Business Tax, Free Muni Discussed At SF Board Of Supes Meeting

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – Tuesday's Board of Supervisors' meeting in San Francisco was all about money, with one supervisor aiming to restructure businesses taxes, while another wanted to make Muni free for some riders.

Board President David Chiu got the ball rolling by saying the current business tax structure based on the payroll tax has to go.

KCBS' Barbara Taylor Reports:

"I think we need to think bigger than simply a more progressive payroll plan," said Chiu. "I think we have to consider eliminating the payroll tax entirely and replacing it with a gross receipt tax, not just in commercial rent, but in all industries."

He wants to tax commercial properties and banks, while still giving some breaks to small business. The tax rate has not been determined.

Next up was Supervisor David Campos, who said he wants Muni to let low-income youth ride free the last three months of the school year.

"This is a step in making sure that public transportation is accessible to students in our public school system," said Campos.

Supervisor Scott Wiener sought answers about why the J Church street car line is so unreliable, and Supervisor John Avalos demanded action to make the Balboa station more user-friendly in general.

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