Supervisor Connie Chan says no more budget cuts as S.F. faces down $600M deficit

"“It’s enough cuts.” In a roundtable discussion with reporters in her City Hall office, Chan outlined her approach to the coming decisions about the city’s $16 billion budget, which is proposed by the mayor but must be approved by the Board of Supervisors. That approval process will start soon: The mayor gives a proposed budget in early June, and it is approved by the beginning of July."

"Cuts have been announced for months. More than 500 City Hall jobs, $40 million from the public health department, multiple youth health clinics, staff for Veterans Justice Court, a City Hall internship program - all are on the chopping block, among many other programs yet to be announced. The city still has to plug a $643 million deficit it succeeded in shrinking somewhat by making cuts last year, though at the same time it is planning to spend an additional $100 million on police and firefighters."

"Chan said Proposition D, which is also known as the “Overpaid CEO Act” and could bring in $250 to $300 million to city coffers starting in 2028 if it passes on June 2, could be used to help buoy the city in its deficit. But that is far from certain: Prop. D is facing a well-heeled campaign against it and a counter measure, Proposition C, which would exempt smaller businesses from certain taxes and could reduce the city’s revenue by $30 to $40 million. It is not clear Prop. D will pass and, if it did, funds would not be available until 2028."

San Francisco budget chair Connie Chan said she has decided on the coming belt-tightening and wants to stop additional cuts. She described an approval timeline in which the mayor proposes a $16 billion budget in early June and the Board of Supervisors acts by early July. She cited previously announced reductions affecting hundreds of City Hall jobs, public health funding, youth health clinics, Veterans Justice Court staffing, and an internship program. The city must still close a $643 million deficit, even as it plans to add $100 million for police and firefighters. Chan pointed to one-time funding and Proposition D, which could raise $250 to $300 million starting in 2028, but noted uncertainty and a competing measure that could reduce revenue.

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