(Successful) local strikes tend to be contagious
(Successful) local strikes tend to be contagious

We revisit a Governing.com analysis of SJ's infamous union deal from two years ago, and wonder if Bay Area gov't strikes—once taboo, recently regaining traction—might fade to the background again post-VTA strike.

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Jax Oliver
It's not just SJ: LA can't track its mammoth homelessness spends, either
It's not just SJ: LA can't track its mammoth homelessness spends, either

Even as local Housing First bitter-enders complain about moves to redirect city funds towards Shelter First, news from LA underscores the utter financial mismanagement and grift of Permanent Supportive Housing. The Center Square reports.

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Jax Oliver
☆ Expert: Mahan's pay-for-results idea is good in principle, but might not go far enough
☆ Expert: Mahan's pay-for-results idea is good in principle, but might not go far enough

SJ Mayor Mahan wants to give pay raises to city leadership if they deliver key outcomes in four major areas. But why just city leadership? And will the proposal work if it only focuses on incentives? We caught up with Mark Moses, author of The Municipal Financial Crisis, for an Opp Now exclusive Q&A.

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Jax Oliver
Study finds school choice saves local taxpayers $
Study finds school choice saves local taxpayers $

A recent EdChoice analysis asserts that school choice policies aren't just financially feasible—but, in states where they're implemented, they're actually saving taxpayers $3,300 to $7,800 per program participant. Could this be an answer to the Bay's failing, going-broke school districts?

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Jax Oliver
VTA's ho-hum strike undermines need for upcoming transit sales tax
VTA's ho-hum strike undermines need for upcoming transit sales tax

When Bay Area voters face a transit sales tax measure next year, agencies and transit supporters will warn that failure to pass the tax measure will lead to catastrophic results. Um, no. SHIFT-Bay Area reports.

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Jax Oliver
☆ Gus Mattammal on Mayor Mahan’s incentive plan for city leaders: “worth doing the experiment”
☆ Gus Mattammal on Mayor Mahan’s incentive plan for city leaders: “worth doing the experiment”

SJ Mayor Mahan wants to tie city leadership’s pay to outcomes in homelessness, public safety, clean neighborhoods, and business development. But will it work? In an Opp Now exclusive Q&A, entrepreneur and MCC Councilmember Gus Mattammal says it’s worth a try, but progress is much more feasible in two of the targeted areas.

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Jax Oliver
☆ Should VTA be allowed to unionize?
☆ Should VTA be allowed to unionize?

Bay Area political commentator Denise Kalm dives into the recent (somewhat anticlimactic) transit strikes, wondering if public unionization actually does more harm than good for the Valley’s taxpayers, hardworking public employees, and gov’t services. An Opp Now exclusive op-ed.

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Jax Oliver
Voting your conscience makes a lot more sense than voting "strategically"
Voting your conscience makes a lot more sense than voting "strategically"

San Joseans play Twister with logic on social media defending why it's somehow not a good idea to vote for the best candidate. The Link publication disagrees and says: the best vote is the honest vote.

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Jax Oliver
☆ Homelessness expert: Expect other cities to “follow suit” with SJ's Housing First reforms (4/4)
☆ Homelessness expert: Expect other cities to “follow suit” with SJ's Housing First reforms (4/4)

SF homeless advocate Tom Wolf unpacks the factors (from local to state to national) influencing San Jose's proposal to funnel PSH funds to interim housing. And why he expects Housing First doctrine to loosen across the nation—perhaps in other Bay Area cities. An Opp Now exclusive.

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Jax Oliver
Marc Joffe: What if we stopped rewarding California for overspending on Medi-Cal?

Why are taxpayers subsidizing healthcare for millionaires? The SJ Merc frames a prudent spending reform to Medi-Cal as a massive and disastrous cut. But maybe that’s just Chicken Little for the underinformed. An interview between policy analyst Marc Joffe and CPC head Will Swaim on the excellent National Review podcast, Radio Free California.

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Jax Oliver
☆ Perspectives: Studying ancient Greek/Roman culture is a challenging endeavor—and here's why we should all try it
☆ Perspectives: Studying ancient Greek/Roman culture is a challenging endeavor—and here's why we should all try it

Earlier this week, transit expert Randal O' Toole rewound the clock for us on VTA's surprising history of rideshare innovation. And, as three Bay Area classics professors argue in this Opp Now exclusive, that's not the only point in the past Silicon Valleyans should look into. Their analyses (and wide-ranging reading recommendations) below.

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Jax Oliver
☆ New SJ budget marks the end of Housing First? Unlikely, say local commentators (3/4)
☆ New SJ budget marks the end of Housing First? Unlikely, say local commentators (3/4)

Those fed up with San Jose's barrier-free housing approach to homelessness may have noticed: Council may shift all funds from PSH to temporary housing and prevention. But, as contributors Johnny Khamis and Tobin Gilman explain, Housing First is probably stickin' around (particularly via tiny homes). An Opp Now exclusive.

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Jax Oliver