☆ SJ Libertarian leader “cautiously optimistic” for Mahan’s market-oriented model

Sal Robles, membership chair of the Libertarian Party of Santa Clara County, breaks down his Local Gov’t Hopes & Fears in this Opp Now exclusive. Robles emphasizes that SJ should cut unnecessary mandates, taxes, and initiatives to allow local businesses to flourish — and cultivate safety for all residents.

As a lifelong San Jose resident, I’m cautiously optimistic that Mayor Mahan, who campaigned as the founder of a business explicitly devoted to transparency and accountability in government, will deliver on his promise of “common sense solutions.”

He told voters, “government should focus on the basics,” such as roads and safety. As a Libertarian working to make government dramatically smaller, I agree that focusing on core services is sensible!

So my wish? That Mahan will follow through on that—identifying core services and slashing extraneous programs better accomplished by business, not bureaucracy. Let’s restore Silicon Valley’s prosperity by lifting regulations, fees, taxes, and other mandates, benefiting everyone here.

My apprehension? That our city council won’t recognize that zoning restrictions suppress housing supply, only intensifying our sky-high prices and contributing to homelessness.

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