San Jose Inside takes a look at some of the biggest stories to come in the year ahead.
Reed Preps for Roadshow
A court ruling Monday seriously gutted San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed’s pension reform initiative, Measure B. While savings already achieved will keep the city’s budget intact for the time being, the meat of Measure B—challenging vested rights and reducing cost of living increases—was struck down. Reed reiterated in a statement that the court’s decision highlights the need for statewide pension reform, even if early polling shows voters are resistant. Despite all the talk about going back to a low-key law practice after he terms out, Reed will likely pivot from office to a pension reform road tour in which he and hedge-fund billionaires congratulate each other on being the only ones who get it.
Shirakawa Sloppy Seconds
George Shirakawa Jr. will be back in court for the political mail fraud scandal known as “Saliva-Gate.” Thankfully, the former county supervisor’s plea deal from prior charges means he can never run for office again—otherwise we might have one more knucklehead running for mayor of San Jose.
To Infinity and Beyond
Charter school chain Rocketship Education will continue opening campuses in Santa Clara County at a rate only matched by new Starbucks. Public education will undergo a very real culture change.
End to the Exodus
Police in San Jose, who have been fleeing in droves, will finally feel appreciated as their pay begins to be restored and the next mayor will find common ground with the troops. Just kidding.
Weed Seesaw
While the city of San Jose looks at trimming down its number of pot clubs, a push for outright legalization will begin to mobilize across California. If not 2014, count on 2016.
X-Man: The Last Stand
San Jose Councilman Xavier Campos will continue to stonewall about his shady campaign maneuvers with Shirakawa in 2010 as he runs for re-election—but this assumes he’ll still be in office come June.
Secession Ceasefire
Silicon Valley tech companies will stop talking about seceding from the union—and its burdensome tax laws—because it would just complicate their ability to turn over our information to the NSA.
So, his ballot measure is gutted by the courts, and polling for his statewide measure is showing only about 36% of voters are for it! and now he’s going to do a roadshow with the billionaire out of state crooks. Chuck Reed’s true character shining bright! Happy New Year, cannot wait for him to be termed out.
> Reed reiterated in a statement that the court’s decision highlights the need for statewide pension reform, even if early polling shows voters are resistant.
And what “early polling” would that be?
My guess is that it’s the “Take The Union’s Money And Give Them The Answer They Want To Hear” poll.
Who ever conducted the poll got the “After Chuck Reed failed at local pension reform we don’t trust him to succeed at the star level, ” answer to the question.