State and city politicians are in the final weeks of negotiations over what to cut and what to keep in government budgets. And that means that something vital to you might be on the chopping block — especially if you live in the Tenderloin.
If you want to see a list of programs and services affected by the cuts, the People’s Budget Coalition has one here. Just note that more cuts might be coming than what’s listed.
Locals have asked us to get the word out about what’s under threat and how you can help protect it. So we’re publishing this list of opportunities for you to learn about top issues, empower yourself with knowledge, and tell officials what should be funded. Your input matters!
When you call, write to, or visit an elected leader, they know it's a real person sharing their concerns, not an astroturf group or wealthy lobbyist. That makes a difference.
If you know of or are planning a civic engagement event, especially one related to the city budget, let us know! We might include it in a future newsletter.
Virtual event: Town hall on the City’s budget cuts
The People’s Budget Coalition has been collecting input from residents citywide for months, and trying to get it to the decision-makers. On May 12, the group showed up at Mayor Daniel Lurie’s office and delivered piles of postcards on which residents had written their budget concerns.
This Tuesday’s virtual event will be an opportunity to learn what's threatened by Lurie’s proposed budget, and to compare his priorities to those of residents.
In-person event: Special hearing on cuts to City College program that lets San Franciscans attend for free
San Francisco residents can enroll tuition-free in courses at City College of San Francisco through the Free City program. But that program faces deep cuts. According to AFT 2121, the union representing instructors at the college, the mayor has proposed reducing its funding to roughly $6.5 million. That is lower than the $16.5 million that was expected, and less than what’s needed to cover the program’s core features.
Organizers are asking residents to tell their City College story at a hearing of the Budget and Appropriations Committee of the Board of Supervisors this Wednesday.
We don’t have a specific event to point you to, here. But if you want to protect the Heart of the City farmers’ market, which happens twice a week at San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza, this week is a very good one to contact your elected representatives and tell them what you think. That’s because the Market Match program will be discussed at several meetings in the state Legislature.
The state's Market Match program extends EBT users' buying power at farmers' markets, and benefits many Tenderloin residents and other shoppers at Heart of the City. Gov. Gavin Newsom did not fund the program in his latest proposal for the state budget. If funding isn't restored, the program will end in 2027.
If you want this program to continue to exist, organizers say you should go to savemarketmatch.org, where you’ll find resources and instructions to call or email your representatives.
Read about how ending the program would affect TL residents:
In-person event: Walk with Windy and other community members to submit your June ballot
This one isn't a budget advocacy event, but it’s another way to exercise your civic power. If you want company as you submit your ballot for the June election, or if you want to register to vote and could use the camaraderie of your neighbors, you can participate in Walk with Windy.
This is a tradition that Windy Click, director of community engagement at Hospitality House, established following the end of her incarceration and parole.
In-person event: Rally for No Tenderloin Budget Cuts
This is the day for TL neighbors to use the power of collective action to make themselves impossible to ignore. Organizers with the Tenderloin People’s Congress and Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation are inviting residents to rally on the steps of City Hall and then visit legislators in their offices to push back on proposed cuts to services and programs.
I'm a journalist who has covered San Francisco and the Bay Area in writing, audio and video for about a decade; started and hosted a few podcasts; and co-founded News Relay Network, publisher of the Tenderloin Voice. Reach me at laura@tlvoice.org.
Zoey Laird
