Muni Charter Amendments Offer Different Solutions

Jake McGoldrick would reduce the MTA’s power by allowing the Supervisors to amend its budget, which could prevent future fare hikes and service cuts. But Aaron Peskin would increase the MTA’s clout by bringing the Department of Parking and Traffic under its purview. All revenue that the City gets from parking meters and fines ($26 million) would go directly to Muni, and the MTA will have exclusive authority to regulate parking and traffic. While this would guarantee funding for Muni, it will not change a basic issue – who gets to decide Muni’s budget priorities.

Under the current Charter, the Mayor appoints all seven MTA Commissioners, who have the exclusive authority to set bus fares, make service decisions and pass the budget. The Supervisors can only reject the entire MTA Budget without making changes, and only by an 8-3 majority. Two years ago, after the Board failed to reject a Muni Budget with fare hikes and service cuts, Supervisor Tom Ammiano sponsored Prop D – which would have split the appointment of MTA Commissioners between the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors.

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