Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association

06/23/2026

Yet another regressive tax headed towards the ballot in November

Merc says: "A Santa Clara County civil grand jury report sharply criticized the VTA’s handling of the nearly $13 billion San Jose BART extension." Below, the latest list of VTA costly flubs.

06/23/2026

Some cities are choosing the represent the best interest of their constituents by appealing state laws.

The Mayors of Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Campbell, Saratoga, and Milpitas ask Speaker Rivas for a temporary halt to the flood of new state housing demands and policies, so they can figure out what works and what doesn't--and save their staffs from administrative overload. Edited May 7, 2026 letter below.

06/20/2026

Local Santa Clara County Supervisor Ellenberg pushing new state law. "Perhaps worst of all, it would allow government agencies to sue members of the public if the agency deems their request to be made with 'malicious intent.' This provision alone makes AB 1821 a non-starter. It would be easily weaponized by agencies seeking to thwart transparency and accountability, as has already happened elsewhere in the country."

06/19/2026

California Legislature Taxing your health care benefits

View & Download Your Plan. Your Advocate. For Affordable Health Care Learn More About How Health Plans Are Advocating to Make Quality Health Care More Affordable and Accessible. Your Health is Personal When you need medical care, whether it’s an annual preventive care visit, a broken bone, or a se...

06/18/2026

It’s easy to get swept up in a chorus of tax and spend councilmembers, singing from the same hymnal. But during Tuesday’s 9-2 vote in favor of an anti-Prop 13 memo, Councilmembers George Casey and Bien Doan stayed consistent with their past defenses of fiscal restraint and concerns about

06/16/2026

Local County Supervisor Ellenberg supporting new law. Your government wants to be able to file a lawsuit against you for the mere act of submitting a records request it deems harmful or spiteful.

California bill aimed at requests made with undefined “malicious intent” could be used to punish people who are in disfavor.

06/16/2026

Protecting Taxpayers' Rights

06/15/2026

“it is a case study in how a rich society can spend more and more while producing less and less of what its ordinary citizens need.”

The state’s economy is dynamic. Its government is sclerotic. And voters are starting to notice.

06/14/2026

SJ says it has solved its budget shortfall for the coming year. But can anyone explain how raising new taxes does anything other than make SJ even less affordable? And did we just hear the sound of the can  being kicked down the road--yet again? An Opp Now exclusive.

06/06/2026