Manhattan Institute legal policy fellow tax Tal Fortgang argues that decarceration fans like County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg get it all wrong, and that violent crime is overwhelmingly the work of a small group of repeat offenders—that is, it is highly concentrated. The remedy, Fortgang argues, is not social engineering but incapacitation: keeping the violent few from striking again.
Read MoreDespite government efforts and a solid economy, homelessness in San Jose and Silicon Valley continues to surge. Latest data suggests that, contrary to local homeless advocates' claims, homelessness tends to arise in the context of long-term, severe deprivation rather than large and sudden losses of income. A recent cross-country analysis found that about two thirds of adult homeless people suffer some form of mental illness. Econofact explores.
Read MoreOur region is synonymous with success. But Marc Joffe warns a raft of tax measures this year could prove “existential,” forcing voters to decide whether Silicon Valley rewards innovation, or punishes it. One major ticket to savings, he argues, is driverless buses and trains. Will voters agree? Or will they keep funding a legacy system? An Opportunity Now exclusive forecast for 2026.
Read MoreMayor Mahan and DA Rosen say they were duped by the county on Measure A. Is their remorse convincing? An Opp Now exclusive.
Read MoreOpp Now's newest writer, Cristabel Cruz, wonders why SV politicians refuse to acknowledge their failure to deliver on promises. And why SV voters let them get away with it. An Opp Now exclusive.
Read MoreHow lowered expectations--for employees, managers, and elected representatives--become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Zsolt Farkas explains on Medium.
Read MoreIt's always somebody else's fault. State policies. County gov't malfeasance. Systemic something. Local politicians sidestep accountability for failed programs by deflecting blame somewhere, anywhere else--as long as responsibility isn't theirs. Governance website examines the science behind the modern day political dodge.
Read MoreWith generations of civil service leaders failing to get a grip on performance management, it is time to get rid of lifetime employment guarantees for gov't workers. UK Cabinet Minister Pat McFadden dares to endorse the obvious, summarized in The Institute for Government.
Read MoreSanta Clara County’s Measure A sales tax hike was just the beginning, warns Matt Wendt of the South County Business Alliance. In an Opportunity Now exclusive 2026 prediction, he says that progressive politicians will “push for a whole bunch of new taxes.” Will moderates and independents fight back? Or will they support another cycle of reckless spending?
Read More“Economic development” departments in SV cities and across California spend tens of billions for private capital. So says Mark Moses, who argues in CPC that incentives rarely influence a firm’s decision to move in. When budgets are blown out for pyrrhic ribbon cuttings, infrastructure crumbles. Cities then patch new budget holes with more taxes.
Read MoreAs top-down state policy degrades student achievement in SJUSD, the argument against public schools could be gaining purchase. But Gus Mattammal (candidate for CA Supe of Public Instruction and author of A is for Average) makes the case for reforming, not discarding, public education. While distributed opportunity to children everywhere is key to our economic health, he asks if California’s $130 billion-per-year system is actually delivering results.
Read MoreAn end-of-year addition to the vaunted Opp Now team, local grad student Cristabel Cruz offers our first in a series on What To Expect in The Coming Year. Welcome, Cristabel, and welcome, 2026.
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