John M. Lee: Please vote on Nov. 8

In each November issue, I try to highlight the ballot measures that have some impact on real estate. In the past, most of the issues had to do with rent control measures or tax increases having to do with real estate.

I am happy to report that this year there are no rent control measures on the ballot. Perhaps it is because our rent control ordinances are so strict now that it is difficult to justify any more tightening of the laws. Or, perhaps the balance is just about right and nobody feels there is a need to affect any further changes at this time.

Nevertheless, there are a few measures on this November ballot that have financial implications for property owners. Also, there are two extremely contested races for mayor and sheriff. And, with ranked choice voting in place, it is anyone's guess as to who the eventual winner will be!

Propositions A and B are bond measures trying to raise funds to fix our schools and roads. Proposition A is seeking to borrow $531 million for the purpose of repairing and rehabilitating school facilities to current accessibility, health, safety and instructional standards. If passed, Prop. A would allow for an increase in the property tax to pay for the principal and interest on the bonds.

Proposition B endeavors to raise $248 million in bonds to fix potholes and repave deteriorating streets, repair deteriorating stairways and bridges, and improve roads in neighborhoods throughout San Francisco. Prop. B also allows for an increase in property taxes to pay for the principal and interest on the bonds.

All of us believe that our schools and roads need work. My high school looks exactly the way it was when I attended many years ago! If you drive down any of our major roads, such as Geary Boulevard, 19th Avenue, Fulton Street, Lincoln Way, or through Golden Gate Park, you all know that the roads need lots of work. All the opponents of these two measures agree that we need money to fix our schools and roads.

Where they differ is how to get the funds to do the work. The opponents of these two measures argue that funds for normal and regular city infrastructure expenditures, such as schools and roads, should come out of the general fund. They are ongoing expenditures and we should allocate funds in our City's $6.8 billion budget to take care of these items instead of borrowing money every time we need to do maintenance work. This will mean tightening our belt or cutting out some other services to do the work.

So, vote "yes" on these two measures if you want the City to borrow money to fix our schools and roads. Vote "no" if you believe the money should come out of the General Fund.

Propositions C and D are competing pension reform measures on the ballot in an attempt to reduce our city pension expenditures. Prop. C was put on by Mayor Ed Lee and the SF Board of Supervisors in collaboration with many of the city's labor groups. Prop. D was spearheaded by mayoral candidate and public defender Jeff Adachi, who believes that Prop. C did not go far enough to alleviate the city's ongoing pension shortfalls. Opponents of Prop. D believe if Prop. D passes, some of the provisions are illegal and will be subject to court challenges. Everyone believes that pension reform is necessary; otherwise, our city's finances will be worse in a few years than it is today.

Proposition E was placed on the ballot by Supervisor Scott Wiener and several other supervisors. It would amend the City Charter to allow the Board of Supervisors and the mayor to alter or repeal initiative ordinances and declarations of policy that the voters approved.

Many times a change in the composition of the Board or a mayoral position will make the laws or ordinances passed by voters irrelevant. One prime example is the mayoral question time before the Board of Supervisors that was passed last November. Initially, Supervisor Chris Daly put this on the ballot to force then-Mayor Gavin Newsom to appear before the Board on a regular basis to debate issues facing the City. However, with Daly out of office and Mayor Lee working closely with each of the Board members, the mayoral question time has become a non-event; a silly law that is not necessary. Thus, if Prop. E passes it will give the Board and the mayor a chance to eliminate laws that are unnecessary and no longer needed.

Also, please do not forget to vote for your favorite candidate(s) for mayor. Currently, it appears that Lee has the lead in the polls, but must pick up enough second and third place votes with ranked choice voting to win. We are fortunate this year that there are plenty of qualified candidates in the mayoral race!

So, no matter what your positions are and who you want in elected office, please do not forget to vote by Nov. 8!

John M. Lee was the 2010 San Francisco Association of Realtors president and specializes in the Richmond and Sunset districts. If you have any real estate questions, call Lee at (415) 447-6231 or send an e-mail to johnlee@isellsf.com.