Supe eyes ballot measure to tax vacant grocery stores, pharmacies
A proposed law would penalize owners of shuttered grocery stores while providing incentives to those who open in San Francisco.
The Affordable Groceries Act, authored by District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood, includes two components: the Abandoned Pharmacy and Grocery Tax Ordinance and the Affordable Grocery Fund, both of which he hopes to place before voters as measures on the November ballot.
The former would tax grocery-store properties that have been left vacant after closing while the property owners continue to hold onto the leases. It would offer tax credits to grocery stores and pharmacies as an incentive to open at those sites.
The legislation aims to address ongoing food access and affordability issues in San Francisco, as inflation continues to drive up prices and major grocery store outlets have closed in recent years without replacements.
https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/the-city/new-proposal-to-tax-vacant-grocery-stores-in-san-francisco/article_b09579a6-34c0-42e3-b37e-551a73c97006.html