Schools and Communities First
California is the 5th largest economy in the world, but ranks in the bottom 10 states in per pupil public education spending.
The California Schools and Local Communities Funding Act (2020 state ballot initiative) will restore $11 billion annually for schools, community colleges and other vital community services, including emergency responder services, parks, libraries, health clinics, trauma centers, affordable housing, homeless services, and roads.
This will be the first commercial property tax reform initiative to qualify for the ballot in over 40 years. Since 1978, corporations have only had their property taxes reassessed when the property changes hands. This proposition would require non-residential, non-agricultural commercial property to be reassessed on a regular basis, which will lead to an estimated increase in property tax of over $11 billion per year. About $4.5 billion of this revenue will go directly to schools and the balance to local governments.
Residential property (whether owned or rented) will NOT be affected by this change. Agricultural land will be exempted. And small businesses will be protected.
The League of Women Voters California is one of the leading organizations in a statewide coalition that got the California Schools and Local Communities Funding Act on the ballot. The League of Women Voters of San Francisco has prioritized supporting the Schools and Communities First effort to improve the vitally needed funding for our public schools, community colleges, and local community services. Please join us (and a growing list of endorsers) in our support of a significant source of new funding for our San Francisco schools and local community services.
Want to get involved with LWVSF and help us support the Schools and Communities First Initiative? Email volunteer@lwvsf.org. We are meeting on a monthly basis.
Want to support Schools and Communities First? Endorse the initiative here.
Want to donate to support Schools and Communities First? You can donate directly to the campaign here.
Policing Practices
The San Francisco Police Department has hundreds of reform initiatives. You deserve clear explanations of what these reforms will do. How are they prioritized? Who is responsible? Why are we making these changes? How will this impact my life? What about my neighbor’s life? How do we know if a reform is working? What if some people benefit, but other people suffer? Your questions and comments on policing practices will change what happens.
Download our Police in San Francisco FAQ Flyer.
If you are interested in getting involved with this initiative, please email volunteer@lwvsf.org.
Sunshine Ordinance
San Francisco Administrative Code Chapter 67—the Sunshine Ordinance—is San Francisco’s open government law, enacted in 1993 by the Board of Supervisors and signed by former Mayor Frank Jordan. San Francisco voters amended and approved the current version of the Ordinance in November 1999 as Proposition G. The ordinance is based on the California Public Records Act and the state open meetings law, which is known as the Ralph M. Brown Act. It draws additional authority from Article I, Section 3 of the California Constitution and is intended to ensure and broaden the public’s access to local government guaranteed by state law.
The League maintains a permanent seat on the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force. Our Advocacy Team continues to educate voters about the Sunshine Ordinance and support efforts to strengthen the legislation through an upcoming ballot proposition.
If you are interested in getting involved with this initiative, please email volunteer@lwvsf.org
