Instructions:
There are 10 sections to this questionnaire. Each section corresponds to the 10 Key Values of the Green Party.
Each section contains one or more written questions and ends with several multiple-choice questions. Please don't skip the written questions.
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
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: Aaron Peskin
Phone Number: (415) 235-7703
Web site: Aaron2024.com
E-mail: aaron.peskin@earthlink.net
Name of Campaign Manager: Kaitlyn Conway (kaitlyn@aaron2024.com)
Are you receiving public financing: We have filled the application for public financing.
Signed voluntary spending limit: We have opted into public financing, and under local campaign finance laws, there is an independent expenditure ceiling of $1.475 million. We anticipate our opponents will vastly exceed this limit, which will then dictate our own fiance limits will be increased.
Major Endorsements:
Elected Officials:
Connie Chan, D1 Supervisor
Dean Preston, D5 Supervisor
Hillary Ronen, D9 Supervisor
Bevan Dufty, BART Director
Phil Ting, California State Assembly
Art Agnos, Former SF Mayor
Tom Ammiano, Former State Assembly
Mark Leno, Former State Senator
John Burton, Former Senator
David Campos Former Supervisor, Chair SF Democratic Party
Sandra Lee Fewer, Former Supervisor
Jake McGoldrick, Former Supervisor
Norman Yee, Former Board President,
Eric & Gordon Mar, Former Supervisors
Matt Gonzalez, Former Board President
Sophie Maxwell, Former Supervisor
Jane Kim, Former Supervisor
Community Leaders:
Cleve Jones
Juanita MORE!
Sal Rosselli
Organizations:
San Francisco Tenants Union
Small Business Forward
Berniecrats
League of Pissed-Off Voters
SF Rising Action Fund
Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club
Bernal Heights Democratic Club
Labor:
UESF
NUHW
Teamsters 853
Teamsters 2785
AFT 2121
Your 2nd, 3rd choices for Mayor:
I believe in San Franciscans and I haven't made those decisions yet, but I want to learn more about my fellow candidates, how they treat one another, and how they treat San Franciscans.
Who did you endorse for Mayor in 2019 (all 3 choices, if applicable):
No Endorsement
1) Grassroots Democracy:
A) What are your thoughts on Instant Runoff Voting, and District Elections? How have they worked to date? What would you change in the future? What about Proportional Representation?
I often say democracy is difficult and flawed, but it is the best system we have. IRV and RCV are tools that attempt to improve our democratic voting system and allow more voices to be heard, which I undeniably support.
+ - ?
[ ] [ ] [ ?] Sub-government such as Neighborhood Assemblies, Networks or District Councils
For some communities, such as LA, that is an organizational choice that works; however, I do not believe that is the best decision for San Franciscans.
[ +] [ ] [ ] Voters' right to recall elected officials
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Residency requirements for elected officials should be strictly enforced
B) What strategies would you employ to reduce corruption in San Francisco government?
I have long been a fastidious steward of city resources through the budget process and in anti-corruption work. I believe we can find creative ways to fund essential health and human services. I am calling for an independent inspector general to uncover and expose corruption in city government. Every major American city has an inspector general except San Francisco - and given the corruption we have seen in the last five years, we may be the city in America that needs it most.
+ - ?
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Ethics Commission should be disbanded
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Ethics Commission meetings should be televised
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Ethics Commission should prioritize investigating violations from well-funded campaigns
[ ] [ - ] [ ] My campaign is supported or promoted by a Super PAC
[ ] [ - ] [ ] My campaign has attended events sponsored by "Neighbors for a Better SF", "TogetherSF", "GrowSF" and/or "YIMBY"
2) Ecological Wisdom: Please outline your view of the major environmental and ecological issues facing San Francisco and your proposed policies to address them.
Since my first term in 2001, I have advocated for and prioritized sound environmental policy. I led the effort to stop the City from filling in two square miles of San Francisco Bay for runway expansion at SFO. I passed various environmental reforms, such as working to get the city off of natural gas. I have also advocated to divest the SF Retirement Fund from fossil fuels and sponsored legislation to protect Tuolumne River from the Trump Administration's attempts to divert water, which was vetoed by Mayor Breed. I have supported the use of groundwater from the Lake Merced aquifer to supplement San Francisco's water supply and fought against the use of manufactured drought numbers that promote excess water usage, as well as many other accomplishments during my time as a member of BCDC, the State Coastal Commission, and the Bay Restoration Authority.
+ - ?
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Phasing out all diesel and biodiesel transit (e.g., Muni, tour, shuttles)
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Public Power with 100% local/regional clean energy mandate and elected utility board
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Install local/regional clean energy, efficiency, and battery storage and microgrids to supply 100% of our electricity by 2035
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Reducing or eliminating parking minimums in new housing and commercial developments
[+ ] [ ] [ ] In the Bayview and on Treasure Island, halt all US Navy land transfers to the city or developers, and halt all development, until all sites are retested and cleaned to Residential Standards
there should be no property transfer until they are remediated.
[ ] [ ] [ ?] Non-native Tree Removals
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Use of herbicides in public parks
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Artificial turf on City-owned athletic fields
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Managed retreat, Coastal Zone protection, and restoring wetlands in response to Global Warming
3) Social Justice:
A) What is your assessment of homelessness in San Francisco, and what solutions do you propose?
In regards to homelessness, I believe we need to do more. I believe healthcare is a human right and that housing is healthcare. By increasing affordable housing in our city, increasing the number of shelter beds available, and helping people access treatment for drug misuse, we can give the gift of a healthier community to the SF of tomorrow.
+ - ?
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Project Homeless Connect
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Care Not Cash
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Healthy SF
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Housing As A Right
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Housing First for Homeless, Addiction, Mental Health
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Law against sitting or camping on SF sidewalks
[+ ] [ ] [ ] I support more homeless navigation centers in my neighborhood
B) What are your views on housing affordability, what public sector strategies have worked, which have failed, and what are your proposals?
I have been a champion of local programs to zone for, fund, and build tens of thousands of affordable housing units and have pioneered and crafted new approaches to secure funding and otherwise intervene in the housing market in favor of affordability, including supporting the first inclusionary zoning policy, four housing bonds which successfully raised over $1.3 billion in funding and the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act which gives community-based non-profits the ability to have first access to affordable acquisition opportunities. While in the past we have surpassed our goals of building market-rate housing, what we need to do is build affordable housing. I am pioneering new forms of affordable housing funding, including more expansive housing revenue bonds, which can radically expand funding available for workforce housing projects.
+ - ?
[ ] [ - ] [ ] 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
[ +] [ ] [ ] Waive Environmental Review to build Moderate and Low-Income Housing
[ +] [ ] [ ] Social Housing (similar to https://www.sfcommunityhousingact.com/)
[ +] [ ] [ ] Ban on Airbnb and other short-term rentals
[ +] [ ] [ ] Vacancy tax on residential property and "pied-a-terre" homes
[ +] [ ] [ ] Flipping taxes on housing speculation
[ +] [ ] [ ] 10-year waiting period before corporate and nonresident owners can sell purchased housing properties
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Condo conversion is currently too difficult
4) Nonviolence: What are your solutions for SFPD accountability while making the streets safer?
I have publicly promised to establish citywide community policing with foot patrols and community ambassadors in every neighborhood. I know first-hand how effective community policing can be and that culturally competent policing makes neighborhoods safer, deepens trust, and strengthens communities. One unequivocally positive outcome of the George Floyd political moment was that cities including ours have begun to pilot non-police behavioral health response like the Street Crisis Response team which have built out our public safety infrastructure to make better use of clinicians and EMTs to respond to people in mental health crisis.
+ - ?
[ ] [ - ] [ ] 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 violent attacks on, and fatal shooting deaths of, SF residents and visitors
[+ ] [ ] [ ] End cash bail for nonviolent crimes
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Cut police funding and increase social program spending, and establish community control of neighborhood policing
5) Decentralization:
A) What are your thoughts on the Kaufman Charter of 1996? Does it need revisiting? Would you support replacing the Strong Mayor system with commissions where the majority of members are appointed by the Board of Supervisors or directly elected?
The current San Francisco city charter, passed in 1995 and effective in 1996, made our city's governing document shorter, more accessible, promoted diversity and inclusion in city government, and gave more power to the Mayor. Our city charter is a living document and we are constantly amending it in attempts to strengthen it so it can best serve San Franciscans.
+ - ?
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] Elected Rent Board
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] Elected Public Utility Board
[ ] [ ] [ ? ] Bring the Housing Authority under the Board of Supervisors
B) The city currently uses non-profits to provide social services. Do you think this is an appropriate model? Why or why not?
I have consistently voted against contracting out and privatizing public services. Privatization takes wealth out of a city for private gain; we should keep our public services publicly funded and in the hands of city employees.
+ - ?
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Expand Participatory Budgeting to at least 5% of the SF Budget
[ ] [ - ] [ ] 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 for SF elections
While opensource voting has shown to be more transparent, implementation should be after we have made sure the rollout will be smooth and a positive experience for voters.
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?
My record of consistently supporting progressive taxation policy has been true since I was first elected in 2000. As stated above, I have consistently supported tax relief for small businesses while supporting higher tax rates for San Francisco's largest corporations.
+ - ?
[+ ] [ ] [ ] 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 neighborhood
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Local hiring requirements should be enforced and expanded to include private projects
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Conversion of some golf courses into soccer fields
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Conversion of some golf courses into wild open space
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Prop 13 limits on tax increases should apply only to residential properties
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Commercial Rent Control
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Transition all residential and small business rental properties into not-for-profit trusts and co-ops
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Vacancy and flipping taxes on local small business property
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Transaction/Flipping taxes on all asset speculation to increase city budget
[+ ] [ ] [ ] San Francisco Public Bank by 2027
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 actively promote increasing diversity, and I have throughout my entire time in elected office. I believe in leading by example. That is why I have sought to advance the leadership of women and people of color in nearly all of my direct appointments to Citizens' Advisory Committees. I have pushed for similar representation on the Planning Commission and the MTA Board of Directors. I am a strong supporter of the Office of Racial Equity and intend to do what I can and what is asked of me to help build the stature and viability of that office.
+ - ?
[+ ] [ ] [ ] 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?
The diversity within the archipelago of our neighborhoods and cultural districts is what makes the tapestry of San Francisco so rich. Their future should not be decided by unaccountable planners, real estate speculators and Sacramento special interests. We can be and we must be both pro-housing and pro-neighborhood. We can maintain the cultural, architectural, natural and historical beauty we love and still build housing. We don't have to destroy our city to save it.
+ - ?
[+ ] [ ] [ ] 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
[ ] [ - ] [ ] End Drag Queen Story Hour and K-12 School Education on Gender Spectrum Differences
9) Global and Personal Responsibility:
A) What are your thoughts on the Board of Supervisors taking positions on state, national and international issues?
While our job is to lead our city, we cannot ignore that San Francisco is a global leader and our actions (or innactions) play into the global conversation.
+ - ?
[ ] [ - ] [ ] 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
[ + ] [ ] [ ] SF should refuse to purchase PG&E's nuclear power
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 am known by my colleges to read every single document that goes before the board. I have made political decisions with as much information and knowledge as possible, leaning on experts and consulting with colleagues and constituents, when I started in this role two decades ago, and that's how I will continue to govern as Mayor.
+ - ?
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Fleet Week and the Blue Angels flyover
[+ ] [ ] [ ] JROTC in the public schools
[ ] [ - ] [ ] 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?
The Transit First Charter provision documents our commitment to climate friendly transit solutions for the City of San Francisco. We are conntnuing the push for safer streets, and greener infrastructure, and Transit First is essential to making this a reality.
+ - ?
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Muni should be funded sufficiently to replace most car use, and be free to the rider
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Downtown Transit Assessment Tax to support Muni
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Citywide Transit Assessment Tax to support Muni
[+ ] [ ] [ ] More weekend closures of streets in/near my neighborhood 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
[ ] [ - ] [ ] 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
[+ ] [ ] [ ] 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 on selected current and past Propositions:
+ - ?
[ ] [ - ] [ ] March 2024 Prop E (More Police Chases)
[ ] [ - ] [ ] March 2024 Prop F (Drug Test Poor People)
I opposed this because this measure will increase the number of people experiencing homelessness in San Francisco by taking away the basic services and support systems that keep those in greatest need off the streets. This measure was not only cruel but ineffective as San Francisco does not have the treatment infrastructure that is mandated by the measure.
[ +] [ ] [ ] June 2022 Prop C (Recall Reform)
[ ] [ - ] [ ] June 2022 Prop H (Boudin Recall)
[ +] [ ] [ ] Nov 2020 Prop G (16-17 y.o. voting, local elections)
[ +] [ ] [ ] Nov 2020 Prop I (Real Estate Transfer Tax)
[ +] [ ] [ ] June 2018 Prop F (Eviction Defense)
[ ] [ - ] [ ] June 2018 Prop H (Tasers for SFPD)
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prop D (Vacancy appointments)
[ ] [ ] [? ] Nov 2016 Prop N (Non-citizen voting, school board)
[ ] [ - ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prop Q (Prohibiting tents on public sidewalks)
[+ ] [ ] [ ] Nov 2016 Prop 62 (Ending Death Penalty)
Due Date: Friday, June 21, 11:59 pm
Please submit by email to cc@sfgreens.org. For more information, call Barry Hermanson at 415-255-9494. 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 selected candidates who return completed questionnaires on time to speak and answer questions at our candidate forum and endorsement meeting. To be given time on our agenda, each candidate needs at least three active Green Party members to request their invitation. This will be a hybrid meeting, so invited candidates may also speak with us via Zoom.
Our endorsement meeting is scheduled for Wed, June 26 from 6:30-9:30 pm at our office, 2973 16th St, #300, SF - note that this is across the street from our old office in the Redstone Building. The first two hours will be for interviews of selected candidates, and the last hour will be for decision making.
Completed questionnaires will be posted on our website, https://sfgreenparty.org.