The Hotel Tax

Click here to view this video on YouTube

BOMA San Francisco OPPOSES Proposition J - the Hotel Tax - on the November 2, 2010 ballot.

This tax increase proposal would raise the tax rate on San Francisco’s local hotels by 2%, bringing the total tax rate to 16%, plus a 1.5% tourism marketing fee added to most hotel bills brining the total to 17.5%.   The current tax rate of 15.5% is already the 6th highest in the nation and this proposal would make San Francisco’s hotel tax rate the highest. This tax will be passed on to hotel guests, driving up nightly rates and putting San Francisco’s critical tourism industry at a severe competitive disadvantage with other regional cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas that all have significantly lower tax rates.

Hotels are one of the City’s largest local employers, creating thousands of good paying jobs.  Targeting these employers with what would be the highest tax rate in the nation will have a crippling impact on local jobs.  In fact, the Controller has indicated that this tax increase will result in significant job losses. A Chamber of Commerce study indicates a 2% increase in the hotel tax rate will result in a loss of 2,026 jobs annually.  Beyond hotels, the tax increase will also have a major impact on thousands of local businesses that serve visitors in our City, from restaurants to taxis, from theaters to bars.  Hurting a core sector of our local economy and losing local jobs is a step in the wrong direction.

San Francisco Examiner columnist Melissa Griffin recently posted the hotel tax rates of cities across the United States:

San Francisco – 17.5% (if raised)

New York – 16.5%

Vancouver – 16.5%

Anaheim – 15.87%

Seattle – 15.6%

San Francisco – 15% to 15.5% (current)

Chicago – 15.39%

Washington, DC – 14.5%

Boston – 14.45%

LA–14%

New Orleans – 14%

Las Vegas – 12% to 13%

San Diego – 12.5%

Millbrae & Burlingame – 12%

South San Francisco – 9%

VOTE NO ON PROP. J!  Please click here for BOMA SF-PAC's positions on San Francisco qualified local measures for the November 2, 2010 ballot.

Click here to visit the Economic Recovery SF (ERSF) website.  ERSF is a coalition of San Francisco businesses that is concerned about the continuation of the economic recovery and the impact that new and increased taxes will have on the economic turnaround.

UPDATE: BOMA San Francisco Opposes Proposition N - The Real Estate Sales Tax

 Click here to view this video on YouTube

BOMA San Francisco OPPOSES Proposition N - the Real Estate Sales Tax - on the November 2, 2010 ballot.

The Real Estate Sales Tax (or Transfer Tax) increase proposal would boost the tax on the sale of properties over $5 million in San Francisco.  The current rate is 1.5%. which doubled from .75% in 2008.  See the chart below for more information.  If passed, this rate would be the highest transfer tax rate in California.

On commercial properties, this tax increase will end up being paid by small businesses through higher rents and by their customers through higher prices.  For residential properties, this tax increase will add to the cost of owning a home in San Francisco at a time when we should be doing all that we can to help prospective homeowners realize their dream, not making it more difficult.  This increase would make San Francisco’s transfer tax one of the highest in the region and according to the San Francisco Controller, would have a significantly negative impact on local jobs.

In terms of the City’s budget, the property transfer tax is historically one of the most volatile revenue sources for the City.  Increasing our reliance on this volatile tax will result in more severe budget deficits during economic downturns when property sales dry up, as is currently the case.

VOTE NO ON PROP. N!  Please click here for BOMA SF-PAC's positions on San Francisco qualified local measures for the November 2, 2010 ballot.

Click here to visit the Economic Recovery SF (ERSF) website.  ERSF is a coalition of San Francisco businesses that is concerned about the continuation of the economic recovery and the impact that new and increased taxes will have on the economic turnaround.

You're Invited to a Victory Breakfast to Support the No on J and No on N Campaigns - October 7th

BOMA San Francisco Members:

Economic Recovery SF cordially invites you to a Victory Breakfast to support the No on J and No on N campaigns.  Please join us in opposing tax increases that would directly affect San Francisco’s economy and hurt key economic engines – from the visitor’s industry to small businesses.  Help preserve the economic vitality of San Francisco.

Where: Union Square Hilton Hotel

333 O’Farrell St in the Continental Room

When: Thursday, October 7, 2010, 8:15am - speakers to be announced.

RSVP: Kate Ryken

kate@economicrecoverysf.com

Breakfast is complimentary; please RSVP so we can make

adequate accommodations

Theresa Sparks For District 6 Supervisor - We Need Your Help!

Theresa Sparks with BOMA San Francisco's Director of Government and Public Affairs, Ken Cleaveland

BOMA San Francisco Members:

As you may know, the BOMA San Francisco Political Action Committee (BOMA SF-PAC) has endorsed Theresa Sparks for District 6 Supervisor.  Ms. Sparks is currently the Executive Director with the San Francisco Human Rights Commission (HRC) and was previously the president of the San Francisco Police Commission.

Theresa Sparks' campaign continues to gain momentum across District 6, picking up key endorsements along the way.  And, with help from her volunteers, Theresa is walking the District's neighborhoods from South Beach to the Inner Mission talking to voters and merchants about her campaign.  

WE NEED YOUR HELP!  THERE ARE JUST FOUR DAYS TO GO BEFORE AN IMPORTANT FUNDRAISING DEADLINE!

Your donation of $50, $100, $250 or $500 will help elect Theresa and bring new ideas and energy that will return economic prosperity, job creation and civility back to City Hall.  Click here to donate today!

BOMA San Francisco's Government and Public Affairs Committee had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Sparks in February.  We posted information on the blog from that meeting regarding Ms. Sparks background, her work on the HRC and Police Commission, her candidacy and much more,  Click here to read our blog post on why Theresa Sparks is the right candidate for District 6 Supervisor and here to access her campaign website.

San Francisco Young Democrats District 8 Supervisor Forum

BOMA San Francisco Members:

The San Francisco Young Democrats (SFYD), along with the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club, Harvey Milk Democratic Club, and the Castro/Eureka Valley Neighborhood Association held a District 8 Supervisor Forum that consisted of the 4 candidates in the race.  Click on the link above to watch the video of the event (if you can't see the video, please click here), that was streamed live on the internet via VidSF.

The BOMA San Francisco Political Action Committee (BOMA SF-PAC) has endorsed Scott Wiener for supervisor in District 8.  Click here for a personal message from Scott to BOMA San Francisco members.

District 8 - Scott Wiener

Click here to learn more about Scott and to visit his campaign website.

Want a Fix Muni Now: Yes on G Yard Sign?

BOMA San Francisco Members:

This weekend, the Fix Muni Now: Yes On G campaign will be going all over San Francisco dropping off window signs to get the word out about Muni reform -- and they'd  like to bring one to you.

If you want a window sign dropped off this weekend, just send an email to info@FixMuniNow.com with your address, a phone number at which we can reach you, and any info they might need (should we leave it behind your gate? Put it under your doormat?).

They're also looking for more volunteer drivers and sign runners to get signs out to supporters. If you can volunteer for a few hours this Saturday or Sunday, they'd be happy to have your help; just let them know.

BOMA San Francisco's Energy & Environment Committee Members Tour Recology's Recycling Center and Transfer Station

BOMA San Francisco Members:

Working closely with Recology, San Francisco's primary recycling company, the City and County of San Francisco recently achieved 77 percent landfill diversion rates, surpassing the goal of 75 percent landfill diversion by 2010 and setting national recycling rate records, the highest of any city in the United States.   

Members of BOMA San Francisco's Energy & Environment Committee toured Recology's Recycling Center on  Pier 96 and Transfer Station located a short distance away on September 23, 2010 to witness firsthand how Recology prevents the City's recyclables, compost material and hazardous waste from ending up in a landfill.  It was a truly rewarding experience!  BOMA San Francisco would like to thank the team members at Recology for the tour and for the delicious "Lunch at the Dump."  More information on how Recology works to achieve the 77 percent landfill diversion rate--including an Artist In Residence Program--can be found by clicking on the following links:

• What Recology does for you (Video)
• Commercial Collection Services
• Hazardous Waste
• The Artist In Residence Program
• Recology Website
• Mandatory Recycling and Composting Ordinance

We would also like to thank Bauers Worldwide Transportation for providing the tour transportation for BOMA San Francisco members.  

One Week Look Ahead: Transbay Demolition Activities - Friday, September 24, 2010 - Monday, October 4, 2010

Weekend Work: The contractor will continue the removal of the ramp over Beale Street between Mission and Howard Streets this weekend. Due to the demolition of the overcrossing, Beale Street and the sidewalk between Mission and Howard Streets are scheduled to be closed for the next three consecutive weekends.

Additionally, the contractor will continue the removal of bridge columns located east of Beale Street between Mission and Howard by use of jackhammers (between the hours of 6:00 AM and 11:00 PM).

Weekday Work: Weekday work between Monday, September 27, 2010, and Friday, October 1, 2010, will focus on the removal and cleanup of the remaining columns at the northeast corner of Beale and Howard Streets. The contractor will continue the demolition of the North Beale Overcrossing.

Hours of Work: The contractor will be shifting their weekday demolition schedule from working between the hours of 6:00 AM and 3:00 PM to working between the hours of 7:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Weekend work will be conducted 24-hours a day with a moratorium on jack hammering and other excessive noise producing activities between the hours of 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM.

Street and Sidewalk Closure: This weekend, Beale Street will be closed beginning Friday, September 24, 2010 at 10:00 PM through Monday, September 27, 2010 at 5:00 AM.

The sidewalk on the east side of Beale Street, between Howard and Mission Streets, will also be closed from Friday, September 24, 2010 until Monday, October 10, 2010, to allow for the demolition of bridge deck and column foundations. Flaggers will be on-site during work hours.

What to Expect Next Weekend (10/1 – 10/3): The contractor will remove the footings of bridge columns at the Northwest side of Howard Street between Main and Beale Streets from Friday, October 1, 2010 at midnight to Sunday, October 3, 2010 at 11:00 PM. The sidewalk on the north side of Howard Street at Beale will be closed during this time.

The contractor will also continue the removal of the North Beale overcrossing, between Mission and Howard Streets. This work will require the closure of Beale Street.

Weekend work will be conducted 24-hours a day with a moratorium on jack hammering and other excessive noise producing activities between the hours of 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM.

Community Meetings: Please join tje Transbay Joint Powers Authority (TJPA) for their next community meetings on Wednesday, October 20, 2010. The first community meeting will be held from 12:00 noon until 1:00 PM. The second community meeting will be held from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM. Both meetings will feature the same content and will be held at the TJPA’s offices located at 201 Mission Street, Suite 2100.

Should you have any general questions about the Transbay Transit Center Project, please call Courtney Lodato or Adam Alberti, Transbay Outreach Team, at: (415) 227-9700 or via e-mail at: info@transbaycenter.org.   If you have any urgent questions regarding site-specific demolition activities, please call our construction activity number: (415) 409-TJPA (8572).

Please continue to check their website for the most up to date schedule of activities at www.transbaycenter.org/demolition

BOMA San Francisco Opposes Proposition N - The Real Estate Sales Tax

 Click here to view this video on YouTube

BOMA San Francisco OPPOSES Proposition N - the Real Estate Sales Tax - on the November 2, 2010 ballot.

The Real Estate Sales Tax (or Transfer Tax) increase proposal would boost the tax on the sale of properties over $5 million in San Francisco.  The current rate is 1.5%. which doubled from .75% in 2008.  See the chart below for more information.  If passed, this rate would be the highest transfer tax rate in California.

On commercial properties, this tax increase will end up being paid by small businesses through higher rents and by their customers through higher prices.  For residential properties, this tax increase will add to the cost of owning a home in San Francisco at a time when we should be doing all that we can to help prospective homeowners realize their dream, not making it more difficult.  This increase would make San Francisco’s transfer tax one of the highest in the region and according to the San Francisco Controller, would have a significantly negative impact on local jobs.

In terms of the City’s budget, the property transfer tax is historically one of the most volatile revenue sources for the City.  Increasing our reliance on this volatile tax will result in more severe budget deficits during economic downturns when property sales dry up, as is currently the case.

VOTE NO ON PROP. N!  Please click here for BOMA SF-PAC's positions on San Francisco qualified local measures for the November 2, 2010 ballot.

Click here to visit the Economic Recovery SF (ERSF) website.  ERSF is a coalition of San Francisco businesses that is concerned about the continuation of the economic recovery and the impact that new and increased taxes will have on the economic turnaround.

U.S. Department of Energy Releases Reports on Cutting Energy Use in Half in Commercial Buildings

The U.S. Department of Energy and its National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have released two technical reports that provide recommendations on how to achieve 50% energy savings in large office buildings and large hospitals.  The studies support DOE's goal of significantly improving the energy efficiency of new and existing commercial buildings across the United States.

Technical Support Document: Strategies for 50% Energy Savings in Large Office Buildings evaluates the potential for new large office buildings to achieve a 50% net onsite energy savings compared to a baseline standard (as defined by ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004). The report found 50% energy savings can be achieved in both low-rise and high-rise office buildings in a broad range of U.S. climates. The analysis was conducted in 16 cities that represented different climate zones, such as hot and humid, hot and dry, marine, cold and humid, and cold and dry. The following energy-efficiency measures helped researchers reach the 50% energy-savings target:

• Lighting power density was reduced in office spaces and occupancy sensors were used in infrequently occupied spaces.
• High-efficiency boilers, chillers, air distribution units, and service water heating equipment were installed.
• Plug loads were reduced by purchasing high-efficiency electronic equipment and using special controls that shut off equipment when not in use.

Large Hospital 50% Energy Savings: Technical Support Document details the technical analysis performed and the resulting design guidance that will enable large hospitals to achieve whole-building energy savings of at least 50% over the above standard. The large hospitals report also documents the modeling methods used to demonstrate how the design recommendations will help institutions meet or exceed the 50% energy-savings goal. This report found 50% energy savings can be achieved in large hospitals across all eight U.S. climate zones. Energy savings range from 50.6% to 61.3%, with the smallest savings in humid climates and extremely cold climates. The highest energy savings were achieved in marine climates, with relatively high energy savings achieved in dry climates. In general, for each climate type (humid, marine, and arid), savings were seen to decrease as the climate became progressively colder.

DOE commissions these technical support documents (TSDs), to describe the assumptions, methodologies, and analyses used to achieve certain levels of energy performance. In addition to the recently released TSDs, DOE has commissioned documents in the following categories of commercial buildings:

• 50% Energy Savings
• General Merchandise
• Grocery Stores
• Highway Lodging
• Medium Box Retail
• Medium Office

• 30% Energy Savings
• Highway Lodging
• K–12 Schools
• Small Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities
• Small Office
• Small Retail
• Small Warehouse

The technical support documents are available on the NREL Web site.

In many cases, technical support documents are the basis for Advanced Energy Design Guides (AEDGs), which are "how-to" guides that show architects, engineers, and building designers how to achieve above-code exemplary energy performance for buildings using existing technologies available today. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) works in collaboration with DOE, the American Institute of Architects, the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, and the U.S. Green Building Council to develop and publish AEDGs.

In addition to the ASHRAE design guides, the results of these studies will be shared with DOE's Commercial Building Energy Alliances. These alliances are public-private collaborations aimed at developing energy-efficient technologies and practices and sharing the information with commercial building owners and operators around the United States.

The mission of the Building Technologies Program (BTP) is to develop technologies, techniques, and tools for making buildings more energy efficient, productive, and affordable. BTP focuses on improving commercial and residential building components, energy modeling tools, building energy codes, and appliance standards. For more information, visit the Building Technologies Program Web site.

Congress Keeps Carried Interest Tax Threat Alive

BOMA San Francisco Members:

Congress continues to consider the tax increase on carried interest in its remaining days prior to adjourning to campaign for the November elections. Senator Max Baucus (D–Mont.) reintroduced a modified version of the tax 'extenders' bill that stalled three times over the summer and indicated he would bring it up after making additional modifications. In the House, lawmakers are considering the possibility of using the carried interest tax increase as a revenue offset to the repeal of a new 1099 reporting requirement included in the health care law. BOMA International continues to be vigilant in its efforts to oppose passage of Congress’ efforts to pass this tax increase on commercial real estate.

Stay tuned!

BOMA California's Positions on the Statewide Propositions

The governing body of BOMA California has taken official statewide positions on several propositions that will appear on the November 2010 ballot.  The group agreed on which propositions to be active on and on the best positions for its respective members.  Please click here for the full list of state propositions on the November 2, 2010 ballot.

Please note, as a statewide professional organization representing commercial, industrial, and retail real estate, positions are taken on issues that have a unique and/or disproportionate impact on our industry:

Proposition 22 – Bars the state from taking/borrowing money dedicated for local government, redevelopment or transit agencies.
Proposition 22 Title, Summary and Analysis
Proposition 22 Arguments and Rebuttals 
POSITION:  Support

Proposition 24 – Repeals recent legislation that allows businesses to carry-back losses, share tax credits, and use other formulas to lower taxable income in the state.
Proposition 24 Title, Summary and Analysis 
Proposition 24 Arguments and Rebuttals
POSITION:  Oppose

Proposition 25 – Change vote requirement to pass the state budget from two-thirds to a simple majority.
Proposition 25 Title, Summary and Analysis
Proposition 25 Arguments and Rebuttals 
POSITION:  Oppose

Proposition 26 – Increases legislative vote requirement from majority to two-thirds for approving state fees, levies and surcharges.
Proposition 26 Title, Summary and Analysis
Proposition 26 Arguments and Rebuttals 
POSITION:  Support

If you have any questions, comment, or would like more context or information regarding these positions, feel free to contact BOMA California by clicking here.

BOMA San Francisco Opposes Proposition J - The Hotel Tax

Click here to view this video on YouTube

BOMA San Francisco OPPOSES Proposition J - the Hotel Tax - on the November 2, 2010 ballot.

This tax increase proposal would raise the tax rate on San Francisco’s local hotels by 2%, bringing the total tax rate to 16%, plus a 1.5% tourism marketing fee added to most hotel bills brining the total to 17.5%.   The current tax rate of 15.5% is already the 6th highest in the nation and this proposal would make San Francisco’s hotel tax rate the highest. This tax will be passed on to hotel guests, driving up nightly rates and putting San Francisco’s critical tourism industry at a severe competitive disadvantage with other regional cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas that all have significantly lower tax rates.

Hotels are one of the City’s largest local employers, creating thousands of good paying jobs.  Targeting these employers with what would be the highest tax rate in the nation will have a crippling impact on local jobs.  In fact, the Controller has indicated that this tax increase will result in significant job losses. A Chamber of Commerce study indicates a 2% increase in the hotel tax rate will result in a loss of 2,026 jobs annually.  Beyond hotels, the tax increase will also have a major impact on thousands of local businesses that serve visitors in our City, from restaurants to taxis, from theaters to bars.  Hurting a core sector of our local economy and losing local jobs is a step in the wrong direction.

San Francisco Examiner columnist Melissa Griffin recently posted the hotel tax rates of cities across the United States:

San Francisco – 17.5% (if raised)
New York – 16.5%
Vancouver – 16.5%
Anaheim – 15.87%
Seattle – 15.6%
San Francisco – 15% to 15.5% (current)
Chicago – 15.39%
Washington, DC – 14.5%
Boston – 14.45%
LA–14%
New Orleans – 14%
Las Vegas – 12% to 13%
San Diego – 12.5%
Millbrae & Burlingame – 12%
South San Francisco – 9%

VOTE NO ON PROP. J!  Please click here for BOMA SF-PAC's positions on San Francisco qualified local measures for the November 2, 2010 ballot.

Click here to visit the Economic Recovery SF (ERSF) website.  ERSF is a coalition of San Francisco businesses that is concerned about the continuation of the economic recovery and the impact that new and increased taxes will have on the economic turnaround.

BOMA SF-PAC Positions on San Francisco Qualified Local Measures for the November 2, 2010 Ballot

BOMA San Francisco Members:

The BOMA San Francisco Political Action Committee (BOMA SF-PAC) has taken positions on the following November 2, 2010 local ballot measures, below.

Please take a moment to review the measures and send your comments to Ken Cleaveland, BOMA San Francisco's Director of Government and Public Affairs at kenc@boma.com and John Bozeman, BOMA San Francisco's Legislative Assistant at johnb@boma.com.

County Transportation Authority

• Prop. AA: Vehicle Registration Fee - NO POSITION
• This measure would institute an additional $10 annual registration fee on vehicles registered in San Francisco. The money collected from the fee must be spent only on programs and projects that benefit owners of motor vehicles paying the fee and are consistent with a regional transpiration plan.

Bond

• Prop. A: Earthquake Safety Retrofit Loan Program General Obligation Bond ($46,150,000) - SUPPORT
• General Obligation Bond to provide funding for an Earthquake Safety Retrofit Loan Program to provide funding for seismic retrofits for affordable housing buildings (estimated to be 156).

Charter Amendments

• Prop. B: City Retirement and Health Plans -  NO POSITION
• Would ensure that the City's retirement and health service systems are properly funded and that the City's annual costs are balanced with reasonable City employee contributions to their retirement and health plans.
• Prop. C: Mayoral Appearances at Board Meetings - OPPOSE
• Requires the Mayor to attend one regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Supervisors to discuss policy matters and allows the Board to set the rules and guidelines of how the meetings will be conducted.
• Prop. D: Non-Citizen Voting in School Board Elections - OPPOSE
• Charter amendment would extend the right to vote in school board elections to any resident who is a parent, legal guardian or caregiver of a child residing in the City who is at least 18 years of age and not in prison or on parole for a felony.
• Prop. E: Election Day Voter Registration - OPPOSE
• Would permit San Francisco citizens to register to vote in exclusively municipal elections on any day up to and including election day.
• Prop. F: Health Service Board Elections - NO POSITION
• The Health Service Board is responsible for conducting and annual review of health benefit costs, application of benefits and administering the Health Service System.   This technical Charter amendment will allow the Board to save money on a number of elections required to elect members.
• Prop. G: Transit Operator Wages (Fix Muni Now) - SUPPORT
• Successfully placed on the November ballot by Supervisor Sean Elsbernd.  Click here to read the measure and here for our blog posts on the Fix Muni Now campaign.  

Ordinances 

• Prop. H: Local Elected Official on Political Party Committees - SUPPORT
• If adopted, this measure will prohibit any person holding city elective office from serving on a political party central committee.
• Prop. I: Saturday Voting - NO POSITION
• Creates the Saturday Voting Fund to pay for the cost of operating polling places on the Saturday before the November 8, 2011 election.  If there is enough money in the Fund to cover the costs of operating the polling places on Saturday, then the measure would require the City to open all polling places twice during the election - on Saturday, November 5 and on Tuesday, November 8.
• Prop. J: Hotel Tax Clarification and Temporary Increase (NO NEW TAXES!  Visit Economic Recovery SF for more information) - OPPOSE
• This tax increase proposal would raise the tax rate on San Francisco’s local hotels by 2%, bringing the total tax rate to 16%, plus a 1.5% tourism marketing fee added to most hotel bills bringing the total to 17.5%--the highest in the nation.
• Prop. K: Hotel Tax Clarification and Definitions  - NO POSITION
• Mayor Newsom's counter measure to Prop. J that doesn't increase the tax rate, and clarifies who pays the tax. 
• Prop. L: Sitting or Lying on Sidewalks (Civil Sidewalks) - SUPPORT
• Click here for more information.
• Prop. M: Community Policing and Foot Patrols (Board of Supervisors' response to Prop. N) - OPPOSE
• This measure would require the Police Commission to adopt a comprehensive written policy on community policing. 
• Prop. N: Real Property Transfer Tax (NO NEW TAXES!  Visit Economic Recovery SF for more information) - OPPOSE
• This tax increase proposal would boost the tax on the sale of properties over $5 million in San Francisco.  The current rate is 1.5% doubled from .75% in 2008.  See the chart below for more information.  If passed, this rate would be the highest transfer tax rate in California.