It’s not just NYC: Silicon Valley’s left-wing Dems like the sound of Mamdani’s foolhardy “rent freeze” scheme

Greg Ip at the Wall Street Journal explains the dubious economic thinking behind far-left NYC mayoral hopeful’s “rent freeze” that would further choke housing supply, driving up rents. Nonetheless, local groups like SV@Home and local reps Kalra and Lee are fans of Mamdani’s way of thinking.

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Costi Khamis
☆ Are business incentive programs just a way for cities like SJ to pick winners and losers? (1/4)

Who can argue against tax credits and other incentives to bring businesses to town, as San Jose and other Silicon Valley cities are fond of doling out? After all, more economic activity brings more revenue. Right? But Mark Moses, author of The Municipal Financial Crisis, warns that when city governments pick winners and losers, “unseen” costs hurt the residents. An Opp Now exclusive Q&A.

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Costi Khamis
☆ Letter: Far-left Dem newcomers romp in SJ, NYC

Longtime SJ political-watcher Richard Davenport writes from NYC to note some parallels between local political wunderkinds Anthony Tordillos in SJ and NYC's Zohran Mamdani. An Opp Now exclusive.

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Pefley: State and City budget realities mean tax increase requests are just around the corner

State Assembly 28 candidate Carol Pefley takes a look at SJ and State budget maneuvers, and notes that systemic shortfalls aren't being solved, She predicts new tax proposals are likely on the horizon.

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Costi Khamis
Love thy neighbor

Echoing SV Salvation Army head Major Freeman, MySanAntonio.com points out that homeless shelters can cause issues for neighboring communities re: drug use, crime, and noisiness—which should be anticipated and swiftly addressed by leadership. A case study from Haven for Hope shelter in TX.

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Costi Khamis
Report: Southern CA cities much safer than Bay Area cities

MoneyGeek has recently issued its fifth annual report on the safest large cities in America. Irvine; San Diego; Anaheim; Santa Ana; and Riverside, CA make the top fifteen ranking. No Bay Area city did. Forbes magazine analyzes.

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Costi Khamis
Political cronyism isn't anything new for the U.S.

Though it's getting a lot of heat lately—and rightly so—in the Bay Area. The phenomenal Mises Institute reviews Patrick Newman's 2021 book Cronyism: Liberty versus Power in Early America—highlighting the ever-relevant clash between libertarianism and elite greed in local governance.

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Costi Khamis
When the world isn't as bright as Technicolor

Postcards by Elle blog wonders if 21st century culture's forgotten the value of boredom—silent contemplation of the mundane, subtle, and natural. Maybe it's because we're constantly bombarded with technological stimulation and comm's, especially in Silicon Valley. Or that it's become too easy to satisfy our every desire. But it's time to bring bored back.

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Costi Khamis
In a world of frantic motion, go forward patiently and persistently

Today's media in the Valley often forgets that it's not about speed, or flashiness; in fact, there's a special reward for running with purpose, strategy, and patience—perhaps better than "first place." NYT's beautiful ode to journalism—all things slow and profound—follows.

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Costi Khamis
More states and cities dump Housing First, while CA dithers

Florida, Georgia, and Utah acknowledge the mammoth failure of the $1m/unit, no-barrier new apartment strategy in addressing homelessness. But many CA cities (see the finalist candidates in SJ's D3 CM race) continue to advocate for endless subsidies and oppose large-capacity shelters. City Journal reports.

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Costi Khamis
Soaring labor costs sinking VTA's biz model, making a mockery of Measure B promises

Guess what's hugely outpacing inflation? What VTA pays its workers. Athan Joshi reports for CA Policy Center.

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Costi Khamis
Southern CA homeless encampment fires spark dangerous wildfire in dry chaparral

Sandy Eggo County struggles to put out three wildfires that started in homeless bivouacs. NBC 7 San Diego reports.

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Costi Khamis