Governance
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 Report
Designed to Serve
San Francisco’s governance structure has evolved to distribute authority and maximize oversight. As a result, policies don’t always meet the needs of the people they intend to serve. SPUR outlines how San Francisco can choose to design a better system.
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 Report
Making Government Work
Many of the challenges Oakland faces are worsened by its unusual government structure, which makes it harder for the mayor and other officials to do their jobs well. SPUR explores how the city can adapt its governance structure to better serve Oaklanders.
Updates and Events
2017 Good Government Awards: How Donny Oliveira Champions San Francisco’s Environmental Initiatives
News /
The 2017 Good Government Awards, Held on March 22, recognized outstanding performances by Managers Working for the City and County of San Francisco. The ceremony honored Donnie Oliveira for his work creating clever, culturally sensitive public outreach programs to help San Francisco achieve its environmental protection goals.
2017 Good Government Awards: How the Zuckerberg Hospital Move Team Safely Relocated Patients and Staff
News /
The 2017 Good Government Awards, Held on March 22, recognized outstanding performances by Managers Working for the City and County of San Francisco. The ceremony honored the Zuckerberg Hospital Move Team for their role in safely transferring patients and staff to the hospital's new trauma center.
SPUR Comments on Fiscal Year 17-18 San Jose Budget
Advocacy Letter
SPUR recommends that the city's FY17-18 budget reflect the city's recently approved priorities and accommodate addition of staff to support city's long-term planning and policy efforts.
What We Will Lose If the Census Stops Gathering Racial Data We Can Map
News /
In January, two new laws were introduced in Congress to limit public information on the racial makeup of communities and the race of those struggling to afford housing. These proposals could impact how the U.S. Census collects data. In effect, they would blot out our ability to measure institutional racism — or track our progress to reverse it.
Soda Taxes Reach a Tipping Point
Urbanist Article
The year 2016 will likely be marked as the tipping point for soda taxes. Voters approved soda taxes everywhere they appeared on the ballot this November. Two local legislatures also passed soda taxes this year. Which cities or states will be next?
Bay Area Election Results: A Lot to Celebrate
News /
This election, Bay Area voters chose to make critical investments in transportation, infrastructure and affordable housing. And in San Francisco they rejected a series of harmful measures that would have undone years of good government reforms.