Why are Silicon Valley families flocking to homeschooling? How do (even well-meaning) Sac legislators end up restricting homeschooling? And, um, how’s the Dept of Pesticides involved? An Opp Now exclusive Q&A with Home School Legal Defense Association’s senior counsel Will Estrada, Esq., and Family Protection Ministries’ executive director Nathan Pierce.
Read MoreSCOTUS’ Grants Pass decision in 2024 appeared to empower municipalities to enforce no-camping zones. But activists in Sacramento are trying to reverse Grant’s Pass in CA, potentially banning cities like SJ and Fremont from pursuing legal action against trespassers and bivouacking. SJ's Mayor Mahan says SJ doesn't criminalize homelessness and just enforces laws equitably. The Merc's report on Sacto proposal and Mahan's response & X thread, below.
Read MoreYour public works infrastructure is decaying without a fiscally sustainable plan to replenish it, says SHIFT-Bay Area's sustainability director Gregg Dieguez. Here, Dieguez argues that higher taxes could be coming. An Opp Now exclusive.
Read MoreOakland recalls far-left mayor Sheng Thao. Replaces her with far-left former rep Barbara Lee. Go figure. Rick Moran scans the debris at PJ Media.
Read MoreCA Teachers Ass’n is the second largest U.S. group (funding-wise) lobbying against nuclear power. But—posits commentator Denise Kalm—they would do well to pivot to supporting nuclear energy, which can effectively and ethically keep up with the Valley’s growing needs. An Opp Now exclusive.
Read MoreMany experts—locally and nationally—believe that the only way for SJ to make serious progress ameliorating the inhumane living conditions of our unhoused neighbors is to offer large, quick-build shelters that can provide relief and services to hundreds, if not thousands, of needy residents. While misguided opposition has slowed acceptance of the idea, recent comments (below) from city staff and councilmembers show the concept has strong momentum at City Hall.
Read MoreDistrict 3 residents were recently surprised that their interim, appointed councilmember, Carl Salas, ignored overwhelming D3 opposition to electronic billboards downtown, and gave thumbs up to the environmentally dubious proposal. Community feedback (edited for brevity) below.
Read MoreNature reminds us we're not the only force in the universe—we can push and pull, but it's cooperation with our environment that ultimately brings success. Perhaps VTA, Prop 36 laggers, and e-billboard-promoting CMs could take a cue. From Aeon.
Read MoreSan Jose could use its budget crisis to consider systemic reforms. Take, for example, managed competition, in which bids for service delivery are opened up to private contractors on a rolling basis. So says Reason Foundation’s Len Gilroy in Part 4 of an Opp Now exclusive Q&A, who points out that city staff can easily get re-hired by contractors.
Read MoreA Cortex journal study using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) suggests that reading literature improves mental flexibility: or, the ability to change one's mind with better information (a.k.a., not cling to fallacious opinions about local politics). From Neuroscience News.
Read MoreSome books portraying the free market in action get a bit gritty and dark. Others (like three rec’d by Bay Area English profs, below) spotlight the successes that may come from perseverance, thoughtfulness, and Silicon Valley-style creativity. An Opp Now exclusive.
Read MoreEven without federal money raining down, cities often find a way to ratchet up spending. When fiscal pressures come to bear, reforms are hard to stick with. So says Reason Foundation’s Len Gilroy in Part 3 of an Opp Now exclusive Q&A. But while San Jose faces down a $46 million deficit and costly pension liabilities, governments across the country that implemented sustainable retirement systems were able to keep their pensions funded, even during the Great Recession.
Read More
