Local Democratic Party Joins Mayor Daniel Lurie, Governor Gavin Newsom and Growing Statewide Coalition Against Flawed Measure
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The San Francisco Democratic Party voted Wednesday to oppose Proposition 40 — the deceptive tax scheme that diverts billions from public schools — joining San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, Governor Gavin Newsom, and a growing coalition of labor, education, health care, civil rights, business, housing, and public safety organizations opposing the measure.
With more than 330,000 members, the San Francisco Democratic Party is among the most active communities of Democrats in California.
“San Francisco Democrats care deeply about addressing inequality and making California more affordable, but Proposition 40 is the wrong approach,” said San Francisco Democratic Party Chair Nancy Tung. “A one-time tax does not solve the long-term challenges facing our state. When you look at the details, Proposition 40 could make our budget problems worse, putting schools and other essential services at risk while creating greater uncertainty for California’s economy. We need sustainable solutions that strengthen our state, not a measure that creates a new set of problems.”
Numerous independent economic analyses, including from the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office, detail how Proposition 40 could actually make California’s fiscal challenges worse, withholding billions of dollars from public schools, increasing pressure on the state budget, and threatening funding for other essential public services.
The San Francisco Democrats’ vote adds to a growing and diverse statewide coalition opposing Proposition 40, including San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, Governor Gavin Newsom, both gubernatorial candidates, and lawmakers representing communities across California. Yesterday, two of California’s most prominent civil rights organizations — Equality California and NAACP California Hawaii State Conference — announced their opposition to the measure.
Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, the California Teachers Association, California School Boards Association, and California Medical Association have all come out against the measure, along with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America, California Professional Firefighters. Other opponents include the State Building & Construction Trades Council of California, California Primary Care Association Advocates, California Chamber of Commerce, Housing California, Peace Officers Research Association of California, California State Council of Laborers, United Domestic Workers, and California Police Chiefs Association, among many others.
Earlier this week, the No on 40 coalition launched its statewide ad campaign, spotlighting the growing, bipartisan opposition to the measure. Doctors, teachers, small business owners, community clinics, labor unions, firefighters, healthcare providers, first responders, affordable housing organizations, working families and many others have all come out against Proposition 40, warning that the measure is bad for California’s budget, economy, and future.