My City By The Bay

As a direct result of the voters of San Francisco rejecting two measures that would have raised taxes in order to balance the budget 400 employees will receive pink slips in the mail by Monday of next week.  They will lose their jobs by February 21st of next year. I for one am angry because I voted for the tax increase measures.  I don’t mind paying a little more in taxes if it’s going to keep the health clinics open, the police and fire departments open without brownouts and aids programs operating.The Mayor is complying with the voters wishes however the voters were wrong. 

I think one of the problems is also that many don’t really understand or even read their voter pamphlets.  The reason is these pamphlets read like a novel.  I think people hear tax increase and they panic but sometimes it’s inevitable and has to be done.  The result of not increasing taxes are layoffs - people losing their jobs.  This is scary.  For example the Fire department as a result will close stations on a rotating basis.  By doing that it will increase the time spent in answering what in all probability will be a life and death call.  I think if the voters understood the ripple effect they would have voted differently on those measures.  These are serious cuts in addition to hundreds of people losing their jobs.  The city will save $100 million dollars over the next two years but at what cost?

The big problem here is people voting who do not know or understand the propositions and measure and that needs to change.  It’s not the fault of the Mayor or the Supervisors.  It’s our fault.  We voted against the tax increases.