☆ Kou: this year, regional governments will set plans that wreck the environment if voters stay underinformed
Unelected transit and housing bodies are scheming for more control, but the Plan Bay Area 2050+ has serious problems. So says Former Palo Alto Mayor Lydia Kou, who argues that along with its 37 negative environmental impacts, the PBA 2050+ can’t be paid for without more borrowing and higher taxes. An Opportunity Now exclusive 2026 forecast.
I hope cities and counties challenge MTC/ABAG Plan Bay Area 2050+, its population numbers are bogus and the environmental impact report (EIR) has over 37 significant negative impacts, and lastly, as with these plans, it does not address how it funds so you can be sure it will be a tax or bond that taxpayers will be burdened with. Challenge PBA 2050+ and RHNA.
I would like to call out fake environmentalists. If they do not include the natural environment into their plan and only advance tech solutions, they are tech shills.
We succeeded in keeping the Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club from a YIMBY (“Yes in my Backyard”) hostile takeover. Now, in 2026 we should push for the “take back” movement and expose the YIMBYs for the WIMBYs that they are. What are WIMBYs? “Wall Street in my Backyard.” Please read the New York Times’s exposé of the national Sierra Club and its implosion from within since its YIMBY takeover. Let’s realize Sierra Club’s name has value and that’s the reason for YIMBYs wanting to take it over. Let’s start taking back Sierra Club and conserve our natural environment and John Muir’s core mission.
A movement to educate voters not to fall for an increase of taxes and bonds. The government does not use taxpayers’ money respectfully nor responsibly.
I hope the FixProp19 petition gathers enough signatures to go to the ballot!
I want to meet SF Supervisor Connie Chan and to help her with her campaign for Congress.
In 2026, I fear further discretion of the state government’s branches of power: the executive branch, the legislative branch and the judicial branch continuing their collusion and unconstitutional actions.
State government is Trumpy as is Newsom with all his bravado attacking Trump. Let’s hope Prop 50 does indeed revert back to the people.
I predict Newsom’s recently passed Prop 50 will be extended, keeping the legislators in charge to manipulate votes.
Follow Opportunity Now on Twitter @svopportunity
We prize letters from our thoughtful readers. Typed on a Smith Corona. Written in longhand on fine stationery. Scribbled on a napkin. Hey, even composed on email. Feel free to send your comments to us at opportunitynowsv@gmail.com or (snail mail) 1590 Calaveras Ave., SJ, CA 95126. Remember to be thoughtful and polite. We will post letters on an irregular basis on the main Opp Now site.