Yet again, writer-about-town Matt Baume has taken on the thankless task of compiling and attempting to organize everyone else’s endorsements for local and state issues and candidates for the November 2, 2010 election. Why? Matt explains it the best:
If you’re like any reasonable Californian, you’re totally baffled by the ballot. (It’s not your imagination: the thing is super-long this year.) To really understand every race, every candidate, and every proposition, you’d need to be an expert with a ton of time on your hands. So let’s turn to those experts and crowd-source their wisdom.
Matt looked at over 150 major organizations’ and individuals’ endorsements for next Tuesday’s election (you can see his rather imposing master document here) and graphed out how “popular” they are among endorsers (green means “yes,” red means “no”).
But it’s not all about popularity, now, is it? That’s why Matt recommends that you “look at who the endorsers are on each side, and decided which ones you trust the most.”
Right now, you’re looking at his endorsement breakdowns for the SF propositions, you can see his breakdown of CA state proposition endorsements here, of SF candidate endorsements here, and CA candidate endorsements here.
All descriptions of and links to SF propositions come directly from the official voter information pamphlet, online at smartvoter.org.
Vehicle Registration Fee — County of San Francisco (Amendment to the San Francisco Business and Tax Regulations Code – Majority Approval Required)
Shall the San Francisco County Transportation Authority add $10 to the annual registration fee for vehicles registered in San Francisco to fund transportation projects involving street repairs and reconstruction, pedestrian safety, and transit reliability improvements? [Learn more]
Yes on AA: African American Democratic Club, Alice B Toklas Democratic Club, Bay Area Reporter, Democratic County Central Committee, Fiona Ma, Harvey Milk Club, League of Young Voters, Mark Leno, Rescue Muni, Sierra Club of California & Sierra Club, San Francisco Bay Chapter, SF Bay Guardian, SF Bike Coalition, SF Democratic Party, SF Chronicle SF Labor Council, SF League of Young Voters, SF Tenants Union, SF Tomorrow, SF Women’s Political Committee, SF Young Democrats, SPUR, Supervisor Alioto-Pier, Supervisor Campos, Supervisor Chu, Supervisor Daly, Supervisor Dufty, Supervisor Elsbernd, Supervisor Maxwell, Supervisor Mirkarimi, Tom Ammiano, Transit Workers Union Local 250-A, UNITE HERE! Local 2, Walk SF
No on AA: Libertarian Party (SF & CA), SF Apartment Association, SF Republican Party, SF Young Republicans, Supervisor Avalos, Supervisor Chiu, Supervisor Mar, Terence Faulkner
Earthquake Retrofit Bond — County of San Francisco (2/3 Approval Required)
EARTHQUAKE SAFETY RETROFIT DEFERRED LOAN AND GRANT PROGRAM GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, 2010. To provide deferred loans and grants to pay the costs for seismic retrofits of certain multi-story wood-frame buildings with vulnerable soft-story construction at significant risk of substantial damage and collapse during a major earthquake and funded by a qualified governmental housing finance agency for permanent or long-term affordability, or single room occupancy buildings owned by private parties, and pay related costs, shall the City issue up to $46,150,000 of general obligation bonded indebtedness, subject to citizen oversight and regular audits? [Learn more]
Yes on A: African American Democratic Club, Alice B Toklas Democratic Club, Bay Area Reporter, Building Owners and Managers Association of SF, Democratic County Central Committee, Gavin Newsom, Harvey Milk Club, Joanne Hayes-White, League of Young Voters, Mark Leno, SF Apartment Association, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Chronicle, SF Labor Council, SF League of Young Voters, SF Police Officers Association, SF Tenants Union, SF Tomorrow, SF Women’s Political Committee, SF Young Democrats, SPUR, Supervisor Alioto-Pier, Supervisor Avalos, Supervisor Campos, Supervisor Chiu, Supervisor Chu, Supervisor Daly, Supervisor Dufty, Supervisor Elsbernd, Supervisor Mar, Supervisor Maxwell, Supervisor Mirkarimi, Tom Ammiano, Transit Workers Union Local 250-A, UNITE HERE! Local 2, United Educators of San Francisco
No on A: Libertarian Party (SF & CA), SF Republican Party, SF Young Republicans, Small Property Owners of SF Institute, Starchild
City Retirement and Health Plans — County of San Francisco (Charter Amendment – Majority Approval Required)
Shall the City increase employee contributions to the Retirement System for retirement benefits; decrease employer contributions to the Health Service System for health benefits for employees, retirees and their dependents; and change rules for arbitration proceedings about City collective bargaining agreements? [Learn more]
Yes on B: Jeff Adachi, Libertarian Party (SF & CA), SF Chronicle, Starchild, SPUR
No on B: Affordable Housing Alliance, African American Democratic Club, Alice B Toklas Democratic Club, Bay Area Reporter, CA Nurses Association, Causa Justa: Just Cause, Chinese Progressive Association, Democratic County Central Committee, Gavin Newsom, George Gascon, Harvey Milk Club, Joanne Hayes-White, League of Young Voters, Leland Yee, Mark Leno, Mike Hennessey, SEIU 1021, SF Bay Guardian, SF Democratic Party, SF Firefighters, SF Labor Council, SF League of Young Voters, SF Police Officers Association, SF Pride at Work, SF Tenants Union, SF Tomorrow, SF Women’s Political Committee, SF Young Democrats, Supervisor Campos, Supervisor Chiu, Supervisor Dufty, Supervisor Mar, Tom Ammiano, Transit Workers Union Local 250-A, UNITE HERE! Local 2, United Educators of San Francisco
Mayoral Appearances at Board Meetings — County of San Francisco (Charter Amendment – Majority Approval Required)
Shall the Charter be amended to require the Mayor to appear in person at one regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Supervisors each month to engage in formal policy discussions with the Board? [Learn more]
Yes on C: Democratic County Central Committee, Harvey Milk Club, League of Young Voters, Mark Leno, SF Bay Guardian, SF Labor Council, SF League of Young Voters, SF Tenants Union, SF Tomorrow, Starchild, Supervisor Avalos, Supervisor Campos, Supervisor Chiu, Supervisor Daly, Supervisor Mar, Supervisor Mirkarimi, Tom Ammiano, Transit Workers Union Local 250-A, UNITE HERE! Local 2
No on C: African American Democratic Club, Alice B Toklas Democratic Club, Bay Area Reporter, Building Owners and Managers Association of SF, Libertarian Party (SF & CA), SF Apartment Association, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Chronicle, SF Police Officers Association, SF Republican Party, SF Young Republicans, SPUR, Supervisor Alioto-Pier, Supervisor Chu, Supervisor Dufty, Supervisor Elsbernd, Supervisor Maxwell
Proposition D
Non-Citizen Voting in School Board Elections — County of San Francisco (Charter Amendment – Majority Approval Required)
Shall the City allow non-citizen residents of San Francisco who are 18 years of age or older and have children living in the San Francisco Unified School District to vote for members of the Board of Education? [Learn more]
Yes on D: ACLU of Northern California, African American Democratic Club, Bay Area Reporter, Causa Justa: Just Cause, Chinese for Affirmative Action, Chinese Progressive Association, Democratic County Central Committee, Harvey Milk Club, League of Young Voters, Mark Leno, People Organizing to Demand Environmental and Economic Justice (PODER), SF Bay Guardian, SF Democratic Party, SF Labor Council, SF League of Young Voters, SF Tenants Union, SF Women’s Political Committee, Starchild, Supervisor Alioto-Pier, Supervisor Avalos, Supervisor Campos, Supervisor Chiu, Supervisor Daly, Supervisor Dufty, Supervisor Mar, Supervisor Maxwell, Supervisor Mirkarimi, Tom Ammiano, Transit Workers Union Local 250-A, UNITE HERE! Local 2, United Educators of San Francisco
No on D: Building Owners and Managers Association of SF, SF Apartment Association, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Chronicle, SF Republican Party, SF Young Republicans, Supervisor Chu, Supervisor Elsbernd, Terence Faulkner
Election Day Voter Registration — County of San Francisco (Charter Amendment – Majority Approval Required)
Shall the Charter be amended to establish Election Day voter registration specifically for municipal elections? [Learn more]
Yes on E: ACLU of Northern California, African American Democratic Club, Alice B Toklas Democratic Club, Bay Area Reporter, Causa Justa: Just Cause, Chinese for Affirmative Action, Chinese Progressive Association, Democratic County Central Committee, Harvey Milk Club, League of Women Voters (CA & SF), League of Young Voters, Mark Leno, People Organizing to Demand Environmental and Economic Justice (PODER), SF Bay Guardian, SF Democratic Party, SF Labor Council, SF League of Young Voters, SF Tenants Union, SF Tomorrow, SF Women’s Political Committee, SF Young Democrats, Supervisor Avalos, Supervisor Campos, Supervisor Chiu, Supervisor Chu, Supervisor Daly, Supervisor Dufty, Supervisor Mar, Supervisor Maxwell, Supervisor Mirkarimi, Tom Ammiano, Transit Workers Union Local 250-A, UNITE HERE! Local 2
No on E: Building Owners and Managers Association of SF, Libertarian Party (SF & CA), SF Apartment Association, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Chronicle, SF Police Officers Association, SF Republican Party, SF Young Republicans, Supervisor Alioto-Pier, Supervisor Elsbernd
Health Service Board Elections — County of San Francisco (Charter Amendment – 55% Approval Required)
Shall the number of Health Service Board elections be reduced to two elections every five years instead of four elections? [Learn more]
Yes on F: Bay Area Reporter, Mark Leno, SF Apartment Association, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Chronicle, SF Women’s Political Committee, SPUR, Supervisor Alioto-Pier, Supervisor Avalos, Supervisor Campos, Supervisor Chiu, Supervisor Chu, Supervisor Dufty, Supervisor Elsbernd, Supervisor Maxwell, Supervisor Mirkarimi
No on F: African American Democratic Club, Democratic County Central Committee, Harvey Milk Club, League of Young Voters, SF Bay Guardian, SF Labor Council, SF League of Young Voters, Supervisor Daly, Supervisor Mar, Tom Ammiano, Transit Workers Union Local 250-A, UNITE HERE! Local 2, United Educators of San Francisco
Transit Operator Wages — County of San Francisco (Charter Amendment – Majority Approval Required)
Shall the City eliminate the formula for setting minimum MUNI operator wages and instead set MUNI operator wages through collective bargaining and binding arbitration; add rules for arbitration proceedings regarding MTA’s transit employees; and make other changes to terms of employment for MTA employees? [Learn more]
Yes on G: Alice B Toklas Democratic Club, Bay Area Reporter, Building Owners and Managers Association of SF, Coalition for SF Neighborhoods, Libertarian Party (SF & CA), Mark Leno, Rescue Muni, SF Apartment Association, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Chronicle, SF Republican Party, SF Small Business Network, SF Women’s Political Committee, SF Young Democrats, SF Young Republicans, Small Business Network, Starchild, SPUR, Supervisor Elsbernd
No on G: Democratic County Central Committee, Harvey Milk Club, League of Young Voters, SF Bay Guardian, SF Labor Council, SF League of Young Voters, SF Tenants Union, Tom Ammiano, Transit Workers Union Local 250-A, UNITE HERE! Local 2
Local Elected Officials on Political Party Committees — County of San Francisco (Ordinance – Majority Approval Required)
Shall the City prohibit elected City officials from serving on San Francisco political party county central committees? [Learn more]
Yes on H: Bay Area Reporter, Building Owners and Managers Association of SF, Gavin Newsom, SF Apartment Association, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Police Officers Association
No on H: African American Democratic Club, Alice B Toklas Democratic Club, Democratic County Central Committee, Harvey Milk Club, League of Young Voters, Mark Leno, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, SF Labor Council, SF League of Young Voters, SF Republican Party, SF Tenants Union, SF Tomorrow, SF Women’s Political Committee, SF Young Republicans, SPUR, Tom Ammiano, Transit Workers Union Local 250-A, UNITE HERE! Local 2
Saturday Voting — County of San Francisco (Ordinance – Majority Approval Required)
Shall the City open polling places on the Saturday before the November 2011 election if donors contribute enough money to pay for the costs? [Learn more]
Yes on I: African American Democratic Club, Alice B Toklas Democratic Club, Bay Area Reporter, Chinese for Affirmative Action, Chinese Progressive Association, Democratic County Central Committee, Harvey Milk Club, League of Young Voters, Mark Leno, People Organizing to Demand Environmental and Economic Justice (PODER), SF Apartment Association, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Chronicle, SF League of Young Voters, SF Police Officers Association, SF Tomorrow, SF Women’s Political Committee, SF Young Democrats, SPUR, Tom Ammiano, UNITE HERE! Local 2
No on I: Libertarian Party (SF & CA), SF Labor Council, SF Republican Party, SF Young Republicans, Terence Faulkner, Transit Workers Union Local 250-A
Hotel Tax Clarification and Temporary Increase — County of San Francisco (Ordinance – Majority Approval Required)
Shall the City increase the hotel tax rate from 14% to 16% for the next three years, confirm that anyone collecting rent from a hotel guest must also collect tax on room rental and related charges, and define “permanent resident” so that only an individual could qualify for the “permanent resident” exemption? [Learn more]
Yes on J: African American Democratic Club, Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center, CA Nurses Association, Causa Justa: Just Cause, Chinese for Affirmative Action, Chinese Progressive Association, Democratic County Central Committee, Filipino Community Center, Harvey Milk Club, Keep Arboretum Free, League of Young Voters, Mark Leno, People Organizing to Demand Environmental and Economic Justice (PODER), SEIU 1021, Senior Action Network/Senior Housing Action Collaborative, Sierra Club of California & Sierra Club, San Francisco Bay Chapter, SF Bay Guardian, SF Day Labor Program, SF Democratic Party, SF Labor Council, SF League of Young Voters, SF Pride at Work, SF Tenants Union, SF Tomorrow, SF Women’s Political Committee, Supervisor Campos, Supervisor Mar, Tom Ammiano, Transit Workers Union Local 250-A, UNITE HERE! Local 2, United Educators of San Francisco
No on J: Alice B Toklas Democratic Club, Bay Area Reporter, Building Owners and Managers Association of SF, Gavin Newsom, Golden Gate Restaurant Association, Jose Cisneros, Libertarian Party (SF & CA), SF Apartment Association, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Council of District Merchants, SF Chronicle, SF Republican Party, SF Small Business Network, SF Young Republicans, Small Business Network, Starchild, SPUR, Supervisor Chu, Supervisor Dufty, Supervisor Elsbernd
Hotel Tax Clarification and Definitions — County of San Francisco (Ordinance – Majority Approval Required)
Shall the City keep the hotel tax rate at 14%, confirm that anyone collecting rent from a hotel guest must also collect tax on room rental and related charges, and define “permanent resident” so that only an individual could qualify for the “permanent resident” exemption? [Learn more]
Yes on K: Alice B Toklas Democratic Club, Bay Area Reporter, Gavin Newsom, Jose Cisneros, SF Apartment Association, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Republican Party, SF Young Republicans, Supervisor Chu, Supervisor Dufty, Supervisor Elsbernd
No on K: African American Democratic Club, CA Nurses Association, Causa Justa: Just Cause, Chinese for Affirmative Action, Chinese Progressive Association, Democratic County Central Committee, Filipino Community Center, Harvey Milk Club, Keep Arboretum Free, League of Young Voters, Libertarian Party (SF & CA), Mark Leno, People Organizing to Demand Environmental and Economic Justice (PODER), SEIU 1021, Senior Action Network/Senior Housing Action Collaborative, Sierra Club of California & Sierra Club, San Francisco Bay Chapter, SF Bay Guardian, SF Day Labor Program, SF Democratic Party, SF Chronicle, SF Labor Council, SF League of Young Voters, SF Pride at Work, SF Tenants Union, SF Tomorrow, SF Women’s Political Committee, Starchild, Supervisor Campos, Supervisor Chiu, Supervisor Mar, Tom Ammiano, Transit Workers Union Local 250-A, UNITE HERE! Local 2, United Educators of San Francisco
Proposition L
Sitting or Lying on Sidewalks — County of San Francisco (Ordinance – Majority Approval Required)
Shall the City amend its Police Code to prohibit sitting or lying on a public sidewalk in San Francisco between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., with certain exceptions? [Learn more]
Yes on L: Asian Pacific Democratic Club, Bay Area Reporter, Building Owners and Managers Association of SF, Coalition for SF Neighborhoods, Cole Valley Improvement Association, Dianne Feinstein, Gavin Newsom, George Gascon, Haight Ashbury Improvement Association, Mission Merchants Association, Polk District Merchants, SF Apartment Association, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Chronicle, SF Council of District Merchants, SF Examiner, SF Chronicle, SF Police Officers Association, SF Republican Party, SF Small Business Network, SF Young Republicans, Small Business Network, Small Property Owners of SF Institute, Supervisor Alioto-Pier, Supervisor Chu, Supervisor Elsbernd
No on L: ACLU of Northern California, African American Democratic Club, Alice B Toklas Democratic Club, Causa Justa: Just Cause, Chinese for Affirmative Action, Chinese Progressive Association, Democratic County Central Committee, Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Council, Harvey Milk Club, League of Young Voters, Libertarian Party (SF & CA), Mark Leno, People Organizing to Demand Environmental and Economic Justice (PODER), Sidewalks are for People Coalition, SF Bay Guardian, SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, SF Labor Council, SF League of Young Voters, SF Pride at Work, SF Tenants Union, SF Tomorrow, SF Women’s Political Committee, SF Young Democrats, Starchild, Supervisor Campos, Supervisor Chiu, Supervisor Daly, Supervisor Dufty, Supervisor Mar, Supervisor Maxwell, Tom Ammiano, Transit Workers Union Local 250-A, UNITE HERE! Local 2
Community Policing and Foot Patrols — County of San Francisco (Ordinance – Majority Approval Required)
Shall the City require the Police Commission to adopt a written community policing policy, require the Chief of Police to establish a comprehensive Foot Beat Patrol Program, and not amend its Police Code to prohibit sitting or lying on sidewalks? [Learn more]
Yes on M: African American Democratic Club, Chinese Progressive Association, Democratic County Central Committee, Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Council, Harvey Milk Club, League of Young Voters, Lower Haight Merchants and Neighborhood Association, Mark Leno, SF Bay Guardian, SF Democratic Party, SF Labor Council, SF League of Young Voters, SF Tenants Union, SF Tomorrow, SF Women’s Political Committee, Starchild, Supervisor Avalos, Supervisor Campos, Supervisor Chiu, Supervisor Daly, Supervisor Mar, Supervisor Maxwell, Supervisor Mirkarimi, Tom Ammiano, Transit Workers Union Local 250-A, UNITE HERE! Local 2
No on M: Alice B Toklas Democratic Club, Asian Pacific Democratic Club, Bay Area Reporter, Building Owners and Managers Association of SF, Coalition for SF Neighborhoods, Cole Valley Improvement Association, Gavin Newsom, George Gascon, Haight Ashbury Improvement Association, Libertarian Party (SF & CA), SF Apartment Association, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Council of District Merchants, SF Chronicle, SF Police Officers Association, SF Republican Party, SF Small Business Network, SF Young Republicans, Small Property Owners of SF Institute, SPUR, Supervisor Alioto-Pier, Supervisor Chu, Supervisor Dufty, Supervisor Elsbernd
Real Property Transfer Tax — County of San Francisco (Ordinance – Majority Approval Required)
Shall the City increase its real property transfer tax rate to 2.0% for sales and long-term leases of real property valued at $5 million to $10 million and to 2.5% for sales and long-term leases of real property valued at $10 million or more? [Learn more]
Yes on N: African American Democratic Club, Affordable Housing Alliance, Alice B Toklas Democratic Club, Bay Area Reporter, Causa Justa: Just Cause, Chinese for Affirmative Action, Chinese Progressive Association, Democratic County Central Committee, Harvey Milk Club, League of Young Voters, Mark Leno, People Organizing to Demand Environmental and Economic Justice (PODER), SEIU 1021, Senior Action Network/Senior Housing Action Collaborative, Sierra Club of California & Sierra Club, San Francisco Bay Chapter, SF Bay Guardian, SF Day Labor Program, SF Democratic Party, SF Labor Council, SF League of Young Voters, SF Pride at Work, SF Tenants Union, SF Tomorrow, SF Women’s Political Committee, SF Young Democrats, Supervisor Avalos, Supervisor Campos, Supervisor Chiu, Supervisor Daly, Supervisor Dufty, Supervisor Mar, Supervisor Maxwell, Supervisor Mirkarimi, Tom Ammiano, Transit Workers Union Local 250-A, UNITE HERE! Local 2, United Educators of San Francisco
No on N: Building Owners and Managers Association of SF, Citizens for a Better SF, Golden Gate Restaurant Association, Hotel Council of SF, Libertarian Party (SF & CA), SF Apartment Association, SF Association of REALTORS (R), SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Chronicle, SF Republican Party, SF Small Business Network, SF Young Republicans, Small Property Owners of SF Institute, Starchild, SPUR, Supervisor Alioto-Pier, Supervisor Chu, Supervisor Elsbernd
