Austin Klar breaks down San Francisco's proposed parcel tax to fix the SFMTA's budget gap. The tax would hit homeowners, who use public transit less than renters. The amount hasn't been set yet, and the agency is also weighing cuts and other funding options.
Owning a home in San Francisco might get even more expensive thanks to a recent proposal from the city for a supplemental parcel tax to help plug the SFMTA's budget gap. The idea of parcel taxes for different city programs like environmental causes and for schools is nothing new. There are several that are already in place. But in a city where homeowners use public transit on average less than non-homeowners, there's always a debate about whether homeowners are the right ones to front that kind of tax. The specific tax amount hasn't been passed, hasn't been decided at this time, and the SFMTA is exploring other alternatives, including cost-cutting measures and more broadly applicable taxes to help plug that gap. In the meantime, debate's ongoing. Let me know what you think in the comments and follow me for more San Francisco news.
