San Francisco leaders launch tax measure to rescue Muni
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Mayor Daniel Lurie speaks alongside bus operators and SF Chamber of Commerce CEO Rodeny Fong. Photo: Nadia Lopez/Axios
Supporters of a ballot measure aimed at shoring up San Francisco's public transit system kicked off a signature-gathering campaign Tuesday, casting it as essential to staving off severe service reductions.
Why it matters: The measure is expected to generate about $160 million a year for Muni — revenue city officials say would help close a $307 million deficit and prevent cuts to more than a dozen bus routes, elimination of nighttime service and longer wait times systemwide.
- Without intervention, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency has said its budget shortfall could grow to $434 million within five years.
How it works: If enough signatures are gathered to get it on the ballot this November, the measure would levy a parcel tax on residential and commercial properties.
- Most single-family homeowners would pay $129 annually, while large commercial properties and corporate landowners would shoulder the highest rates at $400,000 a year.
- Landlords of rent-controlled apartments could pass along a portion of the cost, but charges to tenants would be capped at $65 a year — a limit intended to blunt the burden on renters.
Driving the news: City leaders, Mayor Daniel Lurie and public transit advocates gathered Tuesday afternoon at the J-Church stop on 20th Street overlooking Dolores Park to launch the signature drive — dubbed "Stronger Muni for All"— casting it as a lifeline for Muni's future and the city's continued economic recovery.
What they're saying: "We need to not only save Muni, we need to strengthen it and increase service," Lurie said, noting that the stakes are high for thousands of riders — including seniors, about 14,000 public school students who use it daily and roughly 40% of office workers who commute downtown.
The big picture: Muni isn't alone. Various Bay Area transit agencies are staring down similar fiscal cliffs as federal relief runs out and ridership lags pre-pandemic levels.
- BART has warned of sweeping service cuts without new revenue and regional leaders are pushing for a separate November sales tax measure to raise billions for numerous agencies annually.
- In the meantime, Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed off on a short-term $590 million emergency loan to keep major agencies afloat — a stopgap meant to buy time while voters decide on more permanent funding solutions.
The intrigue: Political strategists say the urgency is intentional. Campaigns often lean on worst-case scenarios because voters respond more strongly to potential losses — like fewer routes and more traffic — than budget debates.
- But experts told the SF Standard that fear-forward messaging can risk sidelining deeper conversations about spending priorities and longer-term reforms.
- New taxes are also a tough sell in a city where residents say they already face significant costs. Some voters may question whether additional internal cuts are possible before being asked to support another tax.
What's next: At least 10,600 verified signatures must be obtained by July 6 for the measure to qualify.