Analysis, Case Studies, and Commentary
There’s a flaw in how California allocates money to education: funding for students who need extra help is meted out to districts far too slowly. So says candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction Gus Mattammal. In his book A is for Average, he proposes ramping up this funding earlier. He says it can be done without increasing taxes.
Peter Ohtaki, former Menlo Park Mayor, explains why Air Traffic Control is a local issue: Because planes landing at SJC are only 1300 feet above Curtner Ave in SJ and make a U-turn 5000 feet above Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Menlo Park each and every day.
Responding to Mayor Mahan’s statement on San Jose’s budget squeeze, municipal finance expert Mark Moses warns that “tightening belts” only works when “belts still have notches left.” The author of The Municipal Financial Crisis says San Jose risks drifting toward “zombie city” status if it keeps protecting politically attractive programs sustained by financial gimmicks, while neglecting the basics of a functional organization. An Opportunity Now exclusive Q&A response.
California’s schools promise every student a quality education, yet that’s belied by dismal disparities between districts and racial groups. So says Gus Mattammal, author of A is for Average, who argues policies like “Grading for Equity” only mask the failure while cutting advanced programs.
Espera un momento. Is SJ's City Manager's Office suggesting that SJ is somehow obliged to pay for the work the County is supposed to be responsible for?
During Q1 2026, it's been full-spectrum crime activity in SJ’s hub, from murder to shootings to robbery--and more. From Path Seldom Traveled on Medium.
Irene Smith of United Housing Alliance and John Fleischman of FlashReport explore if Mahan's housing plan actually considers the broad spectrum of issues that comprise our statewide housing crisis. An Opp Now exclusive.
Violent crime is up 50% in SJ year-to-year, yet Mayor Mahan keeps repeating dated findings suggesting that SJ is the "safest big city in America." SVGOP chairman says this shows disregard for the trauma violent crime brings to local citizens and the associated cost of that crime.