The push to underground utilities – which could cost $500 million – is an example of how politics trumps practicality. Many studies show undergrounding does not help emergency response.
Robert Krumme
Posted inOpinion
Opinion: The moral case against Measure O, the $135 million housing bond measure on the Berkeley ballot
Measure O would cost taxpayers $280 million (including interest) but its claim to provide “affordable housing” is vague and there is no oversight mechanism.
Posted inOpinion
Opinion: Five sad truths about Measure T1 and why Berkeley should care
Politicians sold the $100M infrastructure bond as one that would incorporate public input and be used for the most critical of projects. Neither of those things is happening.
Posted inOpinion
Opinion: Missing the point: A response to a clueless homeless policy in Berkeley
Jacquelyn McCormick’s response to my opinion piece about homelessness in Berkeley offers itself as a counterpoint to my remarks. In fact, it misses the point entirely.
Posted inOpinion
Opinion: Berkeley homeless policy and the moral hazard problem
Berkeley should emulate what the Victorians did — redirect all homeless aid to private sector control, such as the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities or Richmond Rescue.
Posted inOpinion
Opinion: Berkeley should only fund infrastructure projects that have a higher return than their borrowing costs.
Just because interest rates are low doesn’t mean Berkeley should borrow $100M for T1. The city should only fund projects that have a higher return than its borrowing costs.
Posted inOpinion
Op-ed: Berkeley bonds and the New Guinea cargo cult
Berkeley is approaching a major, although only dimly visible, financial crisis. To pile another $100 million of debt onto this grim situation without first reforming basic budgeting and policy practices would be irresponsible.
Posted inOpinion
Op-ed: A response to Terry Roberts
When responding to an opinion piece, as Terry Roberts purports to do, it is often quite useful to base your response on both on the opinions expressed in the original piece and also on actually relevant personal experience. The first makes it easier to follow your response and the second, of course, is more of a […]