On March 14th, political commentator Steve Hilton spoke at the Liberty Forum of Silicon Valley, the “largest, most successful grass-roots liberty-minded group in California.” Hilton explains why the underfunded local school system is a farcical myth, and that true competition—thus undermining the “public school monopoly”—is our best shield against indoctrination.
Read MoreIn the wake of Stanford University’s free speech colloquies (following aggressive responses to a conservative guest speaker), Daniel McCarthy of the NY Post digs into Leftism’s dangers. Whereas classical liberalists openly debate their positions, contemporary Leftists feel attacked by “simply not-left-wing speech”—so they belligerently silence any detection of difference, at any cost.
Read MoreDespite escalating costs, declining ridership expectations, a state audit, and a round of dubious excuse-making, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is plunging ahead with its planned six-mile BART extension through downtown San Jose to Santa Clara. While the project has substantial political momentum, it is not yet a fait accompli, and would most likely have to be stopped at the federal level, explains the Cato Institute's Marc Joffe in this Opp Now exclusive.
Read MoreSCC Libertarian Party secretary and Purissima Hills Water District director in Los Altos Hills Brian Holtz critiques San Jose’s March message about the 2023–2024 budget. Holtz wonders if there’s more fluff yet to be cut. Is it time to sacrifice non-essentials, such as public art, to bolster needed expenses in law enforcement and infrastructure? An Opp Now exclusive.
Read MoreDavid Eisbach points out the consequences of COPA's underlying idea: that unhoused people must rely on larger entities to advance in life. Putting nonprofit orgs in a tremendous position of power over lower-income SJ residents and gov't officials, says Eisbach, will only compound current conflict-of-interest problems.
Read MoreLogan Dubil at Campus Reform reports that a group of Stanford students are urging the university to dismiss DEI Dean Steinbach, citing her unapologetic defense of disrespectful anti-free speech protestors. One apology letter and a disastrous couple weeks of infamy after the incident (including multiple “fascists” comparisons), Stanford has yet to publicly discipline Steinbach.
Read MoreContinuing an Opp Now exclusive series, SV economic commentators Pat Waite and Pierluigi Oliverio assert that—in a welcome surprise in the world of local politics—SJ’s March Budget Message spotlights the core issues Mayor Mahan championed while campaigning.
Read MoreIn the ongoing dispute over whether local progressive nonprofits break ethical and legal regulations with their aggressive lobbying of City staff and politicians, former council member and current Planning Commissioner chair Pierluigi Oliverio offers a reasoned compromise: treat all advocacy activity the same. An exclusive interview with Opp Now.
Read MoreMayor Mahan famously said in his inaugural address that "We need to pay attention to what isn't working as much as what is." In the same spirit, local housing providers Roberta Moore and Irene Smith explain how the Housing Dept's proposed COPA program doubles down on the legacy of failed, overly complex, and hyper-regulated strategies that have brought about our current housing and affordability crisis. From Medium.
Read MoreTransit commentator Randal O’Toole and SV Taxpayers Association president Mark Hinkle analyze SJ’s March Budget Message in an exclusive Opp Now breakdown. The experts suggest that by abolishing SJ’s urban-growth boundary and taking another look at zoning legislation, the City can solve issues of homelessness, job shortages, and affordable housing.
Read MoreThe SCC Democrats are encouraging locals to call Gov. Newsom's office to approve of his cutting ties with Walgreens for not stocking abortion pills in their pharmacies. However, Opp Now contributor Olivia Summers (American Center for Law & Justice’s Senior Ligitation Counsel) is concerned that this sets a precedent for ideological blacklisting—and pressure to break state laws to follow a pro-abortion agenda. An Opp Now exclusive.
Read MoreKristen Clements, Acting Deputy Director of SJ’s Housing Department, provides some refinements regarding the HD’s upcoming COPA proposal, in response to statements in a previous Opp Now article that included community comments on COPA. An Opp Now exclusive.
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