Hundreds of people, including the mayor of San Francisco, current and former mayors, health workers and seniors from the Asian American and Pacific Islander community stood near Portsmouth Square, Chinatown on Wednesday to advocate for a $390 million public health bond. November tax.
If passed by San Francisco voters on Nov. 5, Proposition B would pour money into rebuilding public health facilities, renovating public spaces, improving street safety and finding new housing for the homeless. accommodation.
Most of the grants, about $205.1 million, would go toward expanding and renovating Chinatown Community Health Center, Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, Zuckerberg General Hospital in San Francisco and San Francisco City Clinic.
“We have an opportunity to invest in our hospital systems and ensure that they continue to serve their patients for generations to come,” said Theresa Rutherford, president of Service Employees International Union Local 1021 and an employee of of health Laguna Honda.
“These are not just ‘feel good’ measures, but important investments in the well-being of our entire city and everyone who lives, works and visits here,” said Rutherford.
Important health centers in the city need structural improvements in order to function properly, such as the Chinatown Community Health Center. The building has not been renovated since the 1970s and needs seismic retrofitting to prepare for earthquakes, said Susan Ehrlich, CEO of Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.
“Prop B will help us at San Francisco General to improve basic things like fire alarm systems. These cannot fail, and if they do, they destroy our ability to provide care,” the said Ehrlich.
If passed, property tax rates for San Franciscans would remain the same and not increase.
“We did this in a way that didn’t raise anybody’s taxes,” said Board of Supervisors president Aaron Peskin. “We are going to retire the old debt while issuing the new debt and this will not cost tenants or property owners a single penny.”
Bond sponsors have used public health crises including the COVID-19 pandemic and the HIV/AIDS crisis as examples to demonstrate the importance of investing in public health facilities. the community.
“Zuckerberg San Francisco General and our city’s Department of Public Health have been on the front lines of many public health disasters,” Ehrlich said. “We were a national model for the COVID-19 epidemic. We are a global model for AIDS and HIV care… We need these hospitals to be strong and resilient in the event of a crisis or emergency. .”
$63.9 million will be earmarked to upgrade roadway and intersection designs to improve safety and traffic flow.
“This bond will also go toward Vision Zero and street improvements,” said Supervisor Myrna Melgar, who represents District 7 where Laguna Honda is located. “If the values we have as our city of San Francisco include taking care of our elders, taking care of people with disabilities, taking care of our children crossing the street, please vote for Proposition B.”
Vision Zero is the city’s overall effort to end pedestrian and traffic deaths.
$71 million will be allocated to the renovation and renewal of public spaces such as Harvey Milk Plaza, Hallidie Plaza and the replacement of the cable cars on Powell Street. Finally, $50 million will fund the acquisition of new homeless shelters and the rehabilitation of existing ones.
Proposition B requires two-thirds of voters to approve it unless California voters in November also approve Proposition 5, which would lower to 55% the majority required to authorize housing bonds and public services.
That’s not an easy task, but if California voters in November do not approve Proposition 5 on the bond it needs two-thirds of voters to vote ‘yes’ in November to pass in a city where the disparity of feelings that can prevent certain projects from moving forward. , Wednesday’s meeting showed broad support for Proposition B from a diverse mix of community members.
“This is surprising because the leaders and all the elected people who are part of the community have decided to put aside the little differences we may have to make sure we address some of the pressing needs of the city. ours,” Breed said as he looked at Peskin, his opponent for the mayoral race also taking place in November. District 11 Supervisor Ahsha Safai, who is also running against Breed and Peskin for mayor, came to the meeting to show her support.
Breed and Peskin led the way to get Proposition B to the polls. All 11 members of the Board of Supervisors passed the measure unanimously.
“Even though we have disagreements in the mayor’s race, we are all united behind Proposition B as a way to move our city forward for economic development, for health and safety and well-being. of the people of San Francisco,” Breed. said. “Politics aside, we need Proposition B, so let’s pass it this November!”
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