So SJ’s tentative agreement with the public sector unions may prevent a strike. But that’s “a very low bar,” says The Municipal Financial Crisis author Mark Moses in an Opportunity Now exclusive commentary: did the city surrender its authority in the deal? If so, why? CPC’s Lance Christensen points to a “conflict of interest” when councilmembers who are endorsed by the unions then ratify milestone agreements with the unions.
Read MoreThe state’s lavish handout regime comes at a cost -- ever increasing taxation that threatens the opportunity and prosperity that once made California attractive. So says former Monte Sereno Mayor Liz Lawler in an Opportunity Now exclusive comment for our ongoing election series: the tax-and-spend tyranny of Sacramento’s supermajority is matched only by voters’ willingness to endorse it.
Read MoreDave Johnson, SVGOP chair scans California and sees "an economic model of failure."
Read MoreWhen it comes to homelessness, cost of living, infrastructure, and expensive legacy transit systems, politicians have been strangely silent. So says former State Assembly candidate Ted Stroll in an Opportunity Now exclusive comment for our series leading up to this year’s election:
Read MoreRising data center regulations and overhead make "cost-to-compute" inflate. Are SJ and other cities going too far in their regulation (or moratoria) on data centers? X commenters explore.
Read MoreOur Susie Murillo takes a look at the debris from this year's campaign material and notes that everyone's infected by social media's Everpresent Now. An Opp Now exclusive.
Read MorePalo Alto Daily Post echoes Merc's criticism of transit tax bailout, notes, "we've played this game before."
Read MoreJohnny Khamis, prez of leading local biz group, aligns with Merc, says transit tax bailout latest in long parade of unaccountable new levies.
Read MoreFamilies & Homes, San Jose's leading citywide neighborhood advocacy group, contends that City staff is misreading the plain language of San Jose's Housing Element (state-mandated housing planning for current and future housing) in an effort to deliver an irreversible increase in housing density citywide. F&H's letter to city leaders, below, along with commentary from Pat Waite, Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility.
Read MoreWhat does this November’s election say about where California is going? As part of an Opportunity Now exclusive series, we caught up with SVGOP Chairman Dave Johnson, who warns the state is turning further toward “an economic model of failure” based on unsustainable tax increases:
Read MoreSanta Cruz County is asking taxpayers for another half-cent sales tax for five years—an estimated $27 million a year, or roughly $135 million over the life of the tax--on top of the taxes residents already pay. Local candidates Verbica and Pefley critique the proposal. An Opp Now exclusive.
Read MoreWill voters elect candidates to rein in the destructive public policies that cripple California? In an ongoing Opportunity Now exclusive series on November’s election, SVBA’s Pat Waite makes the case that state-level dysfunction in energy, housing, and education are rooted in bad governance. When will the electorate realize the solution is not more government?
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