San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and Irene Smith (runner-up in 2022 D3 council election) call for a special election to determine who will occupy the now-vacant position.
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Palo Alto councilmember Greg Tananka says that local governments should not ignore the real message of the November 5 election: The People want lean, efficient government. An Opp Now exclusive.
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California has enough rainfall to address local droughts, claims CPC's water policy director Edward Ring—but the State regularly and wastefully dumps water into SF Bay to try to save the Delta smelt fish. Why, decades after this program began, is the smelt fish population no better off—while Bay Areans are being forced into strict water rationing? From a 9.4 newsletter.
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Political analyst Kira Davis explains, via X, why SCC is (you heard this right) still counting ballots and determining winners a week after Election Day. Since CA legally prohibits ID verification at the polls, volunteers must painstakingly—and often subjectively, Davis claims—verify signatures, one at a time.
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Just like in the Bay Area, Fresno leads with the carrot. This Central Valley city has ramped up housing programs and social services, which help get people off the street. Even folks who don’t at first comply are given every opportunity, in order to avoid jail. But, as SF Chronicle’s Kevin Fagan reports, some "continuously service-resistant" people could still end up behind bars.
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Fremont let its homeless population double to over 1,000 between 2019 and 2022. Now, facing potential funding cuts from Sacramento, their City Council is targeting "perma-parkers." Outreach teams already visit homeless encampments to offer housing, but City Attorney Rafael Alvarado points out that parking must be banned on certain streets (e.g., next to school playgrounds) to avoid future safety emergencies. SJ Merc’s Kyle Martin reports.
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Kyle Martin of Mercury News notes that Fremont’s homeless population doubled from 2019 to 2022, going from 608 to 1,026. The East Bay City is starting to implement solutions proven in SF to reduce chronic homelessness.
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San Francisco's mayor-elect will inherit a massive budget deficit, a downtown in a Doom Loop, chronic crime and homelessness. Oh, did we forget to mention a federal branch that is probably not gonna be real friendly? SF Standard's Joe Rodriguez explores.
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In an echo of SF Mayor Breed’s Tenderloin curfew, Norwalk has issued an urgency ordinance cracking down on liquor stores and payday loan shops, on top of several types of homeless shelters. Mayor Margarita Rios defends her city’s record supporting veterans and homelessness outreach. But experts say that the State will win, because the severe housing element mandate can trump a city’s bid to protect public safety, health, and welfare. SF Chronicle’s Sara Libby reports.
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In an interview with Outkick, SJSU women's volleyball associate head coach Melissa Batie-Smoose says the university told her not to discuss her Title IX complaint—or subsequent suspension—with media. Below, Batie-Smoose explains why she believes San Jose State is unjustly suppressing her free speech.
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Homelessness everywhere. Lax law enforcement. Absurd housing prices and regulations. Nonprofit grifting on a massive scale. The boutique suburb to the north finally unburdens itself of decades of over-the-edge progressive policies and selects a new centrist mayor. From SF Standard.
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Kevin DeLeon gutted out a City Council censure, calls for resignations, and a recall petition. But Angelenos finally voted him out. DeLeon had a wealth of connections with many Labor/left Santa Clara County politicians (take a guess with whom). LA Times reports.
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