Bob Raymer, the California Building Industry Association's technical director/senior engineer, also formerly chaired three CA'n code advisory committees (Green Building, Building & Fire, and Accessibility). Here, Raymer unpacks excessive building codes and permitting fees that stifle affordable housing—in and beyond the SCC. An Opp Now exclusive.
Read MoreOakland Unified School District may find it easier to recruit teachers going forward, considering its latest generous contract (which will drain $110 million over three years). But, the SF Standard wonders, how will OUSD stay afloat if it's already struggling to pay the bills—yet while refusing to shutter underperforming campuses?
Read MoreCarl DeMaio, Reform California's chairman and taxpayer advocate, parses the clamor surrounding ACA 1—which proposes CA requires a 55% majority (not the current 66.6%) to approve affordable housing and public infrastructure projects. Rather than making tax increases easier, says DeMaio, shouldn't pro-ACA 1 cities like SJ work to—you know—balance the books better? An Opp Now exclusive.
Read MoreThough Californians voted to reject zero bail back in 2020—and SCC abolished zero bail after serious backlash from SJPD's Sgt and others—LA County's Superior Court recently decided to ditch what it deems “criminogenic” (crime-amplifying) cash bail policies. As the policy now takes effect, County Sheriff Robert Luna explains in the Globe why he—along with local crime victims—questions the change's efficacy.
Read MoreLast week, local news reported that SJ's City-funded homelessness nonprofits are failing to perform on the valued metrics they tout (think: unhoused folks actually getting into housing). California Policy Center's Edward Ring breaks down how City/State laws, fiscal imprudence, and muddy nonprofit–vendor relationships impact SJ's homelessness crisis. An Opp Now exclusive.
Read MoreBeginning in 2021, AB 1869 prohibits Golden State counties from attaching client fees to probation services like supervision. The Prison Policy Initiative affirms that probation fees inordinately hurt low-income individuals, and discarding burdensome charges prevents residents from being inaptly incarcerated when they can't scrounge up enough dough.
Read MoreIn a world of performative virtue (and status) signaling, former Board of Equalization candidate Peter Coe Verbica illustrates in some teasing blank verse how acts of rebellion and authenticity and kindness can occur in the strangest of places—and how they emanate from fresh, creative readings of hidebound texts. An Opp Now exclusive.
Read MoreOver a decade ago, then-Council candidate Johnny Khamis proposed to “Fast Track” the City's permitting process for homeowners/businesses. Though criticized then as radical, his idea is now a reality via SJ's Best Prepared Designer and Self-Start Building Permits with Plan Review programs. In an Opp Now exclusive, Khamis celebrates this stride and thanks City leadership for prioritizing business-supportive reforms.
Read MoreAmidst enrollment declines, the Los Angeles Unified School District has kicked charter schools out from sharing its facilities (as was first implemented after Prop 39's passage). Many are concerned students without access to transportation will be hurt by this decision, which seems aimed at weakening LAUSD's thriving charter sector so the district can inflate traditional public education's demand. From the Free Beacon.
Read MoreRepublican presidential hopefuls analyze if California's High-Speed Rail—costly and seemingly incongruous with local workforce needs, but potentially helpful to eliminate natural monopolies in the private sector—should or shouldn't receive a federal bailout. An Opp Now exclusive featuring: Steve Laffey, Walter Clapp, Rollan Roberts, and John Anthony Castro. View the first series article, from Libertarian prez candidates, here.
Read MoreSF Standard's Josh Koehn explains Supervisor Catherine Stefani's proposed legislation, which would require nonprofits receiving SF city funding to regularly submit audited balance sheets, and align their actions to “measurable objectives” (rather than neglecting purported core purposes). In the wake of seemingly endless city–nonprofit scandals, many are agreeing: It's about time.
Read MoreSF Mayor Breed's opponents regularly poke at her hardening stance on public substance use, labeling her proposals uncompassionate and quick to condemn risky lifestyles. But as SF's fentanyl overdose deaths spike, some folks are changing their minds—from pushing questionable “safe” consumption sites to begging law enforcement to intervene. From the SF Standard.
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