San Francisco’s budget: Make it work

Part 13 of a 13-part series: What’s Next

According to Section 9.101(c) of the San Francisco City Charter, the mayor must submit a balanced two-year budget to the Board of Supervisors by June 1. That submission kicks off the next phase of the budget process — one that, at least in theory, brings the conversation into the public spotlight.

Throughout June, the Board of Supervisors’ Budget and Appropriations Committee will hold hearings on the proposed budget. During this time, expect to hear from every department, interest group, and nonprofit asking for what they see as their “fair share.” When you hear these demands — whether in public meetings, press coverage, or on social media — ask this simple but essential question: What are they proposing to cut instead? Because if they aren’t offering a credible, holistic alternative, what they’re really saying is, “Cut someone else, not me.” That’s not leadership — it’s just self-interest dressed up as equity.

When you hear these demands — whether in public meetings, press coverage, or on social media — ask this simple but essential question: What are they proposing to cut instead?

In July, the full board will conduct at least two public readings of the budget. Amendments can be proposed and adopted during this period. Once the amended version is returned to the mayor, no later than August 1, he has 10 days to exercise his line-item veto power. The board then has 10 days to override any vetoes, though that requires a two-thirds majority — an outcome that’s extremely rare.

The bottom line: The mayor sets the direction of the budget. While the board and the public have input, the overall framework is largely established with the June 1 submission. That’s the inflection point.

So, what can we do?

— Contact the mayor’s office to express support for this difficult but necessary work. 

— Reach out to your supervisor and ask them to act with fiscal responsibility and long-term thinking. 

— Talk to your neighbors and friends. Share the stakes of this year’s budget on social media, in conversations, and in your communities, so more San Franciscans understand just how serious the situation is.

— Support structural reform. Inevitably, the mayor will need to pursue ballot measures to fix broken charter provisions and mandate fiscal accountability. When that happens, he’ll need public backing to succeed.

San Francisco’s future depends on getting this right. Let’s be clear-eyed, courageous, and engaged.

Sources: U.S. Census, California Department of Finance, SFGov.org, Association of Bay Area Governments, San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News, San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco Standard. Full cites available on request. 

Originally published on The Voice of San Francisco on May 28, 2025 by Marie Hurabiell