This is an op ed I wrote which was published in the San Mateo Daily Journal on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. Most of us have no idea how our vaunted economic system works. Granted, not understanding the how doesn’t stop you from benefitting from something. You don’t have to know how your cell phone works […]
A Misunderstood System Read More »
This is op ed was published in the San Mateo Daily Journal on Monday, April 11, 2022. What you see here is slightly different from the print version because the Journal objected to me identifying the Council member who made the quote I cited1. I don’t agree with their position2 but it is their newspaper
That’s What They’re For Read More »
This is an op ed I wrote which was published in the Palo Alto Daily News on March 3, 2022. It relates to the departure, three years ago, of Silicon Valley Clean Water’s executive director as a result of sexual harassment allegations brought against him by a former employee (SVCW is our local public agency
Playing Hide the Football Read More »
This is a public comment I made at the February 28, 2022 City Council meeting. It relates to nearly $2,000,000 of expenditures by Silicon Valley Clean Water, our local sewage treatment agency, which was hidden from public view until uncovered by the Palo Alto Daily Post. You can read their coverage here, here, and here.
Treating People Like Mushrooms Read More »
Long-time readers of this blog will recall my last State of the City address focused on just how gigantic the Bay Area economic powerhouse is. I knew it was big…but had no idea just how big it was, despite having lived here for many years. Today the Federal Bureau of Economic Analysis released the 2020
The Trillion Dollar Club Read More »
This is an op ed I wrote which was published in the Daily Post on April 26, 2021 under the title “Wrong kind of budget in an emergency”. Both titles are catchy, IMHO, so go with the one you prefer :). I’ll post a link to the Post’s website once they publish the piece online.
A Conservative Budget in a Crisis Is Not a Good Thing Read More »
This is one in a series of catch-up articles, related to Council discussions and actions which took place a few weeks ago. Life got in the way so it’s taken me until now to write about them. But I think they touch on important topics so I figure they’re worth publishing even if they’re a
That’s Not a Typographic Error! Read More »
This is one in a series of catch-up articles, related to Council discussions and actions which took place a few weeks ago. Life got in the way so it’s taken me until now to write about them. But I think they touch on important topics so I figure they’re worth publishing even if they’re a
So What’s Wrong with the Budget, Anyway? Read More »
Monday night the Council reviewed the proposed budget for 2020/20211. “The budget” is actually several budgets — one for general operating expenses, one for capital projects, one for sewer system operations, etc. — which get reviewed and enacted together. You can find details and the staff presentations here. Be aware it’s a giant PDF. As
Budgeting During a Pandemic: Feedback Needed Read More »
The City Council tonight approved — by a 4 to 1 vote (I opposed) — pre-paying an additional $7,000,000 towards the city’s pension obligations. A pre-payment means investing money in the California Public Employee Retirement System (CALPERS) above and beyond what the city is required to contribute. This latest prepayment was on top of a
$14,000,000 to Protect Pensions Read More »