The state’s mandate to build 440,000 new housing units in the Bay Area will exacerbate the region’s already severe housing, traffic, water, and education crises. The mandate, coupled with the builder’s remedy, promotes urban sprawl and limits local control over the environment.
While the mandate aims to address housing affordability, only 20% of the new construction is required to be affordable. The remaining 80% can be high-end homes, benefiting developers at the expense of the environment. This will further strain the region’s already limited resources and worsen the quality of life for its residents.
In a related development, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors is set to pass weak sheriff oversight legislation that requires the sheriff’s consent for any investigation. This prevents an oversight body from investigating unless authorized by the sheriff, effectively rendering it toothless.
The county continues to face multimillion-dollar payouts for deputy misconduct, highlighting the need for independent sheriff oversight. The Interfaith Coalition for Justice in our Jails (ICJJ) and the county League of Women Voters advocate for truly independent oversight, as provided for in state law.
In a heartwarming gesture, a non-Jewish staff member at Archbold Biological Station in Florida organized and hosted a vegetarian Passover celebration for two Jewish interns. Non-Jewish researchers attended along with the interns to celebrate the story of Passover together. This act of kindness and inclusivity serves as a beacon of hope amidst the rising tide of antisemitism.
U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton’s suggestion that commuters take matters into their own hands regarding protesters has drawn criticism for its authoritarian undertones. Given the Republican Party’s failure to secure the White House, it is advised that such views be kept under wraps until a more favorable climate presents itself.
President Biden’s latest round of “student loan forgiveness” has been met with skepticism. Critics argue that the debt is simply being transferred to taxpayers, burdening those who did not attend college or those who saved to send their children to school. The latest round includes individuals with household incomes above $312,000, raising concerns about the fairness and effectiveness of the program.
