Scott Beyer, Founder of the influential Market Urbanism Report and author of the widely respected book: Market Urbanism, A Vision for Free Market cities, is a leading proponent of classical liberal reforms to address the national housing crisis. In Part I of an exclusive 3-part series for Opportunity Now, Beyer begins his analysis of San Jose's current policies, and what needs to change.
Read MoreJournalist Kerry Jackson uses Census Bureau data to pinpoint why Californians are moving to other states. The state’s exorbitant taxes, low job growth, and poor business climate can only retain the wealthiest populations. Billionaires pervade California and likely won’t leave—but the middle class has no choice.
Read MoreSan Jose’s proposed COPA* legislation has been significantly delayed until later this year--and city staff's claim that the delay is due to sudden staff shortages is raising eyebrows. Is something amiss? Local property owner Dean Hotop provides the background to the backtrack and sees an opportunity for SJ City Council to use the delay to readdress its affordable housing strategy, which has been a bust.
Read MorePolitical commentator Joel Fox highlights how Los Angeles’ police budget cuts increased violent crime and disproportionately endangered minority families. This case study shows that financially weakening local police forces also weakens communities—a far cry from rose-colored claims from local activists about what happens when you defund the police.
Read MoreAccording to City research, most San Jose residents think that local government doesn't respond to citizens' priorities. Perhaps a contributing reason lies in the outreach programs favored by City staff, which tend to result in lots of meetings with pre-picked advocates, and little discussion with real stakeholders. Jonathan Fleming, CEO and Executive Director of the Silicon Valley Public Accountability Foundation provides a primer on how the process is supposed to work, and where it's gone wrong. An exclusive Opportunity Now interview:
Read MoreIt may be too late for VTA’s light rail system—widely panned as the nation's worst performing system—to ever realize anything resembling sustainable returns. Especially given ridership losses during the pandemic. Mario Polèse unpacks the problems in City Journal.
Read MorePolitical analyst Tony Quinn recalls the far-left state Democrat party’s failure to pass key propositions in 2020. Despite huge voter turnout and extensive campaigning, their propositions to raise taxes on businesses and establish affirmative action were rejected. Quinn posits the Democrat party is “out of step” with local Californian’s perspectives—and that it may cost them in 2022.
Read MoreWhy would SJ residents believe the City is considering an electrification mandate in all existing buildings? Maybe it’s because the latest electrification plan from the Dept of Environmental Services basically says it will, despite unconvincing denials from staff and council. A quick analysis of the plan's statements reveal the weakness of the city's disclaimers.
Read MoreSilicon Valley cities have spent millions upon millions on affordable housing, and the result seems only to be a steady increase in human suffering, as people live outdoors in haphazard tents and cardboard coverings. Perhaps the Housing First strategies favored by planners--in which units that cost upwards of $800k/unit take years to build--is hopelessly flawed. SJ District 3 council candidate Irene Smith explores a different, more incremental housing strategy based on the perspective of a therapist. From her Medium account.
Read MoreFirst it was the SF Schoolboard recall special election, in which three hard-left, woke elected got the boot. Next, the City of Santa Clara's City manager got shown the door by her bosses, the SC City Council. What gives? Our political system doesn't invite a lot of do-overs, but local voters and pols are pushing back on perceived government overreach and unaccountability. Planning Commissioner Pierluigi Oliverio reads the tea leaves in an exclusive conversation with Opp Now co-founder Christopher Escher.
Read MoreTexas Public Policy Foundation vice president Chuck DeVore comments on California companies' migration to Texas. With the 4th best economic freedom ranking in North America, Texas boasts reasonable costs of living and business regulations. “Anti-free enterprise” California will continue to lose companies to Texas unless local politicians take action.
Read MoreWhile SJ City staff complains to local media, correctly, about how excessive regulation and pandering to special interests contribute to high cost of new housing, they completely miss the main reason new housing costs so much: San Jose has forced all new building to take place within its Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), where land is more expensive and building constraints force taller, more expensive construction. The sainted Randall O'Toole parses the data.
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