Proposition It- San Francisco Style II
And now, we're down to the final propositions. And frankly, we're a bit relieved. We were out to dinner with someone and when they mentioned some random proposition, we corrected them for getting the proposition wrong like some Star Trek geek upset at a reference to Trouble With Tribbles being a Season 1 episode when everyone knows it's Season 2.
But we digress.
In yesterday's edition of Proposition It, we took a look at a lot of bond issues and lots of bureaucratic mumbo jumbo. Today, we move onto bigger and better things- like taxes and more bureaucratic mumbo jumbo. Plus movie theaters! Oh, and the whole War in Iraq thing, but what's a war when we're debating sales taxes?
So come sail away, come sail away, come sail away with me as we finish up a look at the Propositions.
Proposition I- Economic Analysis of Legislation
This proposition asks whether or not the city should hire a bunch of economists to study the affects of proposed legislation. It also asks people whether or not this city should have a long-term economic development plan. Uh, shouldn't we already be doing this? Why are we voting for this? Seriously.
Proposition J & K- Sales Tax & Business Tax
We're lumping these together because they're part and parcel of the same thing. Faced with a huge budget deficit, the Gavster basically came up with one of those budget plans that basically hits a little bit of everything- a little cut here, a little layoff there, and some taxes to ease the pain. In other words, he's got the whole budget jerry-rigged so that if one component doesn't go through, the whole thing falls to pieces. Kind of like budgetary Jenga. Since the city charter calls for a citywide vote on taxes, here we are.
Small businesses are whining about some of the taxes and big businesses are whining about some of the taxes and the San Francisco Republican party is whining about every tax but, as the Bay Guardian (the Bay Guardian!) points asks, what'll happen if this thing fails? In other words, it just might be one of the lesser of several evil type things.
Proposition L- Use of Hotel Tax to Preserve Movie Theaters
We love this proposition. See, some guy named Greg Stephens, who calls himself a big player in the SF movie scene (he did a couple of student films at USC) was so moved by the plight of local theaters that he got this proposition going. This proposition calls for the taking of about ten million dollars from the general fund and giving it to run small, independent movie theaters so they can show the works of local filmmakers. The people who'll be in charge of this plan? Oh, the guy behind the proposition. His experience in running organizations or non-profit entities? About the same as his business plan- zilch. Why, it's so nutty that it…it…could only be a movie! Or some diabolically evil plot.
Now you would think that some money that goes to support the local art scene, especially one that supports small, neighborhood single screen theaters (which we all love in San Francisco and all go to, except for all those days when go to the Metreon because it's so darn convenient) would be a big deal here. But, in fact, you'd be wrong. Nobody supports this measure. Not the Mayor, not the Board of Supervisors, not even Sean Penn. Among its opponents are the San Francisco Film Society and the San Francisco Neighborhood Foundation. Hell, whenever we walk by the Roxie, it's got more "Vote No on Prop. L" posters up than "Impeach Bush" posters. Which makes you wonder- just how hard is it to get a proposition up on the ballot?
Proposition N- Withdrawing U.S. Military Personnel from Iraq
We have a dream. In this dream, this measure passes by a huge majority. And everyone will see that San Francisco has stood up and made a statement and will be so inspired that will follow suit. First Berkeley and Santa Cruz pass similiar measures. Then Eugene and Madison. And then red-state places. Places like Omaha Nebraska. Or Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Or, hell, even Crawford Texas. Why? Because everyone always listens to San Francisco. And soon, everybody will be living in peace and harmony and sing in perfect harmony. All because San Francisco voteres voted for this proposition.
Proposition O- Use of Sales Tax Funds
This is another great Proposition. Nominally, it states that if Proposition J passes (the sales tax measure) the money will be earmarked for low-income residents and homeless services instead of at the Mayor's discretion. But if you read the fine-print it states that this Proposition is also a "non-binding recommendation" which mean, in effect, it's about worth less than the paper it's printed on.
Proposition AA- BART Earthquake Safety Bond-
Bored now.
Welp, that's it. As the Doors once sang, "Mother, I'd like to…" Uh wait, strike that. What I meant to say is that this is the end. We hope you learned a lot from this and come out of it a much more informed voter (we are). And remember too- Vote or Die.