"Caltrain and BART would very likely be looking at shutting down passenger service," Deputy Director of Policy Development Melissa Jones said. "In that case, the agencies would be focused on maintenance, trying to secure our assets, keep everything safe while we regroup for the future."
"She wants to regain stable health so she can thoughtfully and responsibly consider her options," her office told ABC7 Eyewitness News in a statement announcing her leave of absence and addressing the condition of her mental health.
Standing in front of a gas pump in a video posted to social media, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said the costs are "becoming an emergency for working families, and I think we ought to act like it." The moderate Democrat called on state lawmakers to suspend California's gas tax, which at 61 cents per gallon is the highest in the nation.
The proposed Billionaire Tax Act, imposing a one-time 5% tax on the total wealth of Californians whose net worth is $1 billion or more, needs reconsideration. Certainly, anyone with $1 billion (or more) has more than enough to live very comfortably, but there is an approach that would be less onerous to the billionaires and more helpful to the state. A one-time 5% tax would bring in a windfall for the state - once.
