Homelessness increased again in California this year. But experts are raising questions about the data. CalMatters reports.
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On first listen, SJ Unified's Measure R feels like it might be a fresh new way to advance our schools. But resident Christopher Webb, writing in a Merc op-ed, notes that the deeper we get into R, the more dissonant it gets. Webb has championed many school bonds over the years, only to be disappointed time and again by SJUSD's "toxic" mgmt and lack of governance accountability (and he's not alone).
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Local officeholders' knowledge on politics is far less extensive than we realize, says philosophy–econ prof Scott Scheall. Instead of these figureheads controlling the Bay's fiscal restrictions/incentives (cough: SCC's ongoing basic income program, anyone?), our economy should be led by the market's “invisible hand”—which is spontaneously assembled from self-interested individuals' interactions. From Substack.
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As SF Chronicle reports, San Francisco recently announced they’ll be doing controlled demolition of deserted houses with illegal squatter residents. This project will provide (via redevelopment) 800 new affordable homes and 800 new market-rate units, with the eventual goal of building 5,300 new apartments.
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Council candidate and law enforcement veteran Joe Lopez shares his perspective that Prop 36's mandated drug treatment for certain offenders would protect the most vulnerable in our neighborhoods and help clean up city streets, while reducing City spending. An Opp Now exclusive. D2 candidate Pamela Campos has not responded to our requests for comment.
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The Contra Costa Taxpayers Association invites locals to hear from Debora Allen—business leader and accomplished BART Director who terms out this December—during an upcoming luncheon. Mark your calendars, CoCoTax says, for October 25. More details on the event below.
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Min Chang, a CEO who's turned around three companies and SF Board of Education hopeful, analyzes SJUSD's $1.15 bn Measure R. Instead of begging voters to approve more bonds (as SF's also doing), Chang advises our school districts use smarter budgeting, fundraising, and accountability processes—already proven successful in Silicon Valley's private sector. An Opp Now exclusive.
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Talk about an inconvenient truth: as California swims in $1.5 trillion debt, voters are much more skeptical about “free money” from expensive loans. The Prop 1 homeless bond barely squeaked by in March. This November, Prop 4 wants to make an end run around the general fund, to pay for already existing environmental programs. The Orange County Register’s Jon Coupal wonders if voters are ready to charge another $10 billion to the State’s credit card.
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San Francisco spends over $1 bn/yr on contracted nonprofits. Recent investigations raise concern as to where all this dough’s really going (see: $700k “misused” by now-felon charged SF SAFE director). SF Standard reports, below, that Mayor Breed’s now mandating nonprofits do additional spending documentation and screening for conflicts of interest.
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Local anti-squatting activist (also known as “The Squatting Hunter”) Flash Shelton sat down with California Insider to discuss frequently exploited loopholes that hurt homeowners—along with his proposed solution of tighter, smarter tenancy legislation. Excerpts from their conversation, originally on YouTube, are highlighted below.
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In this Opp Now exclusive op-ed, citizen David Eisbach warns that, if Prop 5 passes, any other proposition that achieves 55% voter approval this November will become law—even if it was written to require two-thirds to pass.
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Many San Joseans were concerned when SJUSD added $1.15 bn Measure R to the ballot despite rapid enrollment declines, the recent Civil Grand Jury report citing “leadership issues,” and—you know—the fact it'd double the taxes we already pay to SJ Unified. Below, Opp Now asked SJUSD board members/candidates to weigh in. An Opp Now exclusive.
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