Media Contact: Gwen Oldham at SF Chamber, 415-352-8866 or goldham@SFChamber.com

JOBS, ECONOMY AND CITY BUDGET TOP LIST OF SAN FRANCISCO VOTER CONCERNS IN 2010

2010 CityBeat Poll from the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce Reveals Support for Economic Development Incentives and New Solutions to Address Crime and Government Efficiency

San Francisco, Mar. 3, 2010 – "Jobs and the economy ranked as the top concern among San Francisco voters, according to the 2010 CityBeat poll unveiled today by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce at its annual CityBeat breakfast event attended by nearly 1,000 business and civic leaders.  With voter's sense of confidence in their city declining, the poll reveals support for economic development incentives to create jobs, opposition to tax measures on business and residents, and interest in new solutions to address crime and government efficiency.

According to the poll, 29 percent of voters ranked jobs and the economy as the top issues facing San Francisco, outpacing homelessness and panhandling (28 percent), education (25 percent), crime (15 percent) and the cost of owning a home (14 percent).  The city budget also ranked among the top three issues, with 26 percent of voters ranking it their top concern.  Eighty-four percent of voters said the local economy has gotten worse over the past few years.

"The message from voters is loud and clear," said Chamber President & CEO Steve Falk. "Like businesses, voters are concerned about employment and the fiscal health of our city.  The Chamber will champion the voice of business and voters in the year ahead and work to build an economy that creates paychecks, not pink slips for San Francisco."

Unveiled during the annual event springboarding the Chamber's advocacy agenda, the poll shows voter support for several economic stimulus measures proposed by Mayor Gavin Newsom and the Board of Supervisors including extending the biotech payroll tax exemption and creating a new hiring tax credit.  Fifty-three percent of voters say they would support an increase in business license fees to raise money to assist small businesses and guarantee economic development.

"The economic climate is an opportunity for businesses to innovate," said Microsoft Corporation U.S. Enterprise and Partner Group Vice President, Chris Weber. "Innovation, in turn, will drive business competitiveness, create jobs and grow the overall economy."

Taxes are not the favored solution to the city's problems, according to the poll results. Voters opposed every new tax polled, except the vehicle license fee, which gained 54 percent approval.  A clear majority of voters opposed utility (79 percent), sales (60 percent) and payroll taxes (54 percent).  Voters by narrower margins opposed increases to parking and property taxes, new fees on business for Muni, and taxes on commercial rental income.

"Given the current economic climate, it will be some time before peak revenues are restored in the city of San Francisco," said Beacon Economics Founding Principal, Jon Haveman."Polling shows that the challenge for elected officials will be finding support for the temporary tax measures that may be necessary in the short term."

On issues outside the economy, voters appear ready for new solutions.  Seventy-one percent say they would support a sit-lie-style ordinance that would prohibit individuals from sitting, lying and harassing pedestrians in busy neighborhoods.  Ten years after San Francisco moved from citywide to district elections of Supervisors, only 44 percent of voters say they support our current system and by a 48 percent to 36 percent margin would support a hybrid-system in which seven supervisors are elected from districts and four are elected citywide. 

Though almost two years away, early sentiment on the Mayor's race favors Senator Mark Leno, Supervisor Michaela Alioto-Pier and City Attorney Dennis Herrera, with Supervisor Bevan Dufty and Senator Leland Yee close on their heals.

The CityBeat Poll was conducted among 500 San Francisco voters in February 2010 by David Binder Research for the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.  More information on the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce is available at www.sfchamber.com.

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About the Chamber
Founded in 1850, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce is recognized as the pre-eminent business organization for advocacy, networking and economic growth. The Chamber  delivers on its mission to attract, develop and retain business in San Francisco by representing companies and organizations that make San Francisco a preferred destination for businesses and visitors – a great place to live and work.