S.F. Mid-Market tax breaks get support in poll SAN FRANCISCO

In 140 characters or less: San Francisco loves Twitter.

More than two-thirds of San Franciscans support the city's effort to offer tax breaks to draw the microblogging firm and other companies to the long-depressed Mid-Market area, a San Francisco Chamber of Commerce poll to be released today found.

Other findings from the far-reaching poll on government policy and candidates: 98 percent of respondents said tourism is important to the city's economy, 78 percent oppose a congestion pricing fee to drive downtown, and the same number support investing city funds in tourism infrastructure like building an arena, expanding the Moscone Convention Center or improving the waterfront for the America's Cup regatta.

The poll by David Binder Research surveyed 500 registered voters in San Francisco from Feb. 16 to 20 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.

The overwhelming support for the Mid-Market payroll tax exemption working its way though the Board of Supervisors was one of the more surprising findings given the vocal opposition from some on the city's left flank. Former Supervisor Chris Daly, who used to represent the district, has blasted the plan as a corporate giveaway.

The poll found 70 percent of San Franciscans either strongly or somewhat support the effort, which would give a six-year payroll tax exemption on new workers hired by existing businesses or those that relocate to the Mid-Market area and parts of the Tenderloin.

The plan was hatched under former Mayor Gavin Newsom, embraced by his successor, Mayor Ed Lee, and is now being pushed by Board of Supervisors President David Chiu and Supervisor Jane Kim, who succeeded Daly, as a way to create jobs and revitalize the area.

Despite Daly arguing the tax break would cost the city millions and likely accelerate economic and racial inequality, 59 percent of self-described progressives who responded to the poll backed the plan, which is similar to the effort that attracted biotech firms to Mission Bay.

"That tells me the rhetoric coming from the progressives is louder than the reality," chamber President Steve Falk said. "At the end of the day, voters make the decisions."

Daly, who vows to seek a referendum on the Mid-Market proposal if it is approved, said the poll question was completely misleading.

"I would have said yes to that poll question," he said.