Hypocritical actions are in full bloom in San Jose. In this case, it is a recommendation to the Sunshine Task Force by one of its members who is exhibiting that most unfortunate characteristic. Labor representative Bob Brownstein is suggesting that the city be required to detail all costs anytime a significant public subsidy is required. The wages of any jobs, impact on neighborhoods, return in taxes, and anything that could reasonably be assumed to be a pertinent part of a project, would have to be expeditiously disclosed. This is just like the joke about not being able to run a two-car funeral. In recent municipal lore, it is known as not being able to give away retail space to Starbuck’s. That’s some business sense—and some funeral.
Insiders like Brownstein never seem to learn; they continue to advance their selfish interests. Following the clandestine spectacle of the Gonzales years, public scrutiny must be paramount, but let’s get serious. We know hypocrisy when we see it and this brazen gambit is just a thinly-veiled attempt to extend, citywide, the absurd labor-induced “negotiations” that doomed Starbuck’s at City Hall. It would create a major impediment to business and new revenues in our city.
Brownstein’s recommendations are the final gasps of the small clique of politicians, bosses, and fixers that have led our city to such a low point in the past decade. Everyone should know that this is the same Brownstein that was the budget director for our city when they negotiated the closed door, payoff-laden deal with the Bay 101 card club that resulted in incalculable cost to our police department and brought tragedy to many families. If you want to know a horrible price that should have been disclosed, that was it (and big-dollar donations went to most council members in that sordid deal, too). As budget director, Brownstein held near-absolute power in such matters. He was also one of the ethical mutes in the labor movement who failed to utter a single word on the excesses of the Gonzales years or the petty crimes of the Terry Gregory episode. And, it was this same man who pushed to abandon the good planning precepts of the city and tried recently to promote the outrageous sellout in Coyote Valley.
After such a past record, it is inconceivable that Brownstein would have the audacity to now pose as a good government reformer, but such is what has passed for leadership and character at our City Hall in recent years. There is a new breeze blowing and such transparent power grabs and disingenuous and hypocritical actions are now being identified for what they are. The truth is often plain, but rarely simple. This ploy must not stand. We can all be overjoyed that blatant power plays like this are now relegated to feeble gambits on the Sunshine Task force and not entertained seriously in the inner councils of City Hall. Thank God—and the voters.
I strongly suggest that if anyone is interested in this proposal before the Task Force tomorrow night that they read the proposal,
You can find the proposal by going to tomorrow night’s agenda at:
http://www.sanjoseca.gov/clerk/TaskForce/SRTF/pdf/041907/4-19-07 SRTF Agenda4.pdf
The links to the proposal are on the agenda (Items IV-1 and IV-4.
To fully understand the proposal, please read both the original proposal and the modifications suggested by Bob in response to the staff’s comments.
There is much conversation about this proposal in San Jose at the moment. Unfortuantely, it doesn’t appear that it is on this proposal itself.
It would be helpful, if the conversation was on the proposal and highlighted the proposals strengths and weaknesses rather than refight an old political battle.
So the Merc manufactures its news and suddenly we’ve got actual politicians perpetuating this crap…
Dear Tom:
Thanks for bringing this important subject up and having the courage to “tell it like it is!”
I served on the Transition Team Committe that forwarded the idea for a cost/benefit analysis to be done for any project that seeks a public subsidy. And, an after action report would also be required to evaluate whether or not the city’s interests were served by the project or program. It’s really very simple…the city would have an additional tool to evaluate whether or not a certain course of action produced benefits for the city. Who’s afraid of the truth?
What the city council understood, but others would like for us to ignore, is that the council can still approve projects that don’t reap any financial gain. In fact, the council could still approve projects/events that end up costing the city money! My hope is that the members of the Sunshine Task Force will see through the nonesense and prevent any group or individual from hijacking the program.
You know, from time to time one hears the term “Labor Peace” used here in San Jose. It’s times like these when one understands that what is really meant by the term is, “Labor’s Piece.”
Pete Campbell
Tom – other than your ranting attack on Brownstein et al – What is your point ?
Are you for or against disclosing infomation about all large city tax subsidies, who to and why given with city tax subsidy audits?
Political outsiders who previously were insiders like you and Brownstein many times make best reform proposals since they know how city government works as we saw with your well thought out lobbyist and city reform proposals.
I like the idea of letting the public know about projects but this is going too far isn’t it?
Labor Peace should be called what it is “Labor Subsidies”
All large special interest tax subsidies should be disclosed since tax funds, undermaket rent facilities or free city services or items are given if you look at details – no political exceptions
Developer subsidies, Chamber subsidies, corporate economic development subsidies, sports team owner subsidies, arts, theater & museum subsidies, non profit subsidies, downtown event subsidies
Dear # 4 – I did not think my comments a rant, just the truth – Brownstein has enjoyed a special status as the head of Working Partnerships, with a mysterious source of money, and constant shilling for developers like the Coyote Valley cartel – as Harry Truman said, “they think I’m giving ‘em hell but it’s just the truth and they think it’s hell.” Make that a paraphase. And “yes”, I think that all information should be disclosed on projects, but when used as a tool to blackmail and stall – see Starbuck’s – it is not useful. TMcE
Pete Campbell worked with the Transition Team allright, in the morning he brought the donuts, and in the afternoon, after bringing in the sandwiches, he washed and waxed Chuck’s car, and combed Victor’s tangled hair.
Have we ever seen such a toady as Pete Campbell?
As for Bob Brownstein, the guy was always one hundred percent for the working guy, and Tom McEnery, who has never eaten out of brown paper bag in his life, or gotten a payroll check, knows it.
As for sunshine, have we noticed that Krutko, the Knucklehead, has spent city money, analyzing a state land stadium, bought with public funds, and still declares it secret.
It is ok, Pete, Chuck does not need his shoes shined tomorrow, but he does need his redskin peanuts skinned.
Tom, right as usual. And not as “inside” as Brownstein or you would be our Congressperson instead of Zoe. Funny about Brownstein being 100% behind Joe Worker, in his Brooks Bros., outfits, rumpled as they are, and Chivas Regal in his liquor cabinet, just another fat cat unioner. My experience with “Uncle Bob”: With a section 8 contract I inherited on one of my downtown rentals, I was having the usual awful time with Housing Authority, and set up an appt. with the insider Director of the HA, another Brooks Bros. guy, to point out that their list of qualified applicants was 10 years old; contact info of applicants was ALWAYS out of date, with the result that it would take months and months to fill a vacancy from the HA list. Didn’t help me; didn’t help poor folks who needed a place to stay. Brownstein showed up, don’t know exactly why, to make sure that his HA Director didn’t get criticized by yours truly, and didn’t have to make any change to his truly stupid protocol. Might have required some thought.
But my concern about this is—now that we have Chuck and Allies on the Council, how come that stupid arrangement about the coffee shop at CH is still in place? Are Labor’s edicts permanent? Forever? Let’s rescind the crap and get Starbucks.
Also, Podgorsek’s role in this agreement? He’s another insider, big time. Not a registered lobbyist, but he has more than a little to say about the Planning on “his” turf. The 3rd and Willliam St. “project” is one of his greatest “achievements”. George Green
Tom, when you’re right your right!, Everybody look up the Starbucks deal and you will understand just what he’s talking about and this is just one of many projects that get rolled over by Labor. It has to stop NOW!
Jay – good thoughts, well expressed. And I never much liked brown bag lunches, but I “have” paid many payrolls, and was late on one or two in several small businesses. Until you have done all of these, you should never be taken too seriously on economic issues. Mr Brownstein began his business advice in San Jose as the key advisor of Tom Hayden’s Campaign for Economic Democracy – anathema to Silicon Valley and all the good lives that have been improved here. My other comments stand unchallenged. TMcE