Proponents of the Measure A tax on tourists claim it’s crucial to fund everything from police and fire, to illegal dumping prevention and park bathrooms. But wait, asks Mark Hinkle of the Silicon Valley Taxpayer Association: why aren’t these services already in the budget? And where will the money really go? An Opportunity Now exclusive Q&A. 

Reading the Merc and the Spotlight, one might think a “No” vote on Measure A is downright irresponsible. But government finance expert Mark Moses questions why the city is targeting Sunday library hours and downtown police patrols. Why not instead address the real cost drivers? An Opportunity Now exclusive commentary.

On June 2nd, voters may choose to raise taxes on hotels in San Jose. But that could actually drive business, and jobs, out of town. So says Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Association's spokesperson Susan Shelley: unintentionally, it might even bring down tax revenue. An Opportunity Now exclusive comment.

If you want higher income, it’s more important to study math in high school than to graduate high school. That’s from two separate studies, and it’s reason enough to keep standards high, says Gus Mattammal. In his book A is for Average, the candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction argues against dumbing down math education in the name of “equity” because in doing so, Black students lose out on earnings potential.

As another hopeless regional transit tax rumbles towards Bay Area residents this fall (SB63, advanced by Mayor Mahan and the San Jose City Council) the inestimable Randal O'Toole explains why throwing good money after bad mass transit ideas is always a mistake, and VTA is Exhibit A, in this Opp Now exclusive.