A Common Sense Economy

By Michael A. Sweet

Our city should not just be "open for business" it should actively pursue new businesses.

As an employee of a local business, I know that we must promote job creation and business growth. I am the only candidate for Supervisor to have publicly opposed the unfair attempt by the Board of Supervisors to increase a business tax that is already the highest in the Bay Area.

San Francisco has always attracted a wide array of large and small businesses because of our educated workforce, high quality of life and the City's willingness to promote entrepreneurship. Every job that exists in San Francisco brings over $1,000 per year into the City's treasury to fund the services that matter to our residents.

Through the late 1990s, jobs were plentiful and city revenues grew dramatically. These new revenues enabled the City to increase expenditures and expand local services. Unfortunately, local government spending exceeded revenue growth. Now we face budget deficits and job losses. We need to promote job creation in San Francisco.

Our city should close its budget gap by reducing the size of government and fostering job creation, not by imposing taxes that make it tougher for small and large businesses to thrive in San Francisco and serve our neighborhoods.