San Francisco voters have delivered results on four key ballot measures aimed at shaping the city’s tax revenue and economic recovery.
Proposition A, a $535 million bond measure for earthquake and emergency response infrastructure, passed overwhelmingly with 77% of the vote to 23%. The measure authorizes funding for earthquake resilience projects, including upgrades to local fire and police stations.
Voters also approved Proposition B by a slimmer margin, 55% to 45%. The measure establishes lifetime term limits for San Francisco mayors and members of the Board of Supervisors, capping officials at two consecutive four-year terms.
Meanwhile, two high-profile, competing tax measures failed to pass.
Proposition C, which aimed to reduce taxes for many businesses by increasing exemptions, was defeated 64% to 36%.
Proposition D would have increased taxes on large companies where executive pay is at least 100 times that of the average worker. While proponents estimated the measure would bring in millions of dollars annually, opponents argued it would discourage businesses from operating in San Francisco and stall economic recovery. Voters rejected the measure 55% to 45%.
Because Propositions C and D had conflicting approaches—one offering tax breaks and the other increasing them—only the measure with the most votes would have taken effect had both passed. With both measures failing, city officials must look elsewhere to close an estimated budget shortfall of more than $600 million.