Theresa Sparks Speaks to BOMA San Francisco GAPAC Members

Susan Court, 2010 BOMA San Francisco GAPAC chair, and Theresa Sparks

Your BOMA San Francisco Advocacy Team welcomed Theresa Sparks--who kindly visited us on her lunch break--to BOMA's Government and Public Affairs Committee (GAPAC) on Friday, February 12, 2010 to talk about her current role as Executive Director with the San Francisco Human Rights Commission (HRC), her previous position as president of the San Francisco Police Commission, what issue areas she feels are important as she embarks on her most recent endeavor as a candidate for supervisor in District 6, and much more!  The following are the highlights:

About Theresa Sparks

Two prominent local publications profiled Ms. Sparks' story in late 2009.  Both captured the essence of who Theresa Sparks is exceptionally well:

• San Francisco Magazine - The life and times of Theresa Sparks
• SFWeekly: Transblazer

San Francisco Human Rights Commission

As Executive Director of the HRC, Ms. Sparks oversees the Commission's work in providing leadership and advocacy to secure, protect and promote human rights for all people.  Its broad powers and duties include: 

• Mediation and conciliation of intergroup disputes and tensions.
• Enforcement of local anti-discrimination laws and affirmative action monitoring.
• Ensuring compliance by city departments and contractors with the provisions of the Local Business Enterprise Ordinance.
• Implementation of federal and local fair housing protection.
• Development and administration of the city's Hate Violence Reduction Program.

Please click here for more information on the HRC.

Police Commission

From 2004-2009, Ms. Sparks served on the San Francisco Police Commission (SFPC or Commission)--she was elected president in 2007--the body responsible for setting San Francisco Police Department policy; overseeing a $450 million annual budget with a staff of 2500; discipline of officers; and, oversight of the police chief.  

Ms. Sparks mentioned a number of accomplishments during her tenure as SFPC president:

• The Commission worked with former Police Chief Heather Fong on "the prevention of violent crimes in San Francisco that included more foot patrols and a 52% drop in the homicide rate."
• The search for a new police chief after Heather Fong's retirement.  The commission selected George Gascón, who has been working tirelessly to improve the Department's efficiency and making the city's streets safer.

Candidate for San Francisco Supervisor - District 6

Arguably, Theresa Sparks is one of the most dynamic individuals to grace the local political landscape in San Francisco since Harvey Milk.  Ms. Sparks is not only the most prominent transgender political activist in the country, she is a business woman with a proven track record who understands what it means to "sign both sides of the paycheck."  Indeed, Ms. Sparks' professional and community experience make her a formidable candidate for San Francisco Supervisor in District 6.   

District 6 Issue Areas (please click here for a district map)

• Public Safety
• Ms. Sparks noted her extensive experience in this area through her hard work as President of the SFPC and her close relationship with the San Francisco Police and Fire Department leaders.
• Quality of Life 
• Sparks commented that she is a pragmatist with regard to the well-known quality of life challenges in District 6: "San Francisco can't support all of those who need help.  The City helps homeless individuals find housing but doesn't enable them to generate income to support themselves."
• Jobs and the Local Economy
• Ms. Sparks stated that District 6 is one of the "economic drivers of the city" and, as such, “would benefit with a supervisor who has both a strong community and business background."  Sparks served as a President and CEO of Good Vibrations, a local internet-based novelty company, and several environmental consulting firms.  Please click here for a complete list of Ms. Sparks' business experience. 
• San Francisco Budget Crisis
• Sparks commented that San Francisco is facing a $500 million deficit for the second time in two years, and the city's economic outlook does not look favorable.  "We can't continue a deficit of $500 million going forward," Sparks said "it's just not possible with the amount of money in the General Fund, due in part to voter-approved set-asides and recent devaluations of both residential and commercial property values." Sparks also stated she did not believe voters would approve raising new tax revenues in these current difficult economic times. “We need a more comprehensive financial plan and city supervisors with a strong financial background. I think I fill that requirement." 

BOMA San Francisco thanks Theresa Sparks for taking the time to speak to our Government and Public Affairs Committee.  

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 from THREE of the major newspapers in San Francisco - the San Francisco Chronicle, the San Francisco Examiner and the Bay Area Reporter.  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.

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.

BOMA San Francisco PAC Endorses Theresa Sparks For District 6 Supervisor

The BOMA San Francisco Political Action Committee (BOMA SF-PAC) met with District 6 candidate for supervisor, Theresa Sparks--who kindly visited us on her lunch break--on April 27, 2010.  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

We're pleased to report that the BOMA SF-PAC has endorsed Theresa Sparks for District 6 Supervisor.  

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.

District 6 Supervisor Candidate Debate + Theresa Sparks Event on August 25, 2010

BOMA San Francisco Members:

As we reported in our August 2010 edition of the BOMA San Francisco Advocate Newsletter, an aggregation of District 6 merchant and community benefit district associations co-sponsored a District 6 Supervisor Candidate Debate, moderated by the enchanting Melissa Griffin, at Kicklabs located on 250 Brannan Street on August 16, 2010.  Your BOMA San Francisco Advocacy Team was there as was Henry Karnilowicz, Vice Chair of BOMA San Francisco's Codes and Regulations Committee and one of the organizers for the well-attended debate.

Participating District 6 Candidates (in alphabetical order):

Debra Walker
Elaine Zamora
Jane Kim
Jim Meko
Theresa Sparks

The event was taped via VidSF, although the video is not ready for distribution.  Click on the links below for You Tube videos from the event:

Opening Remarks from the Candidates

Candidates ask Candidates Questions

Position on Sit/Lie (Civil Sidewalks)

Position on Parking Meter Changes

BOMA San Francisco's Political Action Committee (BOMA SF-PAC) has endorsed Theresa Sparks in District 6 who was a clear favorite of the event attendees.  Ms. Sparks understands that in order for District 6 to succeed going forward, all District 6 private and public stakeholders must work together to attract and retain small businesses to the area (especially the Mid Market area) and help to address the social issues at hand.

Click here for more information on Ms. Sparks including how you can help her campaign.  Click here for information regarding an event for Theresa Sparks on August 25, 2010 located at the cool and hip Infusion Lounge at 123 Ellis Street from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The News Links - October 15, 2009

Streetsblog San Francisco: SFMTA must act quickly to convince merchants of parking plan’s benefits.

San Francisco Chronicle: Newsom ads hit YouTube.

Calculated Risk: Retail capitalization rates increase sharply in Q3.

Commercial Real Estate

• Citi’s CRE problem.
  
• Drug stores trump most retail categories on new store additions and property sale transactions.
• Global investors following decline in U.S. property values with growing interest.
  
• Weak hotel performance blamed for renewed rise in securitized CRE mortgage defaults.
  
• U.S. will set guidelines to modify real-estate loans.
• Commercial Real Estate continues to worry the Fed.
  
• Time to REIT-urn to Real Estate?
  

San Francisco

• Missing chairs, tables cook up fine.
• Bay Bridge rebuild is a shaky proposition.
  
• Sweet Melissa: MTA in a bind for already-spent cash.
  
• Jobless rate rises to 10.1 percent in S.F.
  
• Matier & Ross: Sparks to fly: Theresa Sparks; Obama to avoid the rabble on S.F. visit; and Jerry-atrics.
• San Francisco, the city that's open for data.
• Chu opposes spending $150K in aid relief.
• Newsom gives KJ lots and lots of San Francisco treats.
• Bay Bridge motorists could soon pay $6 to cross span.
  
  

Marin/San Mateo/Sonoma

• Fairfax asks Tiburon for money to pay its bills.
  

California

• California is governable. Really!
• Two nuggets of political wisdom for the Golden State.
  
• Newsom backs constitutional convention in Web video.
• Approval ratings of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature have hit new lows.
• Gov2010: A look at the Campbell campaign.
• Rumor mill: Rep. Jane Harman as a 2010 Dem gov candidate?
• California gets plenty of reform advice.
  
• Voters support changing California's constitution.
• Dan Walters: Right on schedule, state budget springs a leak.
  
• John Kabateck, Executive Director of the National Federation of Independent Business, wrote and excellent letter to the editor of the San Francisco Chronicle recently: 'Business tax increase a bad idea'.
• Ken Garcia: California has become wretched state of affairs.
  

The Economy

• Retail sales were down in September.
• Stimulus saved 30,000 jobs. Is that terribly low?
• The Philadelphia Fed's Business Outlook Survey can be found here.
• Slight September consumer price increase points to low inflation.
• Unemployment insurance weekly claims report shows a decline.
  

General

• The dangers of a value-added tax.
• The VAT's public perception.
• First, we will need a new power superhighway.
• Boxer: Climate bill ready.
• Swine flu spreading rapidly in California, health officials say.
  

BOMA San Francisco's Political Action Committee Endorses Steve Moss for District 10 Supervisor

BOMA San Francisco Members:

The BOMA San Francisco Political Action Committee (BOMA SF-PAC) is laser-focused on the November 2, 2010 supervisorial election in the even-districts of the City.  We're pleased to announce that the BOMA SF-PAC has endorsed Steve Moss for District 10 Supervisor for the November 2010 election.  

Please click here to visit Mr. Moss' campaign website.

-------------------

The BOMA SF-PAC has also endorsed other moderate candidates for supervisor in Districts 2, 4, 6 and 8:

District 2 - Mark Farrell & Janet Reilly 

Please take a moment to learn more about both candidates on their campaign websites:

Mark Farrell - Janet Reilly  

District 4 - Carmen Chu

District 6 - Theresa Sparks

Click here to learn more about Theresa and here to visit her campaign website.

District 8 - Scott Wiener

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

November 2010 Election: BOMA SF-PAC Endorses Janet Reilly and Mark Farrell for District 2 Supervisor

BOMA San Francisco Members:

With the June 8, 2010 Primary Election coming to a close, the BOMA San Francisco Political Action Committee (BOMA SF-PAC) is now focused on the November 2, 2010 supervisorial election in the even-districts of the City.  Indeed, the BOMA SF-PAC met with District 2 candidates for supervisor, Janet Reilly and Mark Farrell  in May 2010.  We're pleased to announce that the BOMA SF-PAC has endorsed both Janet Reilly and Mark Farrell for District 2 Supervisor for the November 2010 election.  

Please take a moment to learn more about both candidates on their campaign websites:

• Janet Reilly
• Mark Farrell

The BOMA SF-PAC has also endorsed other moderate candidates for supervisor in Districts 4, 6 and 8 (District 10 candidates are still under review):

District 4 - Carmen Chu

District 6 - Theresa Sparks

Click here to learn more about Theresa and here to visit her campaign website.

District 8 - Scott Wiener

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

The News Links - October 23-26, 2009

The New Yorker: Why banks stay big.



SF Streetsblog: CA poised to reform auto-centric level of service environmental rules.

Commercial Real Estate

• Changing strategies for uncertain times.
• US commercial mortgage delinquency hits 4.7%.
  
• Silicon Valley office vacancies near 20 percent.
• S.F. hotel rates, occupancy keep dropping.
• Storefronting: architect displays for Union Square vacancies.
• Amendment could let struggling retailers claim billions in tax refunds.
• Northern California economic development weapon goes unfired.

San Francisco

• Mayor Newsom announces San Francisco’s H1N1/Swine Flu vaccination plans.
• The life and times of Theresa Sparks.
  
• S.F. to ease up on unlicensed drivers.
  
• Matier & Ross: Feinstein targets insurers' antitrust exemption; Where's Gavin?; former Mayor Art Agnos snubbed?
• Muni envy in Orinda.
• Midnight meter madness must be stopped.
  
• State of the arts: Despite recession, optimism abounds.
  
• Presidio Parkway: Richmond, Marin, and Marina public meetings.
• S.F. gets $1M for electric car charging.
  
• Target's coming to the Metreon
• Produce market preparing to flourish.
  
• Painting eyes on the street: Debut of SF’s art in storefronts program.
• San Francisco hotel workers authorize strike.
• 300 rally to save sharp park golf course.

Marin/San Mateo/Sonoma

• Redwood City council irked by Menlo Park's early meddling in Cargill project.
  
• San Rafael council candidates mix it up in final forum before Nov. 3 election.
• Five Redwood City Council candidates compete for three seats.
  

California

• Part-Time Legislature: It's not dead yet.
• Think of how crowded the freeways will be.
• Threatened with mass demotion, California lawmakers finally focus.
• Just don't call him 'comrade Campbell'.
• S.F. utilities panel now backs water plan.
  
• 10 years ago this month, TIME regurgitated Gray Davis' spin. Now TIME regurgitates Arnold's spin. Groan.
  
• Of farms, folks and fish.
• Lockyer's honesty on unaffordable pensions is welcome. But in 2005, he single-handedly sandbagged reform he now seeks.
  

The Economy

• Bernanke's trillion-dollar decision.
• Experts see rebounding economy shedding jobs.
  
• Reckless strategies doomed WaMu.

Green Issues

• Climate change? Let's get real.
• Obama's energy secretary vs. clueless Calbuzzers who shill for green fantasy of pain-free AB 32.
• Industry shift reduces LEED Costs.
• Are the Freakonomics folks off base on Global Warming?
  
• The View - insider's viewpoint: state of green.
  
• San Francisco Department of the Environment's October newsletter can be found here.
• Nuclear energy becomes pivotal in climate debate.
  
• Obama says winner of clean-energy race will lead global economy.
• EPA commits to set air pollution rules by 2011.
  
• Tallying biofuels' real environmental cost.
• The price of cleanliness.
• California electric-cars push may raise power costs.
  

General

• Join Urban Land Institute and influential business author Tom Peters – Friday, November 6. Click here for more information and here to register.
• With gaping deficits, San Jose manager seeks big union concessions.
  
• This is the end of the newspaper business.
  
• U.S. Chamber vs. Obama.
  
• Proposed ballot measure would eliminate divorce.
• F-35 is the subject of watchdog’s media blitz.
• Postcard from Detroit.
• Doomsday financial journalism at its best (or worst).
  

The News Links - October 21, 2009

City Insider: Time to compost -- or else.

Calculated Risk: Moody’s - CRE prices off 41 percent from peak, off 3% in August.



SF Weekly: She just became the city's first transgender department head, but Theresa Sparks is already setting her sights on becoming the city's first transgender supervisor.

Commercial Real Estate

• Commercial real estate global spotlight - San Francisco, California.
• Feds ready to start pushing banks toward CRE loan workouts.
• Hotels: Don't buy them now, but start looking.
  
• Commercial mortgage limits not enforced.
• U.S. architecture billings up in September.
• San Francisco employee pension fund loses $645MM on real estate.
• RREEF to investors: Debt restructuring, default.
• What great wealth transfer?
  

San Francisco

• From Supervisor Sean Elsbernd: Attention Public Golfers - Save Sharp Park Fundraiser.
• The land of the free (parking).
  
• Mayor's Office: Supe Campos Is "taunting the opponents of sanctuary city".
• Paper could be the new plastic.
• City to spend $150,000 on disaster aid relief.
  
• SFPUC starts building stalled headquarters.
  
• Ken Garcia: Hospital plans prove there’s always more to story.
  
• Check out Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier's new campaign website for Insurance Commissioner, here.
  
• Fine hike for disabled placard abuse.
• Funds flow to fix park fountains.
• Muni finds almost 10% of riders are fare cheats.
  

Marin/San Mateo/Sonoma

• County of Marin and local cities will use state's IOU to sell bonds.
• Campaign mailer takes center stage in San Rafael.
  
• Assemblymember Jared Huffman's recent newsletter can be found here.
• Assemblymember Jerry Hill will be holding a town hall meeting on October 28th. More information can be found here.

California

• If there are 12 stops from S.F. to Anaheim, it's not "high-speed" rail. It's .... rail.
• Analysis: Schwarzenegger reversals erode trust.
  
• GOP gov candidate Meg Whitman did register to vote in SF.
  
• Liberal radio diatribes in 1990s could haunt Jerry Brown in 2010 California governor's race.
  
• Jerry Brown wins points over CNBC dust-up.
• Study: California should focus training on 'middle-skill' jobs.

The Economy

• What does it mean to be too big to fail?
• Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System: Confronting too big to fail.
• Business spending looks up.
• The growing case for a jobless recovery.
  
• Producer prices drop in September as energy costs fall.
• Economy to impact two-thirds of families this holiday season, according to National Retail Federation survey.
• Luxury spending dispute.
• Private equity returns down 30 percent -- and that's the good news.
• Bernanke urges US to cut budget deficit.
  

Green Issues

• Why the booming wind industry needs a renewable electricity standard.
• AB32 fees approved for state's largest GHG emitters.
• Seven carbon markets may replace Kyoto, Barclays says.
• The top 10 states for energy efficiency — and some surprising achievers.
  

General

• Has So-Cal lost its mojo?
  
• Government made the mess. Now clean it up.
• White House advisers say Fox News is not news.
• Wall Street to Democrats: We wish we knew how to quit you!
• Morning Fix: Obama's populist turn.
• Obama collects while taking on Wall Street at glitzy fund-raiser.
  

The News Links - October 12, 2009

Matier & Ross: 'Wellness' issues & Migden running for District 10?

NYT: A bounce? Indeed. A boom? Not yet.

The New Yorker: Nobel Surprise

Commercial Real Estate

• The coming commercial real estate losses for local and regional banks.
• The inventory issue.
• Problems with subleasing.
• Three possible catalysts for distress.
  

San Francisco

• Theresa Sparks moving to District 6 this weekend, 'leaning very heavily' toward running for Supervisor.
  
• The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission's recent newsletter can be found here.
• Bay Area cities lag in making housing quake-safe.
• SF Weekly's take of the Guardian's recent editorial on community choice aggregation.
• Supervisors set sights overseas.
• Ammiano's manners get him bounced from the Castro.
• Bay Bridge shaking.
• Businesses in western SOMA up for debate.
  
  

Marin/San Mateo/Sonoma

• Marin Municipal Water District sells less water, makes cuts.
• 20 years after Loma Prieta quake, Marin practices preparedness.
• San Mateo City Council race heats up, candidates talk key issues.
• Recology buys Coastside Scavenger.
  

California

• The View - Insider's viewpoint: California's costs of doing business.
  
• Schwarzenegger backs away from veto threat, vows to weigh bills on merits.
• Schwarzenegger to call special session on water.
• What if Tom Campbell had money?
• Dan Walters: California 'murder-suicide of 1998' could repeat itself.
• Calbuzz: Bubba Speaks - What an endorsement is and is not.
• CalPERS pushed hikes now called ‘unsustainable’.
• Legislative employees still get a sweet deal.
• Polling shows little to please Republicans in 2010.
• California chief justice criticizes initiative process.
  

The Economy

• Steep losses pose crisis for pensions.
  
• The economic recovery is well underway.
• Dollar reaches breaking point as banks shift reserves.
• When should the Fed raise rates? (even more wonkish).

Green Issues

• States not meeting renewable energy goals.
• As economy grows, so do China's garbage woes.
  

General

• Obama peace prize editorial roundup.
• A path to downward mobility.
• Obesity concerns spur calls to limit new convenience stores in South L.A.
• The most important number in politics today: 56.
  

BOMA SF-PAC VOTER GUIDE FOR THE NOVEMBER 2, 2010 GENERAL ELECTION

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

CLICK HERE or on the image above for a printable version of our voter guide!

Vote for these candidates for elected office in San Francisco/California:

District 2: Mark Farrell / Janet Reilly

District 4: Carmen Chu

District 6: Theresa Sparks

District 8: Scott Wiener

District 10: Steve Moss

Superior Court Judge: Richard Ulmer

Lt. Governor: Gavin Newsom

LOCAL MEASURES

SUPPORT = Vote YES

OPPOSE = Vote NO

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 theCity'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 toattend one regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Supervisors todiscuss policy matters and allows the Board to set the rules andguidelines 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, thismeasure 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 countermeasure 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 to visit the CivilSidewalks website 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, which would politicize this issue and take away authority from the Police Chief. It also includes a provision negating Prop. L (above) if this proposition receives more votes.
• 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.

BOMA CALIFORNIA POSITIONS ON STATE MEASURES

SUPPORT = Vote YES

OPPOSE = Vote NO

• Prop. 19 – Legalize Marijuana - NO POSITION
• Prop. 20 – Redistricting of Congress - NO POSITION
• Prop. 21 – Vehicle Fee to Support Park - NO POSITION
• Prop. 22 – Bars the state from taking/borrowing money dedicated forlocal government, redevelopment or transit agencies - SUPPORT
• Prop. 23 – Suspends AB 32 Until Jobless Rate is 5.5% for a year -NO POSITION
• Prop. 24 – Repeals recent legislation that allows businesses tocarry-back losses, share tax credits, and use other formulas to lower taxableincome in the state - OPPOSE
• Prop. 25 – Change vote requirement to pass the state budget from two-thirds to a simple majority - OPPOSE
• Prop. 26 – Increases legislative vote requirement from majority to two-thirds for approving state fees, levies and surcharges - SUPPORT
• Prop. 27 – Eliminates Redistricting Commission - NO POSITION

Please click here to read more information on these state propositions.