By Eric Johnson
Published Jul 22, 2024

Look! The government is spending our money! (Courtesy 'Atlas Shrugged III,')

Money and Politics: The Good News

Let's get straight down to business. The business of government, that is.

This week Chris Neklason, an admitted government-nerd, delivers parts two and three of a series on how government raises and spends money. It's a project that has fascinated Chris for years—back in 2022, he framed the topic thusly: "The genius of democracy is that when citizens are taxed to fund public services, the citizenry is responsible for providing oversight in the administration of those funds. Participating in that oversight process is certainly in our enlightened self interest."

Belive it or not, the bolgpost containing that statement includes a scene from the fantasy novel Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, hero to tax-hating Libertarians (no disrespect intended).

Here, Chris makes it easier to participate in your governments budgeting process.

Find Out Where Your Money Goes

Democracy really does live in California—do not believe the haters, and read all about it in Jon Vankin's book (see banner ad at the top of this page). To prove it, the State Controllers office makes a handy tool available that allows you to see exactly how your county, town or city raises and spends your tax money. And: Here find a quickish primer on county government funding that will help you make sense of billions of public dollars.

Easy as Pie: California Government Budgets at a Glance

Los Angeles county can get a little grabby at meal times…

Where does all that money come from, and where does it go? It's easy to find out.

Follow the Money: How California Counties Draft Their Annual Budgets

The county budget process is complex, involving a lot of moving parts. And holy cow, a lot of money.

The total combined revenues and expenditures of California's 58 counties are astronomical. And getting astronomicaler every year.

Recipe of the Week

Our friends at Sacramento Digs Gardening publish a recipe from their gardens every Sunday, which we feature here so you can start your week with some yum.

See more recipes in their Taste Summer! cookbook.

Nectarines and skillet meatballs: Who knew?

This summery recipe can be served with plain rice, as above, or noodles, shape pasta or greens. Garnish with basil.

Summer stone fruit flavors a quick-cooking sauce

Get to Know a Group

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brother Big Sisters provides children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally supported mentorship. The organization believes that all children can achieve success when given the proper tools and resources—and volunteer mentors are among the most important of those resources.

→ Learn more

From Our Media Allies

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	Silicon Valley Nonprofits Mismanaged Federal Dollars
	Dozens of uncashed checks. Expenditures that were not allowed. Tardiness in submitting quarterly performance reports. These are some of the issues found in an audit of local nonprofits providing housing assistance during the pandemic.

	Cupertino Approves Plan to End Traffic Deaths
	There's a car crash in Cupertino about every three days, city data shows. Officials and advocates are trying to change that.

	San Jose Water Rate Hikes Could Drop
	The for-profit company feeding water to six Santa Clara County cities may agree to walk back its plan for a 22% water rate hike over three years.

	Masten Station Goes Green With Solar Power
	Santa Clara County firefighters and public officials from throughout South County last week celebrated an upgraded solar energy system at a key local station that will save money and better equip the first responders when dealing with their own emergencies.

	Santa Clara County Property Value Growth Is Slow
	The total assessed value of all properties in Santa Clara County has increased, but revenue isn't enough to keep up with cost of services.

	Developer Claims ‘Builder’s Remedy’ Victory for 501-Unit Project
	In an ongoing legal dispute about the use and interpretation of a state housing law, the developer of a 501-unit project proposed on Las Animas Avenue now says the City of Gilroy must allow the residential complex to proceed.

	Los Gatos Park Improvements to Fill Equity Gaps
	Dead, dry grass and tree stumps covering a corner of a popular Los Gatos neighborhood park will be transformed into a new grove thanks to a financial boost.

	Cupertino Waives Millions of Fees for Vallco Development
	Cupertino has waived millions of dollars of development fees for the largest housing development in its history after years of disputes — bringing the city closer to filling the void at the former Vallco Town Center.

	Former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs Files to Run for California Lieutenant Governor
	Michael Tubbs, the former mayor of Stockton, will run for lieutenant governor in 2026, according to campaign paperwork filed this week.

	City of Santa Clara to Place $400M Infrastructure Bond on November Ballot
	Bond proceeds would pay for street, fire station, police, parks, storm drain and historic building projects across the city.

	San Jose Hotel Workers Want Higher Wages as Industry Bounces Back
	San Jose hotel guests looked on as hundreds of hospitality workers marched and picketed major hotel chains across downtown Tuesday — calling for higher wages, benefits and more staffing after their collective bargaining agreement recently expired.

	San Jose Residents Say 7-Story Apartments Too Big for Willow Glen
	A proposed seven-story apartment and townhome project could bring 126 homes and a new retail space to Willow Glen, but many residents in the neighborhood are not happy about the plan.

	Paying to Park Pays Off for Parks (And You)
	Five reasons to take the high-road into your favorite state park’s parking lot.

	Campaign Filings Reveal Silicon Valley Recount Donors
	Tech CEOs and business leaders were the main sources of funding behind a contentious Silicon Valley congressional recount earlier this year.

	San José Spotlight Wins 4 First Place State Journalism Awards
	San José Spotlight brought home seven California Journalism Awards in the annual contest sponsored by the California News Publishers Association, including four first-place wins.

	Silicon Valley Candidates Spent Hundreds of Thousands on Recount
	New campaign finance filings show Assemblymember Evan Low significantly outspent his opponent, former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, on lawyers related to the April recount that solidified both their spots in the November runoff for Congressional District 16.

	South San Jose Tiny Homes Project Long Overdue
	By next fall, San Jose aims to have a long-awaited temporary housing site on the south side of the city for homeless individuals, though some are questioning why it's taking so long.

Recent Local News

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● Candidates Begin Filing For November Election

Candidates have begun filing the paperwork to run for open seats in the Los Altos, Los Altos Hills and Mountain View in the upcoming November election.

(07/23/2024) Los Altos Town Crier

● Concerns Raised Over Distel Project in Los Altos

The 90-unit all-affordable housing development planned for Distel Circle recently reduced the number of proposed parking spaces by more than half.

(07/23/2024) Los Altos Town Crier

● Creekside Inn Housing Project Plan Updated

The so-called " builder's remedy" was applied to the Creekside Inn project in Barron Park, updating the proposal to include 231 housing units and a new 135-room hotel.

(07/21/2024) Palo Alto Online

● Sango Court Grand Opening Celebrated

The 102-unit Sango Court affordable housing complex in Milpitas offers 102 apartments for people transitioning out of homelessness.

(07/21/2024) The Mercury News

● Former School Board Trustee Running for Mountain View City Council

Former Mountain View Whisman School Board Trustee José Gutiérrez announced he is running for Mountain View City Council.

(07/20/2024) Mountain View Voice

● San Jose to Receive $6.7 Million Tiny Home Grant

San Jose announced a $6.7 million state grant will be used to finance a 100-unit tiny house site on Cherry Avenue.

(07/17/2024) The Mercury News

Recent Statewide News

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● As Newsom Finishes His Governorship, Would-Be Successors Are Multiplying

There never was much of a chance that California Gov. Gavin Newsom would be running for president this year, even if President Joe Biden were to step aside.

(07/23/2024) CalMatters

● California Forever Pulls Initiative

Following a report released the previous week by Solano County citing billions of dollars in costs and a host of other issues, California Forever pulled their initiative from the November ballot.

(07/23/2024) The Mercury News

● A California Court Just Granted an Ag Giant a Win. It Could Jeopardize New Farm Union Law

A judge has halted a union effort at the Wonderful Company, throwing into question a new state law designed to make it easier for agricultural workers to organize.

(07/19/2024) CalMatters

● California Sent a Mentally Ill Man to a State Hospital. Then It Charged Him $760,000

California State Hospitals can bill patients for the care they receive during confinement. The charges often run in the tens of thousands of dollars, putting vulnerable people in debt for years.

(07/17/2024) CalMatters

● California Says ICE Detainees Have Labor Rights. They Earn $1 a Day Scrubbing Bathrooms

California failed to ban private detention centers. Now, it’s focusing on their working conditions, for immigrants who toil for $1 a day.

(07/17/2024) CalMatters

● CA Cities and Counties Ignoring Mandate to Monitor Homeless Shelters

In 2021, responding to reports that the state’s homeless shelters were dirty and dangerous, the state Legislature crafted a plan: It would require local governments to inspect their shelters after complaints and file annual reports on shelter conditions.

(07/17/2024) CalMatters

● California Passed a Law to Fix Unsafe Homeless Shelters. Cities and Counties Are Ignoring It

The Supreme Court’s decision on homelessness will test a shelter system that’s full of problems – and lacking accountability.

(07/16/2024) CalMatters

● If Californians Vote to Ban Slavery This Fall, Will Prisoners Get a Raise?

California courts have long upheld below-minimum wage pay for prison inmates working a wide range of jobs. A 2024 ballot measure that would ban forced labor could alter those decisions.

(07/16/2024) CalMatters

● Judge Temporarily Blocks State Order to Growers Who Depleted Groundwater

A Kings County judge today issued a temporary restraining order against the state that pauses its unprecedented move to crack down on groundwater depletion in California’s agricultural heartland.

(07/16/2024) CalMatters

● Steve Garvey Outraises Adam Schiff — But Still Has Less in Bank — In U.S. Senate Bid

The Republican hopeful brought in more cash than Democratic rival Adam Schiff for the first time this campaign during the latest quarter, but still has less to spend.

(07/16/2024) CalMatters

Government Announcements

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	Wiers Farm, Inc Expands Voluntary Recall on Whole and Salad Cucumbers Due to Possible Contamination with Listeria
Willard, OH (July 22, 2024) - Out of an abundance of caution, Wiers Farm Inc. of Willard, OH, is expanding its July 12, 2024, recall to include additional produce because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Wiers Farm Inc., in cooperation United States (07/22/2024)

	In Association with Wiers Farm, Inc. and R.S. Hanline Co Inc., ALDI Recalls Jalapenos, Green Peppers and Green Beans Due to a Potential Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
Batavia, Ill. (July 22, 2024) - In cooperation with Wiers Farm, Inc. and R.S. Hanline Co Inc. and out of an abundance of caution, ALDI Inc., ("ALDI") recalls Freshire Farms jalapenos, green peppers and green beans. The affected product from Wiers Farm, Inc. and R.S. Hanline Co Inc is recalled due to United States (07/22/2024)

	Stutz Packing Co. Recalls Walnut Product Because of Possible Health Risk
Stutz Packing Company of Indio, CA is voluntarily recalling it's 1-pound packages of Shelled Walnuts, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others United States (07/19/2024)

	AW Farms Recalls Ready-To-Eat Hot Dog Products Produced Without Benefit of Inspection
WASHINGTON, July 15, 2024 - AW Farms, an Argillite, Ky., establishment, is recalling approximately 6,900 pounds of hot dog products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection, the... United States (07/15/2024)

	Taylor's Sausage, Inc. Recalls Ready-To-Eat Landjaeger Sausage Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens
WASHINGTON, July 13, 2024 - Taylor's Sausage, Inc., a Cave Junction, Ore., establishment, is recalling approximately 74 pounds of ready-to-eat Landjaeger sausage products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the... United States (07/13/2024)

	AB World Foods US, Inc. Recalls Al'Fez Natural Tahini Because of Possible Health Risk
AB World Foods US, Inc. of Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, is voluntarily recalling Al'Fez Natural Tahini in 5.6oz glass jars because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, an United States (07/12/2024)

	Wiers Farm, Inc Issues a Voluntary Recall on Whole and Salad Cucumbers Due to Possible Contamination with Listeria
Out of an abundance of caution, Wiers Farm Inc. of Willard, OH, is voluntarily recalling a limited number of whole cucumbers with a pack date of June 5, 2024 and bagged salad cucumbers with a pack date of June 5, 2024 and June 6, 2024 due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. This p United States (07/12/2024)

	FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ineligible Meat and Poultry Products Illegally Imported from the Philippines
WASHINGTON, July 10, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for ready-to-eat meat and poultry products that were... United States (07/10/2024)

	Al-Safa US LLC Recalls Frozen Ready-To-Eat Chicken Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination
WASHINGTON, July 5, 2024 - Al-Safa US LLC, the importer of record located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, is recalling approximately 2,010 pounds of imported frozen ready-to-eat chicken products that may... United States (07/05/2024)

	Michael Foods Inc. Recalls Fair Meadow Foundations Liquid Egg Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens
WASHINGTON, June 30, 2024 - M.G. Waldbaum dba Michael Foods Inc., a Gaylord, Minn. establishment, is recalling approximately 4,620 pounds of liquid egg products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens... United States (06/30/2024)