“Citizens’ initiatives” like Measure D evade the CA state constitution’s requirement for a two-thirds vote, says Susan Shelley of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. Through a loophole, these special purpose taxes get to sashay in with a simple majority. November’s “Save Prop 13” ballot measure could kneecap Measure D soon after it comes on the scene. An Opportunity Nowexclusive comment.
Read MoreProponents 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.
Read MoreReading 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.
Read MoreOn 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.
Read MoreIf 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.
Read MoreAs 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.
Read MoreOpp Now contributor Cristabel Cruz says people should ignore requests to vote for the lesser of two evils, and should vote their consciences instead. What a refreshing concept. An Opp Now exclusive.
Read MoreWhile the SJ Mayor offers a state-level plan to “spend better”, he currently sits on the board of the VTA, an “extremely costly” and structurally defective transit agency. So says past state Assembly candidate Ted Stroll, who wants voters to elect VTA board members directly. An Opportunity Now exclusive reaction.
Read MoreMayor Mahan is right about one thing: Californians shouldn’t be asked to pay more until the government does better. But his spending proposal amounts to managerial reform, not structural reform, according to Peter Verbica, Candidate for U.S. Congress, CA-19. An Opportunity Now exclusive reaction.
Read MoreWe asked our resident marketing expert (Philip Davenport works for an ad agency in Brooklyn) to take a look at two ads from the California governor's race: Matt Mahan's and Tom Steyer's. We asked Philip to keep the politics out of it, and just view the ads as he would if he were a client giving feedback to the agency. Philip is not a CA voter and assures us he wouldn't vote for either candidate. An Opportunity Now exclusive.
Read MoreSure, the SJ mayor is right to point out that California’s budget is broken, but by what standard will Mahan measure his results, asks Mark Moses, author of The Municipal Financial Crisis. He says the CA gov candidate’s spending plan doesn’t even hint at what real accountability would look like. An Opportunity Now exclusive reaction.
Read More“Even some who favor preferences in admissions would likely balk at a better package of aid simply because of an applicant’s race,” writes William McGurn in a WSJ opinion piece: ACA 7 would allow schools to offer more financial aid money to a wealthy black student, and on better terms, than to a poor Asian student.
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