Culminating a decade of growth, passenger traffic at San Francisco International Airport reached an all-time high last fiscal year, finally eclipsing the marks set during the first dot-com boom.
Some 21.4 million passengers boarded flights at SFO during the year that ended in June, besting the previous high of 20.2 million set in 2000.
“This is a very significant moment for the airport,” SFO spokesman Michael McCarron said. Read More
As the Summer Olympics continue with much fanfare in London, San Francisco is preparing for its own world-class sporting event — the 34th America’s Cup. In less than three weeks, the first sailing races will commence on the Bay, ushering in a series of regattas expected to generate nearly 9,000 jobs and more than $1 billion in economic activity across the region over the next year and a half. Read More
Halfway through 2012, things are still looking bright for San Francisco. Key economic indicators, such as employment and commercial real estate, continue on an upward trend. According to a recent survey, Bay Area business executives remain relatively optimistic about the regional economy, and 31 percent of local CEOs say they plan to hire. Even The City’s elected leaders are doing their part to keep the focus on jobs and the economy. Read More
A majority of city voters — 72 percent — view the San Francisco Police Department favorably, according to a February survey.
Of the 500 voters surveyed, only 18 percent had an unfavorable view of the department, according to the annual CityBeat Poll.
Last year, 73 percent of voters viewed the department favorably, and 16 percent unfavorably.
The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce hired David Binder Research to conduct the poll. Read More
If The City opted to modify its business payroll tax instead of switching to a gross receipts tax, it would be easier to administer, but not be as equitable nor act as a job creator, according to analysis by the City Controller’s Office.
Mayor Ed Lee and Board of Supervisors President David Chiu have advocated a new city tax system because they say the payroll tax penalizes job growth and discourages companies from remaining in The City. Read More
A San Francisco commuter incentive program that encourages alternative transportation could be expanded to the entire Bay Area.Since 2009, companies with at least 20 employees have allowed workers to pay for commuting costs with pretax wages. However, the ordinance only applies to public transit, car-sharing and bicycling. Read More
San Francisco business groups said they are squeamish over a proposal to replace a tax on payroll with one on gross receipts. Businesses are busy calculating the impact if voters ultimately approve the gross receipts tax in November. Read More
The annual San Francisco Chamber of Commerce CityBeat poll results are out, and once again “homelessness and panhandling” top the list of citizen concerns. Because this is prime time for people to plan their summer vacations, and at least some will choose San Francisco, I wondered: Is anyone preparing tourists for frequent, forced fundraising at the hands of our enterprising residents? Read More
San Franciscans are growing more confident about The City’s economy and support tax breaks for companies that create jobs, according to a new poll released by the Chamber of Commerce today. Read More
San Francisco motorists are paying the price for The City’s decision to start charging for street parking on four holidays.They’ve been shelling out an extra $75,776 a day in parking meter citations.City parking control officers issued 72 percent more parking citations than normal during its last fiscal year on Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and Veterans Day — four formerly free holidays. Read More
