SF Supes Consider a Host of New Taxes
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (KCBS)- San Francisco Supervisors are considering whether to put a host of new taxes on the November ballot for voter approval.
The proposals heard at Friday's budget hearing would create a rent tax, increase the parking tax, and raise the property transfer tax.
The supervisor's budget committee listened to hours of public testimony. Some people were people in favor.
"From a transit rider's perspective we really need more revenue and all of these taxes will lead to more revenue," said one proponent of the taxes.
As you might expect, there were people against.
"We've seen a loss of shoppers, a loss of commuters, and we're very concerned about that impact. Consider the impact on the retail sector. What you take in one hand you lose in another," said one opponent of the new taxes.
Podcast
There's also a proposal from Mayor Newsom to tax hotel rooms reserved on the Internet.
Aside from that, is a provision designed to block a general increase in the hotel tax.
If such a tax increase qualifies for the ballot, some supervisors won't be happy, but fortunately for Newsom, they don't have the power to control the mayor's ballot measures.
No new taxes can be enacted without the approval of the voters in November.
