In a 1.21 statement, the Bay Area's Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) applauds Mayor London Breed for condemning SF's unbridled antisemitism since October 7 and denying Supervisors' ceasefire resolution her stamp of approval. Yet, JCRC disagrees with Breed's choice not to veto the resolution altogether, arguing it'll “embolden” hateful activists at local forums.
Read MoreOn Friday, Mayor London Breed officially spoke out against SF Supervisors' widely panned resolution that pled for ceasefire in Gaza. In a sharply written and cogently argued letter to Supes, Breed said she can't support “choosing a side” in foreign politics, especially when it jeopardizes San Franciscans' (particularly Jewish residents') unity, safety, and peace. Her statement, excerpted, reads below.
Read MoreAt the end of last year, City Council directed Staff to consider further regulating development in the City by requiring building officials to withhold a certificate of occupancy from private owners when any contractor, subcontractor, or supplier is subject to an unpaid final wage theft judgment. The following Open Letter from local business leaders to City leaders finds the proposed revisions to be redundant, extreme, and would further depress new development in SJ (edited for length).
Read MoreNinth circuit ruling Martin v. Boise only allows cities to remove illegal encampments (read: enforce existing laws) if every homeless resident has the “option” of sleeping indoors. The ruling's vague wording has inspired numerous debates and lawsuits, but the City of San Bernardino sweeps the controversy to the side, pointing out: their city cleverly utilized Martin v. Boise to clear dangerous camps and make public parks attractive again.
Read MorePalo Alto Councilmember and Congressional candidate Greg Tanaka reflects on the recent incident of antisemitic targeting of Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen. The act, symbolizing a disturbing rise in local and national hate-driven politics, finds a unique adversary in Tanaka, whose personal family history lends special poignancy to his critique. An Opp Now exclusive.
Read MoreIn 1978, a huge majority of SCC residents voted in favor of Prop 13, which requires two-thirds voter approval of new special taxes. In 2023, SJ's City Council is eager for an about-face: they've enthusiastically green-lighted an amendment to revert the requirement to 55%. State representative Diane Dixon warns local taxpayers to be wary of ACA 1's “subtle” undermining of Prop 13 safeguards. From the OC Register.
Read MoreThe City of San Jose resisted pressure from some advocacy groups to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Rather, the City opted for a generalized statement calling for peace and unity within the community. This decision aligned with many statements from local citizens, who recently reminded Councilmembers of what is—and isn't—within their jurisdiction. A handful of comments below.
Read MoreSanta Cruz City Council shot down a Gaza ceasefire resolution on 1.10, superseding it with a more neutral call to “peace.” To reach their 5–2 vote against the original resolution (and 5–1 for the alternate peace decree), Council endured 10 hours of aggressive public feedback that grew violent at times. Now, many are wondering if approving a resolution on foreign affairs—during a period of heightened antisemitism—is a productive, safe move for city councils and their residents. Lookout Santa Cruz reports.
Read MoreThe latest proposal to dive into evil rich people's wallets was killed in the Assembly Committee on 1.9, reports Tank Town Media. The bill would have added a net worth tax of 1.5% for local billionaires, likely prompting CA's economy-boosting wealthy residents to make their exit.
Read MoreSince October, 15 U.S. cities (4 in California) have passed resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. San Francisco recently joined the list, on the heels of a heated Board of Supervisors public forum. Below, the Bay Area's Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) warns cities against schismatic foreign policy resolutions that sow discord and discrimination, but don't impact foreign politics.
Read MoreAfter being shown SJ's latest Community Plan to End Homelessness report on 1.9, Councilmembers Bien Doan and Arjun Batra pulled no punches in critiquing its ever-mounting costs, lack of a stable funding source (read: unless we pass a $10–20 bn bond), and ridiculously unfeasible goals for housing. Their comments—earnest, frank, and thoughtful—excerpted below.
Read MoreEven pro-Palestinian folks around the Bay Area clapped back quickly and definitively when Rupa Marya (medicine professor at UC San Francisco) tweeted a brazen, unequivocal, Woke-coded condemnation of Jewish doctors. The National Review recaps.
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