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Board approves $9 million appropriation to support free City College plan
Summary
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved a $9 million appropriation of real property transfer tax revenue to support a ballot measure and initial implementation steps to make City College tuition-free for city residents; the vote was 10–1.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 10–1 on Jan. 10 to appropriate $9,000,000 of real property transfer tax revenue for fiscal year 2016–17 to support City College and place funds in the controller’s reserve pending the outcome of a November ballot measure to make City College free for San Francisco residents.
Supervisor Kim, the ordinance’s sponsor, framed the appropriation as an investment in “human capital,” saying: “I believe that a k through 14 education system should be universal and free.” Kim told colleagues the appropriation implements commitments made during the campaign for an “ultra luxury” real estate transfer tax she helped author and said the Office worked with labor groups and the City College board to craft the proposal.
The ordinance directs the appropriation now and places funds in reserve while the ballot measure is pending; supervisors repeatedly emphasized the appropriation follows the city’s commitment made during outreach and campaigning. Supervisor Asha Safai, supporting the supplemental, said means tests often exclude working families who nevertheless are priced out of higher education.
Supervisor Farrell cast the lone dissenting vote, saying he supports the policy goal but not the funding trade-offs. Farrell said the appropriation “strips our homeless budget in order to fund this proposal” and that, in his view, the city’s homeless services should have higher priority.
Supervisor Kim acknowledged constraints imposed by state law on taxing and said, as discussed in the meeting, real estate transfer taxes cannot be dedicated by state law and that is why the appropriation and reserve treatment were used. Kim also thanked City College Chancellor Susan Lam and said she will work with colleagues on implementation details in coming months.
On the roll call, Supervisors Breed, Cohen, Feuer, Kim, Peskin, Ronan, Safai, Sheehy, Chang and Yi voted aye; Supervisor Farrell voted no. The ordinance was finally passed.
