SF Budget Recap & Reflections
2025
In the early hours of June 6, 2025, our fate as voters was decided by a handful of representatives who ultimately bowed to the mayor's whims. Only two voices defended our right to demand that Proposition C: Our City Our Home funds be used in a timely manner for what we, the voters, decided. We thank Supervisor Shamann Walton for his courage in being the only member of the Budget & Appropriations Committee to vote oppositionally. We also thank Supervisor Jackie Fielder for naming the risks to our democracy when we give up the will of us, the voters who shaped and fought for Prop C.
Many cuts were made that will greatly impact our communities, our coalition partners, and the staff that dedicate their time to make our vital programs work. After the many many hours we spent at City Hall, we were able to win back funding for key programs like Code Enforcement Outreach Programs for SRO tenants, we restored funding for Filipinx, LGBTQ, Transitional Age Youth, and Senior services.
Despite our efforts, the City did not restore funding for Immigrant Legal Services and the Dignity Fund, which was one of our priorities. There were many cuts, and it is obvious that this budget has been balanced on the backs of low-income and working class San Franciscans.
The Mayor and Supervisors announced throughout this budget season that no department or community would be happy with the results, and that everyone would have to sacrifice in order to balance the deficit, but it is clear that was not truthful. Departments like the District Attorney and Police are directly benefiting from San Franciscans losing millions in critical life saving services and hundreds of Non-Profit and Union workers will lose their jobs as a result.
Today, we propose that you join us, so everyone in SF knows that if we don't unite in our fight, they will take away what we have worked so hard for. Our community will face great challenges. The Mayor has never known what it means to live day to day, to wake up in pain and get ready for work because if you don't work, you and your family cannot live. Everyone in this city is being disenfranchised in one way or another, despite the fact that we are the ones who have made San Francisco a thriving city.
In the next few days, we ask that you take some time to speak out and call the Mayor and the other members of the Budget & Appropriations Committee; Chair Connie Chan, as well as Board President Rafael Mandelman, and Supervisors Joel Engardio and Matt Dorsey. We will be back at City Hall on July 9 at 2pm at the full Board of Supervisors meeting to continue protecting Prop C: Our City Our Home funding.
This is not the time to bow down and accept the dictates of the Mayor. Let's take to the streets and inform everyone about the violations against our will as voters. It's true that we don't have the millions that those in power have, but we have each other, and that can lead us to victory.
Calls to Action:
If you care about programs that were cut, email or call the Mayor and Budget Committee and share your disappointment! You can contact the Mayor ar at daniel.lurie@sfgov.org, 415-554-6141. Find Board of Supervisors contact info at sfbos.org. Members of the Budget Committee to contact: Sups. Chan, Mandelman, Engardio, and Dorsey. Find details on the cuts on Facebook or Instagram.
Show up to City Hall on Tuesday, July 9 for the Board of Supervisors meeting at 2pm. They will be voting on whether to eliminate the requirement for a supermajority vote to move money across voter-approved categories. This could significantly impact funding from Prop C: Our City Our Home, which would end up slashing housing funds, expanding ineffective shelters, and giving the Mayor even more control of city funds – against the wishes of voters. We need to show up and tell them why this is unacceptable! If you’re interested in joining, email itzel@sdaction.org for more information.
Write a letter in support of protecting Prop C funding for housing. As soon as possible please email: Cheyanne.Chen@sfgov.org, Myrna.Melgar@sfgov.org, Bilal.Mahmood@sfgov.org, Board.of.Supervisors@sfgov.org. Sample letter from Coalition on Homelessness here:
Dear Supervisor ___________:
I am writing to strongly urge you to reject Section 4 from the trailing legislation (File No. 250609) associated with Proposition C, Our City Our Home (2018):
Section 4. Under the authority in Business and Tax Regulations Code Section 2811, the Board of Supervisors authorizes the City to expend future revenues that will be deposited in the OCOH Fund through fiscal year 2026-27, after addressing the specified costs required under subsections 2810(b)(1) and (2), among any or all of the eligible programs to address or prevent homelessness as described in subsections 2810(b)(3)\A}-(D), notwithstanding the specific percentage allocations that would otherwise apply, subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors by appropriation.
This is a major departure from the provisions of Prop C. Voters specifically required a supermajority of the Board of Supervisors to approve any changes to Prop C allocations. Section 4 of this legislation weakens the voters' deliberate safeguard by enabling reallocation with only a simple majority vote.
The removal of the supermajority requirement is a major departure from previous versions of Prop C trailing legislation. This change undermines the will of the voters and puts the integrity of citizen initiatives at risk. The Board and Mayor must honor the intent of the voters as well as the citizen initiative process protected in the San Francisco Charter.
We call on you to respect the will of the voters and proponents of Prop C such as <<our org>> and reject this section of the trailing legislation.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.