Lurie plan uses regressive taxes to 'save' Muni, in the short term - 48 hills

"The parcel tax would generate between $150 million and $200 million a year for the SFMTA, which comes at a critical time as Muni faces an upcoming budget deficit of more than $300 million. Without the new money, Lurie said, Muni could be forced to cut at least 20 bus routes and decrease service by 30 percent."

"Parcel taxes aren't property taxes, which are strictly limited by Prop. 13. Property taxes are based on the value of land and buildings; parcel taxes are a fixed rate based on the size of a parcel. Under the proposal, large commercial parcels would be taxed at a higher rate than residential units-but Lurie included a $400,000 cap on the largest properties."

"Lurie's office drafted the measure without ever talking to tenant groups. That would have allowed landlords to pass half the cost of increased taxes down onto their tenants. After an uproar by renter advocates, who could have sunk the measure by opposing it, Lurie agreed to cap pass-thr"

Mayor Daniel Lurie announced the "Stronger Muni for All" campaign on March 3, seeking to place a parcel tax on the November ballot to prevent catastrophic Muni service cuts and build a more reliable transit system. The parcel tax would generate between $150 million and $200 million annually for the SFMTA, addressing a critical budget deficit exceeding $300 million. Without new funding, Muni faces potential cuts to at least 20 bus routes and 30 percent service reduction. The proposal taxes large commercial parcels at higher rates than residential units, with a $400,000 cap on the largest properties. The campaign committee's top three contributors are Ripple Labs, Airbnb, and Visa. After renter advocates raised concerns, Lurie agreed to cap how much landlords could pass increased taxes onto tenants.

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