In Opp Now's ongoing exploration of the history of racism in California, we take a look at the demolition of Stockton's Chinatown, Japantown, and Little Manila—all in the name of big gov't urban redevelopment. Zocalo Public Square reports.
Below in KRON4, a San Francisco sheriff's deputies union rep proposes a list of policies they think would make the Tenderloin safe again. And (spoiler alert) it's got nothing to do with stifling local business owners—everything to do with empowering law enforcement to protect the community.
Our friends who haven't visited SF or the Tenderloin neighborhood may see how it's depicted in media (i.e., dirty, dangerous, crime-ridden) and write it off as unredeemable. Not worth reforming. But The Bold Italic's Adriana Roberts has called SF home since 2001—and reminds us, below, why the Tenderloin's worth our hard work and change.
New research indicates that the data CA gov’ts use to justify their extravagant expenditures are (hold your breath) kinda worthless. Daily Caller reports.
Many folks affected by local gov't decisions aren't giving public comment at City Council—or feel shut down when they try. So how can cities like SJ reach them? The Toronto Star recaps Calgary's highly successful community engagement program, in which a public bus gave free rides on its regular routes (over several months) in exchange for feedback.
There is a recurring debate in California about the effectiveness of regional governments when compared to the existing local government structure. Jon Coupal of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Ass'n explores the pros and cons in the Orange County Register (with a shout-out to Daniel Borenstein at the Merc).
By taking advantage of the flexibility provided by SCOTUS' Grants Pass decision (which SJ has yet to do), SF's most troubled neighborhoods are experiencing signs of recovery. KQED reports.
After Collective Impact’s director slept in the same house as a city official, was it proper that he ended up with six-figure government contracts? Two SF agencies have now canceled five deals, worth millions of dollars—in fact, his org was the second biggest recipient of Dream Keeper Initiative funds. The SF Standard’s Jonah Owen Lamb, Gabe Greschler, and Noah Baustin report.
Pricey housing. Mismanaged environmental issues. Crime à gogo. In a thoughtful essay, Deseret Magazine's Natalia Galicza explains why hundreds of thousands of Californians a year are jumpin' ship for other states—and what the Golden State must do to preserve its "California Dream" of opportunities to establish family, wealth, and innovation (incl. better water management, revised land use policies, 180k new housing units, and more).