Modern economists and local politicians usually focus exclusively on how financial incentives propel social behavior. But is it always true? Jonathan Aldred's new book, License to Be Bad: How Economics Corrupted Us, upends traditional notions. Review by Paul Johnson in the Literary Review.
Read MoreJonathan Rothwell of the Brookings Institute wonders why cities such as San Jose are so fragmented into separate racial and ethnic groups (see Census map illustration). He examines, in Reason magazine, how zoning laws, essentially unheard of in the United States until the early 20th Century, have disadvantaged minorities and caused vast social inequities.
Read MorePierluigi Oliverio of the Silicon Valley Taxpayers’ Association explores how many new city inititaives (such as e-cigarette use and wage theft violations) identified in the Council's recently announced 2020 Priorities fall outside the city’s charter, and how they effect fulfillment of core city functions.
Read MoreAs new coronavirus cases increase in Santa Clara county, noted classical liberal Richard Epstein of the Hoover Institute explains that serious health crises need powerful, strong, targeted government leadership. From the Libertarian podcast, March 9, 2020.
Read MoreIn January 2020, the San José Anti-Displacement Policy Network Team published a strategy report for "Ending Displacement in San Jose". While not an official city document, this report will help inform the city's anti-displacement plan, expected to be unveiled later this year. Here is a listing of non profit organizations that contributed to the creation of the report, along with their mission statements.
Read MoreThe Census Bureau recently came out with its 2019 report on housing permits by metro area. Despite much political noise about addressing housing supply and affordability, San Jose and San Francisco lag dramatically, compared to other U.S. cities, in building new housing. Scott Beyer of the Market Urbanism Report explains.
Read MoreVeteran journalist and media analyst Mark Lisheron does a close read of local coverage of upcoming anti-displacement report and recommendations, and finds, surprise! that's it's clearly slanted toward hard-left progressive agendas while virtually ignoring free market solutions to the issue. Article by Mark Lisheron.
Read MoreFree marketeers often complain about how changes brought about by big government projects create problems no one foresaw. The same can happen with non-government projects, as cities have witnessed with the ride-hailing revolution: it's making urban traffic worse, not better. Eliot Brown reports in the Wall Street Journal.
Read MoreOpp Now web editor Will Newcomb surveys the conflicting factual claims about housing affordability in Silicon Valley, and uses median income data to show that rent and income increases are broadly tracking each other.
Read MoreAll sorts of questionable claims regarding Proposition 13 are hitting the street, as a proposed ballot measure aims to undermine the landmark tax relief law. Pat Waite, president of Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility, provides perspective.
Read MoreDespite protestations of vast systemic unfairness from the local progressive left, guess what? National report says SJ kids have best chances of making money and being healthy. Erica Hellerstein reports in the San Jose Mercury.
Read MoreLarge, multinational financial concerns stand to win big from current Big-State solutions to our constrained housing market. Susan Kirsch in CalMatters follows the money trail.
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