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: Stephen Martin-Pinto
Phone Number: N/A
Web site: stephenmartinpinto.com
E-mail: stephen@stephenmartinpinto.com
Name of Campaign Manager: Stephen Martin-Pinto
Are you receiving public financing: Not at this time
Signed voluntary spending limit: N/A
2nd, 3rd endorsements in District: None at this time
Major Endorsements: None official at this time
Incumbent Supervisor whose votes most reflect your values: Catherine Stefani
Incumbent whose votes least reflect your values: Hillary Ronen
If the election were held today, who would you support as Board President: Catherine Stefani
Who would be your second and third choices: Aaron Peskin, Ahsha Safai
Who did you endorse for Mayor in 2019 (all 3 choices, if applicable): Ellen Lee Zhou
Who did you endorse for Mayor in 2018 (all 3 choices, if applicable): Angela Alioto
Who did you endorse for Mayor in 2015 (all 3 choices, if applicable): None
Who did you endorse for Sheriff in 2015: None
1) Grassroots Democracy: What are your thoughts on Instant Runoff Voting, and District Elections?
I do not support instant runoff elections. They are generally too complicated for the public to understand and often lead to unintended outcomes that are not aligned with public preference. I do support district elections. I always support government at the lowest, most local level and prefer a supervisor who is accountable to a specific district and is theoretically intimately familiar with the nuances of that district.
How have they worked to date? What would you change in the future?
I would prefer the top two candidates in each election have a secondary runoff in December.
Multiple choice questions:
+ - ?
[ + ] [ ] [ ] 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
[ ] [-] [ ] My campaign accepts corporate contributions
[ ] [ -] [ ] 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.
The biggest environmental concern is litter, garbage, human waste, and needles (biohazardous waste) on the streets. Uncontrolled waste eventually blows into waterways which does immediate, significant damage to aquatic ecosystems as well as avian life. I will have a zero-tolerance policy for litter, needles, and biohazardous waste on streets, and all litter and dumping laws will be strictly enforced.
Multiple choice questions:
+ - ?
[ ] [ ] [ ?] Phasing out all diesel buses (e.g., Muni, tour, shuttles) only with proven alternatives
[ ] [-] [ ] Public Power
[ ] [-] [ ] City should take over PG&E distribution in SF
[ ] [-] [ ] Reducing or eliminating parking minimums in new housing and commercial developments I strongly oppose this.
[ ] [ ] [?] As in Bayview, halt all US Navy Treasure Island transfers of lands tested by Tetra Tech, to private developers I don't support this unless extensive third party testing has been completed
[+] [ ] [ ] Natural Areas Program I strongly support this.
[+] [ ] [ ] Tree Removals Only non-native eucalyptus.
[+] [ ] [ ] Use of Tier One herbicides in public parks As a last resort only.
[ ] [ ] [?] Addition of SF Groundwater to City's potable supply My concern is how this would affect creeks and waterways.
[ ] [-] [ ] Artificial turf on City-owned athletic fields Absolutely not.
[+] [ ] [ ] 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?
As a San Francisco First Responder/EMT, I have come to learn first-hand, that the homeless crisis is closely tied to the drug crisis and a permissive environment which ultimately harms homeless people, not helps them. I promise to seek prosecution of drug dealers which is the first step in mitigating the homeless problem. I seek expansion of conservatorship programs, as homeless people addicted to drugs are unable to make responsible decisions for themselves, as that is part of the disease of addiction. I propose a combination of sequestration, medication assisted treatment, and rehabilitation to combat the drug and homeless crisis.
Multiple choice questions:
+ - ?
[ ] [ ] [?] Project Homeless Connect I need to see results of their success before I support this organization
[+] [ ] [ ] Care Not Cash
[ ] [ ] [?] Community courts I am skeptical of the effectiveness. I need to see proof of success.
[ ] [ ] [?] Healthy SF I largely see this program as redundant with the litany of state and federal programs
[ ] [-] [ ] SF's sick leave requirements Small businesses should be exempted; this may be excessively burdensome for small businesses.
[+] [ ] [ ] Law against sitting down on SF sidewalks
[+] [ ] [ ] More frequent homeless counts The method by which homeless are counted is extremely sloppy. It needs to be more accurate with causation as part of the data.
[ ] [-] [ ] I support more homeless navigation centers in my district Again, as a First Responder speaking with residents where these centers are located, it is they, themselves who inform me of the failure of these operations.
B) What are your views on housing affordability, what public sector strategies have worked, which have failed, and what are your proposals?
We cannot build our way out of this housing crisis without ruining the neighborhoods of San Francisco. I will not support up-zoning of single-family home zones. Everybody is talking about increasing supply, but nobody is talking about decreasing demand. We need to incentivize the distribution of tech companies to other parts of the bay area to relieve pressure on housing, transportation, and infrastructure. We need to encourage businesses to let their employees tele-commute. There are cons to this plan, but it should not be incumbent on the city of San Francisco to meet the housing needs of the entire bay area.
Multiple choice questions:
+ - ?
[ ] [ ] [?] Building more market rate housing will lower housing costs for current SF residents The amount of housing we would have to build to significantly lower housing costs would be disastrous for San Francisco in terms of quality of life
[+] [ ] [ ] Impacts of all new development should be paid for in advance by fees on developers
[+] [ ] [ ] Community Land Trusts
[+] [ ] [ ] Rent Control is too strong Nearly every economist agrees RENT CONTROL IS HARMFUL. However, I'd support the grandfathering of all pre-existing tenant contracts which are under rent control
[ ] [ ] [?] 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 Only after 24 months of vacancy and not during recessions.
[+] [ ] [ ] Pied-a-terre Tax on residential property owners who do not reside in SF Yes, I strongly support this as well as an annual re-assessment of property tax based on the market value of the house.
[ ] [ ] [?] Condo conversion is currently too difficult
[ ] [-] [ ] Eliminating transfer of entitlements in real estate transfers
[ ] [ ] [?] #30RightNow - Fully funding direct access to housing for tenants in supportive housing, to lower rents to 30% of their income
4) Nonviolence: What are your solutions for SFPD accountability while making the streets safer?
Your response:
I believe in police accountability and transparency, but at the same time, we need to realize that we need more police to make our streets safer. Improved hiring procedures are part of this. Increased foot patrols are a part of this. Increased de-escalation of force training is part of this.
Multiple choice questions:
+ - ?
[+] [ ] [ ] Prioritize SFPD enforcement of moving violations
[+] [ ] [ ] Support expansion of foot patrols
[+] [ ] [ ] Demand stricter accountability in future MOUs with the SFPD I support a re-examination of the accountability process for SFPD, and I support a mechanism for performance review for all police officers, as well as a mechanism to dismiss police officers who show a consistent pattern of poor or unethical performance.
[ ] [ ] [?] The Board of Supervisors should be able to set policies and priorities for the SFPD through legislation I am reticent to support this as this should be the role of the police commission.
[ ] [ ] [?] Support a public safety program modeled after NYC's "Stop and Frisk" I want police to be able to question suspects with reasonable cause, while being mindful of people's civil rights.
[ ] [ ] [?] Prosecution of SFPD Officers involved in fatal shooting deaths of San Francisco residents Prosecution only when there is a blatant violation of force or egregious use of force
[ ] [-] [ ] Demilitarize SFPD - Removal of tactical military weapons (e.g., tear gas, assault rifles) and vehicles from SFPD's arsenal/fleet The DoD 1033 program which allows the Department of Defense to transfer surplus military gear to police departments, is useful because it can save departments considerable money. It does not apply only to tactical supplies, but office supplies and furniture as well. I do not want to lose the ability to take advantage of DoD 1033.
[ ] [-] [ ] Defund SFPD - Commit to permanent reduction of the number of SFPD officers I do not support this
5) Decentralization: What are your thoughts on the Kaufman Charter of 1996? Does it need revisiting?
Your response:
I am unfamiliar with this charter.
Multiple choice questions:
+ - ?
[ ] [ ] [?] Bring the Housing Authority under the Board of Supervisors
[+] [ ] [ ] Will you create formal district councils to advise you? This already exists, to a certain extent, in the form of neighborhood associations
[ ] [-] [ ] Charter amendment allowing voters to choose the replacement of an elected official being recalled on the same ballot as the recall vote I want the replacement candidate to be on a separate ballot so as to not unduly influence the election process of the replacement candidate
[ ] [-] [ ] Immediately implement open-source voting system on the local level Not until it has been proven to be an accurate, fraud-proof method of voting
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?
Your response:
I would loosen discretionary review laws for small businesses in commercial districts, and slash fees, taxes, and permitting requirements for small businesses to help them survive and thrive in the recession
Multiple choice questions:
+ - ?
[ ] [ ] [?] Legislation limiting formula retail outlets/chain stores I support this however I do not want this to be too restrictive
[ ] [ ] [?] Conditional Use permit required for big box stores If a conditional use permit is required, I support an expedited process
[ ] [-] [ ] Municipal broadband as a public utility No I strongly do not support this. The SF Gov needs to focus on essential services and not get involved in services that a private corporation can best provide
[ ] [ ] [?] Neighborhood cooperatives prioritized as a local supply chain for legalized marijuana I might support this if enough neighbors are interested
[+] [ ] [ ] I support recreational marijuana stores opening in my district I support it but not within 1000 feet of schools or day care facilities and it must provide for its own security. I would also maintain that it go through a discretionary review process (I'd consider not requiring it for all other businesses)
[ ] [-] [ ] Local hiring requirements should be enforced and expanded to include private projects Although well intentioned, it would risk slowing down every project to a virtual crawl. It would also make some projects prohibitively expensive. Some projects would not even happen at all due to this excessive regulation.
[ ] [ ] [?] Conversion of some golf courses into soccer fields Only by demand.
[ ] [-] [ ] Commercial Rent Control I generally am adverse to expanding rent control protections.
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?
Your response:
With 3 of the 11 board of supervisors, the mayor, and several department heads being women, I feel that women are on the right path to being represented fairly in government, if they are not so already. Much of this decision rests with voters, there is little I can do to affect that except encourage anyone who wants to be in government to participate if they want to do so. I always maintain that the most qualified person should be chosen to fill any position, regardless of race, sex, or any other identity status.
Multiple choice questions:
+ - ?
[ ] [-] [ ] The City should help SFUSD provide child care for children of working parents No, the SFUSD needs to be focused on education and education only.
[ ] [-] [ ] The DPH should provide reproductive health services No, the DPH is not a social services agency. It needs to abide by its original mission.
[+] [ ] [ ] Require parental consent for minors seeking an abortion Yes, parents need to be involved in the decision making process and be involved in their children's decisions
[+] [ ] [ ] Require parental notification for minors seeking an abortion Yes, parents have a right to know what happens in their children's lives
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?
Your response:
We are naturally a diverse city. However, we try to mandate diversity at times in various institutions (eg schools) by enforcing arbitrary racial quotas which, by definition, is racist.
Multiple choice questions:
+ - ?
[+] [ ] [ ] Multilingual government and public education I am a believer in early foreign language learning and immersion, but not English as a second language programs, especially not for younger students
[ ] [-] [ ] Undocumented immigrants should have equal access to education and health care I am opposed to this. We need to take care of low-income, local resident American citizens first.
[ ] [-] [ ] Non-citizen residents should be able to vote in all local elections I am strongly opposed to this. US Citizens only should have the right to participate in elections.
[+] [ ] [ ] Full rights for transgender persons
[ ] [ ] [?] Boards and commissions now reflect the ethnic diversity of San Francisco My first priority is to find the best, most qualified, well-rounded candidates for all board and commission positions.
[+] [ ] [ ] Boards and commissions now reflect the political diversity of San Francisco I want a board and commission that represents multiple perspectives and not too much of one political perspective.
[+] [ ] [ ] My campaign reflects the diversity of San Francisco Yes, I am a free-thinking person of color, and a plain-spoken honest person. I represent what my district thinks.
9) Global and Personal Responsibility: A) What are your thoughts on the Board of Supervisors taking positions on state, national and international issues?
Your response:
It is a complete waste of time. Nobody cares outside of San Francisco what San Francisco thinks. We need to stay in our lane as local politicians and not concern ourselves with higher state and federal level politics, insofar as it doesn't affect us.
Multiple choice questions:
+ - ?
[+] [ ] [ ] City government cooperating with the PATRIOT Act We need to abide by state and federal regulations. If people have issue with this, they need to talk to our Congressional representatives and US Senators to effect a change.
[+] [ ] [ ] City government cooperating with ICE/Secure Communities Again, as a municipality, we must abide by higher level regulations. People need to discuss these matters with our national level representatives if this is of concern.
[ ] [-] [ ] City government should boycott Israel until it complies with UN resolutions No, we need to not be involved in international affairs. People who take issue with this need to talk to our national representatives.
[ ] [-] [ ] SF supervisors should take a position on offshore oil drilling outside CA No, we need to stick to issues of local concern.
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)?
Your response:
I base all my decisions on what is right for the city according to my ethics, which has been formed by my upbringing and my life experiences as a native-born San Franciscan. I do not make emotional based decisions; I base my decisions on solid facts and evidence. I keep politics out of my decision-making process. Doing what is right by the city and doing what is politically correct seldom go hand in hand. Sometimes it is the tough, politically incorrect decisions which are the right decisions. I am willing to make the right decisions even if politically unpopular. However, I always listen to my constituents and am willing to learn about issues that I am not an expert on, and I am willing to make compromises when necessary in order to best meet the needs of all parties involved.
Multiple choice questions:
+ - ?
[+] [ ] [ ] Fleet Week and the Blue Angels flyover Fleet week is good for our local economy
[ ] [ ] [?] In a severe recession, environmental regulations should be suspended to create jobs Not suspended entirely but I am open to relaxing some in order to stimulate job creation
[+] [ ] [ ] Business taxes are too high In most cases yes, 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?
Your response:
The only way that we can make meaningful change to the way people commute in and around San Francisco is heavy investment in our public transportation infrastructure. This means restoring people's trust and faith in our current public transportation as well as expanding it in the future. I'd support the expansion of transit and BART police, so that people sense of safety and security is restored on public transportation systems.
I am also a big proponent of the MUNI Metro expansion project.
Multiple choice questions:
+ - ?
[ ] [-] [ ] Muni should be funded sufficiently to replace most car use, and be free to the rider Yes to first, no to second part of question
[ ] [-] [ ] 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 JFK in GGP) Only with permission from residents on streets
[ ] [ ] [?] Make "Slow Streets" permanent after the pandemic I'm amenable to it only with permission from residents of affected streets.
[ ] [-] [ ] State law change that lets bicycles treat stop signs as yield signs and red lights as stop signs I recommend that anyone who wants to change this law talk to their state representative
[+] [ ] [ ] I ride Muni, bicycle and/or walk instead of driving on a regular basis I did until the quarantine
[+] [ ] [ ] Bus Rapid Transit expanded to all major transit corridors in SF I'm more interested in subway expansion
[ ] [ ] [?] Car hailing services like Uber and Lyft should be regulated as taxis, or banned I'd support some form of tax, as they significantly contribute to our traffic and air pollution problem
[+] [ ] [ ] Scooter/similar vehicle rentals should be required to store vehicles on private property
[ ] [-] [ ] Allow residents to park on the sidewalk without getting a ticket, unless their neighbors complain No because if a vehicle parks on a sidewalk, it may be an ADA violation as disabled persons cannot pass on the sidewalk
[ ] [-] [ ] Congestion pricing for parking We already charge for parking in business districts
[+] [ ] [ ] Power more City vehicles using biofuels (e.g., corn-based ethanol) I would support this
[+] [ ] [ ] Residents should be allowed to park in the street in front of their own driveway for free
[+] [ ] [ ] 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 Only after consultation and support of 50%+1 of the residents and businesses on the affected block.
Your positions (at the time, if you took a position) on selected current and past Propositions:
+ - ?
I tend to not vote for propositions, as I find them to be a highly restrictive form of legislation that can only be modified or rescinded by another proposition
[ ] [ ] [?] Nov 2020 Split roll tax assessment (Prop 13 reform)
[ ] [-] [ ] March 2020 Prop E (Office development)
[ ] [-] [ ] Nov 2019 Prop C (Vaping regulations)
[+] [ ] [ ] Nov 2019 Prop D (Uber/Lyft tax)
[ ] [-] [ ] June 2018 Prop F (Eviction Defense)
[+] [ ] [ ] June 2018 Prop H (Tasers for SFPD)
[ ] [ ] [?] Nov 2016 Prop D (Vacancy appointments) I don't recall
[ ] [-] [ ] 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) I don't recall
[+] [ ] [ ] 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) I don't recall
[ ] [ ] [ ?] June 2014 Prop B (Waterfront Height Limits) I didn't live here at the time