Case study Texas: How some states manage to rein in out-of-control transportation boondoggles
Case study Texas: How some states manage to rein in out-of-control transportation boondoggles

Austin’s liberal establishment--just like Santa Clara County's--has been trying to trick taxpayers into pouring billions into their light rail boondoggle for decades, finally winning an apparent victory when voters approved a scheme in 2020. But it turns out that the terms of the ballot language may have doomed the project. BattleSwarm Blog reports.

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Jax OliverComment
Opinion: Given Housing First dogma, don't expect Prop 1 to change anything
Opinion: Given Housing First dogma, don't expect Prop 1 to change anything

While City staff continues to ignore the scathing critique of SJ's homelessness programs, the WSJ opines that without a change in strategy, the Housing First failure will just continue despite new programs with an even higher price tag.

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Jax OliverComment
☆ D2 Candidate Lopez on board for more quick-build, temporary shelters to address homelessness
☆ D2 Candidate Lopez on board for more quick-build, temporary shelters to address homelessness

We asked District 2 Council finalists for their perspectives on the upcoming Council debate regarding if, and how, Council should reallocate Measure E Housing funds. Joe Lopez' answer below.  An Opp Now exclusive.

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Jax Oliver
Local leaders call for SJ City to close loopholes that exempt nonprofits from lobbyist rules and restrictions
Local leaders call for SJ City to close loopholes that exempt nonprofits from lobbyist rules and restrictions

Families & Homes thinks non profits skirt City sunshine , lobbying, and conflict of interest policies--and it's time to tighten up ethics and transparency guidelines.

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☆ SJ D8 CM candidates join the Measure E reallocation conversation
☆ SJ D8 CM candidates join the Measure E reallocation conversation

We asked District 8 Council finalists for their perspectives on the upcoming Council debate regarding if, and how, Council should reallocate Measure E Housing funds. Domingo Candelas' and Tam Truong's comments, below.  An Opp Now exclusive.

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Regional Builders and Construction group says Sen Wahab's Project Labor Agreement (PLA) bill is discriminatory and costly
Regional Builders and Construction group says Sen Wahab's Project Labor Agreement (PLA) bill is discriminatory and costly

Associated Builders and Construction (ABC) Norcal finds Wahab's PLA mandate for state construction projects to be a harmful bill that would increase construction costs and discriminate against nonunion construction workers in California. ABC formal comment below.

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☆ D6 CM candidate Mulcahy calls for increased Measure E spend on quick-build shelters and homeless prevention
☆ D6 CM candidate Mulcahy calls for increased Measure E spend on quick-build shelters and homeless prevention

We asked District 6 Council finalists for their perspectives on the upcoming Council debate regarding if, and how, Council should reallocate Measure E Housing funds. Michael Mulcahy's answer below.  An Opp Now exclusive.

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Special ReportsJax OliverComment
☆ Tanaka on CA16 primary, recount: Isn't there a better way?
☆ Tanaka on CA16 primary, recount: Isn't there a better way?

Palo Alto CM and CA16 primary candidate Greg Tanaka reviews the primary season, primary vote, and recount drama. His conclusion: alternate, diverse voices aren't heard in our election process, and maybe it's time to consider reforms. An Opp Now exclusive.

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Special ReportsJax Oliver Comment
☆ SJ D10 Candidates stake out their positions on Measure E Reallocation question
☆ SJ D10 Candidates stake out their positions on Measure E Reallocation question

We asked District 10 Council finalists Arjun Batra and George Casey for their perspectives on the upcoming Council debate regarding if, and how, Council should reallocate Measure E Housing funds. Their answers below. An Opp Now exclusive.

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Special ReportsJax OliverComment
Law that ended single-family zoning in CA struck down for at least five CA cities--and maybe SJ, too
Law that ended single-family zoning in CA struck down for at least five CA cities--and maybe SJ, too

Remember all the local shenanigans over SB9 and so-called "Opportunity Housing" in SJ? Turns out it may be unconstitutional and dead in the water, at least for charter cities. CityWatch LA and Westside Current cover the blockbuster court ruling, below.

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☆ Expert: San Jose City Manager deflects blame, misses point of critical state homeless audit
☆ Expert: San Jose City Manager deflects blame, misses point of critical state homeless audit

The CA state audit that blistered San Jose and statewide homelessness programs for ineffectiveness called forth a prickly, self-justifying, and lengthy response from SJ City Manager Jennifer Maguire. Scott Beyer of the Market Urbanism Report gives Maguire's 15-pager a close read, and finds that it's evasive and doesn't face up to the legit financial and strategic failures the audit so clearly revealed. An Opp Now exclusive.

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Special ReportsJax OliverComment
☆ Water district rates about to double
☆ Water district rates about to double

Hold onto your (wet) wallets. Opp Now contributor and local City Planning graduate student Susie Murillo takes a look at upcoming plans for the county water district to jack up rates, yet again, with little accountability and dubious reasoning. An Opp Now exclusive.

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Special ReportsJax OliverComment