A city鈥檚 budget reflects its priorities and values 鈥 and choices made over the years. San Francisco鈥檚 $15.9 billion budget for 2024鈥25 is increasingly constrained, with only 18% of funds remaining truly discretionary due to legal mandates, voter-approved set-asides, and other restrictions. Key revenue sources have become more volatile since COVID, and rising costs leave limited flexibility to adapt to changing fiscal conditions. In this article, we take a deep dive into the city鈥檚 revenues and expenditures.
The California State Legislature鈥檚 鈥淔ast-Track Housing鈥 package addresses the state鈥檚 housing crisis on multiple fronts. 黑料传送门sponsored three of the package鈥檚 bills and is working on four other bills that would make it easier to build critically needed housing, including in transit-rich areas where increased density could boost transit use and help the state meet its climate goals.
Oakland faces a fiscal crisis that is years in the making. For decades, revenues have failed to keep pace with rising costs for pensions, health care, and operations. To close its structural deficit, Oakland must commit to following its own sound financial policies, align on a budget stabilization plan, make structural changes to municipal operations, and promote long-term thinking to grow Oakland鈥檚 economy inclusively. 黑料传送门offers nine recommendations to achieve these goals.
Meeting San Francisco鈥檚 many challenges, from accelerating housing production to revitalizing downtown and improving transportation operations, hinges on a lasting fix for the city鈥檚 structural budget deficit. As city leaders work to address a projected budget shortfall of $817 million for fiscal years 2025鈥2026 and a nearly $1 billion deficit for fiscal years 2027鈥2028, they must grapple with voter-approved spending mandates and a budget process that limits their options.
Part of SPUR鈥檚 role is to articulate clear principles and goals for urban policymaking. As San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie鈥檚 administration passes the 100-day mark, 黑料传送门offers a decision-making framework to help the new mayor and his administration set priorities and maintain momentum in the face of complex and evolving challenges.