Recently, the idea of consolidating Caltrain and BART has been floated as an easy way to fix Bay Area transit. In short, it’s a bad idea: the benefits, if any, are small and can be achieved in other ways while the problems are large and very real. I’ve spent a long career analyzing rail agencies...
Philbrick: Fighting opioid overdoses on public transit systems
Opioid use is a national crisis that has affected almost every facet of existence. We have seen drug use proliferate in our schools, on our transit systems and in our communities. Along with that proliferation is an increase in overdoses that have prompted the availability of naloxone (also known as Narcan), a medication used to...
Op-ed: Building back our economy requires child care for all
Here’s the truth: we cannot fully build back and enhance our regional economy without expanding high-quality child care for all who need it. In the ever-evolving landscape of our Bay Area economy, child care has emerged as a critical factor in shaping the workforce and overall strength of our economy. As CEOs of business associations...
LaFortune: Who manages San Jose’s theaters?
Recently, San Jose Theaters received a letter from a patron of the California Theatre. It wasn’t a fan letter. As a matter of fact, it was a letter questioning Team San Jose—the venue management company for the theaters and the agency responsible for marketing San Jose—and seeking to ensure the organization wasn’t taking advantage of...
Collins: Why buyer representation matters
In today’s competitive housing market, you need all the help you can get. Low inventory, decreased affordability and a challenging lending environment all add to the complexity of purchasing a home. Each transaction should have two professional realtors representing their clients’ best interests. The seller should retain the services of a realtor, but so should...
Robinson: Who will replace Congresswoman Eshoo?
Silicon Valley Congresswoman Anna Eshoo is resigning, San José Spotlight first reported. Eshoo who along with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former Rep. Jackie Speier and Rep. Zoe Lofgren dominated federal representation in the Bay Area. Her resignation will set off a sprint to the March primary. State Sen. Josh Becker, 54, is best positioned...
Chester: Housing loopholes expose a problem and a solution
A recent San José Spotlight article explained how a state law intended to create more housing can also be used to drastically reduce home construction. The San Jose Flea Market site, an Urban Village, may have just over 25% of the original amount of homes proposed. The reporter spoke with Erik Schoennauer, who represents the...
Dewan: This state program could help make college a reality for your child
Figuring out how to pay for college can be difficult, especially for families with limited resources. Students throughout California, including thousands of youth in Santa Clara County, can access a new benefit that could make college a reality. The California Kids Investment and Development Savings (CalKIDS) program expands access to higher education and encourages families...
Silver Taube: The NLRB shifts to union and worker-friendly standards
According to the National Labor Relations Board, the agency that enforces private sector labor laws, there were 1,249 union elections in fiscal year 2022, a nearly 50% increase from the year before. Workers voted in favor of unionizing in 72% of those elections, up from 61% in 2021. In recent months, the National Labor Relations...
Shaw: The elephant in the room
I have written about many experiences with HomeFirst. Most of the time it concerned the nonprofit’s rules and policies, and the negative effects these have had on its clients. Many unhoused advocates knew of these effects long before I did, and they tried to get people to listen and give the unhoused a voice. I...