Vote Nov. 3rd! (via lhecht.wordpress.com)
I finally figured out my positions on San Francisco’s upcoming ballot measures. While no life or death issues are included this year, I realized something about my own position about the legislative process as it exists in our fair state. It’s the minutiae that make elections interesting.
Prop A is a so-called ‘good government’ measure. The plan is to account for two years at a time with each budget to help overcome the variations in funding that the city faces. But few other requirements are installed, such as mandatory penalties or taxation to maintain basic services. It all seems well intentioned, but without any particular teeth to make it effective. (Please pardon the summaries, as I am no legislative analyst). It doesn’t go far enough, but I plan to vote for this, because it seems like a good idea.
Prop D also seems like a good idea, and also doesn’t go far enough. It would create more funds for the Mid-Market Community Business District – ideally to help create a more vibrant area. Again, this is where the specifics are quite lacking. Each new billboard might be offensive in its design or content, and there is no way to take it down afterwards. Not to mention that the CBD is a private entity asking for an exemption from a city-wide sign ban, and there are no controls for the spending of the money.
Both measures do seem well intentioned. Both lack enforcement measures if they were to be enacted. The problem is that A’s lack of enforcement would mean the status quo, while D could lead to many unexpected changes. Not to mention the fact that I generally do trust the government’s transparency propositions more than one from a private property owner who stands to make fistfuls of money.
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