Issue Position: Protecting Our Unique Culture

Issue Position

San Francisco has a a unique culture defined in significant part by our city's amazing arts, music, nightlife, and outdoor festival scene. This culture is part of the city's heart. Yet for many years, City Hall policymakers treated these cultural events as a problem to be managed rather than part of who we are as a city.

Since taking office, I've been a tenacious advocate for recognizing the cultural and economic contributions arts, music, nightlife, and outdoor events contribute to San Francisco:

Nightlife and Outdoor Events Economic Impact Study

One of my first acts in office was to request that our City Economist conduct an economic impact study on our nighttime economy. The study showed that nightlife is a $4.2 billion industry, employing over 50,000 people and contributing over $50 million in tax revenue annually. This study has proven to be an invaluable tool in helping guide policy discussions around nightlife and ensuring that we embrace this sector.

I then requested an economic impacts study for outdoor events. Our city's street fairs and festivals are key parts of our culture and economy. They bring our streets to life and build community. Yet, the city hasn't done a great job fostering these outdoor events. Instead the city has placed numerous obstacles, financial and otherwise, in front of these fairs, making some of them non-viable and threatening others. The study showed that outdoor events contribute over $1 billion to San Francisco's economy. With this data, we can determine what policy changes are needed to ensure we are keeping these festivals strong.

Allowing More Live Music and Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Entertainment Commission

I authored legislation creating new permits for live music in public spaces and to allow art galleries, cafes, restaurants, and other establishments to host DJs during the day and early evening, under a limited live performance permit. The legislation also increases the Entertainment Commission's enforcement power and effectiveness, ensuring broad-based and responsible nightlife and music.

Improving Late Night Transportation

San Francisco is a 24-hour city. Nightlife is a key part of our culture and economy, and more than 50,000 workers work at night. Our transportation system, however, is not meeting the city's nighttime needs. Nightlife patrons have trouble getting home -- leading, at times, to drunk driving -- and late night workers struggle to get home. I held a hearing on the deficiencies in our late night transportation network and subsequently authored legislation requiring an integrated late night transportation plan. A diverse task force did amazing work and produced a groundbreaking report making short-term and long-term recommendations to improve late night transit. Progress is already being made by several transit operators, and I recently obtained funding in the budget to move the process forward.

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