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
Crisis and Opportunity in the City Budget
Urbanist Article
Due to San Francisco's $347 million budget shortfall in 2003-04 fiscal year, cuts and changes in operations are necessary. SPUR offers both short and long-term suggestions for how to meet the budget.
An Open Letter to the Business Community
Urbanist Article
Jim Chappell lays out the interdependent relationship between business and government, and explains why it is in the business community's interest to support taxes and better public transit.
An Open Letter to the Left
Urbanist Article
Gabriel Metcalf argues that the liberal elected need to stop vilifying business, and instead foster a healthy economic environment in San Francisco to realistically accomplish their social improvements.
Only in San Francisco?
Urbanist Article
Analyzing various surveys, San Francisco historian Rich DeLeon proves that San Francisco justly earns its reputation as the most liberal city in the US.
Timing Is Everything
Urbanist Article
Paul Lewis explains why lower turnout, "local only" elections result in wins for liberal candidates, and questions then, if there is a better solution to December date run-offs.
November 2002 Voter Guide
Voter Guide
Includes SPUR's analysis of 14 city measures on the November 4, 2003 ballot.