--- title: San Francisco Deserves a Fresh Start description: San Francisco must once again become a place where bold ideas thrive, and outdated approaches are left behind, writes William E. Oberndorf. canonical: https://time.com/7019172/san-francisco-economy/ author: William Oberndorf article:opinion: true article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2024-09-09T16:53:29.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-02-24T18:15:22.647Z article:section: Ideas og:title: San Francisco Deserves a Fresh Start og:description: If a political transformation can happen in San Francisco, it can happen anywhere, writes William E. Oberndorf og:url: https://time.com/7019172/san-francisco-economy/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt8ffdb6673c62c090/698a5ab19862f5a26a896201/san-francisco-economy-2024.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 2121 og:image:height: 1193 og:image:alt: Historic cable car on the street in San Francisco, California, USA og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: San Francisco Deserves a Fresh Start twitter:description: If a political transformation can happen in San Francisco, it can happen anywhere, writes William E. Oberndorf twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt8ffdb6673c62c090/698a5ab19862f5a26a896201/san-francisco-economy-2024.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # San Francisco Deserves a Fresh Start > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. 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Alexandr Spatari—Getty Images by [William Oberndorf](https://time.com/author/william-e-oberndorf/) ## William Oberndorf Sep 9, 2024 4:53 PM UTC San Francisco has always been a city at the forefront of innovation and progressive thought, from the Gold Rush that transformed a small settlement into a thriving metropolis to the modern-day headquarters of [groundbreaking companies](https://time.com/collection/time100-companies-2024/), universities and research institutions. The city’s identity has been shaped by its willingness to embrace change, challenge the status quo, and reinvent itself over and over again. However, in recent years, San Francisco has become a place marked by dysfunction, a city [struggling with problems](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/10/23/what-happened-to-san-francisco-really) that have only grown worse under the current political establishment. It is time for a fresh start, a complete reboot of leadership to bring back the spirit of innovation that has defined this city for generations. For decades, San Francisco has thrived on new ideas and the courage to think differently. The [Gold Rush of 1849](https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/goldrush-california/) is a prime example of how the city was built on a foundation of risk-taking and ambition, attracting people from all over the world in search of opportunity and change. This spirit continued with the rise of [modern tech giants](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/05/technology/ai-chatgpt-google-meta.html) that have shaped industries and redefined what is possible. However, today, San Francisco's governance seems stuck in a rut, unable to effectively address the pressing issues of [homelessness](https://www.kqed.org/news/11986620/san-francisco-homelessness-up-7-despite-decline-in-street-camping), crime, economic stagnation, and public safety. The current political leadership has failed to live up to the city’s tradition of progress and innovation. Many of the city’s problems have been met with the same tired solutions and ineffective governance that has marked recent years. Rather than embracing change and innovation, the political establishment has clung to outdated methods and priorities that are not working. The city needs leaders who can bring new energy, fresh perspectives, and a commitment to real reform. Now, more than ever, San Francisco needs new leadership across the board. This isn't a call for one individual or group but for a complete renewal of those who govern the city. Voters should prioritize candidates who have the vision, creativity, and determination to address the city's challenges with innovative solutions. Incumbents who have been part of the problem should not be rewarded with another term. Instead, it's time to elect leaders who can restore San Francisco's greatness and return it to its roots as a place of opportunity and progress. Another very important signal of reform is Proposition D which will [reduce the number of commissions](https://www.kqed.org/news/11992466/san-francisco-sees-competing-proposals-to-reform-byzantine-city-commissions) from 130 to 65\. This compares to Los Angeles, a city eight times of San Francisco that has only 49 commissions. Passing this proposition will send a strong signal that San Franciscans are ready to make other important reforms to reduce the bureaucracy and sheer waste that has resulted from the city charter having expanded from 173 pages in 1996 to 538 pages today. The importance of this moment cannot be understated. The city stands at a crossroads, facing significant [financial challenges](https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/san-francisco-economy-18362987.php), declining [public safety](https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/crime-on-the-decline-in-san-francisco-but-discourse-stays-unchanged/), and a shrinking business environment. Office vacancy rates have soared to record highs, and San Francisco is increasingly seen as an unfriendly place for businesses to operate. Meanwhile, [the city's budget](https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/files/2024-05/CSF%5FProposed%5FBudget%5FBook%5FJune%5F2024%5Fr8.pdf) has ballooned, and spending has not led to improvements in public services or quality of life. These are signs of a city in urgent need of new leadership. The opportunity to reboot San Francisco is now. This city has always been a beacon of innovation and a pioneer of progress. To live up to its legacy, San Francisco must once again become a place where bold ideas thrive, and outdated approaches are left behind. The entire nation should be paying attention to what happens in San Francisco because if a political transformation can happen here, it can happen anywhere. Let’s seize this moment to bring in new leaders who can meet the challenges of today and build a brighter future for tomorrow. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"OpinionNewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/7019172/san-francisco-economy/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/7019172/san-francisco-economy/"},"headline":"San Francisco Deserves a Fresh Start","datePublished":"2024-09-09T16:53:29.000Z","dateModified":"2026-02-24T18:15:22.647Z","description":"San Francisco must once again become a place where bold ideas thrive, and outdated approaches are left behind, writes William E. 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