Seamless Bay Area endorses San Francisco Proposition L, Oakland Measure U; SF voters should also vote NO on Prop I, YES on Prop J

Bay Area voters will have the opportunity to consider a number of ballot measures and propositions related to public transit and active transportation in the upcoming November election. Seamless Bay Area is proud to endorse ‘yes’ votes on San Francisco Proposition L and Oakland Measure U; we also recommend that San Francisco residents vote ‘no’ on Proposition I and ‘yes’ on Proposition J, competing measures related to the JFK Promenade. Read on to learn more about each measure.


Endorsement criteria

Seamless Bay Area considered a range of criteria in endorsing these measures. Seamless generally supports funding and policies that increase and encourage public transit and active transportation, including via ballot measure.  Active transportation (bicycling, walking) is part of the Seamless Transit Principles (#5).  We do not support funding for highway expansions.  

For funding measures, we want to see a clear expenditure plan (in California law a specific funding measure requires ⅔ vote) or clear and well-supported existing plans by the governing body to fund transit and active transportation.

For viability and strategic alignment, we want to see significant support from the relevant governing body, and endorsements by allies that are aligned with Seamless’ goals.


Ballot measure recommendations

YES: San Francisco Proposition L - extend San Francisco’s sales tax for transportation

San Francisco Proposition L extends the existing half-cent sales tax for transportation for 30 years to fund an updated plan to invest approximately $2.6 billion over 30 years for more reliable public transit and safer streets.

The Transportation Expenditure Plan includes funding for:

  • Citywide improvements like electrifying Muni’s bus fleet, transit signal priority, maintaining buses and trains so they operate safely and reliably, and increasing capacity on both Muni and BART to reduce crowding

  • Neighborhood-level investments such as crosswalks, traffic calming, new and upgraded traffic signals, bicycle lanes, and Safe Routes to School programs.

  • Implementing improvements identified in community-based plans across the city and particularly in Equity Priority Communities

  • Transit connections including the Downtown Caltrain Extension, bringing Caltrain to the Salesforce Transit Center

Proposition L is aligned with Seamless Bay Area’s goals of increasing transit frequency, bolstering connectivity between transit operators and modes, and making streets safer across the city. Sign up here for volunteer opportunities.

YES: Oakland Measure U - $850 million in bonds for housing, transportation and other infrastructure

Oakland Measure U would enable the city to issue $850 million in General Obligation bonds raising approximately $85 million annually.  Measure U extends Measure KK, passed in 2016, which authorized $600 million 

The new expenditure plan calls for $350 for affordable housing, $290 million for transportation, and $210 million for other infrastructure such as libraries and parks. Measure U would repave streets, improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists. It would fund transit improvements on arterial streets, improvements such as bus only lanes, signal upgrades, and bus shelters, on streets such as Telegraph Ave, Foothill Blvd, and 73rd Ave.  

Measure U is also endorsed by SPUR, Housing Action Coalition, WOBO, Alameda County Dems and others.  

How you can help:

  1. Request a lawn sign/window sign, we will deliver it. Email dave@bikeeastbay.org to arrange

  2. Volunteer to talk with voters about Measure U

  3. Join Bike East Bay on November 4 for a bike light giveaway, days before the election. Send an email to dave@bikeeastbay.org to help out.

Measure U will do this equitably—by prioritizing the neighborhoods in Oakland with the most need. Measure U can do all of this by issuing bonds without raising current tax rates. And it requires the City of Oakland to spend funds based on a specific bond program plan (subject to annual independent audits). Check out the plan at sayyesoakland.org/plan.

San Francisco - NO on I and YES on J

San Francisco has competing ballot measures in Proposition I and Proposition J.  Proposition I would overturn the decision from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors that makes JFK in Golden Gate Park a pedestrian promenade and return the space to cars.  Proposition J would affirm the decision and retain the promenade.  For more information, see this post from WalkSF, a Seamless Transit Principles partner. Board member Sara Barz is a leader in the Yes on J / No on I campaign. Learn more about the campaign.

Adina Levin