Many experts—locally and nationally—believe that the only way for SJ to make serious progress ameliorating the inhumane living conditions of our unhoused neighbors is to offer large, quick-build shelters that can provide relief and services to hundreds, if not thousands, of needy residents. While misguided opposition has slowed acceptance of the idea, recent comments (below) from city staff and councilmembers show the concept has strong momentum at City Hall.
Read MoreDistrict 3 residents were recently surprised that their interim, appointed councilmember, Carl Salas, ignored overwhelming D3 opposition to electronic billboards downtown, and gave thumbs up to the environmentally dubious proposal. Community feedback (edited for brevity) below.
Read MoreNature reminds us we're not the only force in the universe—we can push and pull, but it's cooperation with our environment that ultimately brings success. Perhaps VTA, Prop 36 laggers, and e-billboard-promoting CMs could take a cue. From Aeon.
Read MoreSan Jose could use its budget crisis to consider systemic reforms. Take, for example, managed competition, in which bids for service delivery are opened up to private contractors on a rolling basis. So says Reason Foundation’s Len Gilroy in Part 4 of an Opp Now exclusive Q&A, who points out that city staff can easily get re-hired by contractors.
Read MoreA Cortex journal study using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) suggests that reading literature improves mental flexibility: or, the ability to change one's mind with better information (a.k.a., not cling to fallacious opinions about local politics). From Neuroscience News.
Read MoreSome books portraying the free market in action get a bit gritty and dark. Others (like three rec’d by Bay Area English profs, below) spotlight the successes that may come from perseverance, thoughtfulness, and Silicon Valley-style creativity. An Opp Now exclusive.
Read MoreEven without federal money raining down, cities often find a way to ratchet up spending. When fiscal pressures come to bear, reforms are hard to stick with. So says Reason Foundation’s Len Gilroy in Part 3 of an Opp Now exclusive Q&A. But while San Jose faces down a $46 million deficit and costly pension liabilities, governments across the country that implemented sustainable retirement systems were able to keep their pensions funded, even during the Great Recession.
Read MoreWait a sec—didn't SJUSD ask for (and receive) a whopping $1.15 bn just six months ago? They did, but the school district is at it again, with a parcel tax request that Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility thinks is not warranted. CFR's statement, from their website, below.
Read MoreLen Gilroy says Reason Foundation’s choice plan helped about 200 public safety employers in Arizona nearly top off their pension funding. Pension reform happens “slowly, through attrition” as staff turns over and, thanks to spending habits, bigger cities make even slower progress. But encouraged by a prudent plan, Arizona employers threw in billions to help get out of debt. Part 2 of an Opp Now exclusive Q&A.
Read MoreSan Jose native and local real estate agent Mark Burns argues that even after inflation adjustment in June, Measure E likely will still tax three times the number of residential transactions it was supposed to. An Opp Now exclusive.
Read MoreThanks to pension liabilities, San Jose police and fire get one employee for almost the price of two. But while governments struggle to pay, many employees don’t even want the traditional "defined benefit" retirement plan. So says Reason Foundation’s Len Gilroy in Part 1 of an Opp Now exclusive Q&A. Reform doesn’t have to mean total privatization; but, he asks, why not offer employees a choice?
Read MoreSJ Mayor Matt Mahan sits on the VTA Board of Directors. After supporting misguided VTA expansions like Eastridge and downtown SJ BART, perhaps Mahan is awakening to VTA's systemic woes. From an SJ Inside op-ed.
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