Letters: What cities, state can do about Bay Area's housing ‘doom loop'
Part of the housing problem stems from two big mistakes:
Single-family zoning (ironically, invented in Berkeley) was designed to make housing more expensive and make neighborhoods more exclusive for white residents.
Proposition 13 lowered property taxes for those who stay put in their homes, thus shouldering more local government operating costs on newer residents and newer homes.
I live in a townhome community, where an aging population is staying in their homes — perhaps longer than necessary for their housing needs. But because townhomes are less expensive than single-family homes, we are seeing an influx of young families with children move in — a delight to see.
We need cities to encourage townhomes and other 'missing middle' housing, and the state should make smart changes to our property tax system to equitably apportion costs while focusing housing relief on lower-income populations.
Gary Farber, Walnut Creek
Stop fearmongering
One makes a facile comparison of the rising authoritarianism in our country to the favorite bogeyman, Vladimir Putin. No, our authoritarianism is 100% made in the U.S., and there is no good reason to bash Russia to prove it.
The other stokes fears of China's advances in biotech, posing it as an 'economic risk' and 'national security threat.' No, China is just advancing in this area, peacefully, based on its internal conditions and capabilities. If it is advancing more quickly than the U.S., isn't that our fault?
The fear-mongering hysteria about Russia and China by our politicians and media is dangerous, misleading and counterproductive.
I hope the Chronicle will offer space for the voices arguing for world peace and not just to the Russia and China bashers who are whipping up fear, hatred and hysteria.
Victor Ochoa, Oakland
Escape to Alcatraz
Regarding 'Bondi, other officials tour S.F.'s Alcatraz as part of Trump's pledge to reopen prison' (Politics, SFChronicle.com, July 17): President Donald Trump wants to reopen Alcatraz as a federal prison for the 'worst of the worst.' Currently, those prisoners are sent to a maximum security prison in Florence, Colo.
I have been a criminal defense attorney for 38 years, and a former client spent time in Florence. He described to me a Dante's Inferno of violence and fear. He was never so happy as when he was transferred out.
I am certain that any prisoner at Florence would jump at the chance to be transferred to Alcatraz. It will be smaller, the weather will be better, and there will be beautiful views.
Eric Weaver, Berkeley
Public broadcasting is the frontline of impartial discourse in this country. The loss of over $1 billion in federal funding is a crippling blow to this important system.
The state of California could, at no cost to its budget, guarantee a loan to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, to be repaid from the restoration of funding in the next Congress or by contributions from subscribers or wealthy benefactors.
Let us stand firm against this unfolding tyranny. The nation is depending on California to show grit and imagination.
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