Are tech giants going to bail on Silicon Valley?

Silicon Valley is bearing the brunt of the region's housing and job crises on many fronts. Facebook’s recent activity may point to dangerous implications for the valley’s future as a home to tech companies. Taylor Hatmaker reports for TechCrunch.

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Simon Gilbert
The fastest and cheapest way to make housing affordable: deregulate

Housing prices in Silicon Valley are sky-high because government regulations have made it virtually impossible to build new housing that people can afford. Kevin Erdman at National Review explores what could happen if those regulations went away.

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Simon Gilbert
The role of zoning in systemic racism

Attorney Daniel P. Dalton explores how zoning regulations at the municipal level keep American cities segregated and disadvantage people of color. In an introduction to a zoning discrimination case he is exploring in Almont Township in Michigan, he offers the following introductory comments.

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Simon Gilbert
How cities try to manage funding shortfalls

San Jose is not alone in its efforts to cut back operations to meet declining revenue, although the city bravely rejected calls to defund its police department. Heather Gillerts at the Wall Street Journal explains how many cities approach the problem.

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Simon Gilbert
Silicon Valley media misses opportunity to provide context on George Floyd protests, riots.

Media and police experts, along with SJPD chief, provide perspective on how local media failed to provide contexts on the protests and riots that disrupted downtown SJ. Mark Lisheron reports.

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Simon Gilbert
Perspectives from historical leaders resound about current calls for racial justice

The recent protests and riots sparked from brutal police behavior toward blacks compel us to look at the historical roots of these issues and how they were perceived by previous African American leaders. 

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Simon Gilbert
November initiative to change Prop 13 spells trouble for small, minority-owned businesses, says Willie Brown

California Proposition 13 has long been a safety net for small businesses against large property tax hikes. However, recent initiatives to Prop. 13 in queue for the state’s November ballot will force property taxes for both commercial and industrial properties to be reevaluated at market value, including those that house small businesses. Ex-S.F. Mayor Willie Brown explores in Cal Matters.

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Simon Gilbert
The argument for suspending public sector union dues

California unions have 45.6% of their yearly budget sitting in reserve, and are in better economic shape today than most small businesses in the state. Perhaps Governor Newsom should look at suspending mandatory union dues during this crisis. Bob Wickers explores in California Globe.

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Simon Gilbert
Why landlords fear state bill to renegotiate commercial tenants' rent obligations may lead to financial collapse

According to Senate bill 939, small business owners financially hurt by the pandemic would be allowed to renegotiate rent more easily based on how much money they are taking in under the limited coronavirus limitations. Evan Symons in California Globe explores the downsides from the landlords' perspective.

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Simon Gilbert
Unions target Santa Clara Water District for pricey, exclusionary PLA

A major vote is coming up on May 26 at the Santa Clara Valley Water District regarding the widely panned concept of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs). Nicole Goehring, V.P. Govt. and Community Relations for Associated Builders and Contractors Northern California Chapter (ABC Norcal), explains the issues.

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Simon Gilbert
The impact of coronaviru crisis on city finances across California

San Jose will face an inevitable economic crisis stemming from this pandemic. Proceedings in other cities may point towards a rough road ahead as Dan Walters reports for CalMatters.

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Simon Gilbert
How pensions go off a cliff: A case study

San Jose’s pension troubles are widely acknowledged if little understood. Developments in Los Angeles may point towards even more trouble as Jack Humphreville reports for City Watch.

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Simon Gilbert