San Francisco Supervisor Proposes Sales Tax Increase To Fund Health Services
San Francisco Supervisor Chris Daly has proposed raising the city sales tax from 8.5% to 8.75% to fund San Francisco General Hospital and other emergency health services, which have experienced budget cuts in recent years, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Seven other supervisors must vote in favor of the initiative by Aug. 10 to qualify it for the November San Francisco ballot. Currently, six other supervisors have indicated support for the measure.
Mayor Gavin Newsom (D), who opposes the measure, proposed a similar measure and advisory companion bill that voters last year defeated, the Chronicle reports. Newsom's proposal recommended that funds from the sales tax increase fund services for low-income residents, seniors, people with disabilities, children and the homeless.
If Daly's measure qualifies for the ballot, the measure would require two-thirds approval to take effect (Lelchuk, San Francisco Chronicle, 6/9).