Instructions:
1. There are 10 sections to this questionnaire. Each section
corresponds with the 10 Key Values of the Green Party.
2. Each section begins with a written question and ends with several
multiple-choice questions. Please don't skip the written question.
3. The multiple-choice questions are answered by checking the box in the
appropriate column to indicate which is closest to your position:
+ = Support / Agree / Yes
- = Oppose / Disagree / No
: = Undecided / Don't know / No opinion
4. The world is too complex to always break down neatly into
yes/no/maybe choices, so feel free to clarify any answers to multiple
choice questions with a few words.
Candidate Name: Vallie Brown
Phone Number: 415-371-9754
Web site: www.votevallie.com
E-mail: hello@votevallie.com
Name of Campaign Manager: Angela Tabora
Are you receiving public financing: Yes.
Signed voluntary spending limit: No.
2nd, 3rd endorsements in District: N/A
Major Endorsements:
Mayor London Breed
Senator Dianne Feinstein
Representative Jackie Speier
Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis
California State Treasurer Fiona Ma
Malia Cohen, California State Board of Equalization
Carmen Chu, San Francisco Assessor
John Burton, Former State Senator and Former Chair of the California Democratic Party
Senator Scott Wiener
Assemblymember David Chiu
SFBOS Board President Norman Yee
Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer
Supervisor Catherine Stefani
Supervisor Ahsha Safai
Supervisor Shamann Walton
Alex Randolph, City College Board President
Thea Selby, City College of San Francisco Board of Trustees
Ivy Lee, City College of San Francisco Board of Trustees
Katy Tang, Former Supervisor D4
Jenny Lam, SFUSD Board of Education Member
Tami Bryant, DCCC Assembly District 17
SF Firefighters Local 798
UFCW 648
SF Building and Construction Trades
SF Laborers Local 261
Sprinkler Fitters 483
Carpenters Local 22
Operating Engineers Local 3
SEIU 87
National Union Of Healthcare Workers (#2)
San Francisco League of Conservation Voters
San Francisco Women's Political Committee
SF United Democratic Club
Brownie Mary Democratic Club
Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club
San Francisco Democratic Party
SEIU 1021
Incumbent Supervisor whose votes most reflect your values: I cannot answer this with one name. I have tremendous respect for all of my colleagues on the Board. I am proud to work with them everyday and to say that all ten of my them have voted in favor of the two dozen + pieces of legislation I have passed in the last year.
Incumbent whose votes least reflect your values: I have tremendous respect for all of my colleagues on the Board. I am proud to work with them everyday and to say that all ten of my them have voted in favor of the two dozen + pieces of legislation I have passed in the last year.
If the election were held today, who would you support as Board President: Norman Yee
Who would be your second and third choices: Sandra Lee Fewer, Catherine Stefani
Who did you endorse for Mayor in 2018 (all 3 choices, if applicable): London Breed
Who did you endorse for Mayor in 2015 (all 3 choices, if applicable): Ed Lee
Who did you endorse for Sheriff in 2015: Ross Mirkarimi
1) Grassroots Democracy: What are your thoughts on Instant Runoff
Voting, and District Elections? How have they worked to date? What
would you change in the future?
Instant runoff elections have improved the electoral process for voters, candidates, and smaller political parties in San Francisco. For candidates and burgeoning political parties, Instant runoff elections open up the opportunity to be a viable contender in a race with more than two or even three opposing candidates or one or two dominant political parties. For voters, it expands choices across the political spectrum in San Francisco.
I share the concerns that some voters may be confused by the process of instant runoff, ranked choice elections and I think ultimately we could do a better job explaining it on sample ballots, official ballots, and voter guides. But I strongly believe that with time, instant runoff voting will prove to be an effective lever to empower voters in making strong, uncompromising first choice votes for candidates and parties they truly believe in.
+ - ?
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Sub-government such as Neighborhood Assemblies, Networks or District Councils
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Some commissions should be democratically elected
[ ] [ - ] [ ] The Mayor should appoint all commissioners
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Voters' right to recall elected officials
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Residency requirements for elected officials should be strictly enforced
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Ethics Commission should be disbanded
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Ethics Commission meetings should be televised
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Ethics Commission should prioritize investigating violations from well-funded campaigns. Of course, however the Ethics Commission currently prioritizes audits of the top five spending spending campaigns. But, I believe, all campaigns must be subject to audit and investigation.
[ ] [ - ] [ ] My campaign accepts corporate contributions While my campaign has accepted legal donations from local LLCs, corporations are forbidden by law from donating to candidate campaign committees.
[ ] [ - ] [ ] My campaign accepts contributions from paid lobbyists or related entities having any interest in City and County of San Francisco
2) Ecological Wisdom: Please outline your view of the major
environmental and ecological issues facing San Francisco and your
proposed policies to address them.
I have a number of environmental priorities that I'm already addressing as Supervisor:
As a Legislative Aide to then-Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, I worked on the San Francisco’s plastic bag ban— the first in California. I’m excited to continue this work with my recently passed Plastic Bag Ban 2.0, which will phase out use of non-recyclable produce bags in grocery stores and raise the bag fee from 10¢ to 25¢.
As a Legislative Aide for Supervisor Mirkarimi, I started working on Clean Power SF and as a Legislative Aide for Supervisor Breed, we finally passed it.
In September, after the August recess, I will introduce legislation to end the use of natural gas in new municipal construction and major building renovations. Today, buildings generate 44% of San Francisco's greenhouse gas emissions. We'll never achieve our net-zero carbon climate goals until all our buildings go all-electric.As we begin that transition, it's important that the City step up and lead by example by decarbonizing our own municipal buildings.
I am the primary cosponsor to the Mayor's legislation to mandate commercial spaces over 50,000 sq. ft. to use 100% renewable energy by 2030 - a big step to help San Francisco reach carbon neutral status by 2050.
I introduced legislation to mandate multi-family residential buildings over 50,000 sq. ft. report energy usage to the City, because we can't manage what we aren't measuring.
We are rebuilding playgrounds, planting sidewalk gardens and hundreds of new trees, and improving streetscapes across the district.
Finally, we're making our parks and open spaces more ecologically in tune with California's climate and the changes it is undergoing - like in Alamo Square Park - with drought-resistant, native plants in our parks and open spaces.
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Phasing out all diesel buses (e.g., Muni, tour, shuttles)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Public Power
[ + ] [ ] [ ] City should take over PG&E distribution in SF
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Install local/regional clean energy, efficiency, and battery storage to supply 50% of our electricity by 2030
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Reducing or eliminating parking minimums in new housing and commercial developments
[ + ] [ ] [ ] As in Bayview, halt all US Navy Treasure Island transfers of lands tested by Tetra Tech, to private developers
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Natural Areas Program
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Tree Removals - Over the past year I have funded and planted over 200 trees in District 5. In addition, I secured $ from private donors to replace over 30 ficus trees in Hayes Valley that have reached the end of their natural life span and have to be removed. Unfortunately, some trees that are dead or diseased must be removed. In each case, I work closely with the Bureau of Urban Forestry to ensure a new tree is planted when one is removed.
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Use of Tier One herbicides in public parks
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Addition of SF Groundwater to City's potable supply
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Artificial turf on City-owned athletic fields
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] Managed retreat and Coastal Zone protection in response to Global Warming
3) Social Justice:
A) What is your assessment of homelessness in San Francisco, and what
solutions do you propose?
When it comes to a crisis like homelessness, we need to be creative and willing to test new ideas. I have a long list of places to start:
Bringing a Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) Navigation Center to District 5.
I authored and unanimously passed San Francisco's first Vehicle Navigation Center and Safe Parking Program, which will provide social services, case management, and a safe place to park for vulnerable people living in cars and RVs. I also allocated additional funding to ensure these vulnerable folks have access to services, bathrooms, showers, and case managers on site-so that they can have a pathway to secure housing with dignity. As someone who personally experienced housing insecurity and lived out of a van with my mother as a teen, the oft-ignored, hidden-in-plain sight nature of this specific aspect of our homelessness crisis was not lost on me.
I funded a new collaborative program called 'Safe Resting Place', which will support a local D5 church and a homelessness services provider, and allow people experiencing homelessness to get immediately get connected to services, rest and have a chance to get off the street, and out of the elements.
I fought to keep open our D5 Homeless Shelters for Youth, especially shelters for unaccompanied minors and trans TAY-youth in the Haight-Ashbury.
I was a vocal supporter of and campaigned for the Prop C ballot initiative from the start; I also unanimously passed authorizing legislation to give this initiative what it needs: proper, community-led OCOH oversight in a timely manner that is organized and “ready to go” when that $300-$400 million is available.
Ultimately, any solutions to homelessness need to look upstream-meaning keeping folks in their homes, preserving existing housing, and securing new housing. In this last budget season, I focused on community stabilization policies and strategies to help our most vulnerable remain housed and economically secure; prioritizing our seniors, families, TAY, educators, and people that keep our cCity clean, fed, healthy and safe.
I have dedicated resources to protect District 5's only homeless family shelter at First Friendship Church.
I expanded the SF Working Families Credit, which will provide an economic boost to thousands of families trying to make ends meet; more low-income families will now be able to access a local earned income tax credit of up to $500.
I established Universal Legal Aid in District 5; now our community will have access to over 30 legal practice areas, including housing, immigration, family law, this clinic will be physically located in D5.
I funded a new Tenants' Rights Ombudsman, that will bring advocacy, tenant counseling, and legal assistance for diverse D5 renters, including those in affordable and subsidized housing.
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Project Homeless Connect
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Care Not Cash
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Community courts
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Healthy SF
[ + ] [ ] [ ] SF's sick leave requirements
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Law against sitting down on SF sidewalks
[ + ] [ ] [ ] More frequent homeless counts
[ + ] [ ] [ ] I support more homeless navigation centers in my district
B) What are your views on housing affordability, what public sector
strategies have worked, which have failed, and what are your proposals?
Our neighborhoods are facing a housing crisis, and tackling this issue must be our highest priority. I believe we need to take a comprehensive approach that protects renters, while helping to build new apartments, homes, and affordable housing - creating more choices for people to live, grow up, raise families and grow old in their communities.
Protecting Renters & Combatting Displacement:
Since being appointed Supervisor, I worked to expand funding for the Small Sites Acquisition program by $40 million. By buying at-risk property, we are preventing Ellis Act evictions and permanently preserving affordable, rent-controlled housing. Recently, I worked tirelessly to successfully save the homes of senior tenants at 520 Shrader through a Small Site acquisition.
I co-sponsored the 'Affordable Housing Production and Preservation Fund' with Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer to collect money to build new affordable housing units or buy existing market-rate housing and make it affordable.
I fought for the successful Neighborhood Preference Policy, which allows 40% of affordable housing to be prioritized for people already living and working in the neighborhood. This is working - a 2019 report from MOHCD found between July 2016 and June 2018, in a total of 483 units in buildings completed and leased, 39% were occupied by people living in the neighborhood where the housing was built.
I've passed funding for a Tenants' Rights Ombudsman to support advocacy, tenant counseling, and legal assistance for diverse D5 renters, including those in affordable and subsidized housing.
I successfully passed Displaced Tenant Preference legislation which will reference to include tenants living in housing where affordability restrictions expire, including former Redevelopment and HUD-financed projects.
I've funded and brought in Housing Counseling Readiness & Financial Empowerment Programs, including free financial literacy counseling, rental readiness and first-time home buying support for low- and moderate-income households. I've especially directed these resources to the Western Addition/Fillmore, as our community is still reeling from the harmful impacts of redevelopment.
This City Budget season, I fought for additional funding for rental subsidies and housing vouchers to be directed to high-need homeless families and low-income seniors.
A SF Working Families Credit, revitalizing and expanding the existing program to give an economic boost to thousands of San Francisco families struggling trying to make ends meet; more low-income families will now be able to access a local earned income tax credit of up to $500. (ERAF)
From my time as a Legislative Aide to now as Supervisor, I've personally helped countless folks facing evictions and harassment from their landlords, towards stable housing and tenant support.
Creating New Housing Choices:
Strengthening inclusionary zoning policies to ensure that new construction results in affordable housing units. At 400 Divisadero, I pushed my colleagues on the Board and the Planning Commission for a higher inclusionary rate than mandated at the time. The rate I established along Divisadero corridor will quadruple the number of inclusionary apartments there, and turn a polluting asphalt gas station, a car wash, and an abandoned radiator shop into new affordable housing.
Identifying City land for 100% affordable housing. I pushed the City to acquire the former McDonald's location at 730 Stanyan for 100% affordable housing; and it is one of five sites I've already identified in my district to be 100% affordable. I am also moving forward with plans for 100% affordable housing on the Octavia Blvd. Parcels (Parcels K,S,U,O) that have laid empty since the removal of the Central Freeway. With passage of the $600 million Affordable Housing Bond this November, we will be able to swiftly develop those parcels.
With Mayor London Breed and Board of Supervisors President Norman Yee, I'm advocating for this November's $600 million Affordable Housing General Obligation Bond which will fund projects in D5 and thousands more across San Francisco.
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Building more market rate housing will lower housing costs for current SF residents
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Impacts of all new development should be paid for in advance by fees on developers
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Community Land Trusts
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Rent Control is too strong
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Elected Rent Board
[ + ] [ ] [ ] HOME-SF (density bonus program)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Social Housing (similar to https://www.sfcommunityhousingact.com/)
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Ban on Airbnb and other short term rentals
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Require full disclosure of all corporate/speculative interests in parties purchasing/developing property
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Vacancy tax on empty homes
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Pied-a-terre Tax on residential property owners who do not reside in SF
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Condo conversion is currently too difficult
4) Nonviolence: What are your solutions for SFPD accountability while
making the streets safer?
As Supervisor, I will push for stronger discipline and oversight at the Department to set a new cultural standard for police officers, advocate for strengthening the Office of Citizen Complaints and pushing the Police Commission to do its job in protecting our most vulnerable residents. This past year, I was a big supporter of CA AB 392 - Weber, and co-sponsored a supportive resolution from the SFBOS, that will hopefully ensure that these officers are better trained, use deadly force less often, and will face accountability when they kill unnecessarily.
Further, I do not support tasers under any circumstances. I fought hard to fund and legislate San Francisco's first Office of Racial Equity. The ORE will take a hard look at San Francisco's failures within the criminal justice system, and provide recommendations with community input.
From my experience, effective neighborhood beat officers need to be on foot, and actually in (and preferably from) the community. They need to take a proactive approach from attending and hosting local events and meetings, to working with community-based organizations, and getting to know all of the residents, businesses and stakeholders that make up a neighborhood.
In the wake of terrible violence that shook the Western Addition and Fillmore in the early 2000s, this is the approach I advocated for and helped implement in collaboration with former Director of Collective Impact Sheryl Davis and former Executive Director of the African American Art and Culture Complex London Breed. This approach also needs to be consistent, and is one I advocate for on a daily basis with the Captains and officers of Northern and Park Station.
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Prioritize SFPD enforcement of moving violations
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Support expansion of foot patrols
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Demand stricter accountability in future MOUs with the SFPD
[ + ] [ ] [ ] The Board of Supervisors should be able to set policies and priorities for the SFPD through legislation
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Support a public safety program modeled after NYC's "Stop and Frisk"
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Prosecution of SFPD Officers involved in fatal shooting deaths of San Francisco residents Officer involved shootings need to be thoroughly investigated by the Department of Police Accountability and the District Attorney's office, with the decision to proceed with prosecution reached on a case-by-case basis by the District Attorney's office.
5) Decentralization: What are your thoughts on the Kaufman Charter
of 1996? Does it need revisiting?
The Kaufman Charter came to be when we realized the Charter had been amended of 500 times between 1932 and 1980. Since 1996, voters have amended the Charter several times and like then, we may need to do another examination of the current Charter to see if it is still serving the needs, wants, and desires of San Fraciscans.
+ - ?
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Bring the Housing Authority under the Board of Supervisors
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] Will you create formal district councils to advise you? This is definitely something worth examining.
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Charter amendment allowing voters to choose the replacement of an elected official being recalled on the same ballot as the recall vote
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Immediately implement open-source voting system on the local level
6) Community Based Economics: What economic policies, including
taxation and land use, would you propose that would drive capital into
our communities and keep that capital here for residents?
I've always been a big supporter of local merchants, maintaining these business is essential in order for our community to thrive. One of the ways we can do this is by allowing flexible use of one space (more than one business in one location), as well as popups. It shouldn't take eight months or longer to open a business, we need to eliminate the red tape that people have to go through in order to open a business in this city. I will continue to work with Mayor London Breed to propose $9 million in new investments to strengthen small business programs with access to capital through low-interest loans, resources for storefront and tenant improvements, and new funding to provide small businesses with financial assistance for regulatory fees. Not only do we need to encourage business owners to open in our neighborhoods, we need to make sure they have all the tools available to help them stay there. I'm proud to have used the SF Small Business Legacy Program to protect long standing businesses that people not only cherish, but add so much to the character of the neighborhood.
I am also exploring the establishment of a wealth tax in the form of a city income tax on individuals making $250,000 or more annually. The tax would apply to both earned and unearned income such as dividends, stock options, and capital gains.
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Legislation limiting formula retail outlets/chain stores
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Conditional Use permit required for big box stores
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Municipal broadband as a public utility
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] Neighborhood cooperatives prioritized as a local supply chain for legalized marijuana
[ + ] [ ] [ ] I support recreational marijuana stores opening in my district
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Local hiring requirements should be enforced and expanded to include private projects
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] Conversion of some golf courses into soccer fields So much land is taken up by golf courses that are often only available to a select few. I'm open to exploring new options for some golf courses but soccer fields seem like a random choice and one that I'm not sure would be better from either an equity or environmental standpoint.
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Prop 13 limits on tax increases should apply only to residential properties -
Yes, but it should only apply to people's primary residences. If one can afford 2nd and 3rd homes, they should not benefit from Prop 13 protections on those homes.
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Commercial Rent Control
7) Feminism: Do you believe women are underrepresented in city
government? If so, why do you believe this is the case? Is this a
bad thing, and if so, what would you do to remedy the situation?
I absolutely believe that women are underrepresented in City government. It's troubling to me that San Francisco is comprised of more than 50% women, yet they are only represented by four out of eleven members on the Board of Supervisors. As the adage goes, if you are not at the table, you may be on the menu. It's imperative that we have institutions,organizations - and especially a government - reflective of the people they represent. The composition of my campaign team and City Hall staff reflects the need for this diversity and equity. As District 5 Supervisor, I will continue to center gender issues in my legislative, budgetary and policy priorities.
Without enough women leaders on the SFBOS, we lose crucial traction on the issues that
matter most to women.
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] The City should help SFUSD provide child care for children of working parents
[ + ] [ ] [ ] The DPH should provide reproductive health services
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Require parental consent for minors seeking an abortion
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Require parental notification for minors seeking an abortion
8) Respect for Diversity: Tell us what you believe are the best and the
worst aspects of San Francisco's diversity. How would you try to
protect the best while trying to change the worst?
Our diversity is our strength - we should celebrate and protect it. We do not function as a City without the contributions of our rich, vibrant, and diverse community. As Supervisor, I'm proud to have legislated and funded San Francisco's new Office of Racial Equity with Supervisor Fewer, including funding for staffing and start-up costs. By examining our City government institutions and proposed municipal legislation, we can work to eliminate racial disparities and systemic injustice in San Francisco.
I also recently wrote and passed a ban on brick-and-mortar stores from not accepting cash as a form of payment. Over 50% of Afircan-Americans and over 35% of Latinx residents of San Francisco are unbanked and it's an issue of equity that we cannot ignore in San Francisco.
We must do everything we can to reduce out-migration of Communities of Concern. I fought for the successful Neighborhood Preference Policy, which allows 40% of affordable housing to be prioritized for people already living and working in the neighborhood. That policy is working - a 2019 report from MOHCD found between July 2016 and June 2018, in a total of 483 units in buildings completed and leased, 39% were occupied by people living in the neighborhood where the housing was built.
+ - ?
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Multilingual government and public education
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Undocumented immigrants should have equal access to education and health care
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] Non-citizen residents should be able to vote in all local elections
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Full rights for transgender persons
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Boards and commissions now reflect the ethnic diversity of San Francisco
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Boards and commissions now reflect the political diversity of San Francisco
[ + ] [ ] [ ] My campaign reflects the diversity of San Francisco
9) Global and Personal Responsibility:
A) What are your thoughts on the
Board of Supervisors taking positions on state, national and
international issues?
San Francisco is a city of firsts and the Board should take positions to ensure that our values are on display. As Supervisor, I have weighed in on a few issues on the state and national level through the drafting and passage of three resolutions and one ordinance. All have passed unanimously.
I passed two resolutions supporting state legislation. The first is SB23 which closed a loophole exploited by organized crime with regard to auto burglaries. The second is AB1076 which will automate the expungement of criminal records of folks who have paid their debts to society for non-violent and non-sexual crimes.
I also passed a resolution condemning Trump for withholding funding of family planning and reproductive health services from clinics operating under Title X.
Finally, during my time as Supervisor over 20 states have placed outright or de-facto bans on abortion. Access to abortion and reproductive health care is a right that I will always fight to protect and I find it to be absurd that we are still debating the issue 45 years after the Roe decision. In response to the recent bans, I passed legislation restricting the City and County of San Francisco from spending money in any states that have laws that do not respect the decision in Roe. The City has a lot of buying power and until those states change their laws, the City will hit them in their wallets in an effort to change their positions.
+ - ?
[ ] [ - ] [ ] City government cooperating with the PATRIOT Act
[ ] [ - ] [ ] City government cooperating with ICE/Secure Communities
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] City government should boycott Israel until it complies with UN resolutions
[ + ] [ ] [ ] SF supervisors should take a position on offshore oil drilling outside CA
B) Please describe how you make your political decisions. What is the
main basis for your decision making (e.g., consultation with your
constituents, political consultants, colleagues, unions, businesses,
donors, or your gut feelings)?
I started as a neighborhood activist talking and listening to people in our community. It's that background that informed my bottom-up - not top-down - approach to decision-making and governance. As Supervisor, I'm not here to tell people what they need, I'm here to listen to the needs and concerns of my constituency.
I'm a consensus builder. In City Hall, I'm known for my ability to sit down at the table and work with all sides to reach an agreement. This is why I was able to pass 27 pieces of legislation with unanimous votes in my first year in office. This is the kind of approach we need to solve the complex challenges our City faces.
+ - ?
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Fleet Week and the Blue Angels flyover
[ ] [ - ] [ ] In a severe recession, environmental regulations should be suspended to create jobs
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Business taxes are too high
10) Sustainability: What does the Transit First City Charter provision
mean to you? How has Transit First fared in recent years, and how would
you enforce that Charter Provision if elected?
San Francisco is a world-class city that deserves a world-class transit system. The Transit First City Charter provision represents our best intentions and ultimate goal on transit but it's clear we aren't there yet: frequent Muni meltdowns, aging infrastructure, malfunctioning new LR vehicles, and an operator exodus and shortage due to gross underpayment are all plaguing San Francisco.
I've incessantly rattled the chains at the SFMTA to demand change and improvements to Muni. We have spent a lot of money on new trains and buses, but have not invested in hiring and retaining operators. Last year, I held a hearing on the system-wide meltdown of Muni last summer and found that Muni is short over 400 operators each day due to the low wages offered to them during their first five years on the job. I also found that Muni had been hiring and training drivers, only to then lose those drivers to better paying transit districts in the Bay Area. As a result of the findings in the report I requisitioned and the subsequent hearing I held, Muni negotiated a better contract with the City and has already begun to hire operators it will now be able to retain.
+ - ?
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] Muni should be funded sufficiently to replace most car use, and be free to the rider - Our goal is to be a Transit First City - that means Muni should absolutely be working towards service that can replace most car use. There are new funding mechanisms we can look to, like a new transit-focused Regional Measure, a state bond, or the upcoming TNC tax ballot initiative.
With regard to Free Muni, in 2008 the City conducted a study that concluded the one time cost to do so would be close to $5000 per resident, almost $4 billion in total. In response, SFMTA created programs for free Muni for youth, seniors, and the disabled. Should we look at it again? Yes, but we must also identify a funding source and ensure the system would be sustainable. There are also other models in use or being explored elsewhere, like daily fare caps in London or €365 annual transit passes in Berlin, that should be seriously considered by SFMTA.
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Downtown Transit Assessment Tax to support Muni
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Citywide Transit Assessment Tax to support Muni
[ + ] [ ] [ ] More weekend closures of streets in/near my district to cars (e.g., Car-Free GGP)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] State law change that lets bicycles treat stop signs as yield signs and red lights as stop signs
[ + ] [ ] [ ] I ride Muni, bicycle and/or walk instead of driving on a regular basis
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Bus Rapid Transit expanded to all major transit corridors in SF
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Car hailing services like Uber and Lyft should be regulated as taxis, or banned. I agree, but TNCs are regulated at the State Level by the CPUC. If we are going to change that then we must have strong working relationships with our State Leadership.
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Scooter/similar vehicle rentals should be required to store vehicles on private property We allow cars to park on public streets, it would be hypocritical for us not to apply the same rule to scooters and bikes, which are smaller & lighter, more equitable to use & access, and ultimately better for our environment.
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Allow residents to park on the sidewalk without getting a ticket, unless their neighbors complain
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Congestion pricing for parking
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Power more City vehicles using biofuels (e.g., corn-based ethanol)
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Residents should be allowed to park in the street in front of their own driveway for free No, the same restrictions should apply as if it were a designated parking space (i.e. street cleaning, time limits)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Support expanding parking meter hours to include later evening hours and weekends
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Remove parking spots and car lanes to create dedicated bike and bus lanes or wider sidewalks
Your positions (at the time) on selected current and past Propositions:
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2019 Uber/Lyft tax - I am a co-sponsor of the Ballot Initiative
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Nov 2019 Vaping regulations
[ + ] [ ] [ ] June 2018 Prop F (Eviction Defense)
[ ] [ - ] [ ] June 2018 Prop H (Tasers for SFPD)
[ +] [ ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prop D (Vacancy appointments)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prop F (16-17 y.o. voting, local elections)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prop N (Non-citizen voting, school board)
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prop Q (Prohibiting tents on public sidewalks)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prop R (Neighborhood crime units)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prop 62 (Ending Death Penalty)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] June 2016 Prop B (Rec and Park legislation)
[+ ] [ ] [ ] 2015 Prop F (Short Term Rental Regulation)
[ ] [ - ] [ ] 2015 Prop I (Mission Luxury Housing Moratorium)
[ +] [ ] [ ] Nov 2014 Prop H (Natural Grass in Parks)
[+ ] [ ] [ ] June 2014 Prop B (Waterfront Height Limits)
[ ] [ - ] [ ] 2011 Prop C (Mayor's Pension measure)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] 2011 Prop D (Adachi's Pension measure)
[ ] [ - ] [ ] 2010 Prop L (Ban on Sitting on Sidewalks)
[ + ] [ ] [ ] 2010 Prop M (Foot Patrols)
Due Date: Tues, Aug 13, 11:59 pm.
Please submit by email to cc@sfgreens.org. For more information, call
Erika McDonald at 415-337-1499. Please return your answers in plain
text (not HTML, PDF, or Word format), so that we can post all
candidates' answers in the same format.
The SF Green Party will invite all candidates who return completed
questionnaires on time to speak and answer questions at our Mayor/Supe
candidate forum and endorsement meeting on August 28 (scheduled for
Wed, Aug 28 from 7-9 pm). If you need to schedule a particular time
slot, or if you are unable to make the meeting, please be in touch
with us at cc@sfgreens.org. Otherwise, we'll interview candidates as
you arrive. Our forum and endorsement meeting will take place in our
office in the Redstone Building, Room 301. The Redstone is located at
2940 16th Street (between Mission and South Van Ness, 1 block from
16th St BART).
Completed questionnaires will be posted on our website,
http://sfgreenparty.org.