June Election Needed, But Can it Work?Paul Hogarthbyline‚ Jan. 26‚ 2009The rubber hits the road tomorrow at City Hall, as the Supervisors vote on their own set of mid-year budget cuts – while facing a Charter deadline for a June 2nd special election. The City faces a $500 million-plus deficit for the next fiscal year, which cannot be dented through cuts alone. But under state law, local revenue measures require voter approval – making a special election inevitable. Mayor Gavin Newsom claims we need more time to bring stakeholders together, but time is not on our side. Without an increased revenue stream before June 30th, the City will have to cut half its discretionary budget – devastating vital services, and sinking the Mayor’s gubernatorial ambitions. It’s also naïve to assume that business groups who oppose revenue measures now will support them in November. But while it’s apparent that we need a special election, getting two-thirds of the electorate to vote “yes” on tax measures requires a sound political strategy. And when it comes to passing revenue measures, progressives don’t have the best track record. |