Good Government
We believe: The public sector can and should serve the collective good.
• Improve government’s capacity to provide services and address challenges effectively.
• Support voter engagement.
Our Goals
SPUR Voter Guide
The SPUR Voter Guide
The SPUR Voter Guide helps voters understand the issues they will face in the voting booth. We focus on outcomes, not ideology, providing objective analysis on which measures will deliver real solutions.
SPUR Event
Good Government Awards
The Good Government Awards honor outstanding managers working for the City and County of San Francisco, recognizing them for their leadership, vision and ability to make a difference in city government and in the community.
SPUR Report
Back in the Black
San José has the highest median household income of any major city in the country, but years of budget cuts and staffing reductions have left the city in a precarious position. SPUR and Working Partnerships USA explore how San Jose can bolster its resources and deliver high-quality public services.
SPUR Event
SPUR Impact Awards
The Impact Awards Luncheon, honors the outstanding contributions by employees of city and county governments, public agencies and nonprofit organizations in Santa Clara County. The awards celebrate significant accomplishments in the areas of housing, transportation, placemaking and urban design, community advocacy, and sustainability and resilience.
Updates and Events
Time to Rethink How Oakland Passes Budgets
News /
July marked the beginning of the new fiscal year for the City of Oakland, and with it the end of a rancorous two-month-long adoption process for a new two-year budget. Without a city controller to establish a common set of financial facts , the debate in Oakland is not only over which priorities to fund but whose numbers to believe.
SPUR responds to City of San Jose proposed General Plan Four-Year Review Scope of Work
Advocacy Letter
SPUR weighs in on city staff recommendations for the scope of work for the San Jose General Plan four-year review, which will begin in the fall of 2019. SPUR supported staff recommendations but proposed additional items to be considered by the Task Force. The letter address SPUR's recommendations for consideration by city council.
SPUR responds to San Jose Mayor's June Budget Message for 2019-2020
Advocacy Letter
SPUR supports the San Jose mayor's June Budget Message for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 and proposes additional set funding allocations to better support the future of Guadalupe River Park, the need for increased community engagement, dedicated resources to complete an Alum Rock Urban Village plan, and to support the creation of an equity framework.
SPUR submits comments on Stanford's proposed 2018 General Use Permit
Advocacy Letter
SPUR supports Stanford’s application to update their permit granting an extension for future campus development through 2035.
SPUR supports creating a formal process for adopting city-sponsored ballot measures in Oakland
Advocacy Letter
SPUR believes that creating a process for City Council to place city-sponsored measures on the ballot is a positive step toward good government in Oakland.
SPUR supports putting the affordable "by-right" charter amendment on San Francisco ballot
Advocacy Letter
SPUR urges the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to support placing this proposed charter amendment on the ballot in order to streamline the review and approval of 100% affordable housing and housing for educators.