Rules Committee advances Dignity Fund charter amendment after fiscal briefing from controller

The Rules Committee reviewed a third draft of a charter amendment to establish a Dignity Fund to support services for seniors and adults with disabilities, create a planning process for expenditures, and establish an advisory body. Supervisor Malia Cohen and coalition sponsors described the measure as a long‑term funding stream to prepare for a projected population boom of older San Franciscans.

Labor representatives and city employees (Local 21) raised concerns that a new set‑aside without an identified dedicated revenue source could lock future budgets and pit vulnerable programs against one another. In response, the Controller’s office (Natasha Michal) provided a fiscal estimate: approximately $38 million in fiscal year 2016–17, growing by about $6 million in the next year and increasing incrementally to an estimated $71 million by fiscal year 2026–27, tied to aggregate discretionary revenue in later years.

Following discussion and public comment, the committee voted on a roll call to forward the charter amendment to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation. Chair and committee members asked the Controller’s office to provide updated cost letters for the record as the measure proceeds through the legislative schedule.